This month, I’m thanking my team at Sutter Medical Center (Sutter Health) in Sacramento, California, and the YALI Initiative, the Energy Group cohort based at UC Davis, CA.
The first time I was booked at Sutter was Sunday, 19 June 2016. I spent a whole week at the hospital. The team ran tests until the nature of my condition was discovered – Left Ventricular Non-Compaction Cardiomyopathy or LNVC. My prescriptions were changed and an Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator or AICD was implanted in my chest as a precautionary measure.
Unfortunately, my health continued to deteriorate during the month that followed despite some follow-ups, adjustments in therapy, and two additional ER visits. My condition was deteriorating and my body starting to shut down. I was booked in again on 17 July and stayed for two weeks. It was then that my final prognosis was made – LVAD, then Heart transplant. To transition, doctors discharged me with a mobile Milrinone intravenous injection and blood pressure medications.
About two weeks later, I was discharged. My Cardiology Team cleared me for traveling by plane to Boston, Massachusetts. (So, it is last year around this time that we left Sacramento for Boston). The team referred me to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and also helped make all the arrangements for that purpose.
At Sutter Health Sacramento, CA.
I remain in touch with the nurses and the team at Sutter Sacramento and regularly update them on my progress. We are forever grateful to everyone involved for their support and everything. I could never forget the time in Southern California between UC Davis, Sacramento, and the region.
p.s.: I flew from Dakar (Senegal) to UC Davis (California) as a Mandela Washington fellow, for the YALI. The program director at UC Davis, her team, the Energy Group cohort, along with the YALI team in Washington DC have all been with me throughout the process, comforting and supporting me all the way. (I will get back to describing the two months that saw life take a new turn at a later stage).
Thank you. Love and Light 🙂
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