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Paul Nolan is a professional marketer, as well as a songwriter, musician and fitness enthusiast in his spare time. Here he relates a near-death experience last year in the hope of encouraging readers to be heart-aware…
THERE ARE ABOUT 3,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year in Ireland and, sadly, only about 6-7% of those affected survive. That I found myself on the right side of such a statistic is something for which I will always be incredibly grateful.
It was almost 8 pm on 2 December 2022 when I suffered my cardiac arrest. I was dead before I hit the ground. I felt no pain and knew nothing of the commotion that followed. My life did not flash before me. There was no ‘white light’ to which I was drawn, nor a feeling of bliss, unconditional love, peace or contentment.
I did not find myself in a ‘celestial tunnel’ meeting all of the people I had known who had passed before me. All there was was a piercing, visceral sense of blackness and terror.
I did not acquit myself with any kind of distinction academically as a young student, despite the best efforts of several talented, conscientious teachers in St Paul’s College in Raheny.
The only topic in which I had any real interest was poetry, in particular the work of Emily Dickinson. Her poem ‘Because I Could Not Stop for Death’ intrigued me for nearly 40 years, as I pondered the moment and the circumstances in which I might shuffle off my own mortal coil. I hoped it would be quick and painless… and so it proved.
Prior to this episode I had been a healthy 52-year-old, who didn’t smoke, drank only moderately and had a very good diet. I exercised regularly and had just completed the 2022 Dublin City Marathon.
Apart from my cholesterol being marginally higher than it should have been, I had received a clean bill of health from my GP only the day before all of this unfolded.
However, unbeknownst to both of us, my left anterior descending (LAD) artery was at the time almost totally blocked in two places, as was a sub-artery… those were near-perfect conditions for the occurrence of a ‘widowmaker’ heart attack… one which is almost always fatal.
My father has always subscribed to the maxim that it’s better to be born lucky than rich. For much of my life theretofore, I’m not sure I agreed with those sentiments or felt greatly blessed with either. However, I was hugely fortunate to be down in Newbridge Athletics Club on the night of 2 December 2022 when this incident occurred.
I was out on the running track with friends from the club, all of whom responded quickly and did an incredible job in terms of providing immediate CPR and shocking my heart with the defibrillator from the clubhouse. Newbridge Community First Responders and National Ambulance Service Paramedics were quickly on the scene and they too were instrumental in my resuscitation.
My understanding is that I was clinically dead for three to four minutes, and all the while clubmates worked frantically to try to revive me.
Once the first responders and paramedics were satisfied that it was safe to do so, I was taken by ambulance to Naas General Hospital where I was placed in an induced coma while tests were carried out to determine what might have happened.
On the Sunday evening, I was transferred to Blackrock Clinic and admitted with a suspected heart attack, pneumonia and an hypoxic brain injury. On the Monday I had a coronary angiogram procedure, an invasive test using X-ray dye, which determined there were serious issues with my LAD artery (the largest coronary artery which supplies blood to the heart).
That Tuesday evening, I had a coronary angioplasty which involved temporarily inserting and inflating tiny balloons in the affected sections of the narrowed artery. This was combined with the permanent placement of three small wire mesh tubes called ‘stents’ which helped to prop the artery open and decrease the chances of it narrowing again.
I was discharged a few days later and, after a very quiet Christmas at home, I began my rehabilitation. In the year or so since, with the help and support of the Naas Hospital Cardiac Rehab Team, my wife and family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues, I have made a full recovery.
As a testament to that, I was delighted to complete my fourth Dublin City Marathon this October!
However, I was very confused and angry after my cardiac arrest, and couldn’t understand how or why this had happened when I’d been taking good care of myself for many years. Weeks into my recovery, a cardiac physiotherapist explained to me that my fitness was a huge contributor to my surviving the arrest. Put plainly, she advised this would have happened 5–10 years earlier if I hadn’t been fit and there would have been no chance at all of a positive outcome.
And so I write today to offer my sincerest thanks to everyone who took care of me when I was sick. My family and I will be forever indebted to you.
