1. It All Started on an Average Weekend
1. It All Started on an Average Weekend
The Finley's had been married for four years by that point. Ryan, a plumbing contractor, was up to his usual weekend routine and didn’t think anything was out of the ordinary as his wife Jill, a loan underwriter, hadn’t woken up yet. Rising from his customary porch perch, Ryan ventured back inside the couple’s home. Although he’s not exactly sure what spurred him, he had the unusual urge to go to the bedroom and wake up his slumbering wife. And, it’s lucky he did.
The Finley's had been married for four years by that point. Ryan, a plumbing contractor, was up to his usual weekend routine and didn’t think anything was out of the ordinary as his wife Jill, a loan underwriter, hadn’t woken up yet. Rising from his customary porch perch, Ryan ventured back inside the couple’s home. Although he’s not exactly sure what spurred him, he had the unusual urge to go to the bedroom and wake up his slumbering wife. And, it’s lucky he did.
3. A Shocking Realization
3. A Shocking Realization
4. Jumping to Action
Trying to keep a clear mind while in crisis mode, Ryan sprang into action and immediately called 911. During the agonizing minutes that he waited for the ambulance, he took Jill from the bed and placed her on the floor where he performed CPR. Fearing for his wife’s life, Ryan thought back to a CPR course he had fortunately taken a decade before – and never used since – doing all he could to try to resuscitate his wife until the paramedics arrived.
4. Jumping to Action
Trying to keep a clear mind while in crisis mode, Ryan sprang into action and immediately called 911. During the agonizing minutes that he waited for the ambulance, he took Jill from the bed and placed her on the floor where he performed CPR. Fearing for his wife’s life, Ryan thought back to a CPR course he had fortunately taken a decade before – and never used since – doing all he could to try to resuscitate his wife until the paramedics arrived.
5. ‘It Felt Like Forever’
5. ‘It Felt Like Forever’
6. Rushing to the Hospital
The paramedics determined that Jill needed additional, immediate care and rushed her in the ambulance to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital. Somehow, Ryan managed to get in his car and follow the vehicle with his wife to the hospital. Jill was immediately taken to the ER, where the medical staff put her on a respirator. Seeing that she didn’t immediately come to, the doctors prepared to take other steps to try to save Jill’s life as she was on the brink.
6. Rushing to the Hospital
The paramedics determined that Jill needed additional, immediate care and rushed her in the ambulance to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital. Somehow, Ryan managed to get in his car and follow the vehicle with his wife to the hospital. Jill was immediately taken to the ER, where the medical staff put her on a respirator. Seeing that she didn’t immediately come to, the doctors prepared to take other steps to try to save Jill’s life as she was on the brink.
7. But What Happened?
7. But What Happened?
8. Doing All They Could
At the hospital, it was determined that Jill had gone into cardiac arrest in her sleep and had been deprived of oxygen for nearly five minutes. Therefore doctors moved quickly to place her in a so-called “chill suit” and induce clinical hypothermia in an attempt to reduce the possibility of any brain damage. Her body was wrapped in large cooling pads and treated with circulating cool water for 24 hours, lowing her body temperature to 90 degrees.”There studies that have shown that it helps protect the brain in hopes that she will have a recovery,” said Dr. Michael Schoeffler, who treated Jill. All the while Ryan waited.
8. Doing All They Could
At the hospital, it was determined that Jill had gone into cardiac arrest in her sleep and had been deprived of oxygen for nearly five minutes. Therefore doctors moved quickly to place her in a so-called “chill suit” and induce clinical hypothermia in an attempt to reduce the possibility of any brain damage. Her body was wrapped in large cooling pads and treated with circulating cool water for 24 hours, lowing her body temperature to 90 degrees.”There studies that have shown that it helps protect the brain in hopes that she will have a recovery,” said Dr. Michael Schoeffler, who treated Jill. All the while Ryan waited.
9. Falling into a Coma
9. Falling into a Coma
10. Refusing to Leave Her Side
Determined that his comatose wife would beat the odds, Ryan loyally kept her company and even saw to it to sleep at the hospital just in case she woke up. The committed husband remained attentive, reading verses from the Bible to his wife and often laying on the bed next to hers. Unwilling to give up hope, the Ryan was persistent in his attempts to do anything he could for his wife and prayed that she would be alright. Days passed and doctors wouldn’t directly say that the situation was hopeless. They would only give Ryan one estimate.
10. Refusing to Leave Her Side
Determined that his comatose wife would beat the odds, Ryan loyally kept her company and even saw to it to sleep at the hospital just in case she woke up. The committed husband remained attentive, reading verses from the Bible to his wife and often laying on the bed next to hers. Unwilling to give up hope, the Ryan was persistent in his attempts to do anything he could for his wife and prayed that she would be alright. Days passed and doctors wouldn’t directly say that the situation was hopeless. They would only give Ryan one estimate.
