Page 12 - Palm City Spotlight - February '25

Page 12, Palm City Spotlight

cLeveLand cLinic MarTin HeaLTH neWs

Heart Surgery Brings Quality Three days after his operation, he was discharged from the
hospital. Three months later he was back on the golf course.
Of Life For Older Patient “This was my goal all the way through,” Erickson says.
“It was a miracle to me.”
At 89 years old, Curtis Erickson says he still has a lot of Savage says a team approach is key to successful
living left to do. The avid golfer intends to keep enjoying outcomes in heart surgery. It is important to empower
the game with friends while also spending time with his patients by making recommendations and involving them
beloved family which includes five – soon to be seven – in the decision-making process.
great-grandchildren. “You have to be motivated to do this,” he says. “It’s
“Life couldn’t be any better,” Curtis says. not easy. I tell patients that it’s going to be hard, but you
It is exactly this outlook that Edward Savage, M.D., a can get through this, and you can’t give up. You have
cardiothoracic surgeon at Cleveland Clinic Martin North to devote energy to recovering. You have to eat, follow
Hospital, looks for in patients for whom he may recommend instructions and get out of bed.”
heart surgery. Savage was hesitant initially to recommend surgery since He adds that most of his patients are usually “on the
“Determinants for being a candidate for heart surgery are Erickson had reduced heart function and also had undergone road to complete recovery” within a few weeks.
functional and physical status, not necessarily chronological heart surgery 10 years prior to have a valve replaced. “It turned out just wonderful for me. I’m so glad
age,” Dr. Savage says. “But he was very motivated and functionally in good Cleveland Clinic is here,” Erickson says. After living
When Erickson was referred to Savage for coronary status,” Savage says. “For him, 89 wasn’t an age, either. in many different cities during his career in school
bypass surgery last year, he was in overall good health He had all these other things to do and was not ready to photography, he moved to the Stuart area in 1981. For
despite his age and had the will to get through the surgery throw in the towel. He wanted to feel better to do the things the past eight years he and his companion, Vicky, have
to feel better. he wanted to do.” been splitting their time between Florida and Michigan.
“His condition was an impediment to how he wanted his So, on April 5, 2023, Erickson underwent open-heart “I feel very blessed.”
life to be,” Savage says. “He was a motivated guy.” surgery at Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital. To make an appointment with Dr. Savage or another
Erickson had been dealing with shortness of breath, chest Though he was nervous, he said he was shocked at cardiovascular specialist at Cleveland Clinic in Florida,
pain, fatigue and significantly reduced heart function when “how calm and reassured I felt when I went down (to the call (877) 463-2010 or visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/
his cardiologist referred him to Savage. He had coronary operating room).” Heart to learn more.
artery disease and was not a candidate for stents. His only “Dr. Savage has a wonderful way about him,” Erickson
treatment option was open-heart bypass surgery. says. “He gives you so much confidence.”
kids corner

When Young Kids Hate neuropsychological testing provides answers. We also test school’s special education teacher to work with her in
for processing problems such as a weakness in phonics
addition to her private tutoring. Parents used children’s
Themselves development and memory. Once you understand the specific books to help with her anxiety of being embarrassed for
problem you can then provide the right treatment to help. her reading struggles. In a follow-up conversation, her
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., The testing revealed this child had dyslexia with mom said she had renewed hope for her child’s future.
School Psychologist anxiety. Her mom followed up with one of the specialized We test students from age 2 through college for
My first grader has tutors and started three times a week tutoring. Once she dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, and more.
recently said, “I hate received our written report, the teacher helped get the Call us at (561) 625-4125 to discuss your child or learn
myself” because she doesn’t child an IEP for school support. The IEP allowed the more at www.JimForgan.com.
feel smart. She says things
are too hard and I can see
her getting discouraged. She
has trouble remembering
letters, sounds, some
numbers. She can’t keep up
with everyone. Her teacher
says she is the lowest one in her class.”
This concerned parent’s description of her child cried
out for help and understanding. It is highly unusual for
a young student to make statements such as they hate
themself, they feel dumb, or they want to die. No student
wants to go to school and repeatedly fail. Furthermore, it
is a giant red flag when your child’s teacher says your child
is the lowest one in the class. Given these challenges, this
young child’s self-esteem is at risk of long-term damage.
As a concerned parent, you can provide your child
with support and understanding. If you suspect an
underlying learning disability like dyslexia, our school

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