Michael Hulgan, 66, of Cleveland, Texas, is on the road to recovery after surviving a “widow-maker” heart attack during his granddaughter’s volleyball game two weeks ago. The incident took place during a match between Cleveland and Splendora, where Hulgan’s granddaughter, Abby, plays for the Splendora Wildcats.
As Hulgan watched the game, he suddenly collapsed, alerting his daughter, Rachel Kerr, and prompting immediate responses from bystanders. Local nurse Josie Lambright, firefighter Justin Petty, and Cleveland ISD coach Chris Cline, who retrieved an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) from nearby, were instrumental in the initial efforts. Splendora Coach Ashley Prince also assisted, as did Cleveland firefighters once they arrived on the scene.
Following his collapse, Hulgan was rushed to HCA Hospital in Kingwood, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Reflecting on his ordeal, Hulgan shared, “They say only 12 percent of people recover from a widow-maker heart attack, and only 2 percent come away without some other kind of medical problem.”
He vividly recalls the moments when he was revived.
“I ‘died’ five times. When I woke up after they shocked me, I was alert and even cracking jokes. My oldest granddaughter Abby, whose volleyball game I was at, was crying her eyes out. I called her over to me and told her to kneel down and hold my hand. I have no reason to exaggerate about this, but when she took my hand, I felt a jolt of electricity between us. That might not make any sense, but it was like I had been given a dose of adrenaline. I looked at her and said I wasn’t going anywhere. The fight was not over,” he said.
His daughter Rachel said her faith in humanity and God was reaffirmed through the effort to save her father. She remarked on the profound impact of an older gentleman she noticed quietly praying and crying for her father during the ordeal, whose identity remains unknown. She wants him to know how much it meant to her that he prayed with such fervency.
Coach Cline, who has used an AED in a critical situation before, stressed the importance of CPR and basic first aid training.
“It’s a state law here in Texas that all our coaches and extracurricular people be trained in CPR and AED certified for an event like this,” Cline explained. He advocates that everyone learns these life-saving skills.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Hulgan said he was determined to survive.
“I’m nobody special, but I feel my survival has a purpose, like God still has things for me to do while I am here,” Hulgan said.
A Christian, Hulgan has already begun using his experience to witness to others, including the medical staff at the hospital.
“God made a decision for me to be here. I ask Him every day before I go to bed and every morning when I wake up what it is He wants me to do,” he explained. “No matter what people call God, He is real. He knows our hearts, and if you are confused or you were taught differently, He can help straighten you out and give you the choice.”
Hulgan is once again attending his granddaughter’s volleyball games, though now he is adding a touch of humor to the occasion by wearing a T-shirt that reads: “I survived a middle school volleyball game.”
Thank you Justin Petty and all those involved. Awesome to know others were praying.
Justin Petty and all first responders are real life hero who live amongst us! While most are running out of the burning buildings these folks put it on the line to preserve life and property. Thank you Justin Petty and all our first responders for what you do! God bless and protect you!
Very proud of my son Justin Petty for doing the job God called him to do. It is a calling very few are up for .