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Man saved at Henrico library: ‘If it wasn’t for these fine ladies, I wouldn’t be around’

Posted at 11:32 PM, Aug 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-09 08:59:07-04

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- A Sandston man is thanking the two librarians and nurse who helped save his life last week at Libbie Mill Library.

Sixty-five-year-old Randy Waddell said he was visiting the library, a place he calls his second home, on Aug. 1 when he collapsed on the second floor.

"I was upstairs on the second floor and I collapsed and went into full cardiac arrest," Waddell said.

Waddell said three women rushed to his aid time he fell to the floor.

"Couple of staff members here at the library and a nurse, a fellow patron that performed CPR," Waddell said.

The women used a defibrillator and performed CPR until emergency responders arrived.

"The doctors at VCU had told me that if it wasn't for these fine ladies, that I wouldn't be around. So it's very emotional for me," said Waddell.

Libbie Mill Library Manager Adrienne Minock credited her staffers and the library system's training.

“I’m just thankful that we had an expert nurse who happened to be in the building at the time and that we had the AED machines and that our staff do get training, we know what to do," Minock said.

Waddell said the incident stemmed from years of battling a disease.

"I've been battling coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure dating back to 2005, so this is not the first episode," he added.

After spending six days in the hospital, Waddell returned to the place where tragedy almost struck.

"It just really hit home the last week what my kids mean to me and I just wasn't ready to be apart from them so this is one of the greatest blessings that you can imagine," Waddell said.

And to also express his gratitude  to the staff and three special women that will be in his heart forever.

"For these folks to go out of their way, I think saving a life, is pretty special," Waddell said. "So I have no one else to thank but the good Lord and these ladies."

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