I came into the Missoula Community Hospital and Emergency Room, having shortness and labored breathing, and my heart was beating rapidly, and I had some sweating issues. I walked into the ER waiting area and got into the waiting area from the parking lot. I had to take several rest breaks. When I was checking in, he had to be seated as I didn't have the energy to stand up and register. After the admission staff had my information, I sat in the waiting room with my wife. Shortly after being seated, ER Nurse Mallory met me and led me back to exam room 15. I had to take a couple of breaks before getting to the exam room. I was hooked up to oxygen, an 02 monitor, and a blood pressure cuff.

Things started moving rapidly at that point. ER Nurse Robbie was assigned to me, blood draws, IV, heart monitor hooked up to me. My heart rate at that time was probably around a hundred and thirty beats per minute, my blood pressure was really high, and my 02 level was around 72 percent. Taylor, a Respiratory Therapist, came into the room, and it seemed he was assigned to me also. He got me hooked up to a high flow, high oxygen content to aid in my breathing. My 02 levels came up to 91 to 93 percent. Taylor also administered medicine to help open my airways.

Dr. Gaul came in and said the blood tests showed that I had blood clots. I was then able to inform Dr. Gaul about my airplane and driving trip, and something like knots in my right leg. I don't remember when, but I had a dedicated line for a heparin drip.

Dr. Gaul sent me to CT to have a scan of my lungs. Lucas took the scan and said I had very photogenic lungs. They got me positioned so I spent the minimum time in the CT room for my scan. Nurse Robbie and Tech Taylor traveled with me to the CT lab and back to my exam room to ensure I didn't have any issues.

Once I got back to my exam room, ultrasound tech Courtney D came in and took ultrasounds of both legs, and she indicated that I had some blood clots in my right leg. She took multiple photos of my right leg.

Either Dr. Gaul or Dr. Lockhart or both came into my room and advised that I was scheduled for surgery, and Dr. Elliott would be performing the procedure, and Dr. Elliott is an extremely qualified surgeon.

All I had to do was wait for the surgery. Both Robbie and Taylor were constantly monitoring me. When I had to pee, I got a urinal and I could stand to pee. I noticed that just that effort would drop my 02 levels down to 83 percent. With the high flow 02 that I was receiving 1 returned to 91 to 93 percent quickly.

I was moved to OR-8 by IR Techs, Robbie and Taylor accompanied me to the OR-8 and made sure that everything before the start of surgery was okay. I don't know how long Robbie and Taylor remained in the OR with me. I can remember some of the OR staff names: Dr. Elliott, Bailey, Kayla, Liz, and Dan. I know there were others in the room but I don't remember all of their names. Because I had been drinking water, I had to remain awake for the Surgery. Dr. Elliott and his surgery team kept me informed as to what was happening and when it would happen. The only thing that really surprised me was when Dr. Elliott told me he was going to insert the sheath, and when it started going up my vein, it was a feeling I had never experienced before, and I said, "oooh." I was given some medication for pain management, and I never felt any pain during the surgery. I was able to look around and at times l could see the sheath moving on the monitor. I wished I'd paid more attention in my anatomy classes because I didn't understand what I was seeing, and Dr. Elliott was too busy doing his job to explain what was happening. I remember seeing the sheath making a 90-degree turn, kind of like a switchback on a mountain road. Then the Fluoroscope was moved so Dr. Elliott could see what was important, and I could no longer see the big screen monitor. I was truly amazed at how Dr. Elliot could move the sheath through my blood vein, through 3 heart valves, and into both sides of my lungs. I know Dr. Elliot had an amazing team helping perform the surgery. I did get see the suctioning of blood and clots from my lungs. I could see the other table, but I knew the OR staff was able to screen my blood for clots and have it loaded back into the Suction/Syringe and be putting my blood back into my body in a matter of seconds. That was fascinating listening to those techs doing their work. There was also someone in the room that I'm going to call a quality control person, with whom Dr. Elliott discussed procedures before the next move. I did manage to see the last clot being sucked from my lungs on the monitor. It was there and then gone. Just about that quick. I was in the OR for 2 plus hours. I saw techs removing their surgery gowns and noticed that everyone in the room was wearing 15 to 20 pounds of lead shielding while they were performing my operation. That made me admire the staff's abilities even more. Prior to leaving a staff member showed me a diagram board with my blood clots placed on the diagram. Most of my airways were blocked, and I'm very lucky and appreciative to be alive. I asked the person with the diagram board to photograph it and send the picture to my phone. l also remember seeing that my 02 levels were up around 96 to 97% during the surgery. That felt pretty darn good.

