Ascension Sacred Heart Bay helps woman survive a tear to her main artery

Teresa was visiting Panama City Beach, Florida, to help stage her daughter’s home to sell. Despite experiencing shortness of breath for a few days, she dismissed it as allergies. She continued working tirelessly on the house until late at night. One night, she woke up in the early hours of the morning with a burning sensation throughout her body. 

“I felt a heat come all over my body and thought this is serious,” Teresa recounted. 

Unable to reach her daughter or son-in-law, she called 911. By the time the ambulance arrived, she felt as if she was on fire and couldn’t move her left side. The paramedics quickly put her on a stretcher and rushed her to the hospital. Initially, the doctors thought she was having a stroke but the CT scan of her head was normal. They also ordered a CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis which gave the true diagnosis. Teresa had an aortic dissection. 

An aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency condition of the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body. The layers of the aorta tear apart and when this happens patients may die if surgery is not done immediately. To ensure Teresa received the timely care she needed, Dr. Richard Eubanks, cardiothoracic surgeon and his team at Sacred Heart Cardiovascular Surgery Panama City were notified and immediately began surgery.

"I called my family, said my goodbyes, and asked my daughter to get everyone to pray," Teresa said.

Her prayers were answered. The surgery lasted nine hours. During the surgery, Teresa’s body was cooled down to 23 degrees Celsius and her heart and circulation were stopped for 29 minutes. The portion of her aorta with the tear was removed and replaced with synthetic material. Her heart restarted, she was rewarmed, her chest was closed and she was taken to the ICU.

Though Dr. Eubanks had anticipated Teresa would be in a coma for two to four days, she miraculously woke up immediately, motioning for water despite still being on a breathing tube. After 90 minutes of stable blood pressure, the tube was removed.

“I didn’t really realize I was okay until they took the tube out and I could breathe and talk on my own,” Teresa said. 

During her stay in the ICU, Teresa was treated with compassionate and personalized care. Associates held her hand, sat with her and consoled her. Many of those who assisted in her surgery, including nurses Hillary and Ashlynn, visited her. But it was nurse Precious Boyd, whom Teresa referred to as her angel, who made the most profound impact. Precious had held her hand before surgery and stayed by her side afterward.

"One of the most touching things was when a man and woman who assisted in my surgery cried when they saw me," Teresa shared.

After a few days in the hospital, Teresa moved to rehab, where she was told it might take seven to 12 months to walk again and she would likely need a walker. Yet, in what she calls her second miracle, she was walking without any assistance in just two weeks. 

“I believe God put me in the right place at the right time and I could not have received better care, even in Atlanta closer to where I live,” Teresa said. 

Now back to work, Teresa, an entrepreneur, continues to recover, though she still gets tired occasionally. She follows up with Dr. Eubanks every six months and keeps a close watch on her blood pressure.

"Dr. Eubanks is a saint; I love him more than I can say," Teresa expressed. "He is loving and caring, and I am so grateful he is my doctor." 

Teresa’s recovery is about the power of faith, the miracle of modern medicine and the dedication of healthcare professionals. Her journey from a life-threatening heart condition to regaining her independence is an inspiring reminder of resilience and hope.

To learn more about Bay County’s only nationally recognized heart program, visit ascension.org/BayHeart.