Tamara D'Ambra, 44, returned to the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, to thank those who helped her when she suffered a massive heart attack in June.
FRANKLIN -- Seven. That's the number of times paramedics, emergency personnel and doctors used defibrillators to revive Tamara D'Ambra after she suffered a massive heart attack at her home in June.
Doctors are amazed the 44-year-old mother of three from the Somerset section of the township survived as her heart had to be restarted several times as she was raced to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Tamara D'Ambra hugs paramedic. (RWJUH New Brunswick)On Friday, D'Ambra and her family returned to the hospital to thank the medical staff for giving her a second chance at life, according to a news release.
"How do you thank someone who gave your children their mother back?" asked D'Ambra. "I have a second chance now and I am convinced I will make a difference with it.
"Every birthday is my first and every holiday is my first now thanks to everyone at RWJ. You gave me back my family. Without you I wouldn't be alive."
On June 13, D'Ambra had chest pains, began sweating profusely and experienced severe nausea while at home. Her husband, Vito, called 911 and gave her an aspirin immediately. Emergency personnel arrived within minutes, according to the release.
While en route to the hospital, paramedics needed to use a defibrillator three times. Emergency Department personnel had to use the device three more times when she arrived at the hospital and her physician used it once more while D'Ambra was being treated in the hospital's cardiac catheterization laboratory, according to the release.
Eventually, doctors inserted a stent to open the blocked artery, it was stated in the release.
Dr. Alpesh Patel, an attending interventional cardiologist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital who inserted the stent to open Tamara's blocked artery, said it is rare that a defibrillator is used seven times and the patient survives.
After several days in the hospital, D'Ambra returned home and is taking several medications to lower her blood pressure and cholesterol while following a modified diet low in sodium and fat. She hopes to return to work soon.
"It means a lot to us to have a positive outcome and see the patient doing well and meet their family," said Jeff Lucas, one of the paramedics with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital's Mobile Health Services, who helped save D'Amra's life. "It reminds you of why you put in all the hours and complete all of the training required."
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.