Eight years ago, Ray Henderson’s life changed in an instant. After experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, Ray survived against overwhelming odds, spending months in intensive care, a burn unit and multiple hospitals. Throughout his recovery, one constant stood out: the nurses who cared for him and his family when it mattered most. In this interview, Ray reflects on his journey and shares why the compassion, presence and skill of nurses, especially ICU nurses, made all the difference.
Take us back to the beginning and share what happened.
Eight years ago, I had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest at home. My wife found me collapsed and started CPR immediately. She had never been trained and did not know the pacing or depth. She just acted. We lived in the mountains with no cell service, so she was alone performing CPR for more than 30 minutes before paramedics arrived.
When they got there, they had to access my shinbone to administer fluids, and I was defibrillated multiple times on the way to the hospital. At the hospital, the doctor told my family they were going to try VA ECMO as a last resort. He said I had less than a 2% chance of survival and that if I did survive, I would likely have severe brain damage. I ended up in a coma in the ICU for a couple of weeks.
What do you remember from your time in the ICU?
I do not remember the first three weeks at all. I was on life support. As I began to recover and was preparing to move to a step-down unit, I developed a rash. I had severe gout and was given gabapentin, which triggered Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or TEN. It caused my skin to burn from the inside out.
I was transferred to a burn center and spent two months there, most of that time in the burn ICU. That is when the nurses truly became everything. This was before COVID, so my family could be present. At night, when ICU delirium set in, it was the nurses who held my hand, talked me through the fear and helped me survive those moments. Without their guidance and kindness, I honestly do not think I would have made it.
You have maintained relationships with the nurses who cared for you. What does that look like today?
Every year about this time, I go back to the hospitals. I visit the heart hospital and the burn unit. Some nurses are still there, and they know me now. I thank them, bring small gifts, and stay in touch with many of them through social media and texts.
To me, the nurses were even more impactful than the doctors. Nurses did the work day in and day out. They kept me alive, helped me heal and supported my family. I will never be able to thank them enough.
You have experienced care across many settings. What stands out to you about ICU nursing care?
I had multiple stent procedures and, in 2019, a triple bypass. I was back in the ICU, and once again, the nurses were phenomenal. They understood what I had already been through, supported my family and helped me get back on my feet. They were incredible.
Why do ICU nurses, in particular, make such a difference?
ICU nurses, even with everything they are juggling, connect with you. The way they speak to you, touch your hand and focus on you as a person makes a huge difference. That difference matters not just for patients, but for families too.
They need to know how deeply that care matters.
What moments from throughout your journey still stay with you today?
It has been eight years, and I still cry when I see the nurses who helped me. I remember the nurses holding my hand during nightmares, talking to me while I was in a coma, reading to me and caring for me when I was intubated and unable to move. All I could do was look into their eyes. Even then, I could tell when a nurse cared and when everything was OK, just by their voice and presence.
I spent 99 days in four different hospitals (two different ICU units and two step-down units) after my cardiac arrest. If you are an ICU nurse who works at night, you truly are an angel. A year later, I had a triple bypass and that ICU unit was a difference maker because of the amazing care and attention they provided around the clock for me and my family. If you are a nurse reading this, understand that YOU make a difference and through our journeys, you are the ones we remember most.