Q: What does it feel like to be a survivor?
Can you briefly summarise your feeling at having survived an event where most do not
Responses with name, age at SCA and time since
Very lucky
Michelle, 43, 5 years
I know how lucky I am that I was in the right place at the right time and it wasnt my time. Sometimes I cant believe it really happened but I know it did as I have an ICD, I know I feel different physically and mentally. When I cant do something I could do in the past eg. multi task remembering etc. I think is it normal eg. aging or SCA.
Robyn, 57, 18 months
Angry at times but lucky
Anon, 70, 10 months
Lucky and grateful
Stewart, 53, 3 years
Both lucky and unlucky, healthy and unhealthy…but finally, glad
Andy, 51, 5 years
Relief and guilt
Tracy, 50, 3 years
Truly amazing…. better odds to win the lottery, forever in debt to my wife lifesaver
Ben, 32, 1 year 2 months
Thankful
Maureen, 68, 7 years
Bit surreal really. I was lucky i was on an operating table when i had my event. Dont know anything about it, just that they took 30 seconds to get me back.
Anon, 56, 15 months
Lucky to be alive unlucky that it happened at all.
Graeme, 36, 10 years
I am more relaxed
Pat, 51, 15 months
Extremely thankful, can’t put into words
Carly, 34, 1 month
Very lucky and thankful and a desire to do everything there is to do and value life, family and friends
Julie, 31, 8 years
Very lucky
Anon, 70, 10 months
I don’t class myself as a survivor. I was extremely lucky. My own GP was driving to work and saw me collapse on the pavement. He stopped his car and started CPR.
Amy, 17, 14 years
Strange, I feel different to everyone else in some way
Judy, 39, 3 years
My lifestyle has slowed down immensely.
Lisa, 40, 7 years
Surreal. But I feel more vunreable.
Lisa, 35, 4 months
Extremely fortunate but life changing event
Kym, 40, 3 years
Proud, happy, scared, worried
Pat, 51, 15 months
Indifferent at best.
Anon, 36, 11 years
Lucky!
Clare, 31, Almost 5 months.
It’s a lot to take in but as time goes by, it’s a lot easier to deal with and I find myself to be very lucky.
Imogen, 21, 2 years
Living from day to day!
Brenden, 56, 4 years
Guilty because I survived and so many friends haven’t
Lisa, 40, 7 years
Strange. Mine happened at home approx 6am. Every day I wake up is a blessing Always a worry. Most friends have given me a wide birth since my SCA
Joanne, 48, 23 months
Very lucky to be where I was at the time of my SCA. Still can’t believe I’m still here and survived it.
Lee, 37, 5 1/2 years
Bewildering…eternally grateful!
Michelle, 42, 4 years
Lucky , and fortunate for being given a second chance. Sometimes sad for the life changed , sometimes anxious .
Michelle, 50, 1 year
I feel lucky to have been given a second chance
Dawn, 48, 3 years
Privileged
Lynne, 47, 21 months
I am eternally grateful for my 2nd chance at life. I would never have seen 2 of my children get married nor the birth of my 3 grandchidren. My wife and I have recently celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary, as well. Impossible to put a value on all that, is it not?
Mark, 46, 23 years
I feel lucky to have survived but still anxious as it’s early days!
Joe, 52, 4 weeks
Extremely lucky!
Natasha, 25, 4.5 years
Mixed feelings. Obviously feel very fortunate and blessed but also guilty.
Mark, 56, 14 months
I’m so happy to be here!! I love life x
Sue, 51, 8 months