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On August 9, 2009, traffic reporter “Detour” Dave Sandler, a member of the Pikesville Men’s Softball League, collapsed as he scored the winning run during a semi-final playoff game. League manager Dr. Mike Herr and Dr. Scott Katzen, a cardiologist from the University of Maryland Medical Center, were at the game and immediately administered CPR to revive him.
Sandler was brought to UMMC for care. Following bypass surgery, he had a portable defibrillator implanted to help regulate his heart rate and keep it working properly. Now, Sandler is doing well, and on May 11, UMMC donated a portable defibrillator (known as an AED-Automated External Defibrillator) to his league at Northwest Regional Park. The AED, which can be a lifesaving tool when someone goes into cardiac arrest, was purchased from Chesapeake AED Services and will be available during all league games throughout the season. Read Dave’s story below.
"Detour" Dave Sandler
A crazy thing happened on the way to a softball championship. I never got a chance to play in it!
On August 9, 2009, as I was participating in a semi-final playoff game for the Pikesville Men's Softball League, I collapsed on the field after scoring the winning run. Late in the game, following my trip from second base to home plate, I became dizzy and "flat-lined" after scoring. I fell right before entering the dugout. Fortunately for me, Scott Katzen, one of our part-time players and a cardiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, was watching the game that day.
Scott was alerted by his brother Jan that I had fallen, and ran over to find out what happened. He checked my pulse, and discovered that there was none and summoned our manager, ophthalmologist Mike Herr, to immediately perform CPR. In a matter of 30 seconds, I was breathing again and my heart started beating. My color returned, and after paramedics arrived, I was taken to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
From the time I arrived at UMMC, I felt like I was the only one in the hospital. The emergency room was efficient and the nurses and doctors were kind. Dr. Katzen arranged for a room on the cardiac floor and before I knew it, I was in a private room. He called for a cardiac catheterization the next day and determined that I had four arteries that were at least 70 percent blocked. He recommended quadruple bypass surgery and introduced me to cardiac surgeon Dr. Jamie Brown.
Dr. Brown and his amazing staff explained the procedure and assured me that this type of surgery is done many times everyday. My surgery would be scheduled for the next day. Following the bypass, I was seen immediately the next morning by a physical therapy staff member who wanted me to begin walking. I was very frightened, but the technician (his name was Red) was so kind and helpful; he never rushed me. It seemed like it took me a half-hour just to get my feet on the ground. I was so scared, but I was able to take a few steps. It was as if I had just climbed the largest mountain. Quite an accomplishment!
As I gained more strength, Dr. Brown and Dr. Katzen introduced me to Dr. Timm Dickfeld. Dr. Dickfeld told me about an option that would prevent anything like my "incident" from ever happening again. He talked about implanting a portable defibrillator that would not allow my heart to beat too fast or too slow. It would regulate my heart rate and keep it working properly, forever. After meeting with all of the doctors, we all decided that was the way to go. We would have the device installed in a few days.
Ellen Beth Levitt, UMMC's director of Public Affairs & Media Relations presents an automated external defibrillator to Dr. Michael Herr, commissioner of the Pikesville Men's Softball League. Also pictured from left to right are Dave Sandler and Dr. Scott Katzen, a UMMC cardiologist.
Following that procedure and some more physical therapy, it was time to leave the hospital and head home. After spending about a week at the University of Maryland Medical Center, I knew that there was no other hospital for me. From the incredible nursing staff, to the doctors, the students learning to provide health care and everyone involved, it was an amazing experience! They took an impossibly difficult situation and turned it into a pleasant experience. That's right -- after quad-bypass surgery and several procedures later; I thought my stay on Greene Street was great.
Since my original visit to UMMC, I have had to go back a couple of times for different reasons. I've had both in-patient and out-patient experiences. A friend of mine asked me the other day, "Do you get disappointed when you have to go back to the hospital?" I simply say, “No, I'm comfortable there. I know I am in great hands.” I call the University of Maryland Medical Center my “home away from home,”and, that's a good feeling!
I returned to the softball field this spring, and am feeling better each and every day. I am looking forward to resuming all my favorite activities. I know I will be better than ever, thanks to the entire staff at the University of Maryland Medical Center, who gave me another chance!
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