Making the decision to remove a loved one from life support is a nightmare no one wants to face. It’s a moment of unbearable grief and impossible choices. For Ryan Finley, that nightmare became a reality when his wife, Jill, slipped into a coma.
It all started one morning when Ryan found Jill unresponsive, not breathing. His heart raced as he dialed 911, frantically performing CPR while begging for a miracle. The paramedics managed to revive her, but Jill’s condition was grim. Her heart was weak, and her breathing was labored.
Doctors rushed Jill to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital and placed her in a cooling suit to prevent further brain damage. Despite their efforts, she remained in a coma. Every day, Ryan prayed by her side, holding onto hope even as doctors warned him that her chances of recovery were nearly nonexistent.
As weeks dragged on, the unthinkable question loomed: Should he take her off life support? Heartbroken, Ryan turned to his diary to process the impossible decision. “Today could be the worst day of my life,” he wrote. “I essentially have to decide whether or not she will die.”
Believing Jill wouldn’t want to live in such a state, Ryan made the gut-wrenching decision. Family members gathered to say their final goodbyes as the machines were turned off. But what happened next defied all expectations.
Instead of slipping away, Jill began to stir. Then, to everyone’s shock, she spoke. Her voice was faint but clear: “Get me out of here.” And as if that wasn’t surprising enough, she added, “Let’s go to the Melting Pot or Ted’s,” her favorite Mexican restaurants.
Ryan was stunned. Could this mean she was coming back to him? Against all odds, Jill’s condition began to improve. She started breathing on her own and eventually underwent heart surgery and rehabilitation.
Though Jill remembers nothing from her coma, she now faces life with a renewed appreciation. She admits to struggling with short-term memory and minor speech issues, but otherwise, she feels great. For Ryan and Jill, every day feels like a gift.
“We cherish each day, each minute, each hour now,” Jill told TODAY. “Not that we didn’t before, but it puts everything in perspective.”
Their story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up hope—even when the odds seem insurmountable.
If this story inspired you, share it with someone who might need a little hope today. You never know who might need the reminder that miracles can happen.
