Nurse Struck by Lightning in Boston Released from Hospital After 40 Days: ‘We Are Blessed’
Thalita Teixeira Padilla was walking her dog on Sept. 9 when she was struck by lightning, but her life was saved thanks to CPR
A nurse who was struck by lightning in Boston last month was released Wednesday from the hospital after being treated for 40 days, and she is now expected to make a recovery.
Massachusetts State Police said on Sept. 9 that a woman was walking her dog in Savin Hill Beach in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood when a lightning strike left her with critical injuries.
The victim, who was identified by local media outlets as Thalita Teixeira Padilla, was administered CPR by a nurse. Tracy Cronin, who lived nearby and saw Padilla on the ground from her home, NBC affiliate WBTS-CD reported. "I prayed and I hoped and I wanted an update on her so badly. And it's just amazing. Really amazing," Cronin said, per the outlet. "CPR works. It really does."
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Related: How to Avoid Getting Struck by Lightning — and What to Do If Someone Gets Hit by a Bolt
Padilla, who is a nurse herself, was taken to Boston Medical Center (BMC). According to her family, the doctor said that Padilla actually died but was resuscitated after CPR was performed on her. "She died and then, the family was correct with the fact that that nurse was next to her is just amazing because she would have died," said BMC’s Dr. Tracy Dechert, per ABC affiliate WCVB-TV.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the chance of being struck by lightning is very minuscule, but “the consequences of lightning strike injuries are serious,” adding that there are on average 28 fatalities in the United States annually due to lightning.
Dechert also said, per WBTS-CD, that Padilla was hanging by a thread for 2-3 weeks. "You could not be sicker than she was,” said Dechert. “I mean, that's as sick as you can get. The fact that that nurse was next to her is amazing, because she would have died."
Padilla’s brother, Andre Teixeira, said that “every day was like overcoming a battle,” CBS affiliate WBZ-TV reported. "Her brain isn't working, her eyes aren't working, [and neither are] her kidneys, so every day, even though she was overcoming the odds, it was no breaks."
After forty days in treatment, Padilla was discharged Wednesday from Boston Medical to the sounds of applause and cheers from her family and hospital staff, according to reports. She was transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital for the next step in her recovery.
Andre Teixeira said that her sister is using her recovery time to think about pursuing a master’s degree, per WBZ-TV. "We are blessed," he said.
Related: Fla. Woman Says She 'Died' After Being Struck by Lightning While Walking Dog: 'A Lot to Process'
A GoFundMe was created for Padilla by her cousin Stephanie Teixeira, who wrote in the description: “Along with praying for supernatural healing, comfort and restoration, I pray for God to provide enough to support them financially through this hard time.” As of Thursday evening, the fundraiser had generated over $54,000, far exceeding its initial $25,000 goal.
The Massachusetts State Police also said that when Padilla was struck by lightning on Sept. 9 in Savin Hill Beach, her dog Bruce, who was with her, got scared and ran off. He was eventually found and reunited with his family, the department said.
PEOPLE reached out to the cousin for comment.
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