Taking a leap of faith
"That was our last step. That was when I didn't think I
was going to make it," Greg recalls. "Dr. Smith sat down
and said these are our last options. Donna [my wife]
came in and I asked her if she was ready to go on the
journey. She said, 'yes, let's do this.'"
On February 28, Greg went into surgery to receive the
only FDA-approved Total Artificial Heart, a treatment
option for transplant-eligible patients waiting for a
heart. Dr. Smith and her team removed both ventricles
of Greg's heart, then attached the artificial chambers,
which connect to a pneumatic press and the controller
outside the body. The press forces air through two
tubes to pull blood into the artificial chambers and then
force it out, in the same way the ventricles work.
Providence Spokane Heart Institute is one of a few
centers in the world and the only one in the region with
the capabilities and expertise to offer the technology.
"This is a very unique offering we can give our patients
in Spokane and in the area," Dr. Smith says.
"It's amazing, the technology. And none of this would
be possible without Dr. Smith and her team," Greg says
with emotion. "I wouldn't be here without them. I'm
amazed at what they 've done to keep me here, keep
me alive, give me another chance."
Preparing to go home
Greg remained in Sacred Heart Medical Center for nearly
three months to recover from surgery and acclimate
to his new heart and the mechanics of how it works.
Although it's not intended to be a permanent solution,
the artificial heart allows patients like Greg to build
strength and improve their overall health while waiting
for a heart transplant, whether it's weeks, months
or even a few years.
Dr. Smith's goal for Greg was to get him strong enough
and comfortable with the technology so he could leave
the hospital. At home, he can be close to his grandkids
and even take his boat out on the lake occasionally.
With the light and compact pneumatic press, known
as the Freedom Portable Driver, strapped to his back,
he can go almost anywhere.
The Providence team also reached out to other health
care professionals in the area, such as EMT's and
firefighters, introducing the technology and making sure
the medical community knew how to help Greg if needed.
"Not only did we want Greg and his family to be
comfortable with the technology, but we also want them
to feel supported by the community," Dr. Smith says.
Leaving the hospital
In May, Greg walked out of the hospital to much fanfare.
Not only is he the first patient to leave Providence Sacred
Heart Medical Center with the Total Artificial Heart, but
he's one of only 28 people in the world to have it. Currently,
there are 10 people with the device in the United States,
and 18 in Europe.
Although there's no way to know when the right heart will
be available for Greg, he's just grateful for the chance to
spend more time with his grandkids and to enjoy the feel
of his boat skimming over the water. "I'm going to live
every day to the fullest," he says.
■
Read Greg's and other stories
at Providence.org/SpokaneHeart
For more than 30 years, Providence has offered
comprehensive transplant services that include
kidney, pancreas, heart and ventricular assist
devices. These leading-edge programs help
patients, like Greg, on their journey with
a goal to get them home and be supported
in their community.
Currently, there are 10 people
with the Total Artificial Heart
in the U.S., and 18 in Europe.
Greg is one of them.
Providence Spokane Heart Institute
is one of a few centers in the world
to offer the Total Artificial Heart.
