I have always followed the advice of my physicians, maintained a healthy weight, exercised, and maintained a very low A1C for the 54 years I have been a type 1 diabetic. I see a cardiologist twice a year, once for a stress test, and a second time for an EKG. After my last EKG in December of last year, the cardiologist told me my heart was doing great. Despite all these precautions, hemodialysis still takes a high toll on your heart.

After feeling extremely tired for about one week, I started running a low grade temperature after dialysis, felt even more tired than normal, felt nauseous, and started vomiting. After five days of these symptoms I went to Sparrow Emergency early Sunday morning, July 26.

Blood work showed I had suffered a heart attack. Physicians tried but were unable to place a stent, and I was told I need bypass surgery.

I was shocked at being told I had had a heart attack, I assumed I simply had some type of infection that was causing my symptoms. The heart surgeon told me that he would normally recommend drug therapy for someone my age (I’m 59), but because of my health conditions, open heart surgery was my only viable option.

After not being able to sleep or eat for five days while in the hospital, I was sent home for one week to recuperate before surgery.

I returned at 6:00 AM on Monday, August 10 for a four-way bypass. The heart surgeon did a superb job, I was released after eight days in ICU at about 10:00 PM August 18.

My heartfelt thanks to the team of physicians and ICU nurses who took care of me during my stay in ICU, I am home now home, getting stronger every day.

Because of my diabetes and kidney failure, I knew someday I would have heart issues, but I was shocked it happened so early in my life. The heart surgeon said that because of genetics, a sharp “turn” in the main artery on the front of my heart, and my other health issues, this was the result.

Had I not felt so badly Sunday morning when we went to the emergency room, I would have ignored these systems, not gone to the emergency room, and possibly died. I never had chest pain, or any other classic heart attack symptoms.

The heart surgeon told me that diabetics and hemodialysis patients many times have no chest pain when they suffer a heart attack.

I advise everyone on hemodialysis, and/or diabetics to regularly see a cardiologist, take every precaution recommended by your physician team, and do not ignore any symptoms like I suffered for almost a week before seeking medical attention. It could very well mean the difference between life and death.

I am amazed how quickly I have recovered from open heart surgery, and also feel very lucky that I has such a skilled surgical team. I have been home for just over three weeks, my condition improves every day, and I look forward to enjoying the rest of my life after this life changing surgery.