Dear Readers,
This is one story I never thought I’d have the chance to write… primarily because I never thought I’d be invited to observe an open-heart surgery… secondly because I thought that if I did get that chance, I’d faint before I got enough information for a story!
However, I was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be present during an open-heart surgery performed at Mercy Hospital in Scranton. Despite my normally queasy stomach, I couldn’t pass up the chance to learn so much. I have had the privilege of promoting heart health through the last six Happenings’ February issues; yet this year’s experience has allowed me to understand that vital subject better than I ever have before.
Outside of a writing assignment, the opportunity took on special meaning for me. I had been at a hospital just a few months before, when my grandfather was undergoing heart surgery. My Pop Pop had been feeling short of breath for a while, but he didn’t admit to anyone there was a problem. As time went on, he casually mentioned how he was feeling to one of his long-time friends and neighbors. Being a good friend, Chick immediately drove Pop to the hospital to be checked out. Doctors confirmed it was a heart problem, and Pop was scheduled for surgery. Chick had undergone his own heart surgery earlier that year, so he explained every step as Pop went through his tests, surgery and recovery.
Now I was able to witness a talented surgical team, like the one that fixed my Pop’s heart.
I toured the hospital’s state-of-the-art Catheterization Lab, led by James Yi, a pioneer of perfusionist technology. Next, I traded my typical business suit for a set of blue scrubs. Since I heard some smells in the O.R. take some getting used to, I quickly spritzed my surgical mask with vanilla spray before proceeding to the O.R. There, I was ushered to stand on risers near the operating table to observe the aortic valve replacement.
At this point, I (a person who gets squeamish at the sight of a needle!) started to get more nervous. It wasn’t reassuring to hear that one in three people typically faint their first time in the O.R.! Thankfully, I was accompanied by co-worker Melissa Sanko and future nurse Rachel Alexander (who I hoped would carry me out, if needed!).
I expected a daunting, heavy tone and “Grey’s Anatomy” levels of stress. However, nothing was as I expected. The room was busy, but never hectic. The people were focused, but never strained. Each professional understood the role of every other person in the room. They anticipated each other’s next steps and were ready before the doctor even voiced a command. Led by the accomplished Lear Von Koch, MD, (pictured above) who has over 10,000 surgeries under his belt, everyone seemed comfortable and confident. They truly functioned as a team, each gracefully demonstrating the mastery of their intricate craft. But the comfortable atmosphere I have described should not be mistaken for casual. Each realized every move was of vital importance. The sterile environment remained uncompromised. The room was arranged and re-arranged before I lifted my eyes from taking notes.
Dr. Koch voiced his first instruction. “Can we start with the ‘60s?” Immediately, the satellite radio was changed from smooth Jazz to the 1960s music channel. Now the surgery could begin.
The ‘60s sounds gave way to music of the next decade and John’ Lennon’s “Imagine.” Dr. Koch’s accompaniment of “You may say I’m a dreamer…” was mixed with phrases like “One more suture.” As he pulled back the pericardium to reveal the heart, his actions seemed as natural as if he were tying a pair of shoes. Instead of shying away, I found myself amazed as I peered at a beating heart, in awe of the detailed intricacy and loving care of the creator God.
An hour into the surgery, with sounds of “Love Train” playing in the background, the heart was stopped, and the perfusionists oversaw the heart-lung machine responsible for sustaining the patient’s life. I stayed alert as the team would mention words I couldn’t understand and didn’t even try to write down. “Hand me a partansky clamp.” Or “I need another monopoler probe.” I was proud of myself for recognizing just one official medical term – when the doctor asked for the “long scissors!”
Dr. Koch and his team took the time to explain each part of the detailed procedure– what they were doing and why they were doing it. I wondered why they were so willing to make the effort to make sure I understood. After all, I won’t be performing any heart surgeries any time soon! But after witnessing these people work for hours, I realized it was because of their passion. When a person is truly passionate about something, when they genuinely love what they do, they can’t help but want to share that experience with someone else.
As we neared the fourth hour of surgery, my feet began to ache. I paused to consider that this was the doctor’s third surgery of the day; as I was shifting from one foot to the other, he seemed as fresh as if he were just starting the day. A nurse called the patient’s family, and the doctor began to close the patient’s chest as upbeat “closing music” like “Betty Davis Eyes” and Madonna’s “Dress You Up” flowed from the speakers.
I took a deep breath, still noticing the subtle vanilla scent as I stepped down from the risers in what used to be comfortable shoes. For me it was the end of an amazing medical adventure. For the surgical team it was another day at work… another heart repaired… another life changed – just like it was for my Pop Pop just a few months earlier.
Erika A. Bruckner
Special thanks to Dr. Koch, James Yi, Anesthesiologist Joseph Ruzbarsky, Nurse Anesthetists Mark Antonio and Patricia Yocum, Physician’s Assistant Ron Kuniegel, Perfusionist Katie Smith and Registered Nurses Ann Ritterback and Alyssa Berardelli of Mercy Hospital in Scranton, who do the amazing every day.