It is my hope also that in telling my story here that I might be able to positively influence readers engaging in exercise to be heart-aware and also to remind people (men in particular!) of the value of regular health check-ups, both of which can greatly reduce the risk of a cardiac event.
Please take care when exercising and if involved in a very intense sport you need to be aware that you shouldn’t be exercising much beyond 80% of your maximum heart rate. If there is any history of heart disease in your family, please tell your GP and ask whether tests such as an ECG, heart stress test and angiogram might be appropriate.
My family and I have been on quite a journey over the last year and I am immensely lucky to be able to share this experience with you today. However, too many people I know think something like this could never happen to them, and may not be as fortunate as I was if it did. Please take care and be heart-aware.
Paul Nolan is a professional marketer, as well as a songwriter, musician and fitness enthusiast in his spare time.
Yes I will share it with the CEO of these charities after all they are not paid very well
@Casper: hahah. The crazies think those that paid their water charges are swimming in cash. Bigotry at its finest
@Gavin Scott: well to be honest I never paid my water bill and that was my choice, and I have lots of friends that have and haven’t and that’s there choice and their business, and I know lots of people that have plenty of money and never paid it and I know a few that did pay and I can assure you none of them are crazy as you like to describe them, so go take your ideology some where else because I for one don’t buy into it.
@Casper: point taken and well put. However, I am extremely offended that charities would be targeting “free” cash like this. I give to selected charities with my own money already.
@Gavin Scott: Entitlement Ireland looks after one guy…..Entitlement Ireland….
@Gavin Scott: ya it’s pure cheek people that have paid water bills and people that have not paid water bills donate to charity all the time, and the people that have paid should get their refunds and ignore this utter nonsense from these charities, but if people do decide to donate that’s their choice and FairPlay to them
@MK76: Who did you vote for in the last election MK?
@The Risen: that’s between him and the Ballot box, multiple shinnerbot
@Casper: how do you suggest they should be run Casper? Will you work as a CEO for free? No? What would it take for you to work as a CEO of a charity for free? Do you honestly think that if charities were staffed by volunteers at all levels that they would be more successful than they are now?
I don’t know you. (Well I do cos I’m Jesus). But I imagine you know someone who’s kid has been a patient in Crumlin or Temple Street. I can guarantee that their treatment or indeed quality of life was improved by the work of charity, led by staff on the payroll.
What do you in society that makes a difference?
@Jesus Christ: so you thinks it’s acceptable for the head of a “charity” to earn in excess of 300k. That’s taking the term “charity begins at home” to a whole new level
@Casper:
The money donated is been ringfenced to build houses for homeless.
@Jesus Christ: personally I do think CEOs should get a decent wage because you do need a high level of skill and education at this level, but I don’t believe it should be in the hundreds of thousands and i think it’s wrong to target water refunds from people, that’s just my opinion
@Aine O Connor: brilliant that’s great to know
23% of my refund will be going back into the public purse to pay for essential services
77% will be going back into the local economy
0% will be going to fat cat charity CEO’s
@Paul Lanigan: does Peter mc verry get a large salary no he doesn’t get one at all
oh yeah lets give it to charity so they can waste it instead of IW.
@Martin Ryan: I’m buying my “two pints” with it.
IW the scam that just keeps going.
@Martin Ryan: I work with three charities. My experience is that the employees work themselves to the bone for less than the average wage . Thanks to the way the media unfairly report the salaries of a very few CEOs they now have to battle against those lies too.
Don’t give to charities if you don’t want to, but please don’t believe the lazy lies and use them as your excuse.
@Martin Byrne: I know that the workers are most of the time very good but I don’t agree with you about a very few CEOs. They say that they deserve it because of working very hard but the frontline workers are working also very hard.
Irish Water is a charity for politically well connected people.
@Fiona deFreyne: Click bait. You satisfied?
In keeping with the seasons festivities, send Irish Water a gift.
I heard used water meters make great presents.
@The Risen: great idea!!
