Gail Mann

My name is Gail Mann.  My husband and I live in Newbern, TN and we are
retired.  I am 55 years old.

About a year and a half ago, I was having pain in my left hand and wrist.
It was getting very severe and after spending lots of money at a
chiropractor, finally I saw my family doctor.  After the regular pre-check
by the nurse, the physician listened to my heart and said he wanted me to
have a heart catherization done as soon as possible.  I complained that I
was there for my wrist and he said that this was much more important.  Later
I was to learn that he was alarmed at the murmur he heard.

I went to Methodist Hospital, in Memphis, TN. for a routine heart cath.  Of
course I can only relate the following from my husband and daughter, but in
the middle of the procedure the doctor advised them that he had discovered a
7.5 cm anuerysm.  He told them immediate surgery was required and if it had
ruptured right there in the hospital, he couldn't assure a happy ending.
Apparently, I was in the right place at the right time. Since it was an
emergency, I didn't have any time to prepare for the surgery and for me that
was good because I'm a worrier and a procrastinator.
So I awoke in CICU on a ventilator with worried, but relieved family
surrounding me.
The anuerysm had been repaired, but the aorta was too damaged, so I received
an aortic graft and a bright shiny St. Jude valve.
My recovery from surgery was quick, my Coumadin level seemed to be easily
balanced and I went home after just four days.
After just two days a home, however, I woke up not being able to breathe.
We ran to the Emergency Room in our small local hospital and my INR was 7.7
and I was diagnosed with cardiac tamponade.    I was transferred back to
Memphis to have the fluid drained and after pulling out 4 liters of blood I
returned home again.

All went well until I noticed my groin wound looked really bad and was
obviously infected.  After opening and closing that wound two times and a
hospital stay of three weeks to clear up the staph infection I returned home
again.  The wound just never healed and was still infected.  The third time
it was opened it was decided to leave it open to heal and a new vacuum
therapy was used to close it up.  Finally after ten weeks the groin wound
was healed. Other than the constant, irritating "click" of  the St. Jude
valve I am up and running.  Incidentally, the pain in my wrist was due to
the anuerysm pressing on a nerve and never bothered me after surgery.  So
much for chiropractors!!