Rod La Shelle: Rowing for the Heart

I’ll be going on vacation in December, but I’m not sure you’ll make it until then, ”stated Rod La Shelle’s cardiovascular surgeon in September of 2002. With those words, Rod learned that his long-term heart condition had deteriorated and his vigorous activities might prove too much for his heart to handle.

Rod La Shelle was born with an aortic valve deficiency, which meant blood moved through his heart more slowly than normal. A native to Orange County, Rod had always been aware of his physical limitations, but had consistently been active. He ran track competitively in high school and college and continued with 5K and 10K runs as he grew older.

Following college, he served in the army as a veterinarian. Rod settled permanently in Orange County with wife Caroline and partnered with Bart Baker,M.D. to develop a Santa Ana-based equine practice that required him to travel from Riverside County to San Diego. He grew weary of the late night travel and started his own small animal practice, eventually specializing in spaying, neutering and vaccinations.

Rod learned methods to deal with his valve deficiency and it didn’t affect his life too much. However, in his sixties,he started to experience neck pain during his runs. He was warned that the lack of blood flow could cause his sudden death if the overworked valve failed. It was time to consider surgery or a complete change in his lifestyle.

Slowing Down was Not an Option

Rod needed a long-term solution that would allow him to continue his active lifestyle. His doctor recommended pericardial valve replacement surgery by Douglas Zusman, M.D., at Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute (HHVI). Rod knew of Hoag’s reputation and both his children were born at Hoag. To him it was a “no brainer” to have the surgery at Hoag, and it never occurred to him to go anywhere else. The cardiac surgeons at Hoag Hospital perform more than 400 heart surgeries each year making HHVI Orange County’s highest-volume, highest-rated cardiovascular surgery program. Hoag also received Southern California’s highest rating in the state’s first public report evaluating hospital performance of heart bypass surgery.

Upon further examination, Dr. Zusman explained to Rod that his valve opening was the circumference of a pencil, instead of the width of a man’s thumb, and only pumping 30 cubic centimeters of blood when it should be pumping 70. Rod didn’t want to constantly worry about his health or feel like he was living with a ticking time bomb in his chest, nor did he want to stop doing all the activities he enjoyed.

This made the decision to have surgery easy for Rod. After the surgery, Rod took a little time to recover, but soon was back exercising. Initially he just rowed near his house, and then expanded to rowing up and down the coast for three to five hours a day. Eventuallyf riends started debating whether he could row all the way from Catalina, a good 27 miles off the coast. After increasing his rowing distance and endurance, Rod was finally ready for the big crossing.

In August 2004, Rod set outfrom Catalina. Difficult seas and wind added miles and time onto his journey. Eventually after over 32 miles and 8 hours, Rod made it home. Quite an accomplishmentf  or a 68-year-old man with an aortic valve replacement!

Rod plans to repeat his big rowing trip in summer 2009. He hopes that it will inspire others to continue exercising and living life. He wants people to realize that with proper cardiac care they can livefull lives without being limited to asedentary lifestyle. His procedure at Hoag Hospital allows Rod to continue to pursue his interests and hobbies, including regular golf games, hunting, and spending time at the Newport Beach Athletic Club.

Thank You Hoag!

“If it weren’t for Hoag, Iwouldn’t be here. If I had been born in an earlier time (before this typeof surgery), I would not be alive. I consider myself a lucky man.” Lucky and appreciative, Rod acknowledges the role of his Hoag dream team, cardiologist Kim Swanson, M.D.,and cardiovascular surgeon, Dr.Zusman. When he takes his new oars and starts rowing from Catalina back to the Bay this summer, he hopes to raise awareness of Hoag Hospital’s positive impact on his health and other people’s cardiac wellness. He’ll be rowing for his heart as well as others.