Dan E. Sheehan - born in Clovis, New Mexico on December 6, 1947, of a ranching and farming family, which farmed in New Mexico and ranched in South Dakota. Has three siblings, one of which is a twin sister. Obtained a BS in Economics from South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota and a Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota School of Law, Vermillion, South Dakota. Passed the New Mexico Bar and was admitted to practice September 1972. Sole practitioner in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Married Wanda Lowrey on December 1, 1976. Two children born of marriage - Rebecca Anne now a junior at Leland Stanford University and Christina Courtney now a junior at Albuquerque Academy.
My experience was just that, an experience. I had left my barn walking toward the house when suddenly I felt a pain go across my lower back. Just as fast my legs went numb. I found myself on my back unable to get up or raise my head. The phone I was carrying had flown out of my hand when I fell. Alone I did not know what to do. I can't say that I was scared as much as mad myself.
I heard the phone ring behind my head and was able to push myself to it with my arms. Answering it I told the individual that I would just have to call him back. It being 10:20 in the am I phoned my wife at work and told her I was down in the backyard on my back and unable to get up. She told me she would be right there and hung up. I then called 911 for an ambulance and was unable to stay on the line as I was experiencing pain like I had never had.
My wife and the ambulance personnel arrived about the same time. They found me screaming with pain and my pants about my ankles. I could not left my head to see my pants but that seemed to be what they were most worried about. Why my pants were about my ankles. I tried to explain that they had worked down when I had crawled to the phone. My pressure was taken and to everyone's surprise low. They did not think it was an emergency. I rolled myself on their gurney and told them to get the hell out of here. My left leg felt as though it was in a vice and would explode due to the pressure. The ambulance did not turn on its siren or lights but took its time getting me to the hospital.
I was for the most part passing out and coming to with the pain by the time we arrived. From that point on I remembered nothing for about three weeks. I was told by my wife that upon the doctors finding I had a ruptured aneurysm she was told I would not live and to immediately contact my family. Long and short is that they found a surgeon who performed a lengthy operation on me and repaired the break. Next operation was to amputate my leg. It seems that when the rupture occurred, the blood instead of filling the lining of my belly, went instead into my left leg, which then blocked off, causing the leg to die. That was the pain I had felt. My brother I am told ask if they would try saving the leg. Short story - they did a fen fen by pass in one operation and performed two other operations on the leg.
I was in the hospital from May 12 of this year through June 25th. My recovery I feel has been remarkable. My problem is my leg and I am still in rehab. I'm able to walk with the aid of a cane and mornings are my best time. In October one of my doctors tested my heart and the rest of my vascular system and told me I was in great shape and he would see me in a year.
My surgeon had another test performed on me a couple of weeks ago. An arteriogram - revealed I had healed up great inside but nothing much they could do for the leg. They had hoped that my renal arteries were narrowed, thus allowing them to open them wider, and as a result being able to get me off all the medication I am still on. Such however was not the case. I forgot to tell you that my kidneys about quit as a result of all the dyes they had given me during the operation. I thank the Lord daily that I am not on dialysis.
One of my doctors told me that this item had been inherited. I informed him that I did not know of anyone in my family who had experienced this. He told me "precisely". Just a bit of humor.
I am 51 and I felt a bit young for all of this. My law practice has suffered as a result but I am trying to get back on my feet. I have a daughter completing her junior year at Stanford and one yet a junior in high school. It was a great confront to hear that my life expectancy is back to what it is for everyone else my age. I do not intend on allowing my radiator to explode again.