Bypass has Donald feeling like himself again .
East Vandergrift resident Donald Uncapher , 67 , was rehabbing a shoulder injury last year , but to his dismay , he was only getting worse . During his recovery from rotator cuff surgery , Donald started to develop pain in his hands , wrists , ankles , shoulders , and lower back . When medication didn ’ t help , his rheumatologist suggested the pain may be heart related .
Bloodwork , an EKG , and a catheterization revealed three clogged arteries — two of them 100 % blocked . He and his wife , LaRue , immediately met with cardiac surgeon Dr . Candice Lee to discuss his next steps .
“ We were pretty scared ,” Donald said . “ A couple weeks before , we didn ’ t even know we had a problem . She was compassionate and forthright . We felt a lot more comfortable after talking with her .”
Dr . Lee performed a double coronary artery bypass at AHN Forbes Hospital in April . During surgery , she saw the partially blocked artery was too diseased to safely bypass , but she determined there was still enough blood flow for Donald ’ s heart to work properly .
For Donald , the experience was a good one . “ It seems like everything went really well . It feels like nothing ever happened to me ,” he said . “ I haven ’ t had any pain since the surgery . They prescribed me pain pills , but I haven ’ t taken any of them .”
The only problem ? Projects around his house .
“ I ’ m used to mowing my grass and taking care of my cars ,” Donald said . “ I started a project . I have wood cut and planned to make a bench . I have some ornamental grass I need to dig out . But it ’ s all on hold for now because of my lifting restrictions .”
Donald is currently in a cardiac rehab program at AHN , where he ’ s rebuilding his strength under the watchful eye of cardiac therapists .
“ It feels like nothing ever happened to me .”
— Donald Uncapher
“ It ’ s going well ,” Donald said . “ I ’ m looking forward to being able to do more and know that I ’ ll be safe doing it .”
READ MORE OF DONALD ’ S STORY AT AHN . ORG / FORBES-STORIES .
2570 Haymaker Road , Monroeville , PA 15146