WASHINGTON — A 90-year-old Washington man survived an aortic aneurysm in Houston while visiting family just a few months ago. After two immediate surgeries, weeks of physical therapy and help from family and friends, Jack Winslade is back to his normal self. On March 22, Winslade boarded a plane in Evansville, flew to Atlanta, boarded another plane, flew to Houston and made his way to the baggage claim and doesn’t remember any of it. In fact, he doesn’t remember anything until April 10. That’s nearly three weeks. “I went to church Sunday evening (March 21), and I came home and that is the last thing that I can remember,” he said. “I had no idea anything was wrong with me. Physically, I thought I was in good shape.” His daughter-in-law Katie found him passed out on a bench in the baggage claim area of the airport in Houston. There was a woman hovering over him who said she was a cardiologist and told Katie he didn’t have a heart attack. “Whether that lady rode with me or found me there, I have no idea,” he said. Winslade was taken by ambulance to a hospital where he was diagnosed with pneumonia. Katie, being a retired nurse, thought there was something more wrong with him. “She insisted that they have a CAT scan taken,” he said. “And then they realized that they had more to deal with than what they could handle.” He was taken to another hospital where it was determined he had an aortic aneurysm. “Dr. Safi is one of the world’s leading cardiac surgeons, and he just happened to be there,” he said of Dr. Hazim J. Safi. “I can’t really claim any accomplishments that I have done on my own. I have always been at the right place at the right time, and this was no exception.” Winslade had open heart surgery that took care of his aorta port. But his nurse Anna, affectionately known as Anna-Banana, thought he was still losing blood. The following day, he was operated on again. His chest was reopened for another surgery. Through all of this, Winslade only has a couple of memories, but he was still communicating. “Katie said I talked to people and carried on conversations,” he said though, he doesn’t remember it. He was released from the hospital on April 10 and was taken to a nursing home for physical therapy. After two weeks of physical therapy in the nursing home, he went back to check up with Dr. Safi. Safi told him he’d already given lectures in Tel Aviv and London using Winslade as part of his presentation because of the unique circumstances. “He told me, ‘Your name is going to be known around the world,’” Winslade said. He was dismissed on April 28 and was given the option to stay in Texas or come back home. Deciding to come home, Winslade, Katie and his son Bill came back to Indiana on May 1. After two weeks of having 24/7 assistance, Winslade was able to stay by himself. Winslade completed his last therapy session June 28, and now exercises on his own by walking laps around his circle driveway. “If it hadn’t been for Katie and that one nurse Anna-Banana...that’s what got me through this,” he said. “I tell people Katie is my angel on earth.” According to Dr. Safi, Winslade had a less than 3 percent survival chance because of the complicated medical issues and his age. “I feel like the good Lord has something yet for me to do, otherwise all that effort wouldn’t have been made to save this old man,” Winslade said with a grin. “I think just by being here it will show people if you take care of your body physically, emotionally and spiritually it can survive a large amount of trauma,” he said. Winslade is feeling better and enjoying company. His daughter Cindy and son-in-law Tony Burger live nearby and help him out with various needs. “I’ve been blessed with a lot of people who come and visit me,” he said. “It’s just amazing..
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Jack Winslade laughs as he recounts his experience in Texas earlier this year when he suffered an aortic aneurysm. The 90-year-old’s surgeon told him his case has already been described in Tel Aviv and London lectures. Kelly Overton
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