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as told by David Amborn
 am lucky to be here today. In 2004, the main left artery in my heart was 85 percent blocked–a blockage doctors call the “widow maker.” Fortunately for me, doctors at Gundersen Lutheran found the problem before it was too late.
 My batteries had been wearing out since the beginning of the year, but it took me until June to admit something might be seriously wrong. My symptoms started with fatigue. I just didn’t have the energy I used to. By the end of May, I couldn’t walk up more than a flight of stairs without having to stop to rest and I had a squeezing feeling in my throat.
I should have gone in to get checked out right away, but I had a couple golf tournaments I wanted to play in. When I was out on the course, I even told my golf buddies I was having chest pains. I finally called the next day and went in to get checked out.
After hearing my symptoms, Dr. Paul Schoenfeld wanted me to have a heart catheterization right away. That’s how Dr. Ward Brown’s team discovered the “widow maker.” As soon as they found it, they stopped the procedure because there was no chance for an angioplasty or stent. I needed to have bypass surgery.
As I spent that afternoon in the CCU preparing for surgery the next day, I was overcome with a sense of calm. I didn’t fear surgery. Instead, I felt a sense of wonder that I was here. I didn’t have a killer heart attack on the golf course or in the garden. I was at Gundersen Lutheran, guarded by this system of care as I waited to have lifesaving surgery performed by Dr. Christopher Leach.
Everything went smoothly during surgery and I went home a few days later.
As a director of Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation, I’ve always known that Gundersen Lutheran provides the best in healthcare. My heart problem let me experience the very best first hand. So many people at Gundersen Lutheran were involved in my experience. It wasn’t just the doctors, nurses and others who provided my care. It was also people in departments like Dietary, Central Services and Laundry that I never met, but who played an important role in my surgery and recovery.
Today, I’m feeling great and still marvel at the incredible experience I had at Gundersen Lutheran. Thanks to everyone involved in my care, I’m here to share my story. I made it. |