11. A Grim Prognosis
11. A Grim Prognosis
12. Not a Dream
“Every morning I’d wake up and I’d realize, this isn’t a dream,” Ryan wrote. As the days passed, he tried to keep his composure and remain hopeful during the living nightmare. “The doctors told me that there were never any signs that she was coming back. There wasn’t.” He knew that even if she did pull through, there was a chance that she would remain in a vegetative state or otherwise not recover to a fully functioning state. With that in mind, he still wasn’t expecting what would happen next.
12. Not a Dream
“Every morning I’d wake up and I’d realize, this isn’t a dream,” Ryan wrote. As the days passed, he tried to keep his composure and remain hopeful during the living nightmare. “The doctors told me that there were never any signs that she was coming back. There wasn’t.” He knew that even if she did pull through, there was a chance that she would remain in a vegetative state or otherwise not recover to a fully functioning state. With that in mind, he still wasn’t expecting what would happen next.
13. After Two Weeks in a Coma
13. After Two Weeks in a Coma
14. ‘Today Could be the Worst Day of Life’
In front of Ryan Finley was the woman he loved. While the thought of life without her seemed unimaginable, he also knew that she wouldn’t want to live the rest of her in a hospital bed. Ultimately, he had to decide whether to allow Jill to be taken off of life support. “Today could be the worst day of life. I essentially have to decide whether or not Jill will live or not. My soul mate. My everything,” he distraughtly wrote in his diary.
14. ‘Today Could be the Worst Day of Life’
In front of Ryan Finley was the woman he loved. While the thought of life without her seemed unimaginable, he also knew that she wouldn’t want to live the rest of her in a hospital bed. Ultimately, he had to decide whether to allow Jill to be taken off of life support. “Today could be the worst day of life. I essentially have to decide whether or not Jill will live or not. My soul mate. My everything,” he distraughtly wrote in his diary.
15. Recalling a Memory
15. Recalling a Memory
16. The Hardest Decision
After consulting with Jill’s family, Ryan eventually came to the conclusion that Jill wouldn’t want to spend the rest of her life bedridden. Painfully, he finally made the devastating decision to remove his comatose wife from life support. Aided by Jill’s family, Ryan requested a court order that was needed to detach the feeding tubes from his wife. Looking back, Ryan said that it had been the hardest decision of his life “You don’t think when you’re 31 years old that you will have to be doing this with your wife that’s 32.”
16. The Hardest Decision
After consulting with Jill’s family, Ryan eventually came to the conclusion that Jill wouldn’t want to spend the rest of her life bedridden. Painfully, he finally made the devastating decision to remove his comatose wife from life support. Aided by Jill’s family, Ryan requested a court order that was needed to detach the feeding tubes from his wife. Looking back, Ryan said that it had been the hardest decision of his life “You don’t think when you’re 31 years old that you will have to be doing this with your wife that’s 32.”
17. Saying Their Goodbyes
17. Saying Their Goodbyes
18. The Nurses Called
On June 9, 2007, Jill Finley was removed from life support. “Her whole upper torso would just kind of shift a little bit. And then the mumbling would start,” he recalled. It was all too much for Ryan, however. “When that started, I left the room. I physically got sick,” he recalled. The doctors had urged him to keep his expectations at bay, but he couldn’t have expected how hard it would be to anticipate that it was the beginning of the end. Hours had passed and the heavy-hearted Ryan didn’t know what to think when the nurses urged him to come quickly to Jill’s room.
18. The Nurses Called
On June 9, 2007, Jill Finley was removed from life support. “Her whole upper torso would just kind of shift a little bit. And then the mumbling would start,” he recalled. It was all too much for Ryan, however. “When that started, I left the room. I physically got sick,” he recalled. The doctors had urged him to keep his expectations at bay, but he couldn’t have expected how hard it would be to anticipate that it was the beginning of the end. Hours had passed and the heavy-hearted Ryan didn’t know what to think when the nurses urged him to come quickly to Jill’s room.
19. All of a Sudden…
19. All of a Sudden…
20. ‘Get Me Out of Here’
Suddenly she started moving and talking more coherently. “Get me out of here,” Ryan heard her say. But her requests didn’t end there. “Take me to Ted’s and take me to the Melting Pot,” she uttered naming two of her favorite Mexican restaurants. Taking into consideration the doctor’s advice not to have his expectations too high, Ryan started asking her questions to make sure the words weren’t just a reflex. That’s when he realized that something unimaginable was happening.
20. ‘Get Me Out of Here’
Suddenly she started moving and talking more coherently. “Get me out of here,” Ryan heard her say. But her requests didn’t end there. “Take me to Ted’s and take me to the Melting Pot,” she uttered naming two of her favorite Mexican restaurants. Taking into consideration the doctor’s advice not to have his expectations too high, Ryan started asking her questions to make sure the words weren’t just a reflex. That’s when he realized that something unimaginable was happening.
