New Year's Day Emergency

On New Year's Day 2019, Faith Vigil and her family woke with identical complaints: severe headaches and nausea. Her son described feeling like "his heart was pounding in his head," while their golden retriever Zeb was pacing and whimpering.

The Google Search That Saved Lives

Rather than assuming flu or food poisoning, Vigil researched symptoms on her phone. After ruling out the flu strain and food poisoning from their New Year's Eve party, she searched for carbon monoxide poisoning. The results matched their symptoms perfectly.

Immediate Evacuation

Vigil told her family, "We've got to get out of here." The household evacuated to their truck and drove to UCHealth Emergency Room at Smoky Hill, just three minutes away.

Dangerously High Levels

Blood tests revealed carboxyhemoglobin levels far above normal (under 3%):

• Husband Paul Schreder: 33%
• Faith Vigil: 26%
• Son Will (14): 23%
• Daughter Mila (11): 23%

All four family members received high-flow oxygen treatment for approximately four hours. Both dogs survived after being taken to a neighbor's house.

The Outcome

Dr. Patricia VanDevander stated the family "should not face any long-term health effects" due to their prompt intervention. Faith's quick thinking, willingness to Google symptoms, and immediate action saved her entire family from what could have been a deadly New Year's tragedy.

Why It Matters

Carbon monoxide is called the "silent killer" because it's odorless and colorless. Without Faith's decision to research their symptoms instead of assuming a common illness, this story could have ended very differently.