Stevie Goller

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Personnes ayant une expérience vécue
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Membre de l’ACSCF depuis 2024

Notice biographique (en anglais seulement)

In July 2020, at the age of 28 and in the midst of a global pandemic, without warning, I collapsed on the street while getting out of my vehicle in northern Manitoba. The ambulance was called, and I was taken to the local emergency where a life flight flew me to Winnipeg ICU. 

En route and at the hospital, I ended up having nine cardiac arrests and went through a number of medical interventions and defibrillations. I knew I had a severe vitamin deficiency and my body had a harder time than most absorbing vitamins, but I had no prior symptoms or no prior diagnosed heart condition.

I do not have any memory from that day or weeks leading up to the event, however; my friends and family said I did not show any signs that were alarming to them. 

A healthy ejection fraction is between​​ 50-65%, and mine was 12% which meant I was still at huge risk of having more ​​​​sudden cardiac arrests. I spent a week in an induced coma in the ICU, and it was unclear if I would be able to fight through. Thankfully, with a dedicated healthcare team, I made it. The following months were spent in and out of hospital, and I underwent surgery to have an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) inserted. 

I was told my life would never be the same. I was told I most likely wouldn’t be able to have children. I was alive, but never felt so lifeless.

Fast forward three years, after a lot (I mean a lot) of follow ups for heart failure, many medication trials and errors, one ​​​​ICD surgery, a positive support team, and a lot of HOPE, I have overcome the odds. My ejection fraction is now at 55%. I am happy, I am healthy, and I am a MOM to my one-year-old son, James. 

Do I live differently? Yes.

Do I miss out on some things due to my heart condition? Also yes.

Do I wish this never happened to me? Sometimes.

Did I learn a lot over the last 3 years? 100% yes.

Do I view life differently now? HECK YES.

I live life in the moment now, I enjoy the little things, and most importantly I am present with my family.

“It’s not about the setback, it’s about the comeback”.