Minutes Mattered for the Kieslings

Roger and Gail Kiesling purchased an AirMedCare Network membership in May 2017, never thinking they would ever use it. Less than three months later, Roger suffered a cardiac event which happened while he and his wife were driving through Steelville, Missouri—a town of just over 1600. “It was around 9:30 a.m.,” Gail said. “We were in Steelville and I said, ‘I love you, honey,’ and he said, ‘I love you more.’ I looked over and his head was slumped down and drool was coming out of his mouth.” Gail dialed 9-1-1 and Steelville Ambulance responded quickly. The crew pulled Roger from the truck and began treating him in the ambulance. They called for Air Evac Lifeteam out of Sullivan, Missouri, knowing that minutes matter when it comes to cardiac issues. Roger lost his heartbeat four different times that day. The Sullivan Air Evac crew transported Roger to SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, Missouri, where he remained for nine days. The team at St. Clare put an automatic defibrillator in Roger and monitored it. While he says he moves a little slower than he used to, 73-year-old Roger feels much better. “Thank you just doesn’t seem to do it justice,” Gail said. “We are so thankful to God, and to everyone here. Everything fell into place, and Roger is here today because of these heroes.”