Trish Thibeault
A Quick Diagnosis Saves a Young Man’s Life
Trish Thibeault was floored when she got the call that her son Thomas, a healthy college lacrosse player was being rushed to the hospital with a life-threatening heart problem. While working out at a local health club, he had suddenly collapsed. What no one yet knew was just how dire his problem was – Thomas had a burst aorta. Without quick thinking and the right care, he would be in serious trouble.
Here’s what Trish had to say:
“The ambulance rushed him to St. Joseph’s Emergency Department. The nurses and doctors were literally waiting at the door for us. We knew that this was a huge medical problem. Everyone took care of us so fast it was amazing. Otherwise, we could have had a very different outcome. Dr. Frankel made the determination to do a CT scan which is not the usual protocol for a 20 year old. Just 20 minutes later we had the results…The nurses were phenomenal.”
In a situation where time was everything, Dr. Frankel was able to make the correct diagnosis and get Thomas the surgery that would save his life.
Recovering with his heart’s new mechanical valve, Thomas had this to say:
“This whole experience has given me a much greater appreciation for medicine in general. I felt that the staff at St. Joseph really cared for me as a person and for the well-being of my family.”
