NARRATIVES
TALK TO A
ADVICE
Established April 15, 1995
University of West Georgia Disclaimer
I was born in a log cabin in Fite Hollow, Kentucky
in 1932. Grew up in West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. Enlisted
in the Air Force at 17, commisioned through Aviation Cadets in
1953, received my wings as a Radar Observer, Navigator and Pilot in
later years. Graduated from the University Houston in 1957 with a
B.S. in Political Science, and from the Ohio University in 1972
with a Master's in Public Administration.
I retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Col. at the age of 41 to give
my 4 children a stable home life for their Education. During my Air
Force career I moved 23 times and through my professional life 34
times. My second career was with Universities where I was involved
in raising monies. My positions included VP at Otterbein College,
Associate VP, The Ohio State University, President Florida State
University Foundation and Director, Senator Claude Pepper
Foundation.
Two of the projects I like to remember, are the James Cancer Center
at Ohio State and the Pepper Center on Aging and Public Policy at
Florida State. They have given me the greatest satisfaction as I
look back in my memories.
My wife, Peggy Cullman Fite and I live in Bluewater Bay in
Niceville, Florida where I retired in 1996, upon advice from our
Doctor, to reduce the stress of working. We play golf, volunteer,
walk and visit our 8 Grandchildren in Hawaii, Washington State,
Nevada and Ohio. Isn't it great to have a second chance at
life.
7 August 2000
On a Friday morning in December in 1983 I arrived at work at the Ohio State University, tired, moving slowly. I had called my family Doctor who agreed with me on the phone that my cold was making me feel this way. I was to see him that afternoon if I felt worse.
I went to a meeting, even though my assistant insisted I go see the Doctor. The day before, in my jogging workout, I felt a small pain under my arm and that night while bowling, the pins had gotten fuzzy. But, after all I was 51, an ex fighter pilot, now Associate VP at a major university, it was only a cold.
My assistant had not taken my answer well and called my Boss, who came, jerked me out of the meeting and I was on my way to emergency. I was embarrassed as Interns went over me, finding nothing. Then the head of cardiology came and within minutes pointed out to the Interns a small sound which indicated more tests. I soon found myself undergoing tests while being admitted. After about 2 hours the Department Head informed me that I was a walking time bomb, had an aneurysm in the ascending aorta and should have surgery now to repair the problem
The surgery was done by a team headed by Dr. Vasko, who had just come to OSU from Johns Hopkins. The dissection was completed, a Dacron wrap was used and I am today still enjoying life to it's fullest.
The reason for this email is to let people know, that with good prevention after this type of operation, one can live without fear. At the beginning I had the normal, "glass man syndrome", but after a few months got past what I learned is normal reaction to this operation.
Over the years I have stayed on various levels of Tenormin to keep my pulse rate 48-55. I have taken cholesterol medicine even though I do not have high cholesterol readings. I do have a small leak in the heart valve, but it has not increased in size this past 18 months. I wonder now, why they did not put a valve in at the time, even though I was told the opening had stretched over the period before the operation. Maybe., in those years that had not been done. OSU staff had only 5 cases, of which I was only the second person to survive. I have learned that other pilots have had this problem, but there does not seem to be a connection.
Insurance became impossible to get, Nurses when told it is ascending aorta, say descending. They do not believe I know what I'm talking about. Family Doctors have never seen the condition and in my various moves, even some Cardiologists do not take you seriously until you show them the records. My present Cardiologist has had three patients, but none survived. By the way, I saw the family Doctor recently who had early on commented he was glad I had not seen him that day. His whole office greeted me as the case that kept my Doctor humble over the years.
I hope this may help those other lucky persons who were in the right place, at the right time, with the skilled people on hand to perform this surgery. I am living proof you can have many great years with family and in my case playing the best golf of my life retired in Florida.
Update 1 Mar 2002
We have moved from Florida to the West. We are now living in Sun City Anthem in Las Vegas, NV. This is close to our daughter and the change has been good for us.
In a recent checkup, I continue to do well, even after 18 years. The best to all of you!
Update: 5 September 2007
Have not written for ages, but I need to know if there is information which might assist me before I make the decision to have surgery. It has been 24 years since my first surgery and the inclusion of my story. I have not updated my page since moving West in 2002. Over the years my aortic valve has leaked with the results this year calling for surgery to replace (repair?). I don't have all the answers about impact on the dissection and repair of the ascending aorta or if they will not have to do anything about the previous surgery.
I have now researched three location to have this done, Columbus OH, Ohio State University (first surgery) Seattle, Wa. University of Washington or here in Las Vegas at St. Rose Dominican Hospital. Should I be this concerned or has this surgery become so routine it matters little where it is done? The Doctors in Seattle and Ohio have excellent backgrounds, but I find little on the 2 Doctors whose names I have been given in Las Vegas.
I am now 75, active in golf and overall no other heart problems except this. Las Vegas is a fast growing city with at times support area's as medical, not keeping up with growth ( 6,000 people/ month) However, I have been told that if I go some place else and have later complications I would have to return to the location I had the surgery (scary).
Any suggestion would be appreciated, as I need to make a decision. I could just forget it all, but have been told it would be a downward slope to little activity, loss of energy, no golf, no flights to see 10 Grandchildren, etc. Could not live like that!
Discussion, comments, or questions: Franklin Fite
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