Lady Gaga fan dies, brought back to life at Nashville concert

For 33-year-old Crystal Thornton, of Lyles, Tenn., Tuesday evening’s Lady Gaga concert in Nashville was one she had looked forward to for five years. As she and her best friend, Christina Tugman, settled into their seats in section 103 at the Bridgestone Arena, they were enjoying the opening act when Thornton suddenly began to experience what appeared to be a seizure.

Tugman frantically waved down an usher who immediately paged the onsite medics. Jerry Jones, EMT-IV supervisor with Vanderbilt’s LifeFlight Event Medicine program, was at her side within a minute.

“The patient was unconscious with no heartbeat,” Jones said.

Jones and paramedic Shane Clark used a portable automated external defibrillator (AED) for more than five minutes to get her heart to begin beating again. Along with paramedics Rich Delmotte and Jonathan Webb they restored her heartbeat and transported her by ambulance to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Emergency Department.

“Without an AED, this patient would not have survived. It restored her pulse,” said Leigh Sims, EMT-P, manager of Event Medicine for Vanderbilt.

Upon arrival at Vanderbilt, physicians immediately began the therapeutic hypothermia protocol to cool Thornton’s body temperature to between 93 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit because she was at risk for anoxic brain injury due to prolonged lack of oxygen. Covers containing circulating cold water were placed over Thornton’s body and around her head. A machine slowly and carefully lowered the body temperature and maintained it for 48 hours.

“The patient received incredible care from the moment she experienced problems at the Bridgestone Arena,” said Jared McKinney, M.D., medical director of LifeFlight Event Medicine. “It is only through a coordinated team effort that her successful outcome was possible.”

She was transported to the cardiovascular intensive care unit under the care of cardiologist John McPherson, M.D., where she continued to undergo the cooling therapy for two days before slowly and carefully being restored to her normal body temperature. Thornton regained consciousness, and her neurologic status has improved daily. Her physicians ran a battery of tests to figure out what happened and why she suffered a cardiac arrest at such a young age.

“It appears that she may have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or an enlarged heart,” McPherson said. “This is a genetic condition that, unfortunately, has no warning symptoms and often results in an emergency situation like Thornton experienced.”

Thornton will undergo surgery on Monday to receive an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) that will automatically restore her heartbeat should she ever experience another cardiac arrest.

“I am so mad I missed the concert,” said Thornton, who has no recollection of Tuesday evening’s event.

It’s an evening her friend Tugman says she will never forget.

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

Keep readingShow less
by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

Keep readingShow less

Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

Keep readingShow less