Why John Schenkel Looks Forward to His Treatment Every Week
John Schenkel's story begins as many do — he made a routine visit to his primary care physician. But his physician discovered an irregularity with his blood test.
After meeting with specialists, it was determined John had non-alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver requiring immediate follow-up treatment.
John was on the liver and kidney transplant list. His doctors also told him about a procedure he
could do every week to relieve fluid around his organs.
"At 78, I looked at this objectively," John said. "Transplants are a major surgery. I was told that if we did not go through the organ transplant process, my life expectancy would be the same if I were to do the procedure every week."
John chose the weekly procedure, called paracentesis, and has had the procedure every week for the last two years.
During his treatment at Lutheran Hospital Interventional Radiology Clinic, he counts 4-10 staff members who ask him how he's doing that day.
"I look forward to my treatment every week. I'm not in any pain. The staff make it, as much as possible, a totally enjoyable experience," John said. "It's like a cocktail party without the cocktails."
A needle is inserted into the abdomen to drain 4-7 liters of fluid. The procedure is one-and-a-half hours long.
"They're gentle," he said. "After the procedure, it's a weird feeling. Consider about six liters of pop being drained from you. I become tired for a couple days after, but then, I become much more mobile."
During John's procedure, the Interventional Radiology staff shared dad jokes. The room was full of laughter.
Kimberly Frank, R.N., said, "We often do a procedure on a patient and never see them again. We look forward to 'Schenkel Thursday.'"
"The team is incredibly professional, the nicest folks you'd ever like to meet," John said. "There are not words to tell you how good they are. These folks are just so personable. They even celebrated my birthday."
Towards the end of his procedure, Kimberly read out loud a text John had sent her:
"As I sit here enjoying a piece of chocolate cake (which by the way I've been hungry for some time now) and drinking the chocolate milk, I (we) can't thank you and your whole team enough for all the wonderful support and frankly love that you all share with us week after week. People who have some idea what paracentesis involves just can't understand when I tell them that for me it's like going to a party with close friends and very little to no discomfort. Quite the opposite. We really look forward to our weekly visits! And it's all because of you and your team's professionalism, dedication and support for us. So please pass this on to everyone and be assured that you all are cherished by us and most grateful for your support making our visits a weekly event to look forward to."
A routine visit with a Primary Care Physician can help you stay on top of your health concerns
and potential changes in your bloodwork.
To find a doctor near you, visit LutheranHealthPhysicians.com.
For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.
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