During a trip to Florida in early 2024, Mike Schertz developed heart symptoms. The signs were vague and intermittent at first. He would experience chest discomfort and tingling in his arm when he and his wife took walks. Since the pain wasn’t severe, and it would go away within several minutes, he chalked the episodes up to heartburn.
It became easy to dismiss the symptoms, so much so that Mike didn’t mention anything to his wife. He did bring up the issue to his primary care provider, Dr. Felix Odathil “Jolly” of ThedaCare Physicians-New London. That decision likely saved his life.
Noticing the Signs
Mike, 59, is retired and lives in Bear Creek with his wife, Rhonda. The couple owns a Christmas tree farm, and Mike volunteers as a first responder as well as devoting many hours to his local Lions Club and church.
“As time went on, I could feel the discomfort any time I exerted myself,” Mike said. “It didn’t matter if I was playing pickleball or working at home.”
Mike admits that given his experience as a first responder, he should not have downplayed his symptoms. When it came down to it, though, he didn’t want to worry Rhonda. Eventually, Mike talked to Dr. Jolly and arranged for a cardiac stress test.
“I do not want to dismiss anything as ‘normal’,” Dr. Jolly said. “I take everything seriously and always listen carefully to concerns from my patients.”
When Rhonda eventually found out about the stress test, she was shocked at first. She decided to accompany Mike to the test.
‘In Shock’
A stress test is designed to make a person’s heart work harder and faster. It typically involves walking on a treadmill. As Mike’s test unfolded, he could tell something might be wrong.
“The person administering the test asked how I was feeling and if I was having chest pains,” Mike recalled. “I said I was having discomfort, but that it would probably go away eventually.”
Once the test was done, Mike went to a waiting room while a cardiologist reviewed the results. Soon, he learned that he would need to have another diagnostic procedure called cardiac catheterization. The procedure can identify heart or blood vessel problems, such as clogged arteries or irregular heartbeats.
Mike’s team told him that if they found an issue, they would put in a stent to treat the blockage, and he would have to stay overnight in the hospital. Given that, he wasn’t especially concerned.
“When I woke up from the catheterization, my wife was in the room,” he said. “She was very adamantly talking to the two doctors and pointing. ‘You’re talking about this guy? You don’t have the charts messed up?’”
Soon, Mike learned that he had four arteries that were blocked between 80% and 90% and would need open-heart surgery.
“We couldn’t believe it,” Rhonda said. “We were in shock. That was not the plan for the day.”
During a trip to Florida in early 2024, Mike Schertz of Bear Creek, developed heart symptoms. The signs were vague and intermittent at first. Mike would later learn he had four arteries that were blocked between 80% and 90%, and would need open-heart surgery. His wife, Rhonda, has supported his care journey.
‘This was the Place to Be’
Mike and Rhonda understood what was at stake and knew they needed to decide quickly where Mike would have surgery.
“One of Mike’s blockages was in the ‘widow-maker’ artery, which is a major blockage,” Rhonda said of the seriousness of the situation. “It’s named that for a reason.”
Once Mike and Rhonda met Dr. Fayyaz Hashmi, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon with ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care, they knew they were in the right place. He, along with his team of Physician Assistants Adam Mielke and Jennifer Reese, provided exceptional care from the beginning, the couple said.
“We’re very comfortable with them. They’re very professional,” Rhonda noted. “They put my mind to rest that this was the place to be.”
Road to Recovery
Mike underwent open-heart surgery at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton on April 18, 2024. Following the procedure, Mike spent nearly a day in the intensive care unit.
After he emerged from the ICU, Mike said he experienced some discomfort. Care teams were there for him. His physical therapists taught him how to use the Heart Hugger he needed to wear. The device is a patient-operated harness that provides wound stability, support to the sternum, and pain management.
Once Mike got used to the Heart Hugger, he understood how crucial it was. The device made it easier for him to sit and stand on his own. Regaining mobility was key to his recovery and eventual discharge.
When Mike returned home, he had to work through restrictions around how much he could lift. Resuming normal activity took some time. In the months since his surgery, Mike and Rhonda have worked together to adopt diet and exercise habits aimed at helping Mike improve his heart health.
Living and Learning
Thanks to the care Mike received from Dr. Jolly and his cardiovascular care team, Mike and Rhonda can enjoy their retirement together. They’re back to traveling and recently returned from a trip to Yellowstone National Park.
Mike and Rhonda also set a goal of seeing their beloved Milwaukee Brewers play at every Major League Baseball ballpark. They’ve checked off several already and look forward to reaching the final ballparks soon.
Mike’s diagnosis also led the couple to delve deeper into their family’s medical history. As they began to put the pieces together, they realized that several family members had died young from heart conditions. Now they can share that information with their two kids and grandkids so they can take proactive steps for their health.
Reflecting on Mike’s experience, Dr. Jolly shared wisdom for everyone to take away.
“Most people want to live a long, healthy life. To do it, you might need some guidance,” he said. “You need somebody to help navigate. You need somebody to advocate. You need somebody who understands where you’re coming from and where you want to be. This is why it is so important to have a strong relationship with a primary care provider. This can help support your health goals.”
Reflecting on all he went through, Mike said most of all he’s thankful. Rhonda even wrote thank-you cards for Dr. Jolly and Mike’s cardiovascular care team, as well as handing out “Lifesavers” candy.
“We’re beyond grateful,” Mike said. “Our experience with ThedaCare was phenomenal. I have nothing but respect for everybody on my team.”
To schedule an appointment with a primary care provider, visit MyThedaCare.
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