It can be a terrible and agonizing decision to decide to take a loved one off of life support. No one like having to make this decision, but occasionally there isn’t any other option. When his wife Jill went into a coma, Ryan Finley’s decision became a reality.

When Ryan found Jill, she was unresponsive and not breathing. He did everything he could to assist her regain consciousness until the paramedics came. Ryan performed CPR even though he knew the chances were slim, hoping for the best.

Although Jill’s heart was weak and her breathing was labored, paramedics were able to revive her. She was soon airlifted to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital where she was placed in a suit that lowered her body temperature in an effort to lessen the damage to her oxygen-starved brain. She, regrettably, slipped into a coma.

The days progressed into weeks, and despite Ryan’s perseverance and daily prayers, he learned that Jill had little to no hope of recovering. When the physicians suggested Ryan consider disconnecting Jill’s life support, Ryan was forced to make the hardest decision of his life.

To put it bluntly, the entries Ryan made about that day in his diary are tragic. “Today may be the worst day of my life. I basically have to decide if she’s going to die or not,” Ryan reportedly wrote. After striving to put himself in Jill’s position and coming to the conclusion that she wouldn’t want to live her life that way, he made the decision.

When the machine was shut off, Jill was still there while the entire family said their goodbyes. The doctors predicted that she wouldn’t die immediately since she was experiencing her “last rally.” Jill started babbling, much to the surprise of her husband, who was in a lot of discomfort.

Ryan was quickly asked by Jill for a ride to Ted’s or Melting Pot, two of her favorite Mexican restaurants. Ryan was certain that his loved one would live despite how ludicrous that sounded. He was also right.

Jill had heart surgery, went through recuperation, and learned to breathe on her own. Jill stated she had no memories of her stay in a coma but had difficulty with her short-term memory and some words. She was otherwise in good condition and ready to take advantage of the second chance God had given her.

They are more in love than ever and are content to be together. Now, according to Jill, “we cherish every day, every minute, and every hour.” Not because we didn’t previously, but it helps us see things more clearly.

Ryan’s story stands as a testament to the power of hope and faith. It serves as a reminder that even when it seems like everything is against us, miracles may happen and that we shouldn’t give up hope. It serves as a reminder to value the time we spend with our loved ones and to remain upbeat in the face of difficulty.