Back to work from Thanksgiving break and eager to get her students focused and on track before winter break — Tanya Blue was in her second-grade classroom at a private school in Knightdale administering a spelling test. Then, the unexpected happened.

“It was December 1, 2023. I remember standing in front of the classroom, and all of a sudden I felt weird and dizzy.”

Students to the Rescue

Unbeknownst to Tanya, she had collapsed forward on the floor. In and out of a hazy conciousness, she was unable to communicate or move.

“The next thing I know — I could hear some commotion, but I could not identify what was being said or what was being done. I was in a dreamlike state.”

A School Family That Stepped Up Without a Second Thought

The children had all left to get help, and Tanya’s administrator, Wanda, ran into the room. She immediately checked Tanya for broken bones. Feeling certain she had not broken any, she turned Tanya over and began to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Tanya had gone into cardiac arrest.

During this time, several parents were standing in the lobby awaiting a school tour. They observed the children run into that area, exclaiming, “Mrs. Blue fell.”

Meanwhile, Wanda was in the classroom administering CPR. She called for an automated external defibrillator (AED), and the school assistant administrator, Jackie, sprang into action — along with Tanya’s colleagues, Debbie, Sharon, Allyson and Allie. They called 911, provided safety for Tanya’s students and requested that the hallway be cleared for the arrival of emergency medical services (EMS).

WakeMed Nurses in the Right Place at the Right Time

The team informed parents they would need to reschedule the tour, and as parents were filing out of the building, WakeMed lactation consultant Nitaya Mackey and WakeMed labor and delivery nurse Cassidy Gryshayev, (who had come for the tour) immediately identified themselves, offered to assist and entered the classroom. Mackey quickly took over administering CPR. Wanda and Gryshayev worked together to administer the AED — which indicated Tanya needed to be shocked. After the shock, Tanya’s breathing was restored. She began to be frantic as she woke up, so they turned her to her side to ensure she would continue breathing.

Mackey reflects on that eventful day.

“As a nurse, I never know when I will be needed, and I’m so thankful to God for having me in the right place at the right time. I’m also thankful for the amount of training we do to prepare for situations just like this. Seeing the smile on Mrs. Blue’s face today brings tears of happiness that she is okay.”

Gryshayev also shares joy in Tanya’s lifesaving care.

“I am so happy and relieved she is doing well! I renewed my Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification a few weeks ago, so thank goodness it was all fresh! I’m glad we continue to practice CPR as we never know when it will be needed. The staff, Nitaya Mackey and I all jumped in quickly to help her! We really were in the right place at the right time.”

Mackey and Gryshayev didn’t hesitate to put their years of training and commitment into action — which undoubtedly helped save Tanya’s life.

Heart Care in the Best of Hands

When EMS technicians arrived, they gathered information about Tanya by asking what exactly happened. At one point, they asked about Tanya’s age. Wanda replied, “She’s 50, but she doesn’t look a day over 35.” To everyone’s surprise, Tanya laughed.

Smiling, Tanya says, “They told me I started laughing, but I don’t remember it. I could kind of hear things but nothing distinct.”

Since she had a cardiac event and the WakeMed Heart Center was close, EMS paramedics determined it would be best to take her to WakeMed Raleigh Campus. The WakeMed Heart Center is known for highly advanced, state-of-the-art cardiovascular care.

Upon arrival to the Raleigh Campus Emergency Department, Tanya was whisked off to imaging for testing of her heart, bones and head. She was then placed in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (ICU) from December 1 to December 3 and received stellar, around-the-clock care from nurses Tasha, Kourtney and Melissa. Once she was more stable, on December 4, they placed her in the cardiovascular intermediate step-down unit where nurses Melinda, Belinda and Jessica cared for her. They prepared her for a defibrillator implant in the Heart Center with Kevin Manocha, MD, a board-certified cardiovascular physician, specializing in complex arrhythmia. Tanya was calmed for the surgery when she learned in casual conversation with the anesthesiologist that he is best friends with the technician at Tanya’s school. She was given a cardiac resynchronization device to help both sides of her beat in sync with one another to help her heart function.

Dr. Manocha comments, “Ms. Blue’s story highlights the importance of early CPR, basic life support and early defibrillation. We are thankful to the staff who were prepared and took the appropriate steps. We are also thankful to the school which had a readily available AED. It saved her life.”

After the successful procedure, Tanya was introduced to a staff member from WakeMed Cardiac Rehab who encouraged her to participate in the follow-up therapeutic cardiac program. On Friday, December 7, after a few days of medication monitoring, Tanya was discharged home.

