Titanium Valve, Hemoshield Graft, And Still A Cop!
16 July 2003
I wanted to write this narrative of my experience to give hope for others that have gone through or are going through the hell as I have gone through.
I am 31 years old. I have been a police officer for 10 years and currently at the rank of sergeant. I am in excellent physical condition. I have been body building seriously for six years and ran three times a week. I was the last person anyone ever expected to come so close to death.
On March 23, 2003 at 9:00 I went to bed. I had been feeling tired for the last few weeks but otherwise had no idea of the serious event that was about to take place. My seven year old son, girlfriend and her six year old daughter were at home. I suddenly felt a pop in my chest. It was the most painfull thing I had ever felt. I had trouble breathing, everytime I took a breath it hurt worse. I yelled for my girlfriend to dial 911. I live less than 5 minutes from the local hospital. My vision and hearing was greatly impaired. I knew this meant I was in dire trouble. I am 240 pounds, being a police officer I knew the difficulty EMS was going to have to get me out of the house so, I crawled down the stairs to the kitchen door. I tried to stay as calm as a could. The children were very upset and I was talking to them trying to reassure them.
The police and first responders arrived on scene in minutes. It took the ambulance 45 minutes to respond! They got lost and went to the wrong side of town. After they finally arrived the paramedics declared that I had pulled a muscle and was "fine". The ride to the hospital was slow and they didn't even use the emergency lights. I arrived at the hospital and the doctor looked at me and instantly rushed me in for a catscan. The seriousness on his face indicated to me that he knew I was in trouble. I later found that by the time I arrived my blood pressure had bottomed out. I was very quickly diagnosed with a aortic aneurysm. I was bleeding internally. I was rushed to Baysate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts for emergency surgery. I was awake for this entire time due to the extreme pain. I remember going into surgery surrounded by my family and close friends. I kept reassuring them that I would survive.
The surgery took six hours. I was given a hemoshield graft for my aorta. My aortic valve had to be replaced with a titanium valve. My family had been told of the incredible odds against my survival. Post surgery I remember awakening in the recovery room and there was no pain. I remember seeing my family and close friends. I always stayed positive and didn't accept dying.
The next day I awoke to find my right leg in a great amount of pain. When the doctor came he examined my leg and found I couldn't move my toes or ankle. A specialist was brought in and found I had developed compartment syndrome from being on heart bypass. I was rushed back to surgery and two cuts were made on both sides of my calf, from knee to ankle to remove the pressure from built up fluids. A machine was used to pump the fluids out. My family was told that there was damage and a possibility of losing my leg. I had lost all feeling from my thigh down.
Every day I progressed. Within three days I was off life support. By five days I was up and standing with a walker. My right foot was stuck with the toes pointed straight which made it very difficult to move it. I was moved from the heart ward after 11 days. At 14 days I insisted on going home.
When I got home I was told I would never be a police officer again. Rumors were flying through the town and many residents came to visit. After one week of sitting in my chair I went outside and hobbled around the block. It took me 2 hours for a 2 minute walk. I rapidly progressed and spent my days hiking in the woods trying to regain my leg. I received no support from the Selectmen regarding my job. I was told conflicting things from people about whether I would ever work again. I would not accept this. I pushed on and went through physical therapy. After only 10 weeks I went back to the gym and started stretching and using light weights. I now weigh 200 pounds and have lost most of my muscle mass.
I fought for my job back and researched every day. The main problem the town was having was the fact that I am now on Coumadin, for my valve. I am on this drug for the rest of my life. In police work they worried that I may be injured on the job causing the town to be liable. I didn't accept the idea of retirement. I now felt terrific and the pain was nearly gone. After this event I wanted to return to the career I love. Federal law allows for a town to retire an officer in my condition.
I went to 3 differant cardiologists and got written letters all indicating that I could return to work. I have now regained 10 pounds of muscle. I am in better physical condition than most officers on the job.
On July 11, 2003 the town lawyers gave in and allowed me to return to work as long as I acknowledged that there was an inherent risk of injury due to Coumadin.
July 15, 2003 I went back to work and feel terrific. I not only beat all odds of survival but I got my life back. Two days ago I water skied. It felt better than ever before. I am emotionally changed forever but I will never take life for granted again. If anyone especially police officers get into a similar situation and need support to get their life back contact me by E-mail or call the Erving, Massachusetts Police Department. I will write a letter or help in anyway I can.
Update: 25 January 2005
I really think this web site helps a lot of people. I'm still feeling great! I have had a few set backs in the last 18 months but, I'm alive!
The great news is I have successfully continued with my career and have been promoted to Chief of Police. In this role I am less likely to injure myself, but am still very much involved in the police work I love.
Thank you so much for the support!
Update: 17 May 2005
Approximately a month ago I developed some chest pain. It was short bursts of pain and shortness of breath. This happened several times in a couple of day period. I also found myself feeling exhausted. I made an appointment to get in to see my cardiologist.
On April 26, 2005 I went to the hospital for a CT scan. I knew there were problems when I had sat in the waiting room for more than an hour after the scan. The doctor met me and advised me that I had a leak in my Aorta. He also stated I had an aneurysm formation the size of a finger protruding off the seam of my mehanical Aortic Valve. He advised me I needed immediate surgery.
I was rushed by ambulance to Bay State Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts and underwent surgery to fix the problems. Everthing went smoothly and I am now home resting comfortably.
I have made the decision to apply for retirment from the police department. This was a very difficult decision to make but I must put my family first. I am not sure what the future holds for me but I want to remove as much stress from my life as possible.
Update: 27 September 2005
After several months I had not fully recovered from my second surgery. I had felt very run down and tired. I couldn't make it through a day without taking a nap. I continued to have bad pain in my neck. My Cardiologist scheduled a check of my arteries in my neck. My arteries checked out fine but a nodule was detected on my thyroid. I was sent to a specialist and after a few tests found that my thyroid had almost completely stopped. The doctor felt that the Iodine injected during my CT scans had migrated to my thyroid and stopped it from working! I was immediately placed on thyroid therapy. Within 3 weeks I felt 100 % better.I have now fully recovered from my last surgery and it is hopefully my final one.
I have felt so terrific I have changed my mind regarding retirement. I approached my doctors and they have supported me in returning to work. The Town where I work has been extremely supportive and the Selectboard have allowed me to return to work as the Chief of Police. I am very grateful for the chance to continue this job and the goals I have set out to complete. I wish everyone the best!
Update: 5 May 2006
My husband Chris Blair is going today for a test. (The one with dye, there's so many I can't keep track) It's the one test that we dread. Yes, it says a lot but every time he goes for this test we end up back in the Hospital with another open heart surgery!!
Please wish him the best and pray for him today it's been a short year and we are hoping to make it another year.
Addendum (later in the day)
I just got word. Chris called and everything looks
fine. He says if they send him home then its good. It's when they
ask you to wait a moment because the screen shot is fuzzy!!! We
made it another year.
Christopher's wife, Jennifer's perspective
Discussion, comments, or questions: Christopher Blair
© Copyright 2003 Christopher
Blair
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