Jim Dersch's Story

Beyond the Care

"You never plan for this," Jim Dersch said. "You don't understand the scope of the situation until it's over."

On March 6, 2008, James "Jim" Dersch of Bloomington, Illinois, was taken by ambulance to OSF St. Joseph Medical Center after experiencing extreme pain, cough, fatigue, nausea, and fever. Doctors soon discovered Jim was suffering from perforated ulcers. Jim was quickly evaluated by Hospitalist Hari Pathi, MD, who determined Jim needed surgery that evening.

Over the course of a few months, Jim endured a rigorous uphill battle after his initial diagnosis developed into several other serious complications. Jim began suffering from multiple blood-related illnesses including sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which prevents enough oxygen from entering the blood stream.

Just when Jim's health appeared to improve, he took a turn for the worse. Jim suffered a heart attack during hospitalization, acute renal failure, pneumonia, and finally, respiratory failure, which required Jim to be placed on ventilator support for 22 days.

"My life was in their hands, and they brought it back," Jim said about the staff at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center. "My doctors were more than competent, they were gifted."

Throughout Jim's hospitalizations, he was a patient in the Family Care Center, Transitional Care Unit, and the Comprehensive Care Unit. As each complication presented itself, Dr. Pathi surrounded himself with a number of specialists to see that Jim had the best care possible.

"OSF St. Joseph Medical Center's staff didn't hesitate," Jim said. "They knew exactly what they were supposed to do and they did it. That's all you can ask for."

While Jim was on ventilator support, his son Brody and wife Mary stayed by his side more than 12 hours a day.

"They kept us updated frequently," Brody said. "The nursing staff was more than willing to help us understand all of the things that were going on with dad. It was a scary situation, but we felt supported."

After undergoing three surgeries, Jim was finally able to return home in September with rehabilitation.

"From the hospital staff to rehabilitation, the people who took care of me were more than professional; their love for what they do overshadowed the medical care they were giving," Jim said.

After recovery, Jim stopped by OSF St. Joseph Medical Center to see Chief Medical Officer Paul Pedersen, MD. Jim thanked Dr. Pedersen for the care he received.

"I'm very thankful for the care OSF St. Joseph Medical Center's physicians and staff gave me," Jim said. "If it weren't for OSF and the staff, I wouldn't be here today."

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