Liberty resident credits Reid physician with saving his life
Harley Glidden has one piece of advice for people who need medical care: “Don’t go any further than Richmond.”
Harley should know. In the last six years, he’s faced a number of health problems, including potentially life-threatening aortic aneurysms. Through it all, he says, doctors and other health professionals at Reid Hospital have provided excellent care.
Harley’s journey began in 2006 during a routine visit to his cardiologist, who noticed symptoms of an aortic aneurysm and ordered further testing. An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in a section of the body’s main artery, the aorta. If the aneurysm ruptures, it can cause serious bleeding that can quickly lead to death.
Harley made an appointment with Dr. Michael Buckmaster, a vascular surgeon on staff at Reid Hospital. During his first appointment, an ultrasound revealed three aortic aneurysms; Harley later developed two more. “I have problems with my kidneys, too, so my case wasn’t exactly routine, “says Harley, now 70. “Dr. Buckmaster was with me every step of the way.”
Over the next several years, Dr. Buckmaster performed six surgeries to repair the aneurysms. His partner, fellow vascular surgeon Dr. William Ducey, performed a seventh. “Dr. Buckmaster told me that my aorta was like a bulging, leaky garden hose,” Harley says. “Two of the surgeries were really challenging because when Dr. Buckmaster opened me up, things were much worse than he thought they would be. Right on the spot he had to think creatively and perform a different procedure than he’d planned.”
Harley appreciates Dr. Buckmaster’s “bedside manner” just as much as his surgical skill. “Dr. Buckmaster tells me what he’s going to do and why, and he answers my questions no matter how many I have,” Harley says. “He also takes time to reassure my wife, Shirley, and explain things to her. He is just a real caring, down to earth type of person.”
These days, Harley sees Dr. Buckmaster once a year for a check-up, although problems with his kidneys bring him to Reid Hospital for ongoing care. “I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Reid doctors,” he says. “Reid has some of the best in the country. I figure I can live to be about 100 as long as I stick with them.”
For more information or to make an appointment, please contact our office at (765) 962-6053.
