trina-d-hennis

This is a testimonial written to praise the professionalism, creativity, and care I received over a 16 month period from September of 2010 through January 2012, from Dr. Robert Martin, Dr. Walter Bernacki, and Dr. Christopher Zochowski. Working in unison they saved my left arm. How thankful I am that these talented Physicians came into my life as I really wasn’t finished using my arm if it could be prevented.

I broke my arm in September of 2010. The squad took me to Mt. Carmel East emergency room where Dr. Robert Martin happened to be performing surgery. He came to look at my arm. The ulna was completely broken and the radius was dislocated. He performed surgery to repair the breaks. Unfortunately the bones wouldn’t heal. Radiation therapy for a synovial sarcoma had been done in 1988 and it destroyed the bone marrow. Dr. Martin transplanted marrow from my left leg along with some other product. The healing process began but the titanium rod would not heal over. Dr. Martin sent me to a wound specialist/plastic surgeon, Dr. Walter Bernacki.

Dr. Bernacki’s first, less invasive surgery, did not have the desired results so he and his partner, Dr. Christopher Zochowski, consulted together to form a new strategy. They both operated on me in November 2011. A latissimus dorsi was attached to feed blood to the skin graft they created. My blood vessels had been adversely affected by the radiation as well. Both physicians attended to my wound dressings while in the hospital. I was then taken to a nursing/rehab facility where my doctors expressly guided my care with dressing changes and antibiotics. The muscle feeding my arm was something many doctors, nurses, students and staff were amazed by and curious to see.

Upon leaving rehab Dr. Zochowski attached a wound vacuum to the wound site. I messed it up before the day was over and he immediately met me at St. Ann’s to fix the problem. It was December 23rd and he had a new baby. I felt awful he had to leave his family due to my negligence. But he came and was happy to do so.

To aid healing, I was then treated to several weeks of hyperbaric treatments at Grant Hospital. They, too, were wonderful.

I finished with Dr. Martin sending me to physical therapy.

Throughout the entire process these doctors were so vigilant, caring, supportive, and their creative approach saved my arm. Their knowledge and talent was superlative and while they exuded confidence in themselves, they were not arrogant. They laughed and cried with me. I cannot thank them enough.

I have my limb and it works just fine! So many file complaints; I wanted to send accolades!!! These doctors are beyond compare!

Sincerely,

Trina D. Hennis

Retired Teacher/Attorney