Young mother experienced heart problems after birth of her baby
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| York Hospital T-2 staff members delivered Christmas gifts to Rebecca Sabold, left on the couch, her husband, Chris, directly behind her, their son, Daniel, seated in chair, and daughter Bella, being held by Emily Cooper, R.N. Other York Hospital staff members, from left to right on the couch, are Don Hornberger, R.N., Angie Robinson, R.N., and her husband, Rick. |
Rebecca Sabold sat on her living room couch in Red Lion, surrounded by her husband, eight-year-old son and six-month-old daughter as nurses from T-2 at York Hospital delivered bags of Christmas gifts.
A week earlier, York Hospital staff members used some of the nearly $2,500 they raised for the Sabolds to pay the couple’s rent for November and December, avoiding eviction.
The Sabolds were overwhelmed by the unexpected generosity. What once looked like a bleak holiday season now was filled with hope, joy and appreciation.
It was the combination of human kindness, medical technology and a cardiothoracic surgeon’s expertise that makes this holiday story worthy of a Lifetime movie.
“This was our best Christmas ever,” offered Rebecca. “I couldn’t believe the generosity of the York Hospital staff. We were surprised by the gifts. We appreciate everything they did for us.”
In August, 29-year-old Rebecca was placed on a Left Ventricle Assist Device (LVAD) to help her heart keep working. Rebecca’s heart was functioning at only 10 percent. She was physically and mentally exhausted, and a potential candidate for a heart transplant.
Given her illness, Rebecca could not work and her husband, Chris, could not work he had to stay home with the new baby and son. Consequently, the couple’s income dropped and bills began to mount up.
After delivering her baby, Bella, in June, Rebecca developed an immunologic response to her pregnancy. Her legs and feet swelled and she coughed constantly. A week later, she went to the York Hospital ED for an EKG and CT scan. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and placed on medication.
LVAD implanted
Six weeks later, she hadn’t improved and was rehospitalized. Dr. Larry Shears, a WellSpan cardiothoracic surgeon, decided she should be placed on a LVAD, an implantable mechanical pump that helps pump blood from the left ventricle of the heart to rest of the body. A tube attached to the pump is connected to the pump’s battery and control system. The procedure requires open-heart surgery and has serious risks.
The LVAD often serves as a bridge to a heart transplant or as an assist until the patient’s heart becomes strong enough to effectively pump blood on its own.
Since average survival for a heart transplant patient is 13 years, Rebecca would have a longer life expectancy if her own heart could recover and she could keep it.
Rebecca was hospitalized six times from mid-July through the beginning of December. During her time at York Hospital, she bonded with many staff members and developed friendships.
“Becky was the first LVAD patient I had ever cared for,” said Don Hornberger, R.N. “I knew she was anxious about many of the things she was experiencing. We hit it off right away.”
Emily Cooper, R.N., open heart surgical clinical specialist, said, “I bonded with Rebecca and it has grown into a friendship. She lives close to me, so I would stop in periodically to check on her. All the staff members who had come in contact with her kept asking about how she was doing.”
Cooper led the effort to adopt Rebecca’s family for the holidays. Contributions came from T-2 staff, cardiothoracic physician assistants and surgeons, case management, social workers, clinical directors and open heart ICU staff members.
After more than four months on the LVAD, Dr. Shears determined that the device had allowed Rebecca’s heart to rest sufficiently enough for it to resume full function.
Removing the LVAD
Removing the LVAD was a complicated and tricky procedure. “Everything must be in perfect working order for the operation to be successful; if not, the patient could die,” said Shears. “This is why the procedure is rarely performed.”
Shears said it was one of the most difficult operations he has ever performed.
Rebecca admitted it was scary at first not being able to rely on the LVAD. “It was a little overwhelming,” she said. “I had gotten used to life on the LVAD, and I felt safer. I felt like it was my safety net.”
But Rebecca had complete faith in Dr. Shears and the York Hospital staff. “Becky always trusted York Hospital,” emphasized her husband Chris. “It was important for us to be at York Hospital. Everyone there was like family to us.”
Shears said Rebecca’s prognosis is good.