HOLLAND, Mich. — When Dan Janisse retired last year, he took a job as a bus driver for West Ottawa Schools.
Two weeks before the school year began, on Aug. 30, all the bus drivers had mandatory CPR training.
On Sept. 14, that training was put to use when Janisse had a massive heart attack driving to the bus garage parking lot.
"It's almost like the pieces of the puzzle all fit together," said Janisse.
The morning began like any other, Janisse said.
He did his morning rounds, dropped the kids off at school, left the bus at the garage and went home. He ate lunch, exercised and watered his plants before it was time to return for the afternoon route.
As he was driving into the parking lot to the bus garage in his truck, he had a heart attack.
"I was told that I bounced off a couple of cars," said Janisse. "I went through a retainment fence and right into a 15,000 gallon diesel fuel tank that we use to fuel up on the buses with."
Thankfully, the fuel tank was reinforced and protected with a barrier.
The garage mechanic saw what happened, ran out and reached inside Janisse's window to shut off the vehicle.
"He pulled, I guess at that point, my lifeless body out of my truck," said Janisse. "And right there on the grass, he proceeded to give me CPR."
Two other bus drivers joined in to continue CPR until EMTs could arrive, at which point Janisse said it took two hits with paddles to get his heart going.
He was taken to Holland Hospital and had three stents put in. However, his heart attack was a big one, and he was transferred to Corewell Health Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids.
"I was on the ECMO machine for almost ten days," said Janisse.
Eventually, he woke up. He spent time at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital learning to walk again, and a few weeks doing cardio rehab again at Holland Hospital.
"I thought it would never happen to me," said Janisse. "Prior to my heart attack, I had no symptoms. I had no shortness of breath, I had no fatigue. Me and my wife are avid walkers. I exercise regularly."
Dr. Keith Frank, a cardiologist at Holland Hospital, said when someone feels their heart racing or beating fast, chest pressure or pain to seek medical attention.
However, heart attack symptoms can look different for everyone.
"Some people do have that classic crushing, chest discomfort, or a heaviness or tightness in their chest," said Frank. "But that's not true of everyone. Some people have dizziness, some people have nausea, shortness of breath, vomiting, it could even be passing out. There's a wide range of symptoms. The important thing is just not to ignore it. So, if it's something new, just let somebody know, just have it checked out and evaluated."
Janisse said he's so thankful for his second chance at life, and without CPR he would not be here today.
"I was at the pearly gates," said Janisse. "All I remember is there was these brilliant light, almost golden light, it was like everything was blurry but I could see it. It's kind of like the heat coming off a road and a hot summer day. And all these people, including myself, were milling around this golden gate. And far off in background, I could see this golden palace, golden city, if you will. It went from horizon to horizon that had no end. And I was sitting there, taking it all in. And all of a sudden, two hands were placed on my shoulders, and call it a heavenly host, an angel, whatever. And then the most profound voice I've ever heard, 'You have unfinished business, you need to go back.'"
He said the incident had a "profound impact on my life."
Janisse said he now is more conscious of what he eats and his overall lifestyle. However, he has no pain whatsoever after his heart incident just a few months ago.
You can find a CPR training class by visiting the American Heart Association's website.
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