Vascular Health Testimonials
Tricia Fisher: Vascular Surgery
Twenty-four-year-old Tricia Fisher is a runner who prefers the outdoors to a gym. She works nights as an RN and used to enjoy a good run in the morning after work. But she began experiencing pain and heaviness in her legs, caused by varicose veins that first appeared when she was a junior in high school. Read Tricia's story »
Ken Hill - Aortic Aneurysm
Three years ago, Michigan Center resident Ken Hill read a newspaper article about a free Allegiance Health vascular screening. Though he didn’t have any symptoms or suspect any problems with his health, Ken decided to go.
It was a fortunate decision, because the screening alerted Ken to a small but potentially fatal aneurysm (weakening) in his aorta—the largest artery carrying oxygen rich blood from the heart to the rest of his body. An aneurysm can “balloon out” and eventually become thin enough to burst. When discovered, Ken’s aneurysm wasn’t large enough to need surgery, but it did require close monitoring by his doctor, Brian Daly, MD.
“I am thankful Allegiance Health offers these screenings and that my aneurysm was found in time,” said Ken.
In the spring, Ken’s aneurysm reached a size that required surgical repair. Ken chose to have it done at Allegiance Health with vascular surgeons Paul Corcoran, MD and Brian Daly, MD “because I’d had positive encounters there in the past, and I felt confident in my surgeons.”
Ken said. “Dr. Corcoran is very knowledgeable, and my nurses were excellent. I am very glad I went for that screening.”
Charles Baird - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Charles Baird, a Jonesville resident who happened to stop in at a recent Allegiance Health Fair, stated: “I was shopping with my wife, Evaun, at Jackson Crossing in preparation for a trip to northern Michigan. I noticed Allegiance Health was sponsoring a Health Fair and decided to take advantage of the free vascular screenings—which almost certainly saved my life.”
Baird’s test revealed a life-threatening aneurysm (weakening) in his abdominal artery. “An aortic aneurysm of 5 cm would be closely monitored for rupture,” said Vascular Tech Emilie Dorbin, who performed the test. “Mr. Baird’s was 6 cm.”
In a quick sequence of events, Mr. Baird had a CT scan, saw cardiologist Rajenda Mehta, MD, and vascular surgeon Max Hutton, MD, and was in surgery to repair the aneurysm within 10 days of the Health Fair.
“I have nothing but praise for the vascular tech and these doctors. They did a fantastic job and treated me so well,” said Baird. “I am really grateful knowing I could have had a ruptured aneurysm very far from home.”
Ruth Wyatt - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Eighty-one-year-old Ruth Wyatt was fortunate to have stomach pain severe enough to send her to her family doctor, Gregory Lapinski, MD. That visit led to the diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm—a life-threatening condition in which the largest artery carrying blood from the heart (aorta) stretches and weakens to a dangerous extent.
“Often, there are no symptoms until the aneurysm ruptures and causes massive internal bleeding,” said vascular surgeon Paul Corcoran, MD. “Ruth was referred to me in time to surgically repair her aorta and avoid rupture.”
Ruth said she initially feared her abdominal pain “would turn out to be cancer.” But Dr. Corcoran was able to quickly put her mind at ease. “He was easy to talk to, and he answered all my questions clearly. I felt very confident in his thoroughness and his knowledge, and I wasn’t afraid to have surgery,” she said.
Feeling well and enjoying the view from her Gilletts Lake home, Ruth is looking forward to visiting her first great-grandchild in Wyoming. “I am very grateful that Dr. Corcoran was here to help me,” she said.