The Apple Watch Saved My Life

In October of 1984 my father, a high school assistant principal at the time brought home my first computer, an Apple IIe (with the super serial card). I was instantly hooked. That was a moment that set me on a course to find my true passion – connecting people with technology to better their lives. Over time I have owned countless Apple devices, none as impactful as my Apple Watch (Series 5). 

 

On June 3, 2020 after finishing up lunch, I started to feel “not right.” I thought it might have been indigestion. All of a sudden, my Apple Watch indicated my heart rate was over 180 beats per minute and indicated AFib. I tried running an ECG and it gave me an error and suggested it was time to call 911. I did, the ambulance crew came and took me to the local hospital. Over the next several hours the amazing team of first line works (during one of the covid peaks) was able to get to stabilize the heart rate. The next morning I had a cardiac cath, which revealed that my aortic valve was in desperate need of replacement. 

 

After a surgery that yielded several significant complications and almost 3 weeks in a medically induced coma, I woke up in the CVICU to start the road to recovery. I spent the next 3.5 weeks or so between step-down and an inpatient rehab, building strength and flexibility. The next several months were incredibly difficult between the physical and mental toll my time in the hospital had on me. The day I got home from the hospital (July 24, 2020), I put back on my Apple Watch and used it to closely monitor my heart rate. I used it to monitor my activity and help me re-gain my independence. When Series 6 was released, I set my alarm and placed my order. The oxygen sensor was a great addition to my recovery. 

 

Now that it has been more than a year, I can say with certainty, the worse of this is in the past. I am once again independent, I’ve lost 170lbs (still more to go), and my latest heart scan was called “remarkable” by my cardiologist. While I am an avid watch collector and have some amazing timepieces in my collection, the only time I ever take my Apple Watch off is to charge it.

 

If it were not for my Apple Watch, I would not be here today. The Apple Watch was a critical piece in the detection of my condition and played a vital role in my recovery. I am without words to properly the entire team at Apple for being part of this series of events this last year and a half. So I will defer to my father’s description of the high school he worked at [Apple] “is made up of people with pride, in a place with purpose.”