Epilepsy

Two weeks ago today I was dead. Literally. A complete stranger pulled me out of the surf at Coogee beach. I had no pulse. I was blue. My lips were deep purple.

Nobody was taking happy snaps 13 days ago. Pic: Daily Telegraph

Two other strangers came to assist, one with piercings, the other in a soccer jumper. Another stranger, whose second language was English, yelled, “Blue Lady! Blue Lady!”, pointing to me. These strangers worked together, lying me on my side, clearing my mouth and pumping my lungs.

Luke, a lifeguard on the job for just six weeks, ran towards us. The stranger who had pulled me from the water was by my side, his name was Neil. Luke knelt down and began CPR. Still no pulse. Luke kept pressing my chest, never faltering, counting and breathing all the way. Neil used Luke’s radio to call an ambulance. Another lifeguard, Matt, joined the group to help.

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  • Philosopher says:

    04:36pm | 26/12/12

    No Chongy, it was a miracle as Cassandra claimed: an angel, possibly swimming in a tiny little bikini that barely contained her heavenlies, saw her roll back in the surf and rushed to her rescue, massaging her faithful little heart while the ox-like mortals pumped ineptly away. This is what… Read more »

  • Lauren says:

    11:26am | 26/12/12

    Hi Cassandra, I read your story on the Herald Sun website and instantly felt I should contact you… I was diagnosed with epilepsy too and would have seizures that were unpredictable and medications didn’t seem to work, I recently spent a week in the sleep lab at monash hospital under… Read more »

 

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