A Florence woman is continuing to fight for her life after doctors told her they ran out of options. It is her fight that never stops.
In April 2012, Lisa Collins had her world turned upside after suffering a heart attack in her early 40s.
With the help of her doctors, she ultimately decided to get a life changing surgery.
"We made the decision to have the triple bypass because I didn't have any relief," said Collins.
Following her procedure, Collins was still having chest pains and shortness of breath.
She decided to get a second opinion from Duke Health. There she got an enhanced external counterpulsation treatment to help with blood flow.
However over time, those treatments didn't help and she was running out of options.
"I was feeling the pressure. Here I was a full time nurse doing all the things and I had to slow it all down," said Collins.
Collins then heard about gene therapy trials at Duke Health.
Collins' doctor said the therapy helps with blood vessel growth, which helps bring oxygen to the heart.
In June 2021, she became one of 12 people in the U.S. to receive the therapy and the first in the carolinas.
More importantly, the therapy gave something she almost lost, hope.
"You're spirits have to be high in order to have a good outcome. She's had a good outcome and good spirits and good thinking process about this whole thing," said Collins' family doctor, Dr. Daniel Hyler.
Collins said there is still an uphill battle ahead but she is going to take full advantage of her second chance.
"Some days I still ask, 'Is it worth it?' Because I don't know if it's working yet. I can't tell, but I live everyday likes it's my last and just enjoy life," said Collins.
If you would like to learn more about this gene therapy study or to see if you qualify click here.