“I appreciate my entire care team and all the family and friends who were my village during this time. It’s funny how we’re all so interconnected. Two nurses were touring my school and helped save my life. My nurse in this unit knows one of my students from last year. Another nurse is neighbors with one of my students. We need each other, and going through this made it so evident to me.”

Gratitude for a Caring Village

Tanya’s gratitude is far reaching as she realizes how many people stepped up to save her life and support her family.

“My school family took care of not only me, but also my son, Adonis Blue, Jr., who goes to the school. They protected him, and they’ve continued to offer loving support to our family by providing food and running errands.

Wanda is very pleased with her staff for stepping up to cover for Tanya.

“I am proud of my staff. They have really pulled together as family to support Tanya’s students by covering her classes, grading schoolwork, making copies and ensuring the students are cared for. They have also checked that Adonis has lunch and transportation back and forth to school and home each day. They have collected gift cards for meals since Tanya is transitioning to a heart healthy diet.”

Tanya is equally amazed by the love of her church and natural family.

“My church family, led by Reverend Bankole Akinbinu, PhD of Baptist Grove Church, has been gracious to us as well. They visited, provided meals and grocery shopped. I’m also grateful to God for sparing my life and sheltering me when I fell. I suffered no broken bones or broken teeth.

“Each morning before I start teaching, I hug my son and say goodbye as he heads to his classroom. Each morning before I leave the house, I hug my husband, Adonis Blue, and say goodbye. I’m so thankful that those were not the last two goodbyes I’ll ever say to my men whom I love so much.

“My husband, son and family have been my rock throughout this entire health crisis.”

While Tanya is incredibly grateful, she is also trepidatious about the future.

“I feel overwhelmed by what has happened and the fact that I need a defibrillator. I’ll need to change my life — the way I eat, my level of physical activity and my medication management. Yet, I know I’m in good hands at WakeMed. My life was spared years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and once again, I see the divine providence in all the people and medical professionals who worked together to save my life after cardiac arrest.”

Save a Life — Learn CPR

An emergency can happen at any time and in any place. It’s important that you know CPR — because you never know when you’ll be called on to save a life. Check out the fundamental differences in CPR for infants, children and adults.

WakeMed also offers in-person classes on performing bystander CPR in the community. Check out our Classes & Events page for program dates coming soon. We also offer training on Infant CPR. Learn more about our “IN-PERSON Infant/CPR and Safety” workshops. Register here.

The American Red Cross offers trainings in adult CPR. Sign up for a class.

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About WakeMed Cardiac Rehab

WakeMed Cardiac Rehab offers a safe, monitored environment where you can gain the strength, confidence, camaraderie and nutritional know-how you need to live a heart-healthy life.

The WakeMed Cardiac Rehab specialists welcome patients who have or had:

• A recent heart attack
• Cardiac bypass surgery
• Angioplasty or stent placement
• Valve repair or replacement surgery
• A heart transplant
• Stable angina
• Heart failure

Patients with ventricular assist devices also benefit from our program.

About WakeMed Emergency Care

The WakeMed system of emergency departments is one of the largest and busiest in North Carolina. As a result, we’ve pretty much seen it all. Our doctors are board certified in emergency medicine, are backed by the highest designated Trauma Center available and bring with them the depth of experience that you would expect from the area’s leader in emergency care.

So, rest assured that no matter where it hurts we’ve got you covered.

About the WakeMed Heart Center

When it comes to matters of the heart, there’s nothing like experience. Wake County’s first open heart surgery was performed at WakeMed in 1968, and we continue to be a leader in innovative cardiovascular care delivered by highly trained, board-certified physicians and staff who take a team approach to patient care. At WakeMed, patients always come first.

Whether it’s having a cardiac intervention team ready and waiting for you in a time of emergency, managing your high cholesterol or high blood pressure levels or helping you regain strength with our dedicated cardiac rehab program, WakeMed’s Heart & Vascular services, physicians and staff are here for you.

About WakeMed Heart & Vascular

WakeMed Heart & Vascular physicians bring together expert cardiovascular, thoracic and vascular surgeons who are dedicated to delivering the highest level of cardiovascular care in Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner and Clayton, N.C. For decades, these physicians have chosen to bring their talent and expertise to WakeMed for its reputation for excellence in cardiovascular care and commitment to providing the most exceptional patient experience.

About WakeMed Imaging

WakeMed Imaging Services is a full-service imaging department offering advanced technology, convenient access and prompt testing and results. As professionals who have a true passion for care and caring, we focus on providing excellent, individualized service to each patient. Additionally, we have been designated a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States.