I owe my life to Dr. Hilton at Beebe Healthcare’s South Coastal Emergency Department

*Caption: Mark and Cynthia Lamastra are joined by Jonathan Hilton, MD, and Christine Freitas, RN, Nurse Manager at the South Coastal Emergency Department.*

By Cynthia Lamastra

I have heard that many women tend to put things off when it comes to their health and that women can be at greater risk for serious issues because of it. I also believe this is true because this is the way I usually am. Usually, but very luckily, not always.

I remember the early evening of Feb. 25 when I started to feel a little dizzy and lightheaded. I had some pain in the back of my shoulder, and I felt a little clammy, with weakness and an upset stomach. I checked my blood pressure, and it was up a little bit too. Around 9 p.m., I started to feel even worse and that got me very concerned.

I told my husband, Mark, that I needed to go to the emergency department, and he drove me there. We live about 10 minutes away from Beebe’s South Coastal Health Campus and I told Mark to drop me off at the door. I was feeling even worse and very weak, there was a wheelchair right at the front door and I sat in it. Mark wheeled me in, and I told the receptionist that I thought I was having a heart attack.

They promptly got me back to a treatment room and Jonathan Hilton, MD, came in right away. Dr. Hilton ordered an IV and an EKG. Everyone kept an eye on me but within 10 or 15 minutes I had a cardiac arrest. My heart stopped.

As soon as the machine went off, Dr. Hilton and his whole team ran right in. My husband was afraid he might lose me, but Dr. Hilton and the team were so quick, and they saved my life. The team immediately administered oxygen and started CPR, then used the defibrillator to restart my heart. I must have blacked out because I don’t remember anything, but Mark was by my side, and he told me everything Dr. Hilton and his team did to save me.

Dr. Hilton was calling my name after he got my heart going again. He assured me that I was in good hands, and he let me know that I had experienced a cardiac arrest. Dr. Hilton was so calming and supportive – he made me feel safe. I believe the reason I recovered so well is because of his quick actions. I have no neurological issues and I did not need physical or occupational therapy. Dr. Hilton was remarkable – he is truly a lifesaver!

Thinking back, if I had dismissed my symptoms and just gone to bed to wait and see how I felt in the morning, I probably would have died. My husband is a sound sleeper, and he probably would have just thought that I was fast asleep! I know that taking action and getting emergency care is the reason I am still here.

I feel that I owe my life to Dr. Jonathan Hilton and his team at Beebe Healthcare’s South Coastal Emergency Department. Mark and I know our donations help Beebe to bring even more life-saving technologies to our area. We believe Beebe is the best hospital in our area and that’s why we support Beebe.

As a community-based, not-for-profit healthcare system, Beebe Healthcare depends on the generous support of the community it serves. To make a gift to celebrate the excellent care you or a loved one has received, visit Beebe Medical Foundation at beebemedicalfoundation.org or call 302-644-2900.