She was lucky the bullet hit her lung and not her heart. They inserted a breathing tube down her throat which they connected to the respirator machine. She was also connected to a machine to monitor her vital signs. Her blood was typed and cross-matched immediately; a bag of life-sustaining blood was placed on the bag hanger and released to flow. The bag of glucose and water, which was attached to her IV, was hung next to the bag of blood. She had lost three to four pints of blood while lying at the feet of her assailant.

Dr. Asuncion operated on her left lung where the bullet had made a gaping hole by making an incision through her left side. He inserted a chest tube into her lung to drain the blood out. After several hours of touch-and-go surgery, he finally finished. Success!

We lost her there for a minute, but we got her back with the help of God, some great nurses, interns, and her own will to live. Now that’s what I call teamwork. Next time, let’s not cut it so close. I don’t like to sweat, Dr. Asuncion said, smiling calmly, addressing all the people in the operating room. Let me introduce you to the victim of that near fatal shooting. I am Christi Golden. I’d like to take you back exactly four years ago and start from the beginning.