Sharon and her family ( left to right ) Tony , Reese , Sharon , Krissta , Ricky and Brya .
Taking No Time For Granted
After a series of medical setbacks , SBL nurse never leaves anything unsaid .
If there is one thing Sharon Updegraff , RN , knows , it ’ s that there are few guarantees in life . She ’ s seen too much as an ER nurse , mother , daughter and patient to think otherwise .
November 8 , 2013 was set to be a big day for Sharon . Having long delayed a total hip replacement until she could no longer endure the pain of two bones rubbing together , Sharon looked forward to the surgery with hopeful anticipation . She knew that the surgery would enable her to again work free of pain and live the life that she had enjoyed years earlier .
The surgery was smooth – “ routine ” as they say – until the very end . As Sharon ’ s surgeon was closing her incision , Nurse Anesthetist Tara Crews , CRNA , noted that Sharon was having a heart attack . “ Tara was my guardian angel that day ,” Sharon said , explaining that Tara ’ s careful monitoring of her vital signs led to an immediate intervention .
Sharon was rushed from surgery to the Sarah Bush Lincoln catheterization lab .
Prairie Heart Interventional Cardiologist Amit Dande , MD , quickly identified that Sharon ’ s right coronary artery was obstructed . He first used an aspiration catheter to remove a clot , and then he performed an angioplasty by inflating a tiny balloon into the artery to help widen the opening in the blood vessel . Lastly , a stent was inserted to help keep the artery open and return blood flow . This quick response prevented permanent damage to Sharon ’ s heart . Crisis averted – momentarily .
2 healthstyles may 2017