ICU rooms were full, so I spent the first night in Trauma Room 8. ER Nurse Courtney met me in the OR and helped transport me to the ER. It seemed like she was my full-time nurse while I was in Trauma 8. While in the ER, I did learn that I could not pee while lying on my back hooked up to heart monitors, blood pressure cuff, 02 sensor, heparin, high flow 02, and told I couldn't stand or roll over. I thought I would never do this, but I asked Courtney for a catheter. She got a doctor's permission and inserted a catheter (in and out) to drain my bladder. I was told 800 ml of urine were drained. Boy, did that feel good. I wished I could tell you I had a restful night in the ER, but too many medical procedures kept me from having a completely restful night.

Monday, around 8 to 8:30, I was moved to an ICU room. 1 stayed in ICU until late Wednesday morning. On the day shift, my primary nurses were Emily and Steph. I remained in the ICU until I was released. Dr. Elliott removed something from my leg on Monday around 5 pm. I assume it was a clamp on my vein to help it heal. Around noon, I had spent my required time to keep my leg straight and not rolling or standing. Dr. Elliott said I could walk supervised to the bathroom and back. That little bit of freedom felt great. After Dr. Elliott removed the clamp, I was able to walk up and down the hallway with my heparin pole. I was closely attached to the heparin pole, so I named the pole Audrey Heparin. We walked and danced up and down the hallway. Emily and my wife walked the hall with me the first evening after Dr. Elliott gave the okay to walk. After the first night, only my wife walked the hall with me and Audrey. Also in the area of my ICU nursing station were Dan, Chris, Zoe, and Jennifer.

I don't remember the Imaging Tech's name who came into my room on Monday morning. She imaged my heart and lungs and even my aorta. She mentioned I had a very photogenic aorta. She was pleasant and we had a good conversation while she did work.

On the night shift, my primary nurse was Hannah. When my shunt blocked, Hannah had to draw blood the old fashion way -she was quick and efficient. The first night, another Nurse, Emily, was helping Hannah with my care.

My releasing Nurse on Wednesday was Jess, and the student nurse Coco. Jess gave me very detailed verbal release instructions and written instructions. While I was in ICU, Dr. Feught, Dr. Sam, and NP Lexie Snyder all checked in and kept me up to date on what my treatment plan was going be and when I could expect to be released to go home. NP Lexie got me started on my treatment with Eliquis.

Bolt, my food service specialist, was a joy to work with. He knew the menu, and he was able to provide suggestions to help complete the meal, so I received a well-rounded meal. He was happy, and he was always fun to talk to. If I was asleep in my room, Bolt would enter the room and leave without waking me. I think he was part ninja, too. Bolt is a great representative for the hospital food service.

I remember that Liz, Kayla, and Taylor checked on me after my surgery. Most likely others did too, but I don't remember who they were.

I know there were so many more professionals that were involved in my care and treatment while I was at the hospital. I'm sorry that I don't remember all their names. I did want to mention each and every one that I could remember. They treated me kindly and were very concerned about my health, treatment, and recovery. I was fortunate to be treated by these professionals. They're all great representatives of the medical field in Missoula, Montana, and especially Missoula Community Hospital.