14/03/2016
Travel and be inspired always guys!!
https://www.facebook.com/1122386237785553/photos/a.1122417007782476.1073741828.1122386237785553/1122416167782560/?type=3&theater
GIFT OF A 2ND LIFE
RICHARD RODDY, (60, Retired Captain of the Ormond Beach Fire Dept.) -- First in the State of Florida who was able to ambulate while assisted by an ECMO (Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) Unit. The ECMO unit served as his heart while his heart function was nil.
“While I was admitted into the hospital, my heart was deteriorating at a fast rate. After 1 week of admission the Doctor and Surgeon offered me a (Bridge to Transplant). This was a Heart Balloon Pump, which is inserted thru the groin and into the heart. I was on that for 14 days, flat on my back and had to be taken off or I could lose my leg. So Doctors offered me another chance, another (Bridge to Transplant), I was supposed to have a Surgical Procedure that would put me on a Double VAD (Left and Right, Ventricular Assist Devices). When the Surgeon decided during the procedure—I was not eligible for the Double VAD, but instead placed me on The ECMO Machine. The next day they asked me if I wanted to walk. I said I'm ready. The next thing I realized I was able to walk down the hallway. I felt good about it. I didn't know then that it was a big deal. I was on this machine for 6 ½ days when I received my phone call that my Miracle HEART came in. If this heart did not come in at this time, I was to be taken off of the ECMO and I would have died the next day. Instead, I went in for my Heart Transplant and received my GIFT OF LIFE----My MIRACULOUS MIRACLE.”—Richard Roddy, (Heart Transplant Surgery Survivor).
THOUGHTS ON HIS SON
"He's fought for thirty years of his life, and I've fought for 2 years. In that way I can say that between me and him, he is the stronger one. He's been through a lot. He had his heart surgery himself when he was very, very young. And I'd say, his tenacity and strength throughout 30 years of his life is unmatchable by anybody. Plus, he's happy and healthy." --Richard Roddy (Rick)
Stuart Roddy (30, Son of Richard) has Cerebral Palsy with a Cortical Impairment, Heart Problem and G-Tube.
CONNECTED MORE THAN FATHER & SON:
At 2 years old, Stuart had an open heart surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot (a Blue Baby, Stuart had 2 holes in his heart then and 3 other defects). The surgeon of Stuart was also the Organ Harvester and one responsible for procuring the heart for Richard. He held both father and son's heart in his hands, in a 28-year difference.
Currently, both Father and Son are doing great and spending more time together. Richard is rejuvenating his deep ties with the community of Ormond Beach as a former Captain/Firefighter as he goes back to his love of running, now as a therapy.
Rick also has a wife, Deborah, a daughter, Shauna and a grandson, Devin—with another on the way.
ECMO is a hot topic nowadays within hospitals' Department of Surgery, and it is secured and utilized only by those that are certified for Critical Care Medicine.
