Gary Kahle

Simply stated, 52-year-old Gary Kahle is a truly remarkable man.

A farmer from rural Chatsworth, Ill., Gary lives with his wife of eight years, Barb, and farms with his brother Steve. Gary describes his role as the office manager and bookkeeper, while his brother primarily works outdoors.

"My father was a farmer and it has always been our way of life," says Gary. "I have a deep love of rural life."

Mitral Valve Surgery Needed

In the fall of 2005, Gary visited a cardiologist in Illinois who recommended that Gary have mitral valve repair surgery. The doctor sent Gary's records to Mayo Clinic, and soon surgery was scheduled with cardiac surgeon Thomas Orszulak, M.D.

The mitral valve in the heart regulates blood flow from the upper left chamber (atrium), to the lower left chamber (ventricle). Each year in the United States, more than 50,000 mitral valve operations are performed.

Gary's surgery would require a sternotomy (opening of the sternum), and he would be put on a heart-lung machine while the procedure was being performed.

"Gary is a Phenomenal Individual"

Although Dr. Orszulak had performed many similar operations, what made Gary's situation unique is that he is paraplegic. In 1975, Gary was seriously injured in a farming accident which left the lower half of his body paralyzed.

"It was very difficult coming back to the farm," says Gary. "I was 21 at the time. But my love of farming attracted me and keeps me here, even though physically I'm not able to do anything with the farm."

Dr. Orszulak was impressed with Gary from the moment he met him.

"Gary is a phenomenal individual, just incredible," says Dr. Orszulak. "The thing that struck me most was his general motivation — he is absolutely motivated to overcome anything."

Gary credits his family for helping foster a positive attitude towards life.

"I was born into a very positive, energetic family, with a strong religious faith," says Gary. "You can choose to be positive or negative, and I try to be positive."

Good as New

Surgery of this type on a paraplegic is extremely rare, and Gary worked with Dr. Orszulak's nurse to find detailed answers to all his questions. Since Gary relies completely on his arms, he was most concerned about how the surgery would affect their mobility and how he would manage during recovery.

"I was relieved to learn that it might take longer for me to heal, but in the end, I would be good as new," says Gary.

Remarkably, Gary checked into the hospital on Dec. 12, 2005, and was released on Dec. 29, more than three weeks early. And while some patients might be depressed to spend the holidays away from home and hospitalized, Gary chose instead to focus on the positive, such as attending a beautiful chapel service at Saint Marys Hospital on Christmas Day.

The Picture of Health

Dr. Orszulak reports that Gary did so well after the operation that he was able to go home without physical therapy, in part because he has always taken good care of his health.

"Besides being a positive individual, Gary is the picture of health, despite being in a wheelchair," says Dr. Orszulak. "He takes excellent care of himself, and is a testament to the fact that it is in your best interest to do the best with what you've got. Just because an individual is handicapped doesn't mean they won't have heart problems."

Gary is also quick to praise Dr. Orszulak and the Mayo staff, and especially appreciated their flexibility and willingness to work with him throughout the process.

"I just felt very safe at Mayo," says Gary. "They were concerned about my well-being, even with all the baggage that comes with being a paraplegic. I also have some food allergies, including wheat and tomatoes, and that was no problem for them. The patients really are their main concern."

Back on the Farm

Today, Gary is back into his routine, doing the same activities he did before surgery, and enjoying time with his wife and friends, socializing, going out to dinner and taking in the movies. According to Gary, Dr. Orszulak has transferred his records to a local doctor. However, Gary can still call Dr. Orszulak with questions.

"I don't think I could have done what Gary has done," says Dr. Orszulak. "He didn't want to lose any time, and he wanted to do it and get better and move on. He is a motivation to everyone to overcome their misfortunes and make the most of their life.