MIDLOTHIAN, Va. — A prayer movement introduced the nation to Midlothian graduate Hailey Lane, after she suffered a massive heart attack. Hailey was home on Spring Breakfrom the Air Force Academy when she had a heart attack at the gym, and lost consciousness for 20 minutes.
Hailey clung to life, even as her kidneys failed several times. Her condition was so severe that family and friends were not sure she would make it to Friday’s milestone — her 20th birthday.
“My greatest wish on this birthday would be to take all this pain from my beautiful Hailey,” her twin sister wrote on Facebook. “It’s a beautiful day, very emotional for the family.”
The heart attack came as a shock because Hailey, a competitive swimmer, was considered to be in impeccable health. Hailey’s younger brother — she is one of five children — stopped playing lacrosse until he passed a physical examination, something all family members will undergo.
For one week Hailey remained on life support to help her heart pump and lungs breathe. Hailey was removed from life supportafter a successful heart surgery Tuesday. Afterward, the left side of her heart was functioning at full capacity. According to the surgeon, the right side of her heart is lagging but they are “hopeful of a full recovery.”
Since surgery Hailey has opened her eyes. Just this week, after she watched a video of the cadet wing support at the Academy, she opened her eyes and mouthed her first word — “WOW!” her sister said.
Hailey’s family, her twin sister Savannah, set of older twins, a 10-year-old brother and parents Brigid and Dennis Lane, have continued to ask only for prayers of support and have attributed Hailey’s recovery to the national outpouring of support for the teen.
In response to CBS 6 viewer inquiries, Hailey’s sister Savannah said that flowers and cards are being accepted at 2519 Follensbee Drive Midlothian, Va. 23113