21. Captured on Video
21. Captured on Video
22. Like Living a Dream
To everyone’s astonishment, it was clear that Jill was breathing and waking up from her coma HOURS AFTER she had been removed from life support. For her astonished husband, Ryan Finley, the moment was simply euphoric. “It was – I can’t imagine a feeling better than what I felt right then,” he gushed. “I kind of had to take a double-take, and that went on for about 24 hours. I really couldn’t believe it was happening,” he exclaimed. “The two or three days prior I was preparing for the worst and the best happened. It was just like living in a dream for a day – then it hit me, ‘She’s back, dummy.’”
22. Like Living a Dream
To everyone’s astonishment, it was clear that Jill was breathing and waking up from her coma HOURS AFTER she had been removed from life support. For her astonished husband, Ryan Finley, the moment was simply euphoric. “It was – I can’t imagine a feeling better than what I felt right then,” he gushed. “I kind of had to take a double-take, and that went on for about 24 hours. I really couldn’t believe it was happening,” he exclaimed. “The two or three days prior I was preparing for the worst and the best happened. It was just like living in a dream for a day – then it hit me, ‘She’s back, dummy.’”
23. Six Days Later…
23. Six Days Later…
24. ‘…That’s Just Not Me’
While some people might have been disheartened to find out that their spouse agreed to take them off life support, Jill Finley had a surprising response. After learning what had transpired during the two weeks that she was in a coma, Jill concluded that Ryan had made the right decision. “I would not have wanted to live like that,” Jill said. “And so he did the right thing, he did. Because they basically told him that I was going to be a vegetable. I was going to be laying there in bed, you know, wearing diapers for the rest of my life and that’s just not me.”
24. ‘…That’s Just Not Me’
While some people might have been disheartened to find out that their spouse agreed to take them off life support, Jill Finley had a surprising response. After learning what had transpired during the two weeks that she was in a coma, Jill concluded that Ryan had made the right decision. “I would not have wanted to live like that,” Jill said. “And so he did the right thing, he did. Because they basically told him that I was going to be a vegetable. I was going to be laying there in bed, you know, wearing diapers for the rest of my life and that’s just not me.”
25. How Did it all Happen?
25. How Did it all Happen?
26. Relearning Simple Tasks
The Finleys and their families were counting their blessing and were tremendously thankful Jill’s recovery. For a few months after she woke up from the coma, though, her road to full recuperation included relearning many basic tasks like brushing her teeth, tying her shoes and cooking. Surgeons implanted a pacemaker for her heart condition and she had to go to rehab, where she worked with occupational and speech therapists. No matter, the couple was tremendously thankful and walked away from the ordeal with a new outlook on things.
26. Relearning Simple Tasks
The Finleys and their families were counting their blessing and were tremendously thankful Jill’s recovery. For a few months after she woke up from the coma, though, her road to full recuperation included relearning many basic tasks like brushing her teeth, tying her shoes and cooking. Surgeons implanted a pacemaker for her heart condition and she had to go to rehab, where she worked with occupational and speech therapists. No matter, the couple was tremendously thankful and walked away from the ordeal with a new outlook on things.
27. ‘A Whole New Perspective’
27. ‘A Whole New Perspective’
28. Like Newlyweds
Working on her speech and dealing with some short-term memory loss in the immediate aftermath of her miraculous recovery seemed of little consequence to Jill. “Pretty much, I am normal,” the gracious coma survivor stated. Looking on the bright side of the traumatic incident, the couple is even able to laugh about some of its effects. “One of our friends, , ‘I’m so jealous. You guys are like newlyweds,’” Jill said, chuckling in an interview with TODAY. Ryan also has been able to have a positive outlook.
28. Like Newlyweds
Working on her speech and dealing with some short-term memory loss in the immediate aftermath of her miraculous recovery seemed of little consequence to Jill. “Pretty much, I am normal,” the gracious coma survivor stated. Looking on the bright side of the traumatic incident, the couple is even able to laugh about some of its effects. “One of our friends, , ‘I’m so jealous. You guys are like newlyweds,’” Jill said, chuckling in an interview with TODAY. Ryan also has been able to have a positive outlook.
29. Human Nature
29. Human Nature
30. The Nightly Routine
For those who are familiar with the story of Jill Finley’s astonishing recovery, the couple has been sure to note that they have visited the restaurants that she mentioned when she first started waking up from the coma. Additionally, a concerned Ryan has a hilariously heartwarming tactic that he uses to make sure Jill is alright. “There’s still not a night that goes by that I don’t wake up,” he said. “I’ll usually kick her and if she kicks me back, I know we’re OK.”
