THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 14, 1996 TAG: 9607120201
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 46 lines
Like father, like son.
Richard Livesay, the 47-year-old dad, and Chad Livesay, 19, were at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital at the same time, just a few rooms apart.
Chad was discharged April 13, his dad exited two days later.
``We were together there for five days. One of the cardiologists teased us about it,'' said Richard, who, like his son, was treated by members of Cardiology Consultants of Norfolk.
``It's an unusual coincidence - that both father and son required open heart surgery,'' said Dr. John Brush, who treated the senior Livesay, ``but the types of heart problems they had were unrelated, so there's nothing genetic.
``The son had an infection of the heart involving two of the heart valves,'' he said. ``The father had a problem with the mitral valve. (It prevents a flow of blood back into the atrium - an upper chamber of the heart - during the usual rhythmic contraction of the heart). It was leaking.''
It was undesirable family togetherness.
``I'd rather not think about it,'' said Chad who returned to work July 1 at Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar. He is also studying graphic communications at Tidewater Community College in Suffolk.
His father, a quality assurance inspector at Union Camp, returned to work June 24.
Richard lives in Newsoms; Chad in Chesapeake.
Both lived in hospitals, often, this spring. Richard was in and out between April 9 and May 15 - two stays at Sentara Norfolk General, one in Sentara Leigh Memorial in Norfolk.
Chad was hospitalized from March 21 to April 13, initially at Portsmouth Naval Hospital - his stepfather, William Rogers, is in the service - then transferred to Sentara Norfolk General.
Chad is not a ``let-me-tell-you-about-my-operation'' person, preferring only light discussion about his hospitalization.
His father, on the other hand, has a date book filled with medical facts and figures. He kept up with everything.
``I'm glad he did,'' Chad said, ``but I'd just as soon forget it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Richard Livesay, left, and his son Chad both had heart surgery
recently. by CNB