“My wife and I were attending a Navy reunion in Maryland. We were on a tour bus, and I had raised my hand to ask a question. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing would come out. I didn’t feel anything was wrong. There was no pain. I didn’t feel dizzy. I just simply couldn’t talk. But I knew something wasn’t right.
“We stopped in at a local hospital in Maryland, and they determined I was having a series of ministrokes. They contacted my doctors in Lumberton, and everyone agreed it would be okay for me to travel home and see the doctors at Duke Cardiology. Dr. Short monitored my heart for a few days and could see my heart was missing beats. I needed a pacemaker. ‘Pacemaker!’ I said. I didn’t want a pacemaker, but I knew I had to do something.
“We went to the Heart Center, and I wasn’t worried. I trusted Dr. Short and had no concerns the Duke people could do the surgery. But more than that, the doctors and nurses were not only professional, but they could make you feel special—like you were their only patient. They paid a lot of attention to me. And I know they do everybody this way, but it was still nice to know they went out of their way to give such personal attention. Kind words will win you over every time.
“I can’t say that I feel a whole lot different than before. Maybe that says something in itself—to be 82 years old, have heart surgery and still be able to get around, go canoeing and do things outside—well, that just shows you the doctors at the Heart Center can take good care of you.”
—Rudolph Floyd
