If I waited another day, I would have been dead,” said Rodney McFadden, associate pastor of the Avon Park, Fla., Church,
That is what the physicians at Advent- Health Sebring told McFadden, when he had a life-threatening heart issue late last year.
McFadden shared that “by the grace of God,” and the quick action and excellent care he received through the hospital and staff at AdventHealth Sebring, he was able to recover and continue his critical work, which includes serving as the church’s youth and young adult pastor.
“If it wasn’t for the team, working together, I would not be here today,” said McFadden.
McFadden, who was 43 years old at the time of the heart issue, said it all started when he went to the dentist for a routine check, but they would not see him because his blood pressure was too high, and he was told he needed to see a doctor.
That afternoon, McFadden met with his friend, Jason Dunkel, an elder at his church, and president and CEO of AdventHealth Sebring.
Dunkel helped him meet with Deepti Bhandare, M.D., a cardiologist at the hospital and vice chair of the hospital’s Cardiology Department. When Bhandare saw McFadden, she did not let him leave her office because of how high his blood pressure was.
“Pastor Rodney is a healthy person, but had underlying health conditions that could have caused a much more serious outcome if he hadn’t come straight to the AdventHealth Sebring ER for care,” said Bhandare.
From there, they called his wife, Denys McFadden, and sent him to the hospital in an ambulance.
“They immediately put me in the ICU [Intensive Care Unit], and just told me my blood pressure was so high that I should have died,” said McFadden.
He underwent a procedure that found he had a 90% blockage in one of the heart arteries. The physicians put in a stent, a device that helps the artery stay open, to restore the blood flow and save his life.
Before the surgery, McFadden felt very nervous — he had never had major surgery before. But, through the support he received, including a special moment with Dunkel before the surgery, he felt more at ease.
“[Dunkel] prayed with me, and he started to sing, because I love hymns and I usually sing all the time. He knows that. He came in and sung my favorite hymn, ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,’ and it just calmed me down and let me know that everything was going to be okay,” said McFadden.
Dunkel also helped oversee every step of his care. McFadden had a stream of nurses, physicians, and staff who were members of his church checking in on him daily.
“It was like a whole hospital praying for me at one time. You just felt the love,” said McFadden.
Throughout the process, he credited the medical team for their care, support, and constant communication.
“I’m happy that I am alive. Not only did they save my life, they were communicating with me and my family through every step of the way. I knew everything that was about to happen,” said McFadden. “You have everyone praying for you and comforting you, letting you know that they’re going to do their best.”
Now, as he continues to recover, McFadden volunteers at the hospital as a patient advocate, where he meets and prays with patients.
AdventHealth offers an abundance of resources cardiovascular system health. Find more information at AdventHealth.com/Heart-and-Vascular-Care.
AdventHealth | April 2024
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