Woman thanks paramedics for saving her life

(L-R), Caitlyn, Sam, Kieran and Craig emergency staff saved Wendy's life.

A woman who suffered a cardiac arrest has visited the emergency service teams who treated her to say thank you.

Wendy Mayne, 62, a nurse practitioner, from Wokingham, returned home from a family holiday in Tenerife in March and shortly after began feeling unwell with chest pains.

Teams from South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and Southern Medical Rescue (SMR) carried out resuscitation and were able to stabilise her.

Ms Mayne said if it "wasn’t for the amazing people" who helped her that night, she and her husband "wouldn’t have so much more to look forward to in life”.

Her husband Dave called 999 on the evening of 23 March, when his wife first began to feel unwell with chest pains.

Paramedic Caitlyn Blackmore and emergency care assistant Sam Raison arrived and began assessing Ms Mayne, whose condition deteriorated rapidly and she went into cardiac arrest.

'Turning a corner'

The team was supported by Southern Medical Rescue ambulance crew members Craig Sheppard, Kieran Cross and Kirsty Bayley.

Both teams carried out resuscitation and administered two shocks, and she was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.

Ms Mayne spent 10 days in the intensive care unit, and a further nine days in the hospital's cardiac care unit before being discharged.

She said she wanted to meet the team again, both to say thank you and ask questions about what happened and the treatment she received.

"None of the tests I’ve had at hospital have been able to find a reason for what happened to me," Ms Mayne said.

"It’s scary to think that one moment you’re enjoying a lovely holiday with your family and 48 hours later, with no warning, you’re fighting for your life."

She said seeing the team again really helped them both come to terms with what happened and she said she "feels a sense of turning a corner".