Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 25, 1994 TAG: 9412270114
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B6 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
As her husband recovered from open-heart surgery, Cathy Droppleman gave birth right down the hall at Henrico Doctors' Hospital.
``I've had two little miracles,'' she said last week, cradling the sleeping Benjamin as the proud but weak father looked on.
Andrew Droppleman, 31, concerned about chest pain, visited his doctor 11 days ago. After all, his heart had been paining him - off and on - for years and heart disease runs in his family. His father had a triple bypass when he was 45.
Doctors discovered an aneurysm on Droppleman's heart about the same time his wife was being told she could give birth any day.
The aneurysm was similar to a balloon with a weak spot that causes a bubble on the surface. But the bubble was bigger than Droppleman's heart, said Dr. Harold J. Levinson, his surgeon.
That it hadn't killed the Hanover County electrical maintenance worker is baffling, considering it had been growing for about two years.
``He's very lucky to have survived this,'' said Levinson, who described Droppleman's case as ``extremely unusual.''
``He's absolutely a walking miracle,'' said his sister, Alison Simmons.
A scuba diver and an active worker at Whitehall-Robins, the 6-foot-2-inch Droppleman recalled waiting to go under the knife Tuesday.
``I'm saying to myself, `I'm scared to death,''' he said. ``I had no choice [about the operation]. It could've killed me a long time ago.''
He was comforted that Levinson had performed his father's triple bypass. ``He's the best. You don't want just anybody working on your ticker.''
The surgery went smoothly. The ruptured part of the aorta was removed, and a new artificial valve was sewn in.
His wife was just recovering from the stress of the surgery when she awoke at 3 a.m. Thursday. It was time.
Benjamin's 6:52 a.m. arrival at Henrico Doctors' went as smoothly as her husband's surgery.
Droppleman's first inkling that his wife was in the hospital - on the same floor - was when he learned of Benjamin's birth. ``It brought me right back around.''
Droppleman is progressing so quickly he should go home Monday or Tuesday, and he'll be able to enjoy a normal life with his wife, daughter Sarah, and Benjamin.
``I wouldn't wish it on anyone,'' Droppleman said, ``but this has been one super week.''
by CNB