Getting Back to Nature Through Excellent Care

A faint pink line on Jim Holley’s chest proves he’s more than a husband, father, grandfather, woodworker, cyclist and moose whisperer. He’s an open-heart surgery survivor who was given the best care he could have hoped for. His journey to Methodist began at birth.
 

An enlarged aorta

Jim was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, in which the aortic valve has two cusps or leaflets instead of three. It’s a condition that normally doesn’t affect individuals until later in life, and that was certainly the case for Jim, now 72 years old.

In 2013, it was discovered that Jim’s aorta was growing in size – a condition that would need regular and careful monitoring.

Five years later, he went in for a routine CT scan. His aorta had grown significantly. While a normal diameter is less than 3.5 centimeters, his was 5.3 centimeters. At risk for an aortic rupture, Jim needed valve replacement surgery – and soon.
 

A critical surgery turned non-event

The thought of open-heart surgery terrified Jim. But his cardiologist, Dr. Edmund Fiksinski with Methodist Physicians Clinic Heart Consultants, put his mind at ease with his calm, collected and confident demeanor.

Dr. Thomas Langdon with Omaha Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery was Jim’s surgeon at Methodist. He barely left him with a scar.

“I remember looking in the mirror after my surgery and thinking, ‘Gosh, other than this light incision line, you’d never know I just had such a critical surgery,’” Jim explained.

That “critical surgery” was a non-event, he said, thanks to Dr. Fiksinski and Dr. Langdon. Jim credits them, his entire surgical team and several cardiac unit nurses, saying they “likely gave me another 10 to 15 years of life.”
 

Relationships in rehab

Jim also credits those who work in the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Unit at Methodist Hospital. He attended 17 cardiac rehab sessions, with staff members tracking his every move.

“Many of our patients have suffered a cardiac event or have undergone cardiovascular surgery,” said staff nurse Brian Choquette, BSN, RN. “So, when they’re exercising here, we’re constantly looking for anything abnormal that might be happening with their hearts.”

An avid cyclist, Jim was no stranger to exercise. Still, his rehab program was challenging and comprehensive.

“It was clear they had expectations, and they wanted me to meet them,” Jim said.

It was also clear they had a desire to get to know him. Jim became close friends with much of the rehab staff, including Megan Elliot, BSN, RN. She made it a point to learn about the things that really matter to him.

“If it’s important to them, it needs to be important to us,” Elliot said. “Those are things their goals are centered on. That’s their why. For Jim, it was being healthy enough to feed his moose at his cabin. If that’s what’s going to make him have an enjoyable life, then that’s what I want to see happen.”

Getting back to nature

Not long after rehab, Jim made it back to the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming – a place his wife introduced him to years ago.

“She took me up there before we got married and said if I didn’t like it, she wasn’t going to marry me. I loved it.”

While back in Wyoming, he felt good. He had the strength and stamina to feed his moose.

“It’s kind of like having a pet,” Jim explained. “But there’s something awfully calming about having an animal that big and powerful accept you. There’s just something about it.”

Jim realized that a stronger heart meant more life to live, which meant many more trips to the mountains.

“No phones. No television. Just you and nature,” he added. “I can’t explain it.”

For that, he felt the urge to say thanks.
 

A small plaque, long whip and one giant thank-you

With his sense of humor and appreciation for woodworking, Jim decided that a personalized plaque with a play on words was the best way to express his gratitude.

In addition to the 11 names of those who assisted in his rehabilitation, Jim had the following words etched into the plaque: “For your dedication and tireless efforts to ‘whip’ us into heart healthy shape – we sincerely thank you.”

Attached to the plaque? An actual leather flogger whip – something that made the cardiac rehab team erupt with laughter until Jim turned the plaque around. That laughter turned into silence and heartwarming smiles when the team saw that Jim had even “signed” the back of the plaque with a photo of him with his moose.

“When people make it a point to say thank you, I think it means something,” Jim said. “The Meaning of Care seemed so natural for them – all of them. And I just needed them to know that they’re doing a good job.”

It was evident that seeing them again was something else he needed, too.

“At Methodist, it felt like I was leaving summer camp – I was sad to leave my friends. But they’ll forever reside in my memory.”