Tim Hale, of Sandy Springs, talks about his vascular surgery journey and how a split-second decision saved his life.
I never imagined how quickly my life would change due to a simple muscle cramp in my left leg.
On Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, I woke up with a cramp in my leg. As a tall person (6'6"), occasional leg cramps weren’t unusual for me. But that day, no matter how much I stretched or moved, the pain wouldn’t go away. As I was preparing for bed, my wife, Ellen, noticed me stretching my leg and foot. I hadn’t told her about the cramp. When I mentioned the “pins and needles” feeling in my foot, she told me to get dressed; we were going to the emergency room immediately.
By the time we arrived at the Northside Hospital Atlanta ER, my left foot was numb, my leg was turning white and the pain was unbearable. Ellen dropped me off at the entrance while she went to park the car. This was during the pandemic, so the hospital had strict protocols in place.
After undergoing various scans and tests, we learned that the vascular surgeon on call, Dr. Thomas Matthews, was at Northside Forsyth but would rush over as soon as he finished his surgery. He arrived at 4:30 a.m.
I first met Dr. Matthews in a haze of confusion, fear and pain. Despite just coming out of surgery, he drove down the freeway, fully aware of the gravity of my situation. He was calm, reassuring and patient, explaining the surgical procedures to Ellen and me. Though he said the surgery would be challenging, he was confident he could handle it.
And handle it he did. My condition required four surgeries over two months and a fifth surgery in 2023. I had a thrombosed 7cm popliteal artery aneurysm (blood clot) in my left leg; typically, aneurysms in the leg are treated at 2cm. I was at risk of a stroke, heart attack, lung embolism, loss of life and loss of my leg. My right leg had a 4cm popliteal aneurysm that would need attention soon and there was a small 4cm aneurysm in my abdomen, though it wasn’t immediately life-threatening.
I underwent emergency surgery at 5 a.m. Sunday morning to insert a catheter into the artery and deploy a clot-busting soaker hose. I had to lie completely still for 30 hours with no blood flow to my leg. During this time, my lower leg muscles began swelling. The doctors expected some swelling, but mine was excessive, leading to a condition called compartment syndrome.
This necessitated another emergency surgery. Once again, Dr. Matthews, despite being engaged in another operation, insisted on returning to handle the procedure himself. The second surgery was a fasciotomy, which involved making two large incisions in my calf to relieve the pressure and allow the muscles to expand. Without this, I could have lost my leg. Dr. Matthews also placed two stents in my left leg.
The third surgery was scheduled for late December at Northside Forsyth to close the fasciotomy incisions. The night before, likely due to anxiety, I passed out, prompting Ellen to call an ambulance. Since I was already at the hospital, another vascular surgeon from the practice stepped in and partially closed the incisions.
I spent two grueling months with a wound vacuum machine at home, with nurses visiting three times a week to change bandages and ensure the vacuum seal was intact. Even after the vacuum came off, my leg had a large, semi-open wound. Each day was a battle against infection as I watched my skin slowly close the fasciotomy incisions. I hadn’t had a proper bath or shower since Dec. 11, only sponge baths.
The fourth surgery took place on Feb. 28, 2022, to address the aneurysm in my right leg. Dr. Matthews performed a popliteal aneurysm repair using an arterial bypass, closing the incisions with twenty-four staples.
The fifth surgery, in Sept. 2023, was to repair a 5cm abdominal aortic aneurysm. Dr. Matthews, through scans and ultrasounds, monitored the aneurysm’s growth and performed an endovascular abdominal stent graft. This procedure required only one night in the hospital and recovery was swift.
Now, I have a clean bill of health. All my vascular issues are resolved. I still have both legs and no significant physical limitations. I do have some numb areas in my legs and feet due to nerve damage, but this is a small price compared to what could have happened.
I’ve been told repeatedly by health professionals and others in similar situations that my outcome is exceptional. I am incredibly grateful to all the nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists and environmental services staff who kept me alive and aided in my recovery.
Dr. Matthews saved my life and my limbs. He is an extraordinary man and a brilliant surgeon. He is my hero and Ellen’s as well. Throughout my ordeal, he and his team — Sarah, Cindy and Madison — kept me alive and well-informed, answering my many questions with compassion and patience. They guided me through the health care system maze.
A special thanks to Jessica from the Wound and Ostomy Care Department, who calmed me when I was in shock after seeing the fasciotomy incisions and wound vacuum. When I needed a component for my home wound vacuum to be discharged, Jessica stayed after her shift to find it for me. She truly went the extra mile!
Now, I have some “manly” scars and I tell anyone who will listen to have their doctor check the pulses in their knees and feet. Blood clots are a silent killer.
Learn more about Northside Hospital Heart Institute.
