Real Miracles, Healing Stories
Gary Arambarri—Getting it Right, and Fast
Surgery on the aorta, the large artery that carries
blood from the heart to the core of the body, is an unusual and risky procedure. For
65-year-old Gary Arambarri, it was the last thing he expected to go through.
Gary had an active life. He enjoyed bicycling, snowmobiling, bowling, racquetball and collecting classic cars. He also worked full time as the center manager for Transportation Technology, located in the College of Applied Technology at Boise State University (BSU).
He had just returned to Boise from a business trip the previous day, and was at home for his wedding anniversary on July 2, 2004. After celebrating their anniversary, he and his wife called it an evening. Neither one could have been prepared for what was about to happen in the early morning hours.
At 1 a.m., Gary awoke with agonizing chest pains. Terrified, his wife called the paramedics, who quickly identified that Gary was not having a heart attack. However, the pain was so intense that they knew something serious was happening. If not a heart attack, then what was causing this horrific pain?
Just moments later, Gary arrived at the Saint Alphonsus Emergency Department (ED). Lee Binnion, M.D., in the ED swiftly diagnosed Gary's condition as very serious. His aorta was torn and required immediate surgery, which would entail inflating his stomach to repair the aorta and using Dacron tubing and glue to replace part of the artery. His cardiothoracic surgeon, Kirby Orme, M.D., who performed the surgery, later told him that only 10 percent of the patients get off of the operating table after surgery for a separated aorta.
THE CULPRIT: HYPERTENSION
Relieved and thankful to be alive, Gary was puzzled at what had caused this condition
to happen. He had once been diagnosed with hypertension, but he closely
monitored his blood pressure and exercised in hopes of avoiding any health
problems associated with the disease. In addition, he had not been
sick. What he didn't know was that the years of high blood pressure
had caused damage to his aorta.
However, Gary's physical fitness, acquired through three to four days of playing racquetball per week, contributed to his successful surgery and recovery back to his full activity level. He recalls that Dr. Orme, who has since retired, was awed by his survival and progress.
Gary confides that he has always been raised to be a God-fearing person. "I had an awful lot of prayers. All my visitors, my boss, co-workers, relatives and wife all said they were praying for me," he explains. "I truly believe God gave Dr. Orme the guidance to get me through this thing. I very much believe in the power of prayer, and I feel very truly blessed."
THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
During the hospital recovery process, Gary exercised by walking with his IV
stand in the Intensive Care Unit. After a week, he returned home, using
supplemental oxygen for another week. Within 3 1/2 months, he was back
to work on a part-time basis. By November, he was back on his job full
time, and exercising regularly.
He continued his rehabilitation at the BSU Recreation Center, walking their track and watching his racquetball buddies play. Soon he added short jogging and walking segments, then steady jogging.
At that time he was frustrated by the slowness of the recovery. "But when I look back it really wasn't that slow," he says. "The hardest part now is that I have to be careful about what I do."
Though he did not have a heart attack and he did not have heart damage, Gary presently takes blood pressure medicine, monitors his blood pressure and watches his sodium intake.
"I think people definitely need to be aware of what hypertension is and what the impact can be. If you have blood pressure problems, just a small amount of preventative care can keep you in good shape," Gary advises.
He has made additional changes in his life, including retiring from BSU one year after surgery, getting more involved with his family and adding weight lifting to his exercise routine.
A SECOND CHANCE
As a result of his unexpected aortic surgery, Gary's take on life has shifted. "I
always thought I was an iron man," he says. He recalls how he was
the oldest person playing racquetball at the recreation center, with such stamina
that guys half his age couldn't keep up with him.
"Now I have the perspective on life that it is so delicate, anything can happen unexpectedly. Now I know in just the blink of an eye, something can happen and you can be gone," he says.
Looking back on his experience, Gary is pleased with the quick and accurate diagnosis he received from both the paramedics and Dr. Binnion. They correctly determined it was an aortic condition and not a heart attack, and then promptly initiated surgery.
"What I thought went so well was the reaction of the individuals that were able to figure this out at such a critical time factor. The paramedics and the Emergency Department were able to move me immediately in such a short amount of time," he says.
"I am forever grateful for the paramedics, Saint Alphonsus, the ED physician Dr. Binnion, and my cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Orme. This team saved my life and because of them, I am standing here today doing what I love to do: spending time with my family, enjoying retirement and playing racquetball."