Here for your Emergency: Michael’s Story

Michael Wietor is a semi-retired PGA golf professional who continues to work part-time in a local golf shop and provides golf lessons. On Friday, January 19^th, Michael was at home when his heart stopped, and he quit breathing.

“My wife called 9-1-1 immediately and began CPR, said Michael. “Her quick response gave me a fighting chance and allowed time for EMS to arrive.”

Once Watertown EMS arrived, Michael was still not breathing so they took over CPR, giving Michael’s wife a much-needed break. As soon as they were able to get his heart restarted, they quickly transferred him to Watertown Regional Medical Center’s emergency department which is only a few blocks away.

“As soon as I arrived in the Emergency Department my heart stopped again. The emergency room personnel, led by Dr. Nestor Rodriguez, acted quickly and got my heart beating again,” said Michael. “I will always be grateful for Dr. Rodriguez and his staff in the Watertown Regional Medical Center Emergency Department for bringing me back to life a second time.”

Once Michael was stabilized, he was taken to the ICU for further monitoring. There he was seen by Cardiologists Dr. Salim Shammo and Dr. Paul Volkert, both of whom he had a previous relationship with.

“Living only a few blocks away, I already had an established relationship with the cardiologists in Watertown,” said Michael. “Although seeing them in the ICU was a different experience, both doctors continued to provide exceptional care and went above and beyond to make me feel like family. Their bedside manner was refreshing.”

While in the ICU, Michael received wonderful care from several hospitalists and nurses, including Dr. Zach Richardson and nurses Kristine, Shandell, and Annie. During his time there, he mentioned one ICU nurse who stood out above all, Melissa Troyer.

“Melissa was with me from the time arrived in the ICU until I was transferred out,” said Michael. “I will never forget how she took a vested interest in my care and recovery. She comforted my wife and kept her informed of my treatment. I could never put into words what her care has meant to me, and my wife. We were treated with kindness, respect and dignity. I cannot remember ever being treated so well during a hospital stay.”

Michael ended up staying in Watertown’s ICU for four days. During this time, his medical team, including the before-mentioned cardiologists, decided his best course of treatment would be having a defibrillator implanted at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

 “I feel it’s important Watertown Regional Medical Center has a close relationship with the academic hospitals in Madison and Milwaukee,” said Michael. “Because my transfer from the ICU went smoothly, I was able to get the care I needed in a timely manner so I could return home and continue my treatment locally.”

Slowly things are returning to normal for Michael. Since he can’t drive, he credits his wife with taking him to appointments. He is slowly regaining his strength and has started cardiac rehabilitation at Watertown Regional Medical Center.

“Cardiac Rehabilitation is going well,” said Michael. “Once I’ve completed my prescribed rehab program, I’m planning on joining the Wellness Center. The staff and equipment here are first rate and I’m hoping to continue my journey for the foreseeable future.”

One thing Michael does know is he is thankful for everyone at Watertown Regional Medical Center for their professionalism, quality of care and overall kindness and respect.

“Everyone who I’ve come in contact with has provided exceptional care, beginning with the emergency room personnel and continuing with the doctors and nurses in the ICU,” said Michael. “Not too long after I returned home, I reached out to the hospital about coming back to thank everyone. The marketing department did a great job coordinating a meeting when the ICU nurses who worked on me would be there, and I was able to bring them some baked goods. It was the least I could do for all they did for me.”