“TICK TOCK” (…and the beat goes on)
This storied event is an homage to my primary MDVIP-affiliated physician, Sharon B. Chaney, MD. This small chapter in my life (Yet consequently a major event for me) began in the summer of 2004 when I attended my regular checkup appointment with Dr. Chaney. Unbeknownst to me at the time I was on the verge of a life-altering process. After measuring my heartbeat closely several times, Dr. Chaney arranged cardiac specialists’ testing appointments. Before long the diagnosis was in. I had “aortic stenosis, ”meaning my aortic heart valve could not fully open or close as it should. Alarming?...absolutely. The treatment. (Valve replacement through open heart surgery loomed as frightful to me as “the bogeyman.”) Dr. Chaney then arranged consultations with one of the most renowned heart surgeons at one of the best hospitals in the city. After discussions with the surgeon, I felt my free-floating sense of impending dread had subsided considerably, replaced by a feeling of calm resolve (spiritual, philosophical and optimistic) for the inevitable procedure. He asked me, “Mr. Ray, do you believe in my skill and abilities to pull you through and make you well?” “Yes, sir…I definitely do, doctor.” “Very good, then…just do yourself, and me, a big favor and do not research aortic valve replacement surgery on the internet lest you scare yourself needlessly.” Following that sound advice, I eschewed the off-limits net heart surgery topics as suggested.
Dr. Chaney served steadfastly as my stalwart coach, cheerleader and mentor during the interim while I was awaiting surgery. Her calm, straightforward professionalism kept me on a quiet steady course until the time of the procedure in early January 2005. As the days approached, I had consciously assumed a stoic, Zenlike countenance until the anesthesia took over any and all thoughts for me.
Post-op, my week-long hospital stay although sometimes rather uncomfortable, was considered a normal recovery. One staff member enlightened me on the details of living with blood thinners (Schedule, diet and regular INR blood checks) Nearing my release date, I asked my surgeon, “Doctor, does my St. Jude mechanical heart valve come with a lifetime warranty? Squinting at me with one eye, he managed a rare tight grin as he remarked in his pronounced dry Australian accent…”More, or less?" (A classic line that made me laugh, but oh, so so painfully!)
After returning home, I was acutely aware of any minute changes in my body. Soon, I perceived a faint clicking sound in my chest when the house was quiet. Click, click…tick tock. Being reassured it was the normal sound of a recently installed heart valve, I had a flashback to a scene in a childhood cartoon, Disney’s “Peter Pan,” where Peter cut off the pirate’s hand and fed it to the crocodile which relished the morsel and followed Capt. Hook’s pirate ship in hopes of an opportunity to eat the rest of him. As an alert, Hook tossed an alarm clock into the croc’s mouth to signal its presence to the Captain, when it was in proximity of the ship. From then on, the croc was called “Tick Tock.” Since I was a bit ticking myself, I silently and playfully referred to myself as “Tick Tock 2.0”, but with no appetite for any stinkin’ pirate whatsoever.
Dr. Chaney presently devises and implements my health plan which she explains to me thoroughly during my annual MDVIP Wellness Program, giving me exact feedback to help keep my health on track. She remains my guardian angel to this day, who diagnosed my heart valve problem back then, allowing me to live on, lo these last 20 years; to watch my son mature and grandchildren grow up; complete my career and retire; play and perform music jovially with my folk group but mainly just enjoy life in general with my beautiful wife Jan.
I offer to you, Dr. Chaney, my most sincere gratitude for your expertise, abilities and medical knowledge. I love you for finding my would-have-been fatal condition, and will always extend my most thankful prayers and blessings to you.