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Carson Tahoe Health
Almost 30 years to the day after the double bypass heart surgery that likely saved his life, Carson City resident Royce “Roy” Robinson finally did what he had hoped to do for decades. He personally thanked the surgeon who operated on him. Now 90, Roy reunited with Dr. Todd Chapman in a meeting that Carson Tahoe Hospital and Physician Assistant Carmella Downing organized. He stood beside his wife Marcia and shared his gratitude, telling Dr. Chapman, “This is something I wanted to do for years, to come in and talk and say thank you from my heart.”
A Lifesaving Moment That Changed Everything
Roy’s heart journey began with what he believed was a routine checkup. A treadmill test quickly led to more serious news. “They came back and said the test was positive. I said great. They said no — positive is not great,” Roy recalled, as doctors explained they discovered a blockage. Doctors used an angiogram to confirm the need for immediate surgery. His first reaction was fear, which Dr. Chapman later noted is completely normal. Roy weighed his options simply — surgery or the possibility of not surviving. He chose to move forward. He spent eight days in the hospital, which was typical at the time. Marcia remembers the anxiety of those days and the compassion the nursing team showed throughout his recovery.
One detail Roy still remembers clearly is the heart pillow he used after surgery. It supported his chest when coughing or moving. After coughing once without it nearby, he quickly learned to keep it close at all times. Looking back, Roy credits lifestyle changes made after surgery, including weight loss and regular exercise, for helping him stay healthy. Dr. Chapman emphasized the lasting lesson behind Roy’s story: regular checkups matter, because you cannot know your blood pressure, cholesterol, or heart health without regular screenings. As Carson Tahoe Health recognizes American Heart Health Month, Roy’s long-awaited thank-you serves as a reminder. It reflects the lasting impact of skilled care, early detection, and trust built over a lifetime.
