Danielle Vasinova details her struggle with Covid-19 at the very beginning of the virus outbreak, recalling being misdiagnosed and facing a near-death experience in hospital.
- December 24, 2024
AceShowbiz - In an eye-opening recount of her battle with COVID-19, actress Danielle Vasinova shared that her heart stopped for three full minutes while hospitalized in December 2019. Vasinova, now 42, experienced this life-threatening ordeal just as the virus began to spread in the United States when doctors initially misdiagnosed her with strep throat.
"On December 12, 2019, I died for three minutes," Vasinova told People. At first, she believed she had the flu, but her symptoms rapidly worsened. "By the next day, I could barely walk. My legs wouldn't move. It was bizarre," she recalled.
Her condition deteriorated to the point where she felt she was going to die. Her uncle rushed her to the emergency room, which turned out to be a life-saving decision.
What followed was a scene straight out of a movie. Vasinova's heart flatlined, and an ER nurse named Ruby fervently performed chest compressions for three minutes until her heart finally resumed beating.
She was then transferred to the ICU and placed in an induced coma due to complete organ failure. Vasinova credits Ruby for bringing her back from the brink of death. "She didn't know who lives or dies after they get transferred. She just gave me the biggest hug," Vasinova explained, recalling her emotional reunion with the nurse.
Although she did not have any of the typical near-death experiences, such as seeing a light or tunnel, Vasinova felt a sense of a higher power and began noticing recurring angel numbers like "5555" and "7777."
"Something was telling me, 'There's something more for you. You weren't meant to go just yet. You're meant to do something else,' " she said. This profound experience became a turning point in her life, leaving her feeling more connected and grateful for the preciousness of life.
Vasinova's story of survival has added a new layer of gratitude and purpose to her life, both personally and professionally. She is set to portray Kestrel, an indigenous woman married to a Montana rancher, in the upcoming "Yellowstone" spinoff series, "The Madison". The show, led by Michelle Pfeiffer, is described as a "heartfelt study of grief and human connection."
As Vasinova moves forward with her renewed lease on life and her new role, she remains thankful for the opportunity to share her story and inspire others. "Life is so precious, and it is such a gift. We're here to do some good in the world, to be of service, and to be forever grateful," she mused.
