Page 63 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2015

“Todd had a 95 to 99 percent blockage, and not just in one artery,” Eubanks said.
“I was told it was a miracle I was there. I could have lived another hour or gone another week, but I needed to have immediate open heart surgery,” Trenchard said.
He waited three days to have the surgery so his brother could be there, and selected Eubanks
TODD TRENCHARD recovers from open heart surgery.
American Heart Association
2159 East Pass Road, Gulfport 228.604.4585 www.heart.org
as his thoracic surgeon.
The surgery lasted 17 hours for the triple bypass procedure. Trenchard spent a week in the hospital and his recuperation is expected to take another two months.
Trenchard has been overwhelmed at the support he received while in Singing River Hospital as well as from the community. “This has made me take a hard look at my life. I’ve found myself making promises that I won’t work 90 to nothing like I’ve done,” he said. “This has thrown me for a loop.”
With a better blood flow in his body, Trenchard no longer
feels fatigued. He sees this as an opportunity to talk about the importance of early detection for heart disease. He is no stranger to public speaking. He graduated from the Home of Grace in Vancleave 17 years ago, and gives testimonies about his alcohol and drug free life.
“I’m still around for a reason. I had a chance at a new life 17 years ago, and today I have another chance,” he said. “I want to get the word out that because you don’t have symptoms doesn’t mean you don’t have a problem. Early detection in heart disease is critical.”
Eubanks agreed. “God gives us warning signals and oftentimes we ignore his signals. Heart disease is the number one killer for men.”
As a heart surgeon, Eubanks added, “It would be fantastic if I would one day be put out of business.”
THE AHA LISTS SYMPTOMS OF HEART DISEASE:
• Undue fatigue
• Palpitations — The sensation of the heart skipping a
beat or beating too fast
• Dyspnea — Difficult or labored breathing
• Chest pain — Pain or discomfort from increased activity Living a healthy lifestyle of weight management, good nutrition and physical activity plays a role in preventing heart disease.
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November 2015 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 63