Article originally published Fall 2024 in The Monitor magazine.
Season’s Gratitude – Marianne’s Journey
“Your home should be a reflection of who you are and the things you love.” For 75-year-old Marianne Jackson, this means showcasing her creativity through crafts and a deep love for seasonal decorations. Over the years, she’s gradually accumulated and created a collection of beloved décor. Unfortunately, in spring 2023, her transition from Easter to Memorial Day trimmings took a turn for the worse.
“It was a normal April day. I worked, I was running around all day. I had no indication anything was wrong when I carried my decorations down the stairs,” Marianne said. “Out of nowhere, I started to feel really unwell, and I knew I needed to get down before I fell. I was laying on the floor, and all I could do was pray.”
Without warning, Marianne suffered a pulmonary embolism, or a blockage in the main artery that transports blood from her heart to her lungs. In this case, the culprit was an unknown blood clot that broke loose from a vein deep in Marianne’s leg, traveling through the blood vessels before lodging in her chest.
“I prayed to God. And then I prayed to my husband to tell God I didn’t feel well, and then I asked my sister to do the same,” Marianne said. These were the first links in a long chain of guardian angels. Within minutes, Marianne’s sister, Patti, who had arrived to pick her up for an outing, was at the door and calling 911. By the time EMS arrived, Marianne’s heart had stopped beating.
“I don’t remember anything, but my neighbors told me the first responders were unbelievable,” Marianne said. “I think my heart stopped four times, and no one gave up on me – not the paramedics, not the doctors. It’s thanks to God and those amazing people that I’m alive today.”
Once at Fairfield Medical Center, Marianne was in critical condition. The blood clots obstructing her lungs were extensive. Multiple cardiac arrests had deprived her body of oxygen, and her outlook was far from certain. Vascular surgeon Jason André, MD, of Fairfield Healthcare Professionals Vascular Surgery, spoke with Marianne’s family to discuss the severity of the situation.
“Marianne was very sick when she came through our doors,” Dr. André said. “When a pulmonary embolism leads to compromised heart function, we know patients can deteriorate in a matter of minutes. In this case, we knew stabilizing Marianne and removing the blood clots was key to preventing further damage.”
With his team in place, Dr. André was able to clear the artery almost immediately with a minimally invasive procedure known as mechanical percutaneous thrombectomy. The procedure involves using an instrument that employs suction to eliminate the blockage from the blood vessel rather than using a balloon or stent to push it aside. Marianne was started on a heparin drip to prevent new clots from forming.
“With mechanical thrombectomy, we’re able to completely remove the blockage rather than relying on thrombolytic or ‘clot-busting’ drugs to restore blood flow, which greatly reduces the risk of bleeding and other major complications,” Dr. André said. “Having this technology at Fairfield Medical Center means we can help smooth the road to recovery for our vascular surgery patients.”
After the procedure, a marathon of intensive care began, led by critical care physician and pulmonologist Avneet Singh, MS, MD. Marianne spent more than a week at FMC, where she showed significant improvement before her discharge to a supervised rehabilitation facility, then home. Now, she takes anticoagulants, or blood thinners, to reduce her risk of future blood clots.
“I have a history of blood clots in my legs, but I never dreamed anything this serious would happen,” Marianne said. “My first blood clot was in my 20s and didn’t require hospitalization. My next was nearly 30 years later. Since then, I’ve been taking an aspirin every day, but it wasn’t enough to protect me.”
Looking back, Marianne remembers the pain and swelling she experienced in her leg with her first blood clot. When the same symptoms recurred years later, she knew exactly what to do. This time was different, both more sudden and more severe – but fortunately, she gained a team of highly skilled medical professionals to help her manage her health.
“I can’t say enough wonderful things about my doctors and all of the staff at Fairfield Medical Center,” Marianne said. “Every person has been placed in my life exactly when I needed them. I’m grateful for their kindness and caring. I saw them treat my husband with the same compassion when he was sick, and they have absolutely carried that on to me.”
After some time, Marianne returned to her ambitious lifestyle. As a 56-year veteran of Anchor Hocking, she still works 10 hours a day to stay active, and her tight-knit family is constantly looking out for her. From her sisters to her children and grandchildren – along with her care team at Fairfield Medical Center and Fairfield Healthcare Professionals – she knows she’s in good hands. Now, Marianne is looking forward to decorating for the next holiday and all the seasons that lie ahead.
Learn more about Fairfield Medical Center’s Heart & Vascular Care.
