Heart: An American Medical Odyssey (45 page)

This story would not have been possible without the tireless, world-class efforts of the physicians, nurses, and staff of the George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, the George Washington University Hospital, Inova Fairfax Hospital, the White House Medical Unit, and several other institutions. Special recognition goes to Dr. Benjamin Aaron, Dr. Ryan Bosch, Dr. Nelson Burton, Dr. Brian Choi, Dr. Lucas Collazo, Dr. Anthony Caputy, Dr. Paul Dangerfield, Dr. Rick Davis, Dr. Shashank Desai, Lori Edwards, Dr. Gigi El-Bayoumi, Dr. Joseph Giordano, Dr. Peter Gloviczki, Dr. Wes Hiser, Dr. Lew Hofmann, Dr. Andrew Holmes, Dr. Dick Katz, Dr. Barry Katzen, Dr. Sung Lee, Dr. Janet Lewis, Dr. Conor Lundergan, Dr. Gary Malakoff, Julia Mason, Dr. Paul Massimiano, Mary Beth Maydosz, Dr. Ramesh Mazhari, Sarah Murphy, Dr. Wayne Olan, Pat Rakers, Dr. Anthony Rongione, Carolyn Rosner, Dr. Allan Ross, Dr. Nader Sadeghi, Dr. Alan Speir, Dr. Cindy Tracy, Dr. Dick Tubb, Dr. Jacob Varghese, Dr. Anthony Venbrux, Dr. Jason Vourlekis, and Dr. Alan Wasserman.

We would also like to thank those who made the book possible, beginning with attorney Bob Barnett, whose excitement for the project was immediately apparent. Bob’s wise counsel and his unique insight every step of the way have been irreplaceable.

We are both grateful to Carolyn Reidy, the CEO of Simon and
Schuster, and Susan Moldow, the publisher of Scribner, for their enthusiasm and support for this project. Our editor Shannon Welch provided seemingly endless encouragement and gently guided us through the amazing and sometimes arduous process of writing this book. We also offer our thanks to the assistance of Simon and Schuster’s John Glynn and Brian Belfiglio.

Two days after Dick Cheney’s heart transplant in March 2012, I sat with Liz and Lynne Cheney in Inova Fairfax Hospital. As it was already quite apparent that the vice president was going to do well, spirits were very high. I told Mrs. Cheney and Liz that the entire history of cardiovascular medicine could be told through the remarkable thirty-five year medical odyssey of Dick Cheney.

Mrs. Cheney said, “That would be a great book!”

“That’s my book,” I said half jokingly.

“Let me tell Dick,” she said as she left the room. In a few minutes Mrs. Cheney returned and said, “Dick loves the idea.”

Two weeks later Liz called and asked if I was serious about the book. I said I was. “Good,” she said. “Dad’s already told Don Rumsfeld he’s writing a book with you.” Such was the beginning of this project, and it would not have been possible without the warm support of Lynne and Liz Cheney.

Liz was an invaluable collaborator from the very beginning of this project, and I will always be grateful for her assistance, friendship, and constant encouragement.

I had the great good fortune to have an “in-house” medical editor (who also happens to be my wife). Charisse is a pulmonary/critical care–medicine physician, and her input was irreplaceable. The writing of this book consumed the little free time my usual occupation affords me, and without the love, patience, and help of Charisse and my daughters, Molly and Jamie, it simply would not have been possible.

Over the past fifteen years almost every member of the division of cardiology at George Washington University Hospital has had a role in the care of Dick Cheney, and I will forever admire their dedication to the treatment of people with heart disease. The group includes Dick Cheney’s former cardiologist, Dr. Allan Ross, who was a mentor to me when I came to GW twenty-three years ago and who gave me my start in academic medicine. Dr. Alan Wasserman, Dr. Dick Katz, and Dr. P. Jacob Varghese were, and continue to be, my teachers, and to them I offer my deepest respect and gratitude. My colleagues Dr. Cindy Tracy and Dr. Sung Lee were important members of the team caring for Vice President Cheney, and their skill and professionalism have always been remarkable. Dr. Gary Malakoff cared for Mr. Cheney for many years, and after his departure his very large shoes were not easy to fill. Dr. Gigi El-Bayoumi, who became the vice president’s internist five years ago, is one of the most remarkable physicians I have had the honor of working with, and she continues to teach me much about the art of medicine and the healing power of compassion.

Dr. Lew Hofmann will have my eternal respect and admiration. Lew has the rare combination of competence, professionalism, and humility. Lew spent more than twenty years in service to the Air Force and this country, including eight years caring for Vice President Cheney and his family. If we had a most valuable player award it would go to Lew.

Over the last few years I have had the great pleasure of working with the heart failure team at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Dr. Shashank Desai and his colleagues have built a superb program, and their care for a critically ill Dick Cheney was remarkable. Special thanks go to Dr. Nelson Burton, Dr. Anthony Rongione, Dr. Alan Speir, Dr. Jason Vourelkis, and nurse practitioners Carolyn Rosner, Lori Edwards, and Mary Beth Maydosz.

As the deadline for this manuscript sped closer, my colleague Dr. Ramesh Mazhari very generously assumed some of my clinical duties and shooed me off to the library, enabling me to complete the book. Dr. Miriam Fishman and Gwen Grossman reviewed portions
of the manuscript, and their thoughtful input was helpful and always appreciated.

Finally, I would like to thank Vice President Dick Cheney for his wholehearted commitment to this project. It’s not easy to sift through decades of your own medical records, documenting the relentless progression of a lethal illness, but the vice president did just that, always with great curiosity and enthusiasm.

As we were completing the book I asked Vice President Cheney if he was at all apprehensive when he received the call alerting him that a heart had been found and within a few hours he would be undergoing a transplant.

“No,” he said.

“The last operation to place the VAD almost killed you. Why weren’t you afraid?” I persisted.

“Because you told me the transplant would be easier.”

There is no greater honor for a physician than to have a patient place his or her trust in you, and I will forever be humbled by the confidence placed in me by this singular patient and by every patient for whom I am privileged to provide care.