@The Risen: Since you guys are in favour of EVERYTHING being free it is unlikely you will support any charity.
@The Risen: What about the people who set it up and caused all this in the first place. They are up in the polls, getting popular again and no heads rolling for it?
@Bull Spite: I pay for my water through my taxes and 2/3rds of the motor tax both myself and my wife have on our cars. Ben paying income tax for over 20 years non stop
How about yourself? How many times are you planning on paying for your water when you leave college and get your own place?
@Stephen murphy: “They are up in the polls,”
As i always say Stephen, there is only one poll that counts, it’s called the polling booth.
@The Risen: Unlike you SF/IRA freeloaders I paid my water tax and I got the refund which I will donate. Your usual auld “blah blah blah” on paying your taxes!! Grow up – good lad!
I hope you see the irony of calling a person whose taxes are subsidising your college education a ‘freeloader’.
@Bull Spite: Bull spite, you should be called Bull sh*t, such garbage. I can only presume you work for government \ or iw A fool & their money are easily parted!
@Bull Spite: you should drop the p & and replace with a h ! Good lad !
@The Risen: I had a college education and progressed. You still acting like a child. Good boy.
@Colette Kearns: So you don’t believe in charity. You must be a SF/IRA supporter.
@Setrakian: Don’t make complex statements. The poor SF/IRA supporters get confused.
@Bull Spite: ” I had a college education and progressed. You still acting like a child. ”
* You ARE still acting
College education indeed LOL!
@Bull Spite: And So says the Orange man, ha ha your so obsessed with the shiners etc obviously got ya running scared as you keep bringing it up. As for me I’m neither ya dope.
@Bull Spite: it’s only a tax if it’s going directly to revenue. It’s a charge. You wouldn’t call your esb bill a tax would you.
I’ll most likely buy a bottle Middleton and drink it with the family over Christmas. Good investment.
@Gavin Scott: excellent call.
@Gavin Scott: cousin Gav! Haven’t seen ye in ages.
One of the greatest scams they tried to pull on the people of Ireland!
@Colette Kearns: they ain’t done yet
@Kevin Hall: I’m not so sure of that, I mean are the people who paid last time going to be dumb enough to do it all again? Well maybe but…..
My first bill was 14 cent, every bill after that was around 20 cent and never paid, my total bill is less than €2, my neighbor who lived alone and only lived in apartment Saturday and Sunday due to work had a collective bill of over 200 euro, he has since emigrated, his landlady paid his water bill out of his deposit, I have the receipt, I will get his refund cheque and mail to him in his new country of residence.
@Brianán McBride: I got a refund of €80. No way is any of it going to charity. Charity begins at home. My home.
Water like electricity, phones etc should be charged depending on usage.It is up to the politicians to provide governance to ensure proper control over the provider of the service. SF, PBP and the other whingers will contribute nothing to providing a proper and sustainable water supply.
@Sam Alexander: During the boom, do you need reminding that millions of Euros were available to invest in our infrastructure and they were poured down the throats of elected representatives instead? Of course they aren’t whinging now. They spent the money intended for public use. Not to mention the fact that electricity usage is down because most people are trying to save money – yet the cost of electricity has soared. Don’t talk about public governance, there isn’t any under this coalition.
@Sam Alexander: ok Sam – keep paying treble tax for the same water service you’ve always had which was always paid for by everyone in this country via taxes direct & indirect. The only whingers are clowns such as yourself who have no idea what the end game is for our water resources & infrastructure or you simply don’t care. IW is rotten to the core as are numptys such as you that support it.
@Setrakian: in 1978 water charges were abolished and not replaced. It’s hasn’t always been free.
I’ll be looking for charity as well as my refund.
Would it not make more sense for these charities to lobby the government for a share of the Apple tax money?….rather than playing on peoples conscience.
Nope..need a new oven!
@Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin: Too many buns, in the old one?
@Stephen murphy: Nope..one bun is enough!
Irish water is a charity.
