Duane, family and German Foreign Exchange student
Treated For Food Poisoning
4 May 2004
My name is Duane Helsel,I live in a rural comunity in northern California. On Dec.16, 2003 I was getting ready for another evening of feeding a large number of people at work. I had made sure one of my kitchens was ready to roll and was walking the distance between the two that I was in charge of for the evening meal. I felt a burst in my chest about half way across the yard and with it came some excruciating chest pain. I made it across the yard without interrupting the activity and into the next dining hall. I locked the door behind myself and as I entered I announced to my co-worker I was in some major pain! He scrambled to get to me as the workers were escorted out of the work area for everyones safety. He tried to get me to sit down but I refused, Knowing somewhere deep in myself that if I gave an inch I was dead!
I was treated almost immediately as there are medical technicians always nearby. I was moved to the on grounds hospital (Trauma Unit) and was given nitro pills right away. By 3P.M. I was off to the local hospital and was treated for food poisoning.
As the Doc told me later she did not expect to see an aortic dissection in a 31 year old man. I was diagnosed about 11P.M. and was flown to a nearby city where at 1A.M. I was operated on. I woke up in 2004 with a major psychosis rolling around in my head. I was then moved to a rehab and was returned to my family on Jan 17. I have since been sitting around doing not a whole lot.
Update: 3 June 2004
Just writing a tidbit on my latest appointment with the cardiologists.Today my wife and two young Helsels accompanied myself to Reno where we attended an appt. with Dr. Nobles. He looked over my chart and introduced himself to Maura and Declan, he then looked at me and pointed to the line on my chart that shows blood pressure readings. He then said,"Things look excellent." He checked my pulse at the ankle then at my neck and then listened through my chest cavity. He again smiled and said,"Wow!!!; not a one murmer" Apparently things have healed well and I am well on my way to recovery.
Well its been "Just Another Day" in Duane's life.
Update: 15 August 2005
Since my last visit to our web site my life has been through some drastic changes. My wife of a whopping 7 years has decided to move on and the reason I am writing: I recently underwent another surgery. My original life-saving surgery failed and thank God for web sites discussing life after AD and Stanford's Dr Liang and Dr. Miller I am here to write again.
On Easter of this year at age 33 I underwent a valve replacement and hemi-arch placement. I am no longer feeling weak and disoriented which I had come to the conclusion was the norm after my first surgery. I am full of life and drive to produce something of myself. I have yet figure out what but I am sure it must be more than this.
My children are doing great and I have had plenty of time to "poison" thier minds as I am told. Declan starts Kindergarten this fall and Maura is ready to tear up 3rd grade!!!! As I love to say All's well here in the Helsel household!!!!!
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