FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – Weeks after a man collapsed on school grounds, he\u2019s reuniting with the people who played a big role in saving his life.<\/p>\n
The reunion took place at William Dandy Middle School in Fort Lauderdale, the same place where patient Dino DeCesare suffered cardiac arrest back in January.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I was told was it wasn\u2019t the plumbing of my heart, it was the electrical part of my heart that failed, and I felt great up until that day,\u201d said DeCesare.<\/p>\n
He fell to the ground, prompting school staff and students to act quickly in calling first responders.<\/p>\n
But the school nurse, Tiana Graham, and a School Resource Officer, were at his side as guardian angels working hard to keep him alive.<\/p>\n
\u201cI checked his pulse. I did not feel a pulse, and as he was face down, I saw him changing colors,\u201d said Graham.<\/p>\n
But that did not stop the nurse from continuing to work on DeCesare.<\/p>\n
\u201cStarted chest compressions and just what seemed like a million years, of course, you know, when you\u2019re doing CPR, I wasn\u2019t sure if it was being effective for him,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Officials said DeCesare, a videographer for the school district, was unconscious for 11 minutes.<\/p>\n
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue units responded to the school and rushed him to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery before being discharged.<\/p>\n
Weeks later, the patient is thanking those who helped him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s because of them that I\u2019m alive,\u201d said DeCesare.<\/p>\n
First responders credit Graham\u2019s use of CPR and an Automated External Defibrillator in saving his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving the right people in the right place and the right equipment aligned to have success stories like this,\u201d said Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief Stephen Gollan.<\/p>\n
Now, a husband and expectant father is humbled to see another day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m blessed that I\u2019ll be able to welcome my son into this world, and if it wasn\u2019t for them and their quick reactions, I wouldn\u2019t be here,\u201d said DeCesare.<\/p>\n
DeCesare embraced Graham warmly, and they both said they were thankful for one another.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are literally a walking miracle, and I\u2019m so grateful to be a part of that,\u201d said Graham.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of you, I\u2019m there,\u201d said DeCesare.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so grateful for your wife, you know, for your little ones, you know. I\u2019m just so happy to see you still here with us,\u201d said Graham.<\/p>\n
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