When Mike Schertz developed heart symptoms in February 2024, he wasn’t sure how seriously to take them.
The signs were vague and intermittent at first. He took a trip to Florida with his wife and began to experience chest discomfort and tingling in his arm when they took walks. But 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 tell his wife what was going on. He did, however, bring up the issue to his primary care provider, Dr. Felix Odathil “Jolly” of ThedaCare Physicians-New London. That decision likely saved his life.
Heeding 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 says. “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 have known better than to downplay 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 didn’t want to dismiss anything as normal,” Dr. Jolly says. “I take everything seriously and always listen carefully to concerns from my patients.”
Rhonda found out about the stress test through happenstance. Shocked at first, she decided to accompany Mike to the test. Soon, everything would go “sideways.”
‘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 was wrong.
“The person administering the test was concerned,” he says. “She was asking how I was feeling and if I was having chest pains. 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’d 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.
Mike woke up from the catheterization groggy but says he’ll never forget what happened next.
“My wife was in the room,” he says. “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 says. “We were in shock. That was not the plan for the day.”
‘Place to Be’
Disbelief turned to worry for Mike and Rhonda. They thought about seeking a second opinion. At the same time, they 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 says 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 says.
“We’re very comfortable with them. They’re very professional,” Rhonda says. “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 says he experienced some discomfort, but 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 trial and error, and Mike discovered quickly when he pushed himself too far.
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
Rhonda says when people hear her story, a common question arises.
“People ask, “Weren’t you mad at him for not telling you?’ she says. “I’m not mad. My feelings are grateful and blessed. I told Mike, ‘If you would have died on me, then I would have been really mad.’”
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 100%.
Path Ahead
Mike’s diagnosis 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 shares wisdom for everyone to take away.
“Most people want to live a long, healthy life. To do it, you might need some guidance,” he says. “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. That’s why it’s so important to have a strong relationship with a primary care provider. They can help support your health goals.”
Reflecting on all he went through, Mike says 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 says. “Our experience with ThedaCare was phenomenal. I have nothing but respect for everybody on my team.”
