NORWICH – Searching for a silver lining when things go awry can often seem like a moot effort. Looking back on a near death experience and counting all the blessings that came together to make Doreen Rowe's life today a reality couldn't be further from that.
In December of 2013, Rowe suffered a massive cardiac arrest, one that left her in a coma for more than a week. “I thought I had indigestion,” Rowe said, “ but I was going into cardiac arrest.”
Luckily with the saving grace of her 25-year-old daughter, Amy Rowe, Doreen's life was sustained until paramedics could arrive. “After calling 911, Amy performed CPR on me for nearly 23 minutes, she saved my life,” Rowe said.
The ordeal landed Rowe in Wilson Memorial ICU for more than three weeks. Within 24 hours of the incident, her family assembled to be by her side.
Rowe's parents flew into town on the red-eye from Florida, where they live throughout in the winter months. While the couple have a residence in the town of Greene, the home had been winterized and wasn't inhabitable.
“My Parents — who are both in their eighties — flew up north to be by my side with just a suitcase full of clothes and nothing more,” said Rowe “Things were not looking all that great, and they wanted to be here for me.”
Weather conditions at the time were disastrous as well, with more than 20 inches of snow at one point. Said Rowe, “My family had no place to go.”
This is when a nurse at Wilson Memorial informed the family of the Danielle House on Riverside Drive on Binghamton's west side.
Rowe's parents, sister and daughters were told that accommodations were available to them at the Danielle House. The house offers home-like lodging for families whose loved ones are suffering from a serious ailment or medical treatment in the Binghamton area, much like a Ronald McDonald house in larger urban communities.
While the triple cities might not be at the caliber of Buffalo, Albany or New York City, the Danielle House offers much needed comfort to those whose focus is attenuated to their ill loved ones.
