In July of 2023, my Apple Watch notified me that I was in A/Fib. My doctor and my cardiologist both confirmed that diagnosis. Upon awakening from an Angiogram, I met Dr. Rachel Hargrove, an award-winning Cardiothoracic Surgeon who informed me I needed a quadruple bypass within 3 weeks.
In September 2023, Dr. Hargrove successfully completed the surgery, and I started the trek to reclaim my health. I did have an ablation to resolve the A/Fib in January 2024.
I now have the distinct pleasure and honor to volunteer in the pre-/post-op unit of the hospital where my surgeries occurred. I am blessed to work with the surgeons, doctors, nurses, technicians, etc., who restored my health. In addition to hanging out with these wonderful health professionals, I get to talk to patients who are about to have the same surgeries and tests that I have endured.
The motto of Orange Coast Memorial Hospital (in Fountain Valley, CA) is "Called To Care." I truely have been blessed with that calling.