Florida Hospital Best in Care - Fall 2012 - (Page 3)

Kick Heart transplant oﬀers road back to full life for Edwin Arce. In 1997, Newark, New Jersey, police o cer Edwin Arce was a military veteran and street cop. Rarely ever sick and in excellent physical shape from daily workouts required for his job, he was confused when one day he felt lightheaded and woke up drenched in sweat. His wife immediately drove him to the hospital. A series of tests led to a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. At age 35, with a wife and three young children, Edwin’s law enforcement career was over. He retired and later moved to Orlando in 2002 as he struggled with years of fatigue and frustration. “I used to bench 300 pounds and was a runner,” says Edwin. “I always needed to stay in shape because I worked on the streets and you never knew what could happen.” Start Once-avid ﬁsherman and motorcycle rider Edwin Arce is looking forward to returning to the activities he loves. Donald M. Botta, Jr, MD, Cardiovascular Surgery Barbara Czerska, MD, Cardiovascular Diseases says this was a hardship for families. Florida Hospital decided in 2009 to develop a cardiac transplant center for the region. Dr. Czerska has been involved in hundreds of successful transplants. “It’s an honor and humbling to bring this new service to the community,” she says. “Heart failure is an epidemic and the most pervasive disease in the US,” Dr. Botta says. “We are actively working to improve survival and decrease progression.” Progress for Lung Patients, Too Florida Hospital has established the only lung transplant program in Central Florida and added two world-class physicians, Andres Pelaez, MD, and Hartmuth Bittner, MD, PhD, to its team. e ﬁrst lung transplants were performed in August. e new program means patients will no longer have to travel long distances to receive a life-saving organ. JUST IN TIME In 2010, Edwin’s health began to rapidly deteriorate. He could hardly shave, take a bath, brush his teeth or walk. “My energy was gone,” he says. “My life went from my bedroom to my sofa and that was just ﬁve feet.” Thanks to the constant care of his doctor, Vineel Sompalli, MD, interventional cardiologist, Edwin learned that he would need a heart transplant; he would not survive without it. Fortunately, a new transplant center was opening, and in January 2012, Edwin became Florida Hospital’s ﬁrst heart transplant patient as part of a brand-new program. Donald M. Botta, Jr, MD, transplant surgeon, assisted by Barbara Czerska, MD, transplant cardiologist, performed the surgery at Florida Hospital Orlando. THE BIRTH OF A NEW SERVICE In the past, most heart transplant patients had to travel to Tampa or Gainesville to await their surgeries. Dr. Botta MUCH TO CELEBRATE So far, Edwin’s body has accepted his new heart. Since his surgery, Edwin celebrated his 50th birthday and Father’s Day with his wife, Rosa, and three children: Carmen, 25; Edwin Jr., 24; and Rebecca, 20. Edwin says he is grateful to the donor family and the hospital for giving him a new lease on life. His two greatest joys are still ahead: walking his daughter Carmen down the aisle in December and getting back on his 2005 Harley-Davidson Road King Custom. “It’s the most wonderful thing that happened in Orlando with this new transplant unit,” Edwin says. “It’s going to be a big blessing for a lot of people.” GET A PRIORITY APPOINTMENT For an appointment with a Florida Hospital physician, call (407) 303-BEST (2378). HEALTHY 00tips Choose to listen to uplifting, positive, happy and peaceful music. You will not go wrong if you choose music that makes you think of good things that create positive feelings. MUSIC TO YOUR EARS FloridaHospital.com 3 http://www.FloridaHospital.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Florida Hospital Best in Care - Fall 2012

Florida Hospital Best in Care - Fall 2012
I Will Survive
A joint replacement option for the fingers
6 tips to reduce painful kidney stones
Don’t miss a beat — heart rhythm disorders revealed

Florida Hospital Best in Care - Fall 2012