In October 2019 I was diagnosed with acute Septicemia caused by a Streptococcus bacterium in my blood. The bacterium caused major damage to my heart requiring replacement of my aortic valve. After successful heart valve replacement, I was discharged and spent the next thirty days in Huntington Hills given daily infusions of antibiotics to suppress any further infections.
I was feeling pretty good for a while until March of 2020. At this time, I developed an acute pain in my right leg. To alleviate the pain and purge the infection, now determined to be Enterococcus bacterium in my blood, I went through minor leg surgery to drain the site.
In grading the severity of my problems, the crippling pain was just “the tip of the iceberg”. After performing a trans-thoracic echocardiogram (TTE), Dr. Rex and his team determined that my new aortic valve had a ”fungus” growing on it and would have to be replaced (for a second time!). Prior to this surgery I was advised to have my double inguinal hernias repaired. This was skillfully done as an outpatient at SFH and I was back on my feet immediately.
This second heart surgery was successful and, again, I was eternally grateful to SFH and its capable team of doctors and nurses.
The term “three times is a charm” may be inappropriate in this context but I will use it anyway in recounting this next chapter of my ordeal.
In SFH recovery and ICU, I developed a third blood infection; a Pseudomonas bacterium was detected in my blood! This insidious problem would not go away! AGAIN, my aortic valve had again been damaged, now requiring a rebuild of my aortic root, and replacement of the valve. My mitral valve was also repaired at this time.
After lots of imaging, analysis, and study, my team of doctors concluded that either my small bowel or my gall bladder was throwing off bacteria into my bloodstream. My small bowel was imaged and determined to have a distorted shape at its tip, suggesting a possible infection. My gall bladder showed intermittent blockages due to gall stones. My gall bladder was removed, and my small bowel had a piece of it removed.
During this period, I developed a ruptured spleen, requiring surgery to remove it. To mitigate breathing challenges a tracheotomy was performed.
All told, I required 21 transfusions and went through periods (although brief (thank God!)) where my heart stopped.
Against the medical advice of other staff situated on the periphery of my nightmare, my doctor, Dr. Scott Rex, persevered and remained committed to me and to my survival and fought the fight.
The doctors (all affiliated with SFH) supporting him include:
• Dr, Neil Bercow
• Dr. Ari Ezratty
• Dr. Neeraj Kaushik
• Dr. George Dinoto
• Dr Vitaliy Krol
• Dr. Evan Sorret
Special mention goes to Dr. Bercow, heart surgeon, who literally performed miracles on me. I am eternally grateful to him.
After all of this I experienced a temporary paralysis in my left arm but thankfully all muscular control returned. Prior to my illness I had worked in the fields of microwave, communications, and radar engineering for over 50 years. I was able to return to the field I loved within 6 months of my discharge from SFH. I am a musician and enjoy building complex electronic devices. Both pursuits require strong cognitive skills and full functionality. I believe I retained most, if not all, of my capabilities.
Patient of Scott L. Rex, MD
