Seeing in Silhouettes: Pat Perry's Story of Regaining Memory and Function after Brain Injury

You've probably heard of sudden nocturnal death, or passing away in your sleep. When it happens to someone who has led a long life, it may come as sweet relief. But, when it occurs in much younger people, families are left shattered, confused and fearful that life can be taken in a moment.

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On November 12, 2008 at approximately 4:00 in the morning, 51-year-old Pat Perry got up to use the restroom. When she lie back down, her husband heard her sigh. Concerned, he turned on the light to find she wasn't breathing.

Escaping Sudden Death

He immediately called 911 and began to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Within minutes, emergency medical services (EMS) technicians arrived to the couple's home in Wake Forest, NC, where upon arrival, they found Pat had only a pulse. EMS sped them to WakeMed Raleigh Campus, using an automated external defibrillator (AED) to jolt her heart back into a regular rhythm. 

Upon arrival to the WakeMed Raleigh Campus Emergency Department, the team was on standby ready to receive Pat. They placed her in a medically-induced coma for 24 hours to preserve her heart and brain function. 

When she awoke, the team set out to determine what exactly happened and the scope of care required to navigate her back to good health. 

"I have no memory of this time," shares Pat. "My sister-in-law told me I awoke with the mannerisms and perceptions of a very young child. I could not walk and could only see people in silhouettes."

Overcoming Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)

Medical providers explained that the event occurred because Pat's heart had stopped. Previously diagnosed with V-Fib, a type of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), she experienced a rapid, life-threatening heart rhythm starting in the bottom chambers of her heart. Pat lost consciousness and lacked oxygen, leading to an anoxic brain injury.

Prior to the event, Pat was receiving medication management for her condition, but during her sleep, her body experienced a surge of adrenaline that launched a V-Fib episode.

Marc Silver, MD, FACC, a WakeMed Heart & Vascular cardiologist, carefully monitored Pat's condition, administering care in the WakeMed Raleigh Campus cardiac intensive care unit.

"Ventricular fibrillation," explains Dr. Silver, "is a heart rhythm where the main pumping chamber of the heart essentially stops pumping because of a complete loss of the electrical organization that normally synchronizes heart muscle contraction. The only treatment is shocking the rhythm back to normal and if this is not done within a few minutes, lack of blood flow to the brain begins to cause irreversible brain injury — and death usually results within five minutes if no shock is delivered."

"I was in the hospital for five weeks," recalls Pat, "and spent the first three in the cardiac unit. I was treated for my V-Fib, a blood clot, foot drop and a brain injury. I also had a blood transfusion because my iron was very low."

Finding Her Way Back to Normal in the Rehabilitation Hospital

After three weeks, Pat was transitioned to the WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital, where she received physical, recreational, occupational and speech therapy — in addition to case management services and neuropsychology . 

"My husband told me that they had to hoist me into a seat to sit up," says Pat. "I started from level one with relearning how to function. My husband also kept a journal of the weeks that I was in the hospital, so we would have a record of my experiences. Reading it is odd because I don't remember any of this. The good part is that I have no trauma related to the event since I have no memory of it. I appreciate the journal though because it was encouraging to see my husband believed I was going to pull through. His faith was strong."

What Pat remembers from that period is the changes in her vision. 

"Everything was black, and I saw silhouette-like movement, but everybody else saw me and interacted with me."

Missing Her Students and Finding a New Purpose

Once Pat was released from the hospital, she continued her recovery for the next eight months, missing her work as a ninth grade high school math teacher. 

"My students were concerned about me, and I about them. Eventually, I visited, and after nine months, I returned to work for another decade and retired in December 2018."

With gratitude for a life spared, Pat began volunteering at WakeMed in December 2019 as a guest ambassador for patient registration. She works each Wednesday in three-hour time blocks in two different areas of the hospital. She is now a guest ambassador in the main hospital entrance and visits patients with brain injuries as part of WakeMed Rehab’s Peer Support Program.

"I enjoy encouraging brain injury patients and their caregivers. For patients recovering from a brain injury, I encourage them to adhere to therapy and to be patient, accepting that recovery takes time."

Dr. Laurie Leach, the Director of the Brain Injury Rehabilitation System, states “Pat’s guidance and warmth has had such a positive impact on patients who are going through her lived experience. She has helped so many of our patients by bringing them hope and encouragement”.

Today, Pat is feeling better than ever and keeping up with cardio exercise to keep her heart strong. 

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About WakeMed Heart & Vascular

WakeMed Heart & Vascular brings together expert cardiovascular, thoracic and vascular physicians and 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 Rehabilitation Hospital

The WakeMed Rehabilitation team of accomplished professionals specialize in treating adults and children who have experienced a stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, orthopaedic issue, trauma, or limb loss through CARF-accredited programs. They share your goal: to regain as much independence and mobility as possible. They use the latest rehab techniques and technology and educate both patients and their family members to restore quality of life. Our medical directors also maintain lifelong relationships with patients to ensure their needs are met as they age. The WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital, a nationally recognized rehabilitation hospital, is located in Raleigh, NC and serves patients throughout the southeastern United States. Please call us at 919-350-7876 to speak with an Admissions representative or to schedule a tour.