My name is Barbara Drake. My husband, David Drake, had a massive heart attack. He was 52 years old. He went to the cath lab where they put a stent in his left anterior descending artery (known as the widow maker artery). He coded in the cath lab, and they shocked him to get his pulse back. There was so much damage to his heart that they put a machine called an Impella in his heart to pump the blood so his heart could rest.

After 2 weeks, they changed the Impella, originally placed through his groin, to another Impella which pumped a larger volume of blood into his heart through his axillary vein. This seemed more effective. For another 2+ weeks, along with a number of other medications for blood pressure, heart rhythm, blood thinners, and antibiotics, were administered. He had anxiety and panic attacks for which he received more medications.

This man had the greatest will to live and did not want to be a burden and had nothing but praise for the ICU nurses who cared for him. He was so very grateful for the excellent care he had received while at SAMC CV ICU.

After all this, his cardiologist said they had done everything they could but his heart was too damaged and could stop beating at any time. David wanted to go home and spend time with his family.

Gradually, they brought the Impella performance levels down, which took a few days. Then they removed the pump. He tolerated this fairly well, maintaining his vital signs at acceptable levels.

At this point, he was made DNR. To be able to go home, he had to tolerate the removal of all his IV medications as well for 24 hours. They removed all other lines with medications he had been receiving and began comfort measures. Arrangements for hospice were made.

He was able to finally go home. Beautiful memories were made, and he was able to spend 3 days with his wife, mother, sister, brother-in-law, and his son.

On May 20th at 10:10 am, David passed away at home in the arms of his wife.

We are raising money to have a Celebration of Life for this wonderful man who left this world much too soon. David had a heart so big he was always giving to others. He rarely said no to helping those who needed it. He is loved by many and will be sorely missed. Please be as generous as he was his entire life.