 |
Growing up was a little bit of a challenge because I couldn't keep up with the other kids and I couldn't play contact sports,
however my parents pretty much let me live my life without restrictions. At the age of 23 while working out at the gym I felt
my heart racing, after much debate I finally came to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines and sitting up talking to the Nurse she
issued a code Blue on me(to my surprise), My heart was beating at 260 beats per minute and I had sustained this for several
hours before arriving!
Dr. Ben Johnson (EP) took over my care and admitted me for many tests, it was determined I had Ventricular Tachycardia resulting
from my open heart when I was four.after a month I was flown to Mayo Clinic In Rochester, MN where Dr. Douglas Packer Followed me
and between the two Dr.s a Medtronic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator or ICD was implanted in Feb. 1991.
|
 |
For ten years I had the ICD and was shocked around 50 times, unfortunately
there was no proof that any of these were warranted. In October of 2000
almost 10 years to the day, I was informed by Dr. Johnson that my lead
wire had a short in it and surgery was pending in a few days. On Sunday
October 8th my lead wire cracked and started shocking me with the 750
volts required to bring a patient out of VF, I called 911 and the West
Des Moines, Clive and Windsor Heights EMS and Fire crews showed up,
as I was being shocked they had me lie in the Ambulance and that is
where I went into Cardiac Arrest!
As I awoke in The Trauma Unit at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, I was informed what had just taken place, Thanks to the Clive EMS
crews and the AED that was implemented I was still alive, if it wasn't for the AED and the quick response of all medical personnel
I would not be here today. Today, after Open heart again in 2000, I am currently free of the ICD and free of all medications and
living a happy healthy life.
|
