A Heart Saved, A Life Renewed

What was supposed to be a routine scheduled surgery at Antelope Valley Medical Center became a fight for survival. Michael went in prepared, ready to get his aortic valve replaced from his long-time cardiologist, Dr. Kadambi. Complications arose, and Michael’s condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring extraordinary measures to keep him alive. “I remember being on the operating table, teasing the nurses and joking with the anesthesiologist and the next thing I remember is waking up in another hospital,” he recalls.

AVMC’s leadership, physicians and nurses worked quickly to put him on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine (ECMO) to help circulate blood through his body and give his heart time to recover. “It was by the grace of God how everything lined up with AVMC having access to a new ECMO machine,” he says.

For his family, those days were filled with fear and uncertainty but for Michael, they are a blur. “I was only told pieces. I was listening while nurses gave report to get the full story,” he shares. Through all of this, Michael says one thing kept him alive, the relentless dedication of his AVMC care team. “If anyone had given up on me, I would not be here. I’m grateful to everyone.”

Today, Michael is rebuilding his life. “I haven’t felt this good in years. This is a whole brand-new world,” he says with gratitude. His rehabilitation journey started with intense therapy for over an hour twice a day. Now, he does yoga at home and walks his dog on his own time. “It’s hard work, but you just have to do it. I’m getting stronger every day.”

Michael’s story is more than survival — it’s a testament to faith, perseverance, and the power of compassionate care. “The folks that work here are second to none. I wish there was a word more powerful than thank you” he reflected sincerely. Michael returned to AVMC to do just that—thank the team who saved his life face-to-face and give them each a hug.