ECMO Saves James After Rare Condition Occurs While in Hospital
James Fane, a 68-year-old veteran and retired law enforcement officer spent 12 days at Baptist Hospital receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. James required the lifesaving treatment due to an unusual condition that causes paralysis of the colon.
ECMO is an intense treatment for people in dire health situations. It provides short-term support for patients with severe conditions in which the heart and lungs are too weak to function. The ECMO machine provides oxygen and blood flow and allows the heart and lungs to rest as the body works to heal.
“The care team in the ICU was phenomenal,” James’ wife, Kimberly, said. “All of the doctors were very encouraging, and they always explained things thoroughly.”
James and Kimberly’s daughter, Laura, is an ICU nurse at Baptist Hospital. “It was a big advantage having her on the ICU floor, as she could stay in touch with the doctors when I was not there,” Kimberly said. “Laura was able to keep an eye on him.”
Without the assistance of ECMO, James’ heart and lungs may not have been able to function at full capacity while his body healed. This lifesaving technology and the experienced care team at Baptist made a difference for James. It saved his life. Baptist Hospital was the first to bring ECMO to Northwest Florida in 2017.
Kimberly recalls the moment when James was removed from ECMO. “It was a joyful moment for me to just hear his voice after they removed the intubation tube.”
Now James is continuing his recovery. “I go to therapy twice a week, and I’m very glad to be back home,” James said.
James is looking forward to getting back to what he loves. The couple are active members of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Milton, Florida, where every Friday, James would assist with loading food at the church’s food pantry. He is actively regaining his strength so that he can once again volunteering and continue living a full life.
