David & Pat Talmage
- Author: David & Pat Talmage
“ Lakeview patient, David Talmage, and his wife Pat, had a great experience, "We are beyond grateful for the incredible care David received at Lakeview Hospital. From the moment we arrived through the ER, the staff was fast, attentive, and completely on top of everything. It was a frightening time, but we immediately felt like we were in the best hands."”
We are beyond grateful for the incredible care David received at Lakeview Hospital. From the moment we arrived through the ER, the staff was fast, attentive, and completely on top of everything. It was a frightening time, but we immediately felt like we were in the best hands.
Dr. Salam, David's cardiologist, acted swiftly and decisively. He brought in Dr. John Breaux right away for a surgical evaluation. We can’t say enough about both of them — they were not only highly skilled but also kind, compassionate, and always made sure we understood each step of the journey.
Dr. Breaux diagnosed David with a large tumor in the right ventricle of his heart — a very rare and serious condition. Two years prior, David had part of his liver removed due to cancer and had been healthy and active ever since. Hearing that the tumor might be cancer again was devastating. The mass was so large, we were told it was a wonder any blood was flowing through his heart at all.
Dr. Breaux even consulted with a top tumor surgeon at MD Anderson, but when David was told he could undergo surgery here in Covington, he said without hesitation that he wanted to stay. We felt completely confident in the care he would receive at Lakeview.
The surgery was extensive — 60% of the right ventricle was removed, including the tumor and the damaged tricuspid valve, which was replaced with a pig valve. The missing muscle was reconstructed using Gore-Tex material. Despite the complexity and David's age (79), the surgery and recovery were nothing short of remarkable.
He came off bypass smoothly, recovered quickly in the ICU, and was walking around the floor in no time. Four days later, he was back home. At his one-week follow-up, he looked and felt like he’d never even had surgery. The results truly speak to the skill and dedication of Dr. Breaux and the entire team.
We also want to thank Kelly Grady, NP, who works closely with Drs. Breaux and Salam — she was so helpful and kind throughout our stay. And our experience with Cardiac Rehab, especially Renee Messenger and all the amazing nurses, was just as wonderful. Their encouragement and support have made a world of difference in David’s continued recovery.
From start to finish, we felt truly cared for — not just as patients, but as people. We will always be thankful to Lakeview Hospital and everyone who played a part in David’s care.
With heartfelt gratitude,
David & Pat Talmage