Johnny Skelley was nearly at his wit's end because he didn’t feel right.
He had moved from Arlington to Lindale, Texas to be closer to family and improve his health. “Not only was I closer to my sister and brother-in-law,” said Skelley, “every time I visited Lindale, I could feel myself relax and my blood pressure drop. It felt great!”
A former service manager for a large car dealership, the 66-year-old retiree had been careful to notice small changes in his health. He had experienced three strokes and ongoing struggles with his weight, diet and high blood pressure, which ran in his family.
Although routine exams and tests by his cardiologist did not indicate heart disease, he often felt weak and winded. When he finally received a full exam in a cardiac catheterization lab, his doctor determined he needed an immediate quintuple bypass. “The tests showed that I was 95% blocked in two arteries and 90% blocked in three,” said Skelley.
After surgery, Skelley spent five weeks in hospital rehabilitation but didn’t feel like he was improving fast enough. He kept telling his cardiologist that he needed to return to the cath lab. “I had headaches, often felt dizzy and lightheaded, and it was getting worse.”
Needing advice
Finally, Skelley called his primary care physician, Anthony Davis, MD, in Tyler, for advice.
“What would you do?” said Skelley.
“You need a second opinion,” said Dr. Davis.
“Do you know anyone who can help me?” asked Skelley.
“I know just the guy,” said his doctor.
Dr. Davis helped Skelley get an appointment with Ajay Pachika, MD, FACC, a cardiologist at UT Health East Texas.
“Dr. Pachika really listened to me,” said Skelley. “After he reviewed my files and asked many questions, he told me more about my health in two minutes than other cardiologists had in previous years. I was so grateful that he was straightforward with me.”
Dr. Pachika then set up an appointment for more tests in the cath lab.
Skelley spent approximately two and a half hours in the cath lab and it was time well spent. Dr. Pachika found a blood clot that partially blocked two of his bypasses, creating a blood flow of only 60%.
“When Dr. Pachika broke up the clot, the relief was immediate,” said Skelley. “All of a sudden, I was getting full blood flow, and my headaches disappeared. My brain started functioning at full capacity again. The techs were even ‘high-fiving’ each other in the cath lab; they were so excited to clear out the clot.”
Moving forward
Skelley had great things to say about the team who cared for him at UT Heath East Texas. “I cannot tell you how grateful I am for Dr. Pachika and nurse Brianna,” said Skelley. “They were the first ones who really listened to me.”
Skelley has continued to stay active through rehabilitation sessions to increase his endurance and strength, lose weight and lower his blood pressure. “I am lifting weights again,” said Skelley. “In my younger days, I was a powerlifter and worked out at the gym. A month ago, I couldn’t walk to my car. Now I am excelling at the gym.”
Skelley walks a lot in his neighborhood, usually a mile down on most mornings. He also joins his friends in a chair yoga class. But his biggest change has been a healthier diet.
“I only eat red meat a few times a month,” he recalled. “I don't know if I'm blessed or cursed, but anything ‘on the ground’ - beans, taters, greens, squash - I love it all. I also eat a lot more fish and chicken.”
Through it all, Skelley’s faith and determination to lead a healthy life have remained strong.
“I don't know what the Lord saved me for, I don't know what he's got in mind,” said Skelley. “But he saved me for something and I'm going to keep going and find out.”
For more information on the cardiac care services at UT Health East Texas, visit our website