Colleen Dente, BSN RN

I started wound care in January 2023 for a radiation burn on my right shin. Due to my diabetes and other factors, there was little progress in the healing of my wound. My doctor recommended I have hyperbaric treatments to increase the blood flow and help with the healing. I met Colleen in late April when she explained the procedure for the treatment, and I started my treatment in May 2023.

Colleen always started off my 8 AM session with a professional manner, positive attitude, and a big smile. With only five treatments left, Colleen noticed my heartbeat was in a fib at the beginning of my session, and then it returned to normal. Upon looking at my chart and seeing I had no record of a fib, she took steps for me to get a EKG after my session and called my cardiologist for an appointment that day. My cardiologist put me on a blood thinner and gave me a heart monitor to start wearing after my last session.

The day after putting the heart monitor on, my wife and I left for the Jersey shore. On day six of my vacation, I was sitting talking with my friends and my heart paused for 96 seconds and I passed out. My heart rhythm went back to normal, and I saw my cardiologist. Because I was wearing the heart monitor, he was able to print out which showed I was in a fib times and had pauses during the week. He sent me directly to Morristown Hospital to have a pacemaker put in. While waiting for the pacemaker I thought how lucky I was. Thank God my heart did not pause while I was driving or walking down the 20 plus stairs of the shore rental or fishing at the pier.

My cardiologist was able to make a quick diagnosis because I was wearing the heart monitor. If it wasn't for Colleen finding my problem and taking the steps she did, I might not be writing this. My family and I owe my life to her.