Owensboro Health | Lift | September 2018

Heart Care California couple returns to OHRH to thank caregivers Far from home Richard “Dick” Aidem and his wife, Patty, came to Owensboro in 2006 for their daughter’s softball tournament. On their last night in Owensboro, Dick was struggling to breathe and went to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe congestive heart failure. Doctors began treating him with medication but weren’t certain it would work. Dick was told he might need a heart transplant. It was also possible that he wouldn’t survive. Southern hospitality Once their hotel reservation ran out, Patty and her sister had nowhere to stay. Nurse Sara Abell stepped in and offered Patty and her sister a place in her own home and in the home of her parents, Thomas and Betsy Wade. "Sara said, 'Could we help this family?' I said, ‘Of course.’ There was no question,” Betsy Wade said. “I'm thankful we could help them in their time of need.” “I remember being terrified because we were thrown into this scary situation out of nowhere. But we had so many people there to take care of us,” Patty said. "I couldn't have ever imagined a nurse saying, 'You're staying with me tonight.'" Surprise thank you Dick received a heart transplant in 2014. Three months later, he walked his daughter Dick and Patty Aidem are pictured here with Dr. Scott Reader. In 2006, when Dick was hospitalized at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, Dr. Reader was the cardiologist who cared for Dick. down the aisle at her wedding. In the spring of 2018, the Aidems welcomed their first grandchild. He was able to be there for these milestones and he wanted to show his appreciation. In May 2018, Dick and Patty returned to Owensboro to thank the people who cared for them. “It closes the most important loop of our lives. They saved his life,” Patty said. “I love that they shared in this victory. That's important to me. We needed them to know that everything is good.” Dick said he is glad to be able to return to Kentucky and say thanks for the extra years with the people he loves. “Without them, I might not have survived long enough to get a heart transplant,” Dick said. “They helped us so much and I think about them every day.” Coming full-circle Pictured here are Dick and Patty Aidem (seated) with three of the Owensboro Health staff who cared for Dick during his hospital stay in 2006. The three Owensboro Health staff members are (left to right): Manager of Electrodiagnostics Sara Abell, Critical Care Unit Registered Nurse Seth Burden and Cath Lab Prep-Recovery Nurse Sondra Hawkins. To read the full story and see more photos, see our online edition of LIFT at OwensboroHealth.org/Lift . 4 Owensboro Health • September 2018