Born 14/06/37 in NYC, 2nd oldest of 4 children [sister & 2 younger brothers]. Active through college in sports; graduate with BS in Electrical Engineering. Divorced with 3 children, married Blair [4 children] 30 years ago. Formed US Inc., San Jose, Ca. November 1975 as a manufactures sales representative, in the electronics/semiconductor/high vacuum industries. Lived in the Bay Area since 1969, our children and 6 Grandchildren do the same.
This week I found your web site--read the most recent 35 narratives and felt an immediate bonding. I have decided to forget my state of melancholy, relate my story and offer communication to all of my kindred souls.
I am a 66 year old male who at the age of 65 + some months had never in his lifetime been hospitalized overnight, nor felt the symptoms of the common cold or flu for the past 30 years, an under 1 hour, 10K runner--avid golfer and an exercise enthusiast. All this changed just after midnight on Monday morning October 28, 2002. A violent pain to the roof of my mouth coupled with lower sharp abdominal cramps, caused a momentary blackout. One hour later my wife and I found ourselves at a fire station near our condo in Maui--no hospital on our side of Island. [ SHOULD HAVE CALLED 911 IMMEDIATELY]
The paramedics checked blood pressure [200+ over 150] and immediately took me by ambulance to ER, some 30 miles away. Tests during the next 18 hours showed no Heart problem, my blood pressure remained above normal, but was stabilized somewhat by medication. Other signs monitored by [MRI- X-RAY-EKG] appeared to indicate a colon problem. The first of the "life saviors" entered the, Dr.D.W. Rowe a cardiologist at Kaiser. He insisted on an additional MRI of the heart area and found a dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta.
Air-vac to Kaiser in Honolulu was within 2 hours. The cardiovascular surgeon Dr. E. Y. Chung of Queens Emma Hospital [second savior] said immediate surgery was needed. Open heart was performed with a 20% survival expected, but sure death predicted if not performed. The operation lasted 8 hours, including the 6 hours of life support and 20 minutes of body temperature reduction-----all this to replace with DACRON the damaged section.
The operation was a success, by the evening of Wednesday, October 30, I was sitting up in bed welcoming my children--who anxiously had come from California to join my wife. On Monday, November 4, my wife Blair & I returned to Maui via a commercial flight. Recovery took six weeks -- which then allowed us to fly home to California to spend the Holidays, with kids and grandkids. "All is well that ends well"--------NOT !!!!!!
A short period of time after New Years I developed flu like symptoms and by end of January visits to Kaiser for tests, provided no revelation. Blair and I decided to return to the comfortable weather of Maui, with hopes of faster recovery. After 17 days of sweats and chills, temperature varying from 95-101F coupled with very little energy Blair chauffeured me to the ER across the Island. That night February 22, 2003, Air-vac to Kaiser Honolulu again was ordered, issuing in 4 months of my clinging to life.
Blood cultures showed an Enterococcus infection, causing a pseudoaneurysm of the repair. Dr. K. Murray [Cardiovascular Surgeon] and Dr.L.J.Eron [Infectious Disease] of Kaiser became my newest saviors. After 4 weeks of tests via the most modern equipment available it was decided only an operation could possibly save my life.
Jetted to Kaiser in San Francisco, where Dr. K. D. Flachsbart [Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery], became my next savior. The next days became crucial in time--finally the decision to transfer me to Stanford University Medical Center, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery was made. Life was now in the hands of Dr.D.Craig Miller and his exceptional staff. Family and friends were counseled by Dr. Miller---that an operation was difficult, dangerous and chance of survival was less than 10%, with a 50%+ stroke if life continued. Decision to operate had to be made, or death would occur shortly. At 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, a 12.5 hour surgery began, Dr. Miller in lead.
Some time about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday "the savior and disciplines" pronounced my operation a success--but life after was hour to hour, and the chance of stroke was eminent. ICU was my home for 8 days--then 1 week in the cardiac rehab floor. Eating was a chore, what with all those tubes, bathroom concerns and IVs, 3 bags full, 1 for the fluid, 1 for the blood and 1 for the Enterococcus in my veins. Numerous CATs- MRIs- EKGs- blood tests, indicated, I was getting better, so back to Kaiser in San Francisco.
Thus began 4 weeks of rehab, plus continued IV for the bad bacteria. Dr. Flachsbart, undertook surgery to remove staples holding my sternum wound together---the gapping hole through all including sternum has miraculously healed without plastic surgery. Many days, twice a day Blair redressed this opening using a wet method. I went home May 10 a Saturday, Blair driving and family assisting in the move.
You would have THUNK----it is over. This narrative is becoming an epistle, I will shorten the next episode. A rash appeared all over my body, Itching was never ending, eating and bodily functions became difficult. The operations, Enterococcus infection, the numerous tests [invasive and non] and months of powerful antibiotics--finally wore my body and its faithful organs down. Loss, 180 lb. to 150 lb., occurred from start to May 10. The next 3 weeks to 125 lb. I was brought twice to ER due to kidney malfunction.
Kaiser Redwood City and Dr.C.A. Feldman [Nephrology] became my next "savior." His diagnosis and actions, complemented with savior Dr. D. Smith [Infectious Disease] brought life back to this dying soul.
Today Friday, September 19, 2003 I write this after seeing, in person at Pac Bell my beloved Giants clinch the WEST. Having done my weight training, walking and eating regular at today's weigh in I am an alarming, 160 lb.
Ever grateful to the wonders of technology,--great doctors--hospitals and their under paid-- under appreciated staff, I believe I was spared to TELL MY AMAZING JOURNEY to help. And finally to Blair I can only say thank you--she is worth surviving for.
LOVE and BEST WISHES
Herb