For the past few days before my birthday I was having bad allergies and also some terrible heartburn.  I had taken Allerga D the past two days and had not slept at all because of the medicine.  My wife, Laumpoon and I went for an hour long  walk in our neighborhood that morning.  It was a beautiful morning, clear and sunny with all the trees budding.  We finished the walk and I went to see my coffee drinking buddies at the McDonalds around 8am. 

When I arrived the heartburn seemed to be spreading.  I got some coffee and went to my seat.  My buddy Ken Ruple had gone to get a birthday cake for me.  I sat next to Pastor Dan Wells but I was not comfortable, I went to the bathroom and started to have dry heaves.  My entire chest was burning and I thought I was having an allergy attack.   I came back and asked Pastor Dan to take me to my doctor just across the street about 100 or so feet from McDonalds. 

On September 21, 2008, I suffered a massive heart attack. My wife Jan and I had just finished washing our boat when I stood up and felt pressure in my chest. Never having had a heart attack before and only being in my mid 40's, I assumed I just had indigestion. My left elbow was cramping up but I attributed that to the work we were doing. Jan asked if I thought I might need to go to the hospital. After a few minutes I reluctantly agreed. A couple of blocks from our home the pain subsided and I assumed I must have indigestion or an anxiety attack or something; surely it wasn’t a heart attack. We went back home and after about five minutes the pain was back, only stronger. So off we go to Midlands Hospital again.

This time the pain did not subside but continued to get worse. By the time we got to Midlands I was in severe pain. It felt like someone was squeezing my chest with a vice. When we pulled up to the emergency room my wife ran in to get some help. When she came out I tried to get out of the car. I can remember saying to her that I didn't feel right and I was dizzy. That is the last thing I remember.

This next part is what I was told happened next. My eyes rolled back in my head, I lay back in the seat and was basically gone. One nurse jumped into the car, climbed up on top of me and performed CPR. Then they pulled me out of the car placed me on a gurney and had to shock my heart to get it going again. Within minutes the staff had rushed me into the cath lab and Dr. Carstens and Dr. Ramachandran placed a stint in me. During this extremely hectic time, the hospital Chaplain never left Jan's side.

When I awoke I was in the ICU. The staff was not only professional, but was far more kind and comforting than I would have ever imagined. Even the cleaning lady was amazing. Remarkably, I was only there for two days, but really felt like I knew everyone I came in contact with. They were so nice! It did not end there. Cardiac Rehab was awesome. From beginning to end I was made to feel like I was the most important patient they had. When I completed rehab they even gave me a graduation t-shirt and a diploma. It was a truly amazing experience.

Terry

On December 23rd, my father-in-law Roger Gorham, was admitted to Bergen Mercy for heart surgery the next day.  We want to take a minute to compliment your awesome staff. It is important to realize that Roger has never had surgery before. As a currently employed RN, I believe I am a good evaluator of good care. At Exempla we strive for Best in Nation service. I will say, that what we experienced at Bergen Mercy was absolutely awesome. The RNs on the cardiac unit, Jen L, Brenlie, Keri P, Ali, Gina G, Jamie, Tammy, Joan, Jill A and Philip were so very caring and compassionate. They were all without exception a credit to their profession. Also Helen and Margaret from cardiac rehab, and the respiratory therapists were awesome. Each one treated Roger, and his family with respect and caring during a most stressful time, during the winter blizzard, over Christmas. You can be proud of how this nursing staff represents your hospital. Congratulations on being in my mind “Best in Nation.” Please tell them thank you from us. Roger is recovering well with a lot of spunk and taking charge of his life. Thank you for doing what you do so well and for giving us back someone who we love so much. It was a hard way to spend the holidays away from our own family, but you made it much easier and helped us see the true meaning of Christmas.  God Bless.  

-Judy

My brother went to a non-Alegent emergency room on Monday with chest pain and was coughing up blood. He was evaluated with a chest X-ray and EKG and was sent home with a diagnosis of pleurisy and bronchitis and was given treatment for these conditions. That night he woke with severe pains in his chest.  Thinking he had already been to have this evaluated and that the treatment just hadn't kicked in yet, he waited until morning and then called his primary physician.  His physician instructed him to go back to the Emergency Room, but specifically to go to Bergan Mercy Medical Center this time so he could be evaluated in the chest pain center. My brother took his time, took a shower, took the medicine they had given him in the ER the day before, and then drove himself to Bergan.  He was evaluated by the ER physician and had several tests including a spiral CT scan of his chest to rule out a pulmonary embolism.  They found blood clots in the bottom of both of his lungs.  He was seen very promptly by a specialist in pulmonary medicine and the appropriate treatment was prescribed.  I would like to give kudos to the team in the Bergan ER for catching this potentially life-threatening condition. 

- Lisa

I had a heart attack on October 25, 2008. It started suddenly with pain in both elbows and no other symptoms at 7 p.m. By 7:15 I started to go into shock. I didn't know what was wrong, but I knew I needed help. In 5 minutes I was at Lakeside ER. The doctor who saved my life asked me several questions, did an EKG and chest X-ray. I never had chest pain, shortness of breath or any other classical symptoms. I lost consciousness. When I regained consciousness a half hour later, I was surrounded by two doctors and several nurses all of whom were grinning from ear to ear.

The doctor told me I had survived a "widow maker" heart attack, 82% of people do not. I was told that I had gone into full cardiac arrest. The ER team had resorted to chest compressions and 5 defibrillation shocks to get me restarted.  I was moved to the cath lab where a stent was placed and by 9:30 p.m. I was moved to my intensive care hospital room. My wife and children visited me briefly.

All three nurses who cared for me during the night came in before they left at the end of their shift to rub my head for good luck. They, and my cardiologist Dr. Stephen O'Connor, who introduced himself Sunday morning, said I was lucky to be alive. I still disagree that it was luck - I think it was the excellent professional care I received and a lot of prayer!

After two days I was sent home to recuperate. I attended cardiac rehab for 6 weeks which allowed me to eventually return to work and heal virtually completely.

I am convinced the care I received not only saved my life, but has allowed me to return to a full productive life. My wife and children think so, too!

-Paul