LANSING, Mich. — Paula Schultz is a strong person, and she knows it. “I’m a pretty tough cookie,” said Shultz. “One thing about having a heart attack is I wear my heart on my sleeve.” But heart problems are a battle that even the most resilient person can’t fight alone.
Schultz is a bus driver for Eaton Rapids public schools, and after getting cardiac care from McLaren Greater Lansing’s team of experts, she’s back to work doing what
she loves.
Schultz’s road to recovery started when was sent to McLaren Greater Lansing for testing after visiting her doctor. At that time, Schultz only knew she was struggling to breathe; but looking back, she can see signs that something was not quite right with her health. “I make birthday cakes for everybody,” said Schultz. “I had forgotten someone’s birthday for the first time in four years. Things were kind of fuzzy for me then, but I didn’t realize it.”
When Schultz went in for her tests, McLaren Greater Lansing staff performed an echocardiogram and found her heart was working at only twenty-five percent of its normal strength. A short time later, McLaren Greater Lansing Cardiothoracic surgeon, Divyakant Gandhi, MD, FACS, FRCS, performed an emergency triple bypass surgery on her heart.
“She had three arteries that were over 90 percent blocked,” said Dr. Gandhi. “We felt that she had to go straight into surgery.”
“The next thing, I know I woke up and was on a vent in the ICU,” said Schultz. “Dr. Gandhi came in to visit me and said, ‘you are one strong woman,’ and that made me feel good. Dr. Gandhi was so nice.”
“McLaren Greater Lansing is a family hospital,” said Dr. Gandhi. “Everyone engages, and everybody wants to do well for the patient. Compassion, empathy, and understanding go a very long way. I’m very grateful we have such a phenomenal team here.”
Schultz credits her entire care team at McLaren Greater Lansing for helping her feel comfortable after her surgery. “Paula overcame obstacle after obstacle, and she conquered them without hesitation, with a positive attitude and an infectious spirit,” said Tiffany Howard, RN at McLaren Greater Lansing. “Being her nurse was an extremely rewarding experience. Caring for her reminded me of the very reason that I became a nurse.”
Schultz’s connection to Howard goes beyond her stay following her surgery. “I had a nurse from heaven,” said Schultz. “My daughter and her are very, very good friends now. I talk to Tiffany at least two to three times a week.”
Schultz appreciates that she was always informed of what was happening when someone came into her room during her stay at McLaren Greater Lansing. “Every person that entered my room identified themselves, told me what they were going to do, and did what they had to. They were very nice, and every one of them asked me if I needed anything and answered any questions I had. I was just totally blown away.”
Schultz says she would tell anyone looking for heart care to go to McLaren Greater Lansing. “They will take care of you. They’re my angels. They know what they’re doing, and they do it well.”
It’s been more than four months since Schultz underwent triple bypass surgery, and she is happy to be back to driving buses and seeing the kids on her route. “I’m in the best shape I think I’ve ever been right now,” said Schultz. “God gave me a second chance to be with my grandchildren and my kids, and not many people get that second chance. Thank God for Dr. Gandhi and his staff.”
