Robert Wilson’s family thought he would be admitted to Blessing Hospital for observation after experiencing severe headaches.
Instead, the 59-year-old brick mason from Pittsfield, Illinois, would face the fight of his life.
Problems within the arteries in the back of his neck were causing Robert to suffer a “shower of strokes” and his brain to swell. Blood thinners, the first line of treatment to stop the strokes, were not working. His condition was deteriorating quickly.
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| Dr. Gayatri Sonti |
Surgery was the next medical response to create room within Robert’s skull for his swelling brain, but it would be complicated because of the blood thinners. Dr. Gayatri Sonti, fellowship trained and board-certified Blessing Health neurosurgeon, was on-call as Robert’s condition deteriorated. She explained to the family the delicate and risky surgery.
“At that point, because there was so much swelling in his brain, that could result in death as well,” said Robert’s son, Tim Jenkins, about the risk of uncontrollable bleeding during surgery.
Dr. Sonti then made an offer that shocked Tim.
“What I appreciated about her from the moment that I met her is that she was very humble and honest,” he stated. “She said, ‘If I were in your situation, I might want a second opinion. If that is what you want, I respect that and will do everything I can to help arrange it.’ She also told us, ‘I’ve been doing this for 21 years. I am confident that I can save Robert’s life.’”
The family was confident with Dr. Sonti and her skills and approved the surgery.
Waiting is the hardest part
In the hours after the procedure, Robert showed no signs of improvement. Dr. Sonti prepared the family for the worst-case scenario if his condition did not improve soon - long-term brain damage as a result of the strokes and brain swelling.
“When she broke the news we were devastated, and my mom kind of melted to the floor,” Tim recalled. “As she went to the floor, Dr. Sonti went with her and just sat there and held my mom for what seemed like an eternity. I could see the tears in Dr. Sonti’s eyes and knew that she felt the pain that we felt.”
“I have had a lot of surgeries in my life and I’ve met a lot of doctors and surgeons here and abroad,” he continued. Tim lived and worked overseas for 15 years, including with the United Nations. “Never in my life or career have I met a surgeon with such compassion and empathy.”
Robert has his say
Two days after surgery Robert began showing signs of improvement. But Day 4, he started opening eyes and following commands and moving all extremities.
“Miraculously, Robert started showing signs of improvement,” Dr. Sonti said joyfully with a smile on her face.
“He started squeezing our hands with ‘yes and no’ signals and wiggling his feet,” Tim added.
Robert was hospitalized a total of four weeks, two of those in the Intensive Care Unit. He has a long way to go in his recovery, but will apparently have no long-term, life-altering side affects from his strokes. The surgery did its job.
“The day he was discharged, we all cried happily,” the doctor said. “We were grateful for this true miracle that happened.”
It takes teamwork
Dr. Sonti gives much credit to the intensive care unit and rehabilitation services doctors and staff involved in Robert’s care during his hospitalization and beginning of his recovery.
One of those caregivers was Michelle Summy, RN. She has 37 years of experience as an intensive care unit nurse and cared for Robert – and his family.
“Between Dr. Sonti and Michelle, and many other Blessing staff members – but these two in particular - I felt secure,” Tim said. “Those two were just solid rocks of support, which I did not even know was in their job description, to be that empathetic and supportive.”
“I just got so attached to them all very quickly,” Michelle said of Robert and his family. “I love what I do, and caring for patients and families like this is why. Robert is our miracle guy.”
“Dr. Sonti was amazing with me and with the family,” Michelle concluded. “It was like we were all one person.”
“She is an outstanding nurse,” Dr. Sonti said of Michelle. “Care is more than knowledge and critical thinking. The most important skills I value are compassion and true empathy. These are skills someone in the medical profession must have that cannot be taught. She is the ultimate in both.”
“My dad amazed us all,” Tim said. “It has been one victory after another, a credit to his fortitude and human spirit, and to being surrounded by really competent and inspiring women like Dr. Sonti and Michelle. I’ve never met anyone like them. My dad is here today because of them and many other wonderful staff at Blessing Hospital.”
“The decision our family made to stick with Dr. Sonti will go down as the best decision we ever made.”
Support beyond the walls of Blessing
Tim and the rest of the Wilson family found support from outside the hospital, too, including from the volunteers of the Teresa Adams House. The House is where people can stay at a discounted rate when a loved one or friend is receiving care in Quincy.
“The Teresa Adams House - what a godsend,” Tim exclaimed. “What would we have done without it? It’s affordable. It’s right here. It’s a comfortable and quality space. And having someone smile at you when you walk in and offer to help you in any way they can, I really can’t emphasize how great it was.”
Tim adds the outpouring of support of family friends has been incredible, particularly in their native Pike County, Illinois.
“I have been away for so long that I forgot how much our community rallies around those who need it,” he concluded.
For more information on Blessing’s neurosurgical care, go to blessinghealth.org/neurosurgery. For more information on the Teresa Adams House, go to blessinghealth.org/locations/teresa-adams-house.