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January 30, 2004
A Valentine’s to
Remember
Oklahoma
City—This is a Valentine’s to remember for one Dacoma, Oklahoma,
resident who learned she will return to work after almost a year of
restricted activity because of an emergency procedure recently performed
at Oklahoma Heart Hospital.
Since March of
last year, Russa Linda Massey, a West Virginia native, suffered from
chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting spells and
confusion. After multiple consultations and more than a week’s stay at a
California hospital, there seemed to be no answers. Despite extensive
testing, California cardiologists could not identify the cause of her
ailments and she was forced to temporarily resign from her job.
“I am a very
active person and I became deeply depressed because I am used to working
six days a week and 60-hour work weeks,” said Massey. “I love my job and
I missed it. Because of my condition, I couldn’t even do a load of
laundry without having to rest. I wasn’t the same person anymore.”
This past fall,
a primary care physician in Alva, recognizing the need for special
attention, recommended Massey to an Oklahoma Heart Hospital
cardiologist. Between October and December, Massey was continuously
monitored in an effort to determine the appropriate course of action.
“We performed
an electrophysiology study to assess Ms. Massey’s condition,” said Dr.
Claude Nadeau, an Oklahoma Heart Hospital cardiologist. “The result of
the study showed that her heart had a severe rhythm dysfunction and
required immediate attention.”
Massey
underwent an emergency procedure to get a pacemaker. Without it, she
would certainly die. The procedure was a success and within a couple of
days, Massey was already feeling better.
“I feel like a
new woman. I was told I might never get to work again but now I will be
able to return in just a couple of months. As a hospital consultant, I
have assessed doctors at places like Cleveland Clinic, Mayo and Duke
University and I have never been so impressed with a facility or the
skill of a physician as I was here. I’ve had better care and seen more
talent here in Oklahoma than anywhere else in the country. Dr. Nadeau
acted intuitively and saved my life,” said Massey.
Oklahoma Heart
Hospital, the first all-digital hospital in the nation, is a partnership
between Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates and Mercy Health Center,
along with other cardiovascular physicians.
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