At 3:30 a.m. on June 3, 2019, the ER doctor shouted "Clear", then cardioverted me. I was in Cardiogenic Shock with a heart rate of 256 beats/minute, an Ejection Fraction less than 10%, two leaking valves, and my ventricular walls were touching each other. As I fought for each breath, my liver, kidneys, and bladder were all failing due to a lack of oxygen. I felt like I was suffocating at the cellular level.
The surgeon restored my blood flow by implanting a Balloon Pump in my femoral artery. I could not walk, sit-up, or even bend my leg. With my blood flow restored, I spent the next 16 days in the Cardiac-ICU, building my strength to survive the implantation of my LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device.)
On June 19, 2019, I received my LVAD. An LVAD is an electromechanical device used to partially or completely replace the function of a failing heart. LVADs are directly attached to the heart's left ventricle, and continuously pump oxygenated blood into the patient's aorta.
Four days later, my aorta was leaking and I underwent a second open heart surgery. Eight pints of generously donated blood later, I began my road to recovery. My Tricuspid Valve was still leaking and my right ventricle was still impaired; however, the doctors chose to let them heal on their own.
Finally, on July 10th, 2019, I returned home to start my second lease on life. Over the previous 46 days, I had lost 30% of my body weight, mostly muscle. VAD technology is so amazing, that I recovered enough to hike for 6 miles within five months of my LVAD implant.
In August, 2020, I started to experience incidents of temporary blindness while hiking. Then, suddenly, I passed-out in the middle of my next step. Ventricular Tachycardia "collided" with Atrial Fibrillation, resulting in an episode of Cardiac Synscope. Back in the hospital, the surgeons implanted an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) to "shock" my heart back to life the next time it stops.
Since then, I have been blessed to live an active lifestyle with seemingly limitless physical activities, including 13-mile long hikes, a 5K race, camping, and gardening, among others. I am so very thankful for the supportive efforts of my nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and many technicians. I am so grateful for the gift of enjoying more than 1800 sunrises since the ER doctor shouted "Clear."
I hope our donations will help many more patients enjoy 1,800 sunrises and more. Donations will help fund further groundbreaking research to keep hearts beating stronger and longer. Future patients may not be aware of your generosity, but you can smile in the knowledge that your contribution helped advance the technology that brings survivors additional sunrises of joy.
When: Friday, September 20, 2024
Where: Soldier Field
East 18th Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
When: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Where: Dupage County Fairgrounds
2015 Manchester Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187