Story Published: Feb 12, 2009 at 11:28 PM MDT
Story Updated: Feb 12, 2009 at 11:28 PM MDT
"I coded twice and I had a stroke. My kidneys quit. I filled up with 50 pounds of water, they gave me 40 units of blood and I was in a coma for thirty days," says Green.
Somehow Lew survived.
"I never gave up on anything in my life, I never backed off from anything and I was rough in tough when I went in there and I came out humble with a different outlook on life," he adds.
Millions of people are diagnosed every year with failing heart conditions, the ones who get through it are those who believe.
"I just know that I'm going to get my strength back without fear," says Doug Cushman.
"It was such a shock, but he's done so well and like he said, he's had so much support from the hospital," says Doris Cushman.
Participants at the annual Healthy Hearts dinner have not only survived, but they've come back remembering what is important.
"It could happen to anybody at anytime at any age. I was 35 at the time. You are not to take anything for granted at all," says Shannon Gardner.
"It really got me to stop and think. Life's too short and life is good and I got a sign at home saying life is good," says Green.
"We're into a whole new field of life and we're going to live it," says Cushman.
This years patient of the year is Allan Oswald for his courage to survive and an inspiration to others.
The theme this year is "The Climb of Your Life" to kickoff the grand Teton climb event for August. It will be led by a former patient who's ready to take her struggles and climb to the limit.