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- calendar_today October 9, 2026
Bowling Green Woman Survives Serious Medical Emergency
A Bowling Green resident, Sue Miller, who survived a life-threatening medical emergency caused by blood clots in both of her lungs, recently had the chance to reunite with the TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital team responsible for saving her life. Among the team members present was a critical care pharmacist whose calming presence stood out during her emergency care.
A Sudden Onset of Symptoms
Miller’s ordeal began unexpectedly. She had been feeling unusually fatigued for a couple of weeks, but the seriousness of her condition became apparent only after having lunch with friends. As she walked to her car, Miller found herself struggling to catch her breath and experiencing chest pain. Despite these alarming symptoms, she managed to drive home. Recognizing the severity, a friend then took her to an urgent care clinic, which quickly escalated to hospital admission.
Diagnosis: Blood Clots in Both Lungs
Upon arrival at TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital, doctors determined that Miller was suffering from blood clots in both lungs, a serious and potentially fatal condition often referred to as a pulmonary embolism. “I was apprehensive, not necessarily afraid, because I knew that we had to do something to get rid of the blood clots, or I might not be here,” Miller recalled about the experience.
Emergency Treatment and a Memorable Pharmacist
The hospital's healthcare team, including Shawn Brennan, Jamie Oakley, Callie Hullett, Amy Arnemann, Lindsey Millam, and critical care pharmacist Mariah Durham, immediately took action. The cardiac catheterization lab team performed a procedure to address the lung clots and restore Miller’s breathing. Hullett remembered the urgency of the situation: “I remember that when she came in, I said, oh, she’s gray.”
During her treatment, Miller was particularly comforted by pharmacist Mariah Durham, whose calm and clear explanations of each medication provided reassurance. “She just had a distinct voice that was just calming. I just knew I was going to be okay,” Miller said. The following day, she recognized Durham’s voice outside her hospital room, which left an impression on Durham as well. “That was really special for her to remember me and to realize that what we do and the reasons that we do things a certain way to make sure our patients have a good experience really does matter,” Durham reflected.
Recovery and Reunion
After receiving lung clots treatment and emergency care at TriStar Greenview, Miller was able to return home in time for her daughter’s birthday. Weeks later, she returned to the hospital—not as a patient, but to thank the team that had played such a central role in her patient recovery. For both Miller and the staff, the reunion was deeply meaningful. Lindsey Millam, who assisted in the cardiac catheterization, said, “Being in the cath lab we always see the patient on their worst day. We always have to treat them that day, but we never get to see the recovery aspect.”
Expressing Gratitude to the Healthcare Team
Miller expressed heartfelt appreciation for her caregivers. “These are my angels,” she stated. “I’m not going to be here today. If it weren’t for these great people. And they’re all just wonderful. They’re heroes.” Her story highlights the importance of prompt response during a medical emergency involving blood clots lungs and the crucial roles that healthcare professionals and critical care pharmacists play in patient outcomes and patient gratitude.
Source: wnky.com.
