Charles, a retired Marine, began experiencing unusual fatigue. His doctor at Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists diagnosed him with congestive heart failure. Charles’ condition progressed rapidly, but he was fortunate to receive a heart transplant soon after the diagnosis. He is thankful to still be here today, having overcome the odds.

Charles, Transplant Patient:
My name is Charles Edward Williams. That’s my government name. Friends call me my nickname “Duke.” I did 27 years in the United States Marine Corps, retired as an E8. Then, I went on to work for the City of Shreveport. I was pretty much an active individual. At my job, I still walked and ran. I went to the gym. That has always been my big things. I kind of felt this coming on in a form of fatigue, tiredness, sleepiness, just wasn’t myself. My first contact, of course, was Dr. Gooszen for my heart doctor, and he went in. They drew blood. They did what they necessarily needed to do. Then, he talked to me and let me know that what you’re feeling, what’s happening, is that you have congestive heart failure.

Kellie Hart, BSN, RN, Heart Failure Clinic Coordinator:
His heart failure progressed pretty rapidly after that. We picked up on it, and immediately got a referral for advanced heart failure. He started going to Dallas and started getting the workup. They would get him out of trouble. He’d come back home, and he would decline in a matter of days. He had been home from Dallas for a few days.

Elizabeth Willis, RN, APRN, FNP-BC, Heart Failure Clinic Nurse Practitioner:
He was having more trouble with keeping the fluid off. He was more short of breath, having trouble sleeping at night.

Charles:
I told my wife … I got up. We got up. I had been sleeping. I got up, and I told her, “I don’t feel well, honey.” It was just a peculiar kind of feeling, but I didn’t feel well. What happened is she brought me over to Highland to the emergency room.

Kellie:
He walked into the office and saw us. We instantly recognized it. We knew he was in trouble. We made one phone call, and he was transferred that evening. He was able to get a heart transplant a few days later.

Charles:
You know, I can’t say enough about ACS. I tell you, without those two women there, I wouldn’t be here today. I know that for a fact.