Sad how people were duped into paying. Was it lack of knowledge or a genuine trust in government? You should be quite informed at this stage, that the rabble who have been running this country for the past number of years, are not your friends.
@Paul Culligan: intimidation by the government, forced to pay if you sold your house, etc…. It was not all ignorance
Unfortunately no to charities. Too much funding and yet little accountability from all these organisations. Have always given donations over the years but not any more, too long in the tooth to hear ” hardship” stories. I donate a small amount to an animal charity every month and very happy to see results of positive work being done. PS: I see Irish Water CEO being given 100,000 payoff. Jesus wept.
I paid it in full for my own reasons, got no water meter or refund yet & if I want to give it to a charity I’ll go into a local shop & spend a few quid on coffee & sandwiches & give them to a few homeless people on the streets, there’s no way I’m sending it on to a charity to line the pockets of some ceo.
Ah good auld IW … Amazingly always get a chuckle ☺️
Irish Water
Always remember and never forget, those who covet your children’s water!
No votes! not even a 10th preference for those who support Irish Water!
Phil Hogan 13th count and Alan Kelly last count!
No votes for FF/FG/Lab/Greens
Roll on #GE2017
@Jarlath Murphy: “covet your children’s water”. Do you read what you write?
@Bull Spite: To Covet, seek to own that which belongs to another!
Your initials are correct and your first name is descriptive , but there is something misleading in how you spell your surname, I suspect you misplaced a p for a h, yet you all laughed!
I’ll give it to Amnesty Ireland. Not!
@Bob McTanned: i’ll send it to Angela Kerins
@Bob McTanned: you got me there. I thought you were being sincere. Then BOOM a “Not”. You weren’t being sincere. That is such a funny and original way of messing with peoples heads. Because sometimes it is hard for people to pick up the sarcasm in a post, but your hilarious way of throwing a “not” at the end of a sentence really helps.
No. I work hard to earn my money and I have very little back from govt. Why should they different? They have pair of hands so they can work and not receive any money for free. Make those lazy junkies and creeps to work or evict them to the country.
Makes no real sense. Donate hard earned cash to a mixed bunch of NGOs . Who does what and how it would be spent is not clearly defined.
Refunds
I have my own well and TODAY spent 300Euro to repair my pump who do l get a refund from Give me a supply of Water and l would pay water Charges
@pat seery: i broke a string on my guitar today. Still waiting for someone to fix it.
@Ronan Sexton: Are u getting water supplied to your house by Irish WATER for free
@pat seery:
Do you live in the countryside? It makes sense for people in cities, towns and villages to be on a water supply. But when people choose to live in the ar$e-end of nowhere (usually at a significantly lower cost to living in populated and serviced areas) they also need to accept that there might not be ready access to a pumped water supply. Did you really expect Irish Water to carry a pumped water supply to every one-off house dotted about the countryside? Surely you knew when you built/bought your house that it needed to be supplied by its own well and there would be associated maintenance costs?
@Mucky Pup: Smart ……..
I was born in it
What charities are looking for the money . Did I miss that
@John Scott: every charity looks for money.
@John Scott: charities that take care of the homeless Peter mc verry focus etc
My refund is going towards my property tax
No I certainly wouldn’t give it to one of the well known charities in Ireland as their CEOs have been proven to be as corrupt as their political friends who helped appoint them. I’d sooner divide it evenly and give it to the first 5 homeless people that I meet on the street or buy ingredients for a soup kitchen. Well known charities have been destroyed in this country by the money obsessed parasites at their helms unfortunately.
Where’s the option for ‘Wasn’t stupid enough to pay the bill in the first place’
@Robbie Callaghan: it’s (f) : I don’t contribute to the tax purse, am a net beneficiary from the government and will vote for any party who promises me free stuff at other tax payers expense.
@Theunpopularpopulist: Those not stupid enough have actually saved the taxpayers the cost of processing the refund… You on the other hand cost the taxpayers money despite being told thousands of times that this would happen….
@Jason: justify your existence sponging any way you want. I believe in paying my way in life. Clearly you don’t.
I didn’t even get a water meter.
