“Seeing Evelina is one of the many things I would have missed if I didn't get through this.”
When John’s wife, Patti, was in the hospital undergoing treatment for liver cancer, he experienced severe shortness of breath. He took himself to the emergency room, and was later admitted to the cardiac ICU with a diagnosis of severe congestive heart failure.
Patti died two days later. John was discharged the following day with the directive from the attending physicians to see a cardiologist for follow-up care and a pacemaker implant. After Patti’s funeral, he was faced with the task of taking care of his own health. He spoke to family and friends and chose The Heart Group of Lancaster General Health.
John’s Care Journey Begins
John’s care began with The Heart Group’s Heart Failure Clinic, a program nationally recognized for its low rate of readmission to the hospital. John was then referred to a cardiologist who implanted a biventricular device (a specialized pacemaker/defibrillator). John was also placed on a medication regimen to help manage his symptoms.
With a solid commitment to good health, John continued to go to the gym regularly and watch his diet. “Due to my strong faith and willingness to survive, I never let myself believe that I couldn’t overcome this deficiency and return to a normal life,” he says.
John continued to be seen by the nurse practitioners and physicians in the Heart Failure Clinic for the next few years. “They were very conscientious in my care and made me feel very comfortable throughout the entire process."
Next Steps with Penn Medicine
Four years after his first visit, John’s cardiologist told him that he had taken his care as far as he could, yet John was still not adequately responding to the treatment. He recommended that John be evaluated for a heart transplant at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.
“The transfer of my care was seamless, and I was thankful for that,” John remembers.
John was evaluated by the medical director of the Heart and Vascular Center at Penn. “After two days of testing, my doctor was amazed at how well I had compensated physically, given the severity of my heart condition. The doctor attributed this to the fact that I was actively exercising during this period and following a proper diet.”
Five months after being placed on the transplant list, John’s pager went off and his two sons, John Jr. and Steve, drove him down to Philadelphia to receive his new heart. The next day, he was up and walking the halls at the hospital.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
John’s recovery back to good health was a long journey that included some setbacks, including a bout of pneumonia and fluid on the right lung, which required another surgery. Once he recovered and was stable, John went through our cardiac rehabilitation program where he slowly returned to an active life.
Now happily retired, John still maintains his gym schedule three to four times each week and works part-time at Foxchase Golf Club, where he plays golf and appreciates the camaraderie of friends, co-workers, and fellow golfers. He is thankful for the joys of everyday life, including going to Phillies games, riding on roller coasters at Hersheypark, and “drinking a nice cold beer when I want to!”
He is also grateful he gets to play with his young granddaughter, Evelina.
“Seeing Evelina is one of the many things I would have missed if I didn’t get through this,” added John. “I had a strong motivation to get healthy again and remain mentally focused throughout this ordeal. I attribute this to my belief in God, the emotional and physical support provided by my family and friends, and my medical team. I love to share my story, so others understand the importance of diet, exercise and following a medication regimen."