"Bronson gave me my life back!"
During the summer of 2023, I started noticing something wasn’t quite right. My breathing was rough, I was constantly tired and just felt exhausted all the time. I do a lot of physical work delivering packages, so at first, I chalked it up to getting older or maybe my asthma acting up. But I knew something felt different, so I went to my regular doctor and that kicked off a series of tests and appointments.
Turns out, my heart needed a little help. A lot of people might panic hearing that, but I just told them, “Do what you gotta do—I’ve got things to do in life!” I was 71 years old, and I wasn’t about to slow down.
On August 7, 2023, I had heart valve replacement surgery at Bronson Methodist Hospital, and they placed a pacemaker at the same time. My sister was with me through it all. I was amazed—I was only in the hospital a couple of days!
The care I received at Bronson was absolutely exceptional. My favorite nurse, Julia, was incredibly kind and made me feel so comfortable. She was just all-around wonderful. And Dr. Thomas Keller? He was fantastic—so personable and genuinely caring. He came into my room shortly after I woke up to explain everything that had happened. I felt truly cared for, not just as a patient, but as a person.
I’ve always taken pride in staying healthy and didn’t visit the doctor much unless I really had to. So I wasn’t exactly thrilled about needing more follow-up care—but Bronson made it easy. After surgery, I started cardiac rehab at Bronson, and it was actually a great experience. The staff and other patients were so friendly, we all kind of bonded. I spent a lot of time on the treadmill, slowly building back my endurance, and it really paid off.
Now, I see Dr. Keller once a year at Bronson Advanced Cardiac Healthcare and get regular bloodwork to keep an eye on everything. I’m back to doing what I love, feeling stronger and more energized than I have in a long time.
Bronson has the best nurses and doctors. I’m so thankful for the care I received there—it truly changed my life. I feel healthier, happier, and ready for whatever comes next!
