Ladies in Red

In August 2008 Carol Mathewson was competing in a triathlon in Seattle. A kayaker approached her on Lake Washington during the swimming portion of the event, inquiring if she was all right. Mathewson said she was. Soon after she disappeared underwater.

Despite being in peak physical condition, Mathewson had suffered sudden cardiac arrest.

Luckily, two event volunteers pulled her from the water, took her ashore and began cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Her skin was gray and she had no pulse. Two medics were soon on the scene. They intubated her to open her airways and administered epinephrine to boost the oxygen supply to her brain and muscles.

Mathewson was rushed to Harborview Hospital. She spent 23 days there, the first three in a coma. Doctors told her husband she would likely die, or end up catatonic if she survived.

Mathewson did survive, making a slow recovery to where she could work and resume normal activities.  A city of Tacoma employee of 28 years, she works in the Information Technology Department.

She underwent weeks of intensive speech, occupational and physical therapy. She came back to work on a part-time basis last February and went full time in June.

 The tube that was put down her throat affected her voice. She had tremors in her left hand, which made typing difficult.

“Occupational therapy was the hardest part,” she said. “It was a long journey.”

Heart disease entered the life of Tacoma resident Dyann Lyon in a most shocking way. Nine years ago while vacationing in Hawaii, her husband, who was 50, suffered a fatal heart attack.

Lyon, now remarried, wants to use her late husband’s tragic death to educate others. She learned later that he had shown warning signs prior to his heart attack.

“If we had known, he might be alive today.”

Last summer, Lyon approached the local chapter of American Heart Association (AHA). That led to the formation of a group of Go Red ambassadors. This group of women makes presentations to educate women, and men, about heart disease.

Recent presentations have been to an insurance company, Tacoma Public Utilities and at city hall. The ambassadors tell their stories and give short Powerpoint presentation.

“We all have a heart and a passion for what we are doing. We all have a story to tell. It is awesome to see how they are received,” Lyon said. “Our intention is to save lives.”

Mathewson is one of the ambassadors. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, she points out. Her most important message is to learn CPR. Other advice is to eat healthy and lower one’s blood pressure.

Several ambassadors will staff an information table at Courtyard by Marriott in downtown from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 5, which has been designated as National Wear Red Day. People are asked to wear red to raise awareness of heart disease.

Businesses in Proctor District will collect donations for AHA. Chalet Bowl will hold Bowl for Hearts on Feb. 5. Registration for teams must be done by Feb. 4 and can be done by visiting http://www.chaletbowl.com.

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