Transplant Doctors Help Suburban Veteran Keep Special Tattoo
Life of Service
Louis B. Smith Jr. served in the Army for 21 years. But Smith faced one of his most life-threatening moments off the battlefield and at home in Country Club Hills. At 63, Smith was diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, which causes heart failure. Around Thanksgiving last year, he was given priority status on the heart transplant list.
Two weeks later, the transplant surgery was good to go. However, Smith had a request to his surgeon before the procedure. “Can you do me a favor?” Smith asked. “When you cut me, can you try to save the tattoo on my chest?”
It was a request Smith’s cardiac surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Bryner, at Northwestern Medicine’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute was happy to follow — especially since Smith was so good at following doctors’ requests.
“He was up for any kind of challenge we said he was going to need to do and up for any audacious plan for him,” Bryner said. “He didn’t bat an eyelash at these things.”
A Tattoo Worth Saving
Once Smith was diagnosed with the genetic illness cardiac amyloidosis, Smith saw his motor skills decline, he said. Tasks like mowing the lawn or tending to his flowers, which he does with his wife, became extremely difficult. Going up a few stairs would leave him out of breath.
Protecting the tattoo was important to him when he was finally able to get a heart transplant. The tattoo, which reads, “I did it my way,” is a reference to the famous Frank Sinatra song “My Way.” It’s one Smith used to sing with his father before he died in 2007.
Requests like this aren’t uncommon, Bryner said. Making sure the patient’s request is respected is always important.
“What we’re already proposing with surgery is in some (way) an imposition on their personal space and privacy and identity,” he said. “I think it’s a good chance to reiterate our respect for them as an individual.”
After the Surgery
After a long recovery, Smith is getting back to normal. He even was able to bike all the way to Springfield this year, though that’s not as far as his cross-country trips often take him.
All in all, Smith is grateful to his doctors and to the family of the person who gave him a new heart.
“I would really love to tell them that personally,” he said. “I’m a personal person, and I just want everybody to come together.”
Conclusion
Smith’s story is a testament to the importance of respecting patients’ requests and the impact that a simple tattoo can have on a person’s identity. As Smith continues to recover and get back to his normal life, he will always cherish the tattoo that holds so much significance to him.
FAQs
Q: What is cardiac amyloidosis?
A: Cardiac amyloidosis is a genetic illness that causes heart failure.
Q: Why was it important for Smith to save his tattoo?
A: The tattoo, which reads “I did it my way,” held significant meaning to Smith as it was a reference to the famous Frank Sinatra song and a reminder of his father who passed away.
Q: Is it common for patients to request that their tattoos be saved during surgery?
A: Yes, requests like this are not uncommon, and doctors strive to respect patients’ requests and preserve their personal identity.
Q: How is Smith recovering after the surgery?
A: Smith is getting back to normal and has even been able to bike long distances again.
