Genesis Employee’s Training Is A Lifesaver

By Craig Cooper

The right place. The right time. The right training.

David Muse is thankful and fortunate everything was aligned last August 7. He is likely alive, overcoming tremendous odds against him, because his wife, Denise Grundstom-Muse, had paid attention during CPR training.

Denise, who has worked as a medical secretary for more than 30 years at Genesis health Group Silvis Pediatrics and Illini Hospital, said she arrived home in Colona after work and went to change clothes.

"He was in his recliner and had a seizure. I realized from the bedroom he was struggling. I threw him on the floor, slugged him in the chest … I broke ribs … and started CPR. Just the previous day he had had a stent put in so I knew he was probably having a heart attack,’’ Denise said. “It was traumatizing later but at the time, I did all the steps I needed to do.’’

They now laugh that there was one detail she neglected. She didn’t get fully dressed before realizing her husband was in trouble. She was bare-chested when she saved her husband’s life.

"I was able to call 9-1-1 and the cops kind of blocked me from seeing what they were doing when they were there. One of them asked if I knew I wasn’t wearing a shirt. I didn’t care at the time. I was totally focused on what I was supposed to do," she said.

David Muse had two more stents inserted at Genesis Medical Center-Silvis and spent three days in the hospital’s intensive care unit. He is now is a regular, three days a week in rehabilitation at the hospital.

He was fortunate that there was no brain damage or stroke. He has had no more issues with his heart,’’ Denise said. “It was God’s plan that he should be here.

But David Muse did have one more experience related to his heart attack. He had what is commonly referred to as a “near-death experience.’’ He recalls seeing his mother, Denise’s mom and a family friend. All had passed.

He felt bad because he wanted to bring his mom and my mom back with him and couldn't," Denise explained.

Denise and David, who are veteran campers, have a plan for sharing their experience for the benefit of others. They plan to be remarried at Shady Lakes Campground next Aug. 7. Any monetary gifts or donations will go toward the purchase of an AED for the campground.

"We want to pay it forward. We also want to talk to CPR classes about our experience. CPR works and it is important to be trained. David is alive because of what I had learned,’’ Denise said. “Always remember to be determined, have faith, and know that any CPR can work to save a life.’’

David Muse was very fortunate. About 9 of 10 people who have cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die. But if performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival.

To find out more about CPR and first aid training available from Genesis Health System, call Triston Dalaska, training center coordinator, at (309) 281-5092. You can also go to https://www.genesishealth.com/classes for information about classes.