After being rushed to the hospital where she's worked for 20 years, a pacemaker was the answer for PRMC nurse Susan Elerding
Photo by Todd Dudek
Susan Elerding was in a meeting when her heart stopped.
As a nurse, she had dedicated her life to helping others, but on this July day she found herself being rushed into the Emergency Department as she struggled to piece together what had happened.
“I remember feeling confused,” said Elerding, who has worked for Peninsula Regional Medical Center for more than two decades. “I didn’t want to tell everyone that I didn’t know what year it was.”
Elerding spent days in the hospital undergoing tests to determine why her body had failed her. Still in a confused state days after the incident, she found it hard to put words together to explain her thoughts and feelings.
“I was told I had slight seizure activity. When a doctor witnesses that, it’s hard for you to say it didn’t happen,” she said. “I needed to find out if it was a seizure because of epilepsy or because my heart didn’t beat properly.”
After a few days, Elerding was discharged. At her follow-up appointment, a decision was made: She would be weaned off her seizure medications and have continuous heart monitoring in an attempt to pinpoint the problem.
For 90 days, Elerding relied on her husband and friends for transportation, as her medical condition prevented her from driving.
“When something like this happens to you, it really makes you think about life. I’m just incredibly thankful.”
On Sept. 6, a device was implanted that would allow doctors to monitor Elerding’s heart in real time. If she felt off, she could push a button that would record her cardiac activity.
She didn’t have to wait long for an answer. On Oct. 2, while her husband was taking her to work, the feeling returned. Elerding pushed the button and headed straight to Peninsula Cardiology Associates, where she discovered that her heart had stopped beating for 14 seconds. Before too long, cardiologists were able to give Elerding a pacemaker to prevent future episodes.
“I knew it was something bad,” she said. “I was able to get an answer, and I feel very fortunate for that; not everyone is so lucky.”
Elerding has made the most of that luck. Since receiving her pacemaker, she and her family have moved into a new home, and her daughter is attending George Washington University, with hopes to one day become a doctor. Elerding herself is now pursuing her master’s degree.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, so I’m really glad I have the opportunity to accomplish that,” she said. “When something like this happens to you, it really makes you think about life. I’m just incredibly thankful.”