Dick Green credits the physicians at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital for saving his life three times within the past three years. The Oak Brook resident underwent surgery in 2005 to treat prostate cancer. Although the surgery was a success, Green found himself back in the hospital a day after being released when his blood pressure rapidly dropped and he ran out of breath climbing the stairs to his bedroom. In the emergency room, Dr. David Mayor didn’t mince words with Green.
“He told me I was in serious trouble,” said Green, a retired corporate executive. “I said I figured as much.”
Mayor was one of five physicians treating Green, who underwent a CAT scan, X-ray and a battery of other tests. Doctors determined that he had a pulmonary embolism, which occurs when an artery in the lung becomes blocked by a blood clot. This highly lethal condition is the third most common cause of death in the United States, with at least 650,000 cases occurring every year.
“It was 10:30 at night and there were five specialists treating me,” Green said. “They were there to take care of me and my needs and I appreciate that.”
Green was treated using clot-dissolving therapy with tissue plasminogen activator, a drug known as a “clotbuster.” He spent eight days in the intensive care unit and underwent many follow-up visits with a pulmonologist. Two years later, on Christmas Day 2007, Green felt his heart beating very rapidly and rushed to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital’s emergency room. He was treated and released but returned with the same symptoms on New Year’s Eve. Doctors determined that Green had an electrophysiological malfunction – an issue related to the heart’s electrical system. His treatment for that condition is ongoing, but he doesn’t let it stop him from living life to the fullest. He recently returned from a European vacation and loves to spend time with his grandchildren; he has 14, including his step-grandkids.
He also supports the hospital by serving on the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation’s board of directors. It’s a role that allows him to be an ambassador for the hospital.
“I want to make the community aware of what a wonderful asset Adventist Hinsdale Hospital is,” Green said. “Many times people don’t realize that it’s here for the community. And the doctors really care about treating the whole person, not just the body, but the spirit as well. That’s the message I hope to spread.”