‌the heart is still ticking, and I was able to say I-do to my wife again I was the first patient from Umass Memorial that ever received a live fluoroscope heart stent procedure. Dr. Mercadante and his assistants were able to see on camera where they were placing the metal stent in my heart. As nerve-wracking as it was for me and my family, the surgery went smoothly thanks to the new medical equipment that was utilized for my heart procedure! Years later the heart is still ticking, and I was able to say I-do to my wife again. - Jeffrey Sylvia
He was able to meet his (first) great-grandaughter After losing our mother to cancer in 2005, we almost lost our father less than 1 year later. Thanks to the competent and caring cardiology team who saved our father's life, we were able to have 5 more, wonderful years with him before his passing in 2011. He even was able to meet his (first) great-grandaughter which was the highlight of his days! Thank you so much! We are so grateful! - Deborah Esposito
I had open heart surgery at UMass Memorial in 2013 to replace a valve. A month later, my husband had a toe and part of his foot amputated. We both had excellent care there. I can now take walks without getting out of breath and they saved my hubby's leg. Thank you to the staff at UMass Memorial University Campus. - Cynthia Hicks
I can now take walks without getting out of breath, and they saved my hubby's leg.
Things are looking much better, and I’m feeling like a champ again! UMass Memorial has had a cardiologist who put me on some medication. I have started to get back in shape and go to the gym now for over 3 months. Things are looking much better, and I’m feeling like a champ again! Thank you UMass Memorial! - Robert Koenig
I consider myself lucky‌ Several years ago I had a study that I volunteered for. The study was to look at one’s coronary arteries via CT angiography, an easy test. After the exam, I was told to see a cardiologist for a potentially serious problem. I followed up with UMass Memorial affiliated physicians, and was having a cardiac catheterization and stent placement. My physicians told me I was very lucky; it was just a single vessel, but it could have lead to an inevitable outcome. I was 48 years old at the time. The reason I write this is to warn others in their late 40's and 50year-old age groups of the potential dangers of single vessel heart disease. My doctor told me I had a 90 percent occlusion, just 10 percent away from the inevitable. So, if you have any basic symptom, do not write it off. Go see a physician. The staff and personnel were fantastic, and I consider myself lucky to be writing and telling this story. - Leo Nalivaika
‌ they were my angels I had congestive heart failure; I almost lost my life. Because of the fantastic doctors and nurses at UMass Memorial, the ICU and fantastic care I received, and the love of the people who cared for me, I recovered after 3 months of rehab and went home. I can't repay those who were involved in my recovery, but they were my angels. My faith in my Heavenly Father and the man who was my doctor and the great rehab I received I give them my love and thanksgiving. - John Desmarais
I've been a patient for 7+ years now in the cardiac clinic. I've had 3 ablations done, 2 by Dr. Ennis and 1 by Dr. Rosenthal. I can't say enough about the care I've received. I'm so thankful of their continued expertise and dedication to their patients. - Stefini Carron Lizotte
I'm so thankful of their continued expertise and dedication to their patients.
If it weren’t for the cardiology team, I wouldn’t be here. At 36 years old, UMass Memorial saved me from a fatal heart attack. If it weren’t for the cardiology team, I wouldn’t be here. - Cherie Berthiaume
‌in less than 5 minutes, Dr. Arous had answers‌ My story goes back a few years...I was experiencing a great deal of pain in my shoulder and arm, coupled with tingling in my hand and fingers. My doctor immediately thought I had carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but when I had tests done, they came back negative for CTS. I saw a hand specialist who couldn't find anything wrong with me. I also saw a neurologist with the same result. I saw so many different doctors, that I couldn't keep track of them and actually showed up at the wrong doctor's office more than once. My PCP told me that he was going to refer me to a vascular doctor. I saw Dr. Arous who was able to determine within less than 5 minutes that I had thoracic outlet syndrome. I cried like a baby when he diagnosed me...he asked why I was crying and I told him that for a year and a half I saw so many doctors who couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I got to the point where I thought nobody would ever figure it out ,and in less than 5 minutes, Dr. Arous had answers I so desperately needed. I had to have 2 rib resections, but it was so worth it to finally know what was wrong with me! - Gina Lorusso
‌made me feel so comfortable under very uncomfortable circumstances I was taken such good care of in my recent hospital stay at UMass Memorial - University Campus 2/8-2/11. I was admitted for a DVT, and the Cardiac Cath Lab and 3ICU were phenomenal with my care. Everyone was incredibly kind, positive and made me feel so comfortable under very uncomfortable circumstances. As an employee of UMass Memorial, I have never been so proud of where I work and the talented and caring co-workers I have. It really made my stay the best it could be. Thank you to everyone! - Donna Testa
UMass Memorial cardiology saved my life. I had Afib, and there are a lot of people who do not think it is a serious condition. I can tell you from my 13-month experience that it affected my everyday life in the most negative of ways. As a single person who has to maintain my property, mow the grass, shovel the snow, stack the wood, that I was in deep trouble. I could barely walk from my car to the pharmacy to pick up medication. I would get a shopping cart to hold onto to walk inside because I was so fatigued and winded. I could not carry a bag of groceries up my steps without taking a 10-15 minute break between trips up the steps. My yard started looking miserable, my wood was not brought in for this cold winter, and I had started to become not fun to be with on any level. All I wanted to do, or felt like doing, was sit. I am self-employed and my business was going into a downward spiral. UMass Memorial began to treat me. I had two cardioversions that were not successful. After the last unsuccessful one, Dr. Cynthia Ennis suggested I try a medication called Tikosyn to put my heart back into a normal rhythm. It would require hospitalization for three days. The staff at the University Campus, 3rd floor, could not have been more professional, caring and just plain wonderful. From housekeeping to my treating cardiologist that week, Dr. Browning, I felt I was in excellent hands. After three days, the Tikosyn didn't do the trick so I had one more cardioversion and it worked!! The combination of the drug and the cardioversion put my heart rate back to normal. It was amazing. I felt different minutes after the successful cardioversion in recovery in the Cardiac Cath area. The staff there was also amazing. I was released the next day and it felt like the true essence of the saying, 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.' I felt healthy. Since then, I have stacked wood, dealt with the big blizzard this week, and have even started using the treadmill to begin losing weight. I cannot thank Dr. Ennis, Dr. Browning, Mary Stanley, NP, Nicole on the 3rd floor for helping with my prescriptions, Nurse Sims and many others who were dedicated to giving me my life back. I can't thank them enough because now I'm well because they did such an amazing job getting me back to a normal heartbeat and quality of life. I am truly and deeply grateful. - Susan Lyons
…back to a normal heartbeat and quality of life