Dori Monson was enthusiastically cheering on the Washington Huskies in the Alamo Bowl while sitting on the couch. His wife, Suzanne, was in the next room working on a jigsaw puzzle, a Christmas gift from one of their three daughters.
A week before this, Dori and Suzanne had hosted an early holiday family gathering at their home just outside Seattle. In the days following, one daughter traveled to Minneapolis to visit her boyfriend’s family while another went skiing in Canada.
During halftime, Dori went to see Suzanne. He took the opportunity to play the piano for her, a gesture he often made. Playing since childhood, he sang “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” by Billy Joel, which Suzanne found romantic even after 35 years of marriage.
As the third quarter started, Dori returned to the couch. Hearing a loud snort coming from his direction, Suzanne realized he had drifted off, a common occurrence due to his sleep apnea and loud snoring.
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Suzanne expected a loud exhale but heard nothing. Concerned, she checked on him and found Dori unresponsive. At 61, he had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Suzanne, who had CPR training from coaching girls’ sports teams with Dori, immediately sprang into action. She called 911 and began chest compressions while the dispatcher guided her over the phone.
EMTs arrived quickly and used an AED to restart Dori’s heart. Despite achieving a sustainable rhythm, Dori did not regain consciousness.
As paramedics prepared to take Dori to the hospital, a surprised EMT outside asked Suzanne how he had survived for that long. “I gave him CPR,” she replied, earning a high five from the EMT.
At the hospital, doctors informed Suzanne that Dori had suffered significant brain damage due to lack of oxygen. The family gathered to discuss the next steps as they faced the heartbreaking reality.
With heavy hearts, they decided to let Dori go peacefully. Suzanne, supported by their daughters, spent precious moments with him, eventually saying their goodbyes as they played “Lullabye” by his side, a spiritual experience for Suzanne.
Reflecting on the tragic events, Suzanne found comfort in the CPR she had performed, allowing them invaluable time together as a family. Inspired by her experience, she organized an event to teach CPR and AED usage, targeting women in honor of Dori’s advocacy for women in sports and life.
The event, attended by about 150 people, aimed to simplify the process of CPR and empower individuals to act in emergencies, as lay people administer CPR in only about 40% of cases according to the American Heart Association.
Stories From the Heart showcases the inspiring journeys of heart disease and stroke survivors, caregivers, and advocates, while American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health with all rights reserved by the American Heart Association.
