I grew up without parents from young age. My father spent many hours each day working for a company that was helping Microsoft develop software apps. Mother died suddenly when I was nine years old. I was raised by my older sister, Sienna, who was older than me by four years. She also did the house chores. Despite her stressful life, she managed to do everything and be patient with me. She always found time to help me with homework, especially math, which I hated. I liked her a lot.
Our neighbor was a pleasant woman, about 65 years old. She often stopped by our house to ask if we needed anything, and brought us cookies every holiday.
When I was 12 years old, she knocked on our door and brought us a large cake. I was the only one at home. She asked me why I wasn't at school or playing with friends. I answered that our teachers had a strike. I wasn't in the mood to see friends and preferred to stay at home and watch TV. 'The Good Doctor' was on the screen at the time. She asked, "Are you interested in medicine or only in this particular show?"
"I like programs about patients, nurses, and doctors. For example, I also love to watch Chicago Med."
"I am retired now, but until three years ago, I was a physician. I still have educational material at home - Books, videotapes, and slides. Perhaps you'll be interested."
One evening, I had nothing better to do, and went to visit her. She was happy to see me, probably because she rarely had visitors and felt lonely. Her workroom was filled with books and old medical equipment - A stethoscope, an ear checking device, glass syringes, a microscope, and others.
I saw on her desk a booklet marked CPR. I started reading the first page and she said, "CPR is important in life even if you do not work in the medical field. You never know when you might need it. It helped me on 2 occasions: Once on a plane when a passenger was sick, and another time when a patient became unconscious at a party."
"Is CPR complicated?"
"You are a smart boy. I am sure you'll be good at it in a short time."
On my next vacation, she taught me how to perform resuscitation.
The following year, I offered to be a babysitter in our neighborhood. Knowing CPR was a plus, and many parents hired me rather than other guys my age because of my CPR skills.
...
An event I'd never forget happened when I was 17. My father was still at work, and I was at home with my sister. She prepared our dinner when I heard a loud thump coming from the kitchen.
I yelled, "Sienna, is everything OK?" There was no answer.
I went to the kitchen and saw her on the floor with her eyes closed. Initially, I felt confused, but within seconds CPR guidelines flashed in front of my eyes.
I checked her pulse and couldn't find it. Then breathing stopped. I began applying chest compressions. After 5 minutes, she still did not wake up, so I dialed 911 and continued the CPR. An ambulance arrived short time later. The EKG showed a dangerous arrhythmia that needed electrical cardioversion. The EMT converted her rhythm to a normal one using a portable device, and shortly afterwards, she gradually woke up. Before driving away, the tech told me I saved her life. It made me very happy.
She was discharged from the hospital and returned home three days later with a pacemaker.
Dad and I made a large sign, 'Welcome back. We love you.' I still recall how Sienna gazed at me lovingly and mumbled, "Little brother, I owe you my life." I was embarrassed and smirked, "Sis, I almost had a heart attack. You should have warned me before collapsing..."
She laughed, "Jimmy, this was your stress test. You passed it, and now we know your heart is strong!"
I chuckled, "At least I am not heartless as my sister."
Dad grinned, "Children, be nice. Everything is OK now. I don't know if it was luck or an act of god that Sienna is alive, but your bond makes me happy."
On that day, I decided to be an EMT.
...
Five years passed. I became an EMT and moved to a home in the suburb. My work hours changed every week. Some days I worked the day shift and others the night shift. I was on call every 3rd weekend as well. I liked my work hours. I had time to do my errands during the day when I worked nights, and spent quality time with girls or friends in the evenings when I had the morning shift.
Sienna became a teacher and had a boyfriend. He was handsome and made her laugh a lot. However, occasionally he had what she described as 'breakdowns.' When I tried to ask about his attacks, she claimed he was short tempered and would get mad easily. I didn't want to ask too many questions. She would find the right time to tell me, if she wanted me to know more.
One day, I got a text from Sienna, 'Jimmy, I am in the intensive care unit at the hospital. When you are free, come see me.'
Seven minutes later, I was at her bedside.
She was in bed, connected to electrodes and catheters. "Sienna, what happened?"
"I was on the phone, and suddenly I became dizzy. I was able to dial 911 and fainted immediately afterward. The next thing I remember is being in bed here..."
I checked her file (knowing quite well I wasn't supposed to do it...), and found she had another episode of severe arrhythmia that required electrical cardioversion. Since it was her second time, the doctor planted in her a special device called AICD. It's a small device that operates on batteries, and inserted under the skin in a small pocket. It was connected to a catheter that reached the heart and if sensed risky arrhythmia, converted the rhythm to a normal one. I was surprised she didn't get this device the first time it happened, but I didn't tell her. She also needed a follow up twice a year.
At home she found a message on her answering machine, 'Sienna, I hope you feel better now. I was devastated to hear what happened to you. However, I cannot tolerate the idea that another episode may happen to you again, and I cannot help. Despite my feelings toward you, I decided we need to take a break and rethink our future together. Sorry, Leon."
I found her crying her heart out in her room. I hugged her and tried to console her but to no avail. I took three days off and stayed with her and Dad.
On the third day, I suggested to Sienna to move in with me. We discussed it with Dad. He said the idea was a good one. He could manage by himself - Dad had no problem eating microwaveable dinners and hiring a helper to clean the house. He just wanted us to keep in touch and visit him on holidays. His main reason to liking the new arrangement was because, in his opinion, being an EMT made me the best person to be with in case my sister had another attack.
The following week, I arranged her bedroom and helped her move into it. I knew Sienna would want to choose her carpet, curtains, and decorations, but it had the basic necessities - Queen size bed, large closet, dresser, and direct access to the bathroom.
In the first few days, Sienna hardly talked. She was still recovering from her health scare and the end of her relationship. I let her have her 'space.'
A week later, I invited her out to a restaurant. She ate quietly. My attempts to cheer her up were unsuccessful. I didn't bother her the following week and then announced, "Sienna, in case you forgot, it's my 23rd birthday. So today we do what I choose." I saw her smiling, "Jimmy, I know. I brought you a present - A new laptop computer. Your computer is 12 years old, which is ancient in computer years. Congratulations on advancing to the 21st century..."
"Sienna dear, thank you. I thought you forgot about it."
