At 41 years old, Randolph Bass’ life took an unexpected turn. He came to the emergency room at SGMC Health Main with flu-like symptoms, including trouble breathing. He tested positive for the flu. A week later, his symptoms had not improved, and he suspected something else was going on.
Randolph had experienced heart issues before when he was diagnosed with pericarditis, or inflammation of the lining around the heart. He went with his gut and called to make an appointment at SGMC Cardiology.
Interventional Cardiologist Edward Distler, DO, saw Randolph and ordered a series of tests on his heart. An ultrasound revealed that he had an aortic aneurysm, a bulge in the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. He would need open-heart surgery.
“With open-heart surgery, sometimes you don’t know what is truly going on until you’re opened up,” said Randolph. Cardiothoracic Surgeon Randy Brown, MD, discovered a multitude of issues once the surgery began. What was planned as a 3-hour surgery turned into 8 hours. The cardiac team removed a cyst, replaced the aorta, replaced the valve in Randolph’s heart, and resected part of his lung, which they described as “5 surgeries in one.”
“Dr. Brown was a great surgeon and was not going to stop until he was finished,” said Randolph. “I also appreciate how the care team kept my parents updated every step of the way as the surgery developed into something more serious.”
Randolph spent nearly 5 weeks recovering in the hospital following his extensive surgery. He made sure to follow the instructions of the nurses and doctors facilitating his recovery.
His goal was to work hard during the recovery period to be home for the holidays. That is exactly what he did.
“Right after surgery they want you on your feet and moving,” he shared. “By the third day, I was doing 4 laps around the floor of the hospital.”
His mindset was that a few weeks of struggle was a blessing considering he could have had a very different outcome.
“Follow your doctor’s orders,” he shared. “They’re telling you to do it for a reason, no matter how uncomfortable it is. Have an open mind, be positive, and know that the pain is temporary and will be over soon.”
He was discharged home the day before Thanksgiving.
Randolph gave credit to the team at SGMC Health for the high level of care they provided every step of the way. “You have to be a special kind of person to do what those in the hospital do,” he said. “I left there with new friends and family.”
He also acknowledges that listening to his body and his intuition saved his life.
“It’s a good thing that I kept going back and forth to the hospital to find out what was wrong,” he said. “They told me my heart would’ve stopped in a year if I hadn’t caught it.”