This Mother's Day feels different for mom who survived brush with death

HOUSTON, Texas -- Margaret Huber visited the Village Fire Department with her husband Mark and their two children, Morgan and Declan. The visit was especially emotional for Margaret.

"I wanted to say thank you," Margaret told firefighters.

On April 28, 2025, Margaret suddenly went into cardiac arrest. Mark found her unconscious when he got home from a business trip, "I didn't think about cardiac arrest because she's 46 years old and fit as can be."

Mark tried calling 911 but reached a recording. He then called the Village Fire Department, and help was sent right away.

"The dispatcher stayed on the line with me because I didn't know CPR. They told me what to do," Mark shared with ABC13.

Firefighters had to shock Margaret's heart three times before getting a heartbeat. It's believed Margaret was gone for more than 15 minutes.

Margaret, the mother of two, was clinging to life. She was in a coma for ten days. With no signs of recovery, Mark faced a difficult decision.

"I went downstairs to the chapel to pray. They made it clear that there was no reasonable expectation for recovery," Mark recalls. "I called my brother, who's a deacon. I said to Dan, I've never heard God's voice, and I need to hear it right now. At that moment, my phone rang, and it was my daughter Christi. She said Dad, where are you? And I said downstairs, and she said, " Get up here, Margaret just spoke."

Mark rushed upstairs but found his wife still in a coma. He asked what happened. "They said I don't know, she just tossed and turned. My sister said to her, 'Margaret, are you uncomfortable?' She opened her eyes and said, 'I'm fine,' and then went back out. So, I don't know whose question she was answering, mine or my sister's, but those words saved her life."

Margaret slowly began to wake up. Once she did, her long road to recovery started at TIRR Memorial Hermann. Through the TIRR Challenge program, Margaret regained her mobility and gradually got back her independence.

Mother's Day is this Sunday. It's always special, but this year it means even more to Margaret and her family.

Margaret continues to improve and is ready to celebrate. "I think for anyone that this happens, you just know that it's a process and a journey. It's difficult, but if you have a family, it's worth it."

Margaret's daughter, Morgan, added, "I'm so grateful that I get to spend Mother's Day with her. She's doing great. Progress is slow, but it doesn't mean it's not progress. It's amazing."