and chest. Not the typical “elephantsitting on your chest,” but a dull,throbbing pain.Even after vomiting, I thoughtthat I had overeaten, as usual, andthe onions were causing indigestion.Yes, that had <strong>to</strong> be what waswrong. Once again, I <strong>to</strong>ok theeasy way out, choosing <strong>to</strong> ignorethe telltale signs of a very serioushealth problem.Troubles ContinueThe next morning, when I awoke,the nausea was better, but the painin my back and chest was persistent.I continued <strong>to</strong> ignore the painthroughout the early morning.Then I called a friend who previouslyexperienced a heart attack <strong>to</strong>get his opinion. He suggested I go<strong>to</strong> the hospital <strong>to</strong> be checked justin case.I vividly remember lying in abed in <strong>Marion</strong> <strong>General</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>’semergency room and watchingthe physician enter the room withtest results.“Mr. Deffenbaugh,” he said,“you’ve had a heart attack.” Therest is a blur.I remember a lot of nursescoming in almost immediately<strong>to</strong> quickly and carefully hookme up <strong>to</strong> every piece of moni<strong>to</strong>ringequipment you can imagine.Because I worked security at MGH,I knew most of the nurses, and Irecognized the worryin their eyes. Then Ibegan <strong>to</strong> worry. I meanreally worry. God andI had an immediateconversation. I wantedmy house in order justin case.Randy DeffenbaughMost of all, I rememberlying there thinking about mywife and children. My threedaughters were young. Theyoungest, Alissa, was about 2.My middle daughter, Rysha,was about 10, and my oldest,Candice, 13. Would theyremember me if I died? Boy,how I wished I would havespent more quality time with themand Robin.Next, the “if onlys” entered thepicture. If only I hadn’t smoked.If only I had taken my health moreseriously. If only I had chosen <strong>to</strong>be routinely seen by a primarycare physician. If only I had donemore, could all of this have beenprevented?Lessons LearnedWe’ve all been guilty of ignoringthat little ache or pain,that strange-looking mole orthat persistent cough until itbecomes a bigger and moreserious issue.However, ignoring warningsigns until they becomeemergencies is not smart. It’scertainly not good for yourhealth, and it’s not the best useof emergency rooms. In fact, it’sa large part of the reason thatthe nation’s emergency roomsare overcrowded and that waittimes are long.Instead, be proactive.Choose aprimary care physicianor providerwhom you visit routinely,usually oncea year, <strong>to</strong> stay on<strong>to</strong>p of your healthFind a Doc<strong>to</strong>rNeed a primary care physician?Call the MGH physician referralgoline at 765-662-4781 for assistance, orgo <strong>to</strong> www.mgh.net and click “Finda Doc<strong>to</strong>r” for a list of providers who arecurrently accepting new patients.issues. Follow his or her recommendationsfor testing, treatmentand follow-up care.Use MGH’s resources. Don’tlet underlying health problemsbecome a much bigger and moreserious issue as I did. Because ifyou overlook your health until itbecomes critical, you may not survivethat decision.MGH ActivelyImproves HealthcareAccess<strong>Marion</strong> <strong>General</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> knows that access <strong>to</strong> primarycare physicians or providers in Grant Countyhas been difficult and is working diligently behindthe scenes <strong>to</strong> help make it easier.A physician recruitment and retention committeehas been formed, and last year it completed anassessment <strong>to</strong> clarify future needs for primary careand other physician specialties. The committee alsoidentified ways <strong>to</strong> effectively recruit physicians <strong>to</strong>Grant County. Those efforts are beginning <strong>to</strong> payoff, as more physicians are interviewing, <strong>to</strong>uring andexpressing an interest in MGH.Also, MGH has started <strong>to</strong> publish a list of physiciansand nurse practitioners who are acceptingnew patients monthly in its Healthbeat article in thelocal newspaper. That same resource is available bycalling 765-662-4781 or visiting www.mgh.net.vim & vigor · spring 2010 5
Anesthesiology,Then and NowAccidental discoverymakes modern,painless surgerypossibleBy Randy DeffenbaughSurgery can be uncertain and worrisome.It is often an unwelcome guestthat catches you off guard emotionally,mentally and physically. It reminds youjust how fragile human life is.Will I survive? Will I make it through surgery?❋ Take ComfortYour MGH surgical team, including the surgeon,anesthesiologist, nurses and supportstaff, work in unison <strong>to</strong> do everything possible<strong>to</strong> make sure that you not only survive but alsothrive after surgery.Many people think an anesthesiologist’sduties are twofold: Theycontinued on page 86vim & vigor · spring 2010
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