30. The Nightly Routine
For those who are familiar with the story of Jill Finley’s astonishing recovery, the couple has been sure to note that they have visited the restaurants that she mentioned when she first started waking up from the coma. Additionally, a concerned Ryan has a hilariously heartwarming tactic that he uses to make sure Jill is alright. “There’s still not a night that goes by that I don’t wake up,” he said. “I’ll usually kick her and if she kicks me back, I know we’re OK.”
31. Miracles Do Happen
31. Miracles Do Happen
32. How It All Began
One day in 1988, little Martin Pistorious came back from school feeling ill. What began with a sore throat would soon turn into an illness doctors could not decipher — one that would change his life forever, as well as the lives of those around him. Martin’s condition quickly began to deteriorate. What started with flu-like symptoms would soon turn into a crippling illness, making him grow weaker and weaker by the day. He could not eat, and slept for long periods of time. Soon, he would lose the ability to move parts of his body.
32. How It All Began
One day in 1988, little Martin Pistorious came back from school feeling ill. What began with a sore throat would soon turn into an illness doctors could not decipher — one that would change his life forever, as well as the lives of those around him. Martin’s condition quickly began to deteriorate. What started with flu-like symptoms would soon turn into a crippling illness, making him grow weaker and weaker by the day. He could not eat, and slept for long periods of time. Soon, he would lose the ability to move parts of his body.
33. What’s Wrong?
33. What’s Wrong?
34. A New Normal
Though doctors informed Pistorius’ parents he now had the intelligence of a three-month-old, they refused to give up on him. His father became is main caregiver, and took care of his daily needs. He even made sure to wake up every two hours to turn Martin, to make sure he wouldn’t develop bed sores. Martin’s father would drive him to a care home every day, and would drive him back home every night. His mother, however, was beginning to feel desparate. She wanted to send her son to a full-time residential care, but his father wouldn’t have it.
34. A New Normal
Though doctors informed Pistorius’ parents he now had the intelligence of a three-month-old, they refused to give up on him. His father became is main caregiver, and took care of his daily needs. He even made sure to wake up every two hours to turn Martin, to make sure he wouldn’t develop bed sores. Martin’s father would drive him to a care home every day, and would drive him back home every night. His mother, however, was beginning to feel desparate. She wanted to send her son to a full-time residential care, but his father wouldn’t have it.
35. “I Hope You Die”
35. “I Hope You Die”
36. Regaining Consciousness
“My mind began to awaken at about the age of 16,” Martin later recalled. He began to regain awareness, slowly realizing he was trapped inside his lifeless body. By the time he turned 19, Martin’s consciousness was fully intact again. However, he was still completely unable to move. Incapable of communicating with the people around him, Martin realized he would spend the rest of his life this way. He was surrounded by family and caretakers, but he was really alone, unloved. But things were about to take a drastic turn.
36. Regaining Consciousness
“My mind began to awaken at about the age of 16,” Martin later recalled. He began to regain awareness, slowly realizing he was trapped inside his lifeless body. By the time he turned 19, Martin’s consciousness was fully intact again. However, he was still completely unable to move. Incapable of communicating with the people around him, Martin realized he would spend the rest of his life this way. He was surrounded by family and caretakers, but he was really alone, unloved. But things were about to take a drastic turn.
37. No Love For Barney
37. No Love For Barney
38. Coming Back to Life
At the center, Martin’s parents learned their son wasn’t a vegetable after all. He began a slow rehabilitation process and was given a computer with communication software. Finally, Martin Pistorius was able to express the thoughts he had locked up inside of him. Slowly but surely, 25-year-old Martin Pistorius regained some control of his upper body. Though he was still confined to a wheelchair, he made incredible progress. He even learned how to drive. But that wasn’t all.
38. Coming Back to Life
At the center, Martin’s parents learned their son wasn’t a vegetable after all. He began a slow rehabilitation process and was given a computer with communication software. Finally, Martin Pistorius was able to express the thoughts he had locked up inside of him. Slowly but surely, 25-year-old Martin Pistorius regained some control of his upper body. Though he was still confined to a wheelchair, he made incredible progress. He even learned how to drive. But that wasn’t all.
39. A Life Worth Living
39. A Life Worth Living
40. Forgiveness
When asked about his mother’s saying “I hope you die,” Martin said he learned to accept and understand his mother’s desperation. She didn’t know he was listening — all she saw was a living, breathing shadow of her beloved son. For this reason, he managed to forgive her heartbreaking statement. This, among other things, makes his story all the more inspiring.
40. Forgiveness
When asked about his mother’s saying “I hope you die,” Martin said he learned to accept and understand his mother’s desperation. She didn’t know he was listening — all she saw was a living, breathing shadow of her beloved son. For this reason, he managed to forgive her heartbreaking statement. This, among other things, makes his story all the more inspiring.