Maybe the refunds should be given to farmers and those on group water schemes, cause they’re next on IW’s hit list.
Group water schemes will have to pay for a licence under proposed new rules http://jrnl.ie/3737045
@Trevor Beale: So get out there and let them know where to stick it, preferably up their arse!!
@Trevor Beale: nope. Go fight your own battle. No sign of any of this crowd while this corrupt scam was being crushed.
@Ronan Sexton: I think the sarcasm may have been missed in my comment
@Trevor Beale: They seek to divide even by refunding!
How’s about Smug Phil Hogan who inflicted this mess on the Irish people, donating his fat pension. Me thinks not.
I think everyone should give to Brother Kevin and the Capuchin day centre every penny he gets goes back in to helping the needy. If you feel the money will go to charity Ceo go out and buy blankets for the homeless. The money is an addition we didnt think we would get so we wont miss it if we give it to charity
Only an ignorant fool signed up to that joke quango. Be thankful that the hard work of right minded people fighting against the commodification of a life essential natural resource has worked out for those of you who kept your head down and paid up. I’m happy to see everybody is getting their money back but still I’m disappointed and don’t quite have the same respect for some people I know who bottled it at the time.
@Super Ted: People paid this charge for a number of reasons: eh they might have been compelled to do so under a letting agreement. Would you not feel sympathy for more vulnerable people who felt coerced in to paying this? Mounting bills can be very upsetting to certain people and many would have paid rather than see bills and reminders coming in. Also, players may have read stories about water pressure being turned down to a trickle so paid up to avoid this. You may feel those who paid are mindless, spineless sheep but no one willingly paid this charge.
@Cheeky Bums: plenty of half wits willingly paid into thia corrupt scam and still cheerlead this corruption on. You see these phuckwits all over threads on here.
@Cheeky Bums: Sorry, no I don’t feel sympathy for anybody who doesn’t see the bigger picture. I can’t rationalise somebody propping up a quango to keep their landlord happy when future generations would have been saddled with excessive water charges. It’s not about the individual and what suits them in the moment, water is life! It has to be paid for out of general taxation, simple as.
Never fell for the scam in the first place.
A property tax was introduced to by divided between each constituency for public services, what is water?
Just that a public service.
So no I’m not entitled to a refund as I’ve never registered to or paid into this scam.
McVerry and his fellow CEOs are making a fortune. He has his retirement mansion on the back of the homeless..
The recent scandals involving some charities is it the perfect excuse for selfish, immoral cynics to disregard the entire world of charitable organisations many of which offer the last day of hope to those who desperately need help.
But whatever helps you justify your apathy.
Just paid out €2500 for a new boiler. No. Anyone give me money??
I’ll be pissing my water refund down the urinal in the boozer!
Spent it all on Superdraw tickets – hopefully I’ll win a box of chocs!
And don’t ever try such a scam again. We real irish will never give u a cent so p—s Off
I’ll buy a g..n and sh..t the big bully Phil hogan….
I’m donating mine to a charity that provides clean drinking water in the third world. Unlike so many around here, I understand that clean water and waste management are not services that come for free.
It will be going to me, I’m a charity case
A lot of people posting here have an opinion on everything but when they are asked to help the homeless they are not prepared to put their money where their mouth is.
Fr Peter McVerry assured us on the Late Late last night that all money donated from refunds are been ring fenced to build housing for homeless.
This country has lost its way.
We don’t have IW here is a water scheme and the water is shite pure lime scale look like paint can’t drink it and if we had a shower it be broken . It can crack a plate
Most definitely not. The minister of this bull shit shud be removed. The high road for you , never to be trusted never ever again.
When Phil Hogan awarded Dublin City Council Manager the job of CEO of Irish Water his salary was €200,000 a year. There was a €420,000 pay off package to go with the sickening salary. Last week Tierney was awarded another €100,000 “because he would’ve been entitled to it had he stayed at Dublin City Council.
It is not those who were bullied into paying water charges who should be giving to charity.
Invest it in crypto currency
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