Pastor Writes From a Grateful Heart

It all began as I was making my rounds in the hospital, visiting and praying for sick folk.

As I was walking past the Critical Care waiting room, Dori Thomas, a member of our church, took me by the arm, led me aside and said, “you need to do something about that.” I said, “what?” She said, “your shortness of breath.” I thought it was my age (75). I said, “the next time I go to the doctor I will get it checked.” She said, “now.” You see, Dori Thomas has been training nurses for over 50 years, she knows what she’s doing.

Dr. Kuennen, a very fine physician, and compassionate friend, said we needed to run a test at the Imaging Center and at his office. The test results showed that something was wrong.

He sent me to Dr. Zakhary, a very fine heart doctor. I was very impressed with him, his office and his staff. He made sure they had the tools necessary to make their jobs easier and more efficient for the patient.
He set up a heart cauterization. It proved I had two blockages, one in front of my heart at 100 percent and one in back of my heart at 98 percent.

As I came around to understand what was going on, Dr. Embrey and Dr. Zakhary were standing over my bed, saying I needed open heart surgery. It was a complete shock to my family and me. From that very moment Dr. Embery and his staff began preparing my family and me for what we would have to go through and they did a thorough job.

Dr. Zakhary’s visits were very professional and yet very personal.  As he sat on my bed, we talked man to man and also doctor to patient.  Kristen, an able assistant of Dr. Embrey, spent extra time with us to help us understand what they would be doing. She informed us every step of the way. I found out the nurses that took care of me before surgery and after surgery on the sixth floor and ICU were totally compassionate and totally professional. They studied long and sacrificed so much, to do, what God had called them to do. Where would any hospital be without these angels of mercy?

The point I want to get across is that it was not Life Point Hospital that saw me and my family through this, it was my Savior, Jesus Christ, my church family, whose prayers were answered, my friends, neighbors, and those professional people who did their job well because they love what they do.

My recovery has been outstanding. I am now in Cardiac Rehab, where I’ve met more of those professional people who are totally dedicated in helping the heart patient recover. If I had it to do over again, I would entrust the same people. From my family, and I, we want to thank you for a job well done, from a grateful heart.

Rev. R.L. Vermillion, Westover Baptist Church