Does this sound ... oh, just please read...

[heart1st]

The story itself seems beyond miraculous.

http://international-childrens-medical-foundation.com/Tony/

I am trying to learn more about the sponsoring organization.

The thing that sounds especially weird is this:

the doctors worked on my heart as it lay on a table

But what do I know? Just sounds like it would be a bit hard on the great vessels!

Can folks tell me if this ever happens...

and you can comment on all the other medical weirdnesses that are in the story as well.

The organization sounds...well...what can one say with stories like this?

Thanks very much,

heart1st

[psalm, RN]

...check out the ICMF and see if they are legit. Urban legend? Who is on the board of the organization, anyone recognizable and reputable? Is there a board?

...Ms. Ruha'mah? As in Ms. rumor?

...Don't mean to look cynical, but I would want more info before supporting, esp. with my credit card.

Let us know what you find.

[tvccrn, ASN, RN]

I did send an e-mail to the provided AOL address and asked a couple of questions such as,

"... why are there not any names of where this situation supposedly occurred in the United States?"

and

"... exactly what country is this gentleman from, I didn't find that in the article."

I am wondering if I will recieve a reply.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

...

...Ms. Ruha'mah? As in Ms. rumor?

.

Rucha'mah is a Hebrew name that means 'merciful'. It says later in the story that she is from Israel. But I don't know enough to verify if the rest of the details sound accurate.

[NurseFirst]

Hi,

I wasn't interested in donating.

I'm a moderator on a private internet marketing board where this person had posted, and I was trying to do a bit of vetting--the rules about which the board owner as subsequently clarified, so the vetting is not really necessary now.

I'm still interested in knowing if it makes medical sense that someone's heart would be entirely removed from the thorax, and lay on a table, in order to be operated on. To me, it doesn't. But what do I know? Like I say, it sounds like it would be a bit hard on the great vessels :)

Thanks for all your help!

NurseFirst

[Angie O'Plasty]

I'm still interested in knowing if it makes medical sense that someone's heart would be entirely removed from the thorax, and lay on a table, in order to be operated on. To me, it doesn't. But what do I know? Like I say, it sounds like it would be a bit hard on the great vessels :)

NurseFirst

I agree that it doesn't make sense at all!

[suzanne4, RN]

I have worked in the OR on a heart team and we never remove the heart to work on it on a table. The only time that it is removed is for a transplant. Sure, you can lift it up, but remove it? Why?

Sorry, but someone is really dreaming on this one.

You can remove the breast plate which has been done in Asian countries, and reshape it for kids that have severe pigeon-chest issues, and actually replace it backwards, but you do not remove the heart.

[Angie O'Plasty]

I have worked in the OR on a heart team and we never remove the heart to work on it on a table. The only time that it is removed is for a transplant. Sure, you can lift it up, but remove it? Why?

That is what I thought.