This is Stacey Schmidt- I decided to start "TheGregRileyStorm" blog for several reasons.  Many of you know my husband Greg Riley.  He is amazing & stubborn all the same.  After some convincing, he agreed to be one of the lacrosse coaches for our Brighton Youth Storm teams (grades K-2).  Despite that he may pretend otherwise, he loves coaching and loves his little team of Storm players.

On the morning of Friday, May 4, 2012, a perfect "storm" of events occurred in Greg's life.  He suffered a massive heart attack.  He was playing racketball with the Bishop, Tai Biesinger and after losing the last game claimed to have chest pains.  (Tai initially thought he was faking to justify loosing to him.) After feeling ongoing chest pains and nausea, Tai knew there was something wrong and thankfully the 1st miracle of this Storm was set in motion, he called the paramedics. The paramedics arrived at the Cottonwood Rec Center, administered oxygen and medication to Greg.  He claimed to be feeling better and thought he could go home.

Miracle #2 of this Storm, the paramedics,one in particular convinced Greg to let them take him to the hospital.  Greg reluctantly went (miracle #3 cause he's so darn stubborn!) and was taken to the ER at IMC (Intermountain Medical Center).  I had spoken to Greg on the phone for a few seconds as I was on my way to the hospital, I was sure he was going to be fine and so I was only slightly panicked, thinking..."Greg will do anything to get out of running the  Brighton LAX 5K tomorrow!"

Storm Miracle #4-I walked into the ER, and I see people administrating chest compressions to some patient...it was Greg.  I cannot believe what I see...a crash cart comes down the hallway.  The ER staff shock him 4 times and bring him back to life.

Miracle #5-Greg is taken to the Cath Lab, the amazing doctors at IMC find and remove the blood clot. Unfortunately, the location of the blocked artery is too dangerous to put in a stint. The heart team at IMC determine that open heart bypass surgery is going to be necessary in the next few days. The location of the narrowed artery is referred to as "the widow maker" and frankly, he's lucky to even be alive at this point.  He was given a blessing by my brother, Chad and our bishopric.

At the present time we are working on miracle #6.  Because Greg went into cardiac arrest they gave him CPR for about 5 minutes.  The doctors are concerned about possible neurological damage.  So yesterday, they lowered his core temperature to try and save brain function, him for 24 hours.  While this occurs he is under heavy sedation.  Today the heart team at IMC started rewarming his core temperature.  Tonight, when his core temperature is back to normal, they will shut down the sedation and hopefully he will regain consciousness, with no neurological damage.

Greg is strong and we are so blessed to have such an amazing out pouring of family and friends, reaching out to us and praying for us.  Know that every text message, email and voicemail are read or listened to from all of you!!! We are so lucky.  This feels like a surreal event as I watched someone I love receive chest compressions and lay in a state of unconsciousness.  Please hug those you love.  Make peace with people that you are harboring ill will.  Life is so precious!

I will continue to keep posting blogs.  When he is able to have visitors, I will let you all know.  I know he would love to see you all.   Thank you for all your love and prayers.  Stacey