Helping a Heart Under Attack

By Eric and Lois Zorn

Lois: Eric went to play golf. By the fifth hole, he could hardly walk from the golf cart to the green. That’s how it began. 

Eric: In short order, I had quadruple bypass surgery in Sarasota, Florida, where we live. They found some rigidity in the heart, and following the surgery, there were maybe three episodes where they had to drain fluid. I lost more than 20 pounds, and things were spiraling downhill rapidly. Thanks to our dear friend Larry Pollock, we decided to go to the best place in the universe for cardiovascular care. 

Lois: When we got to Cleveland Clinic, COVID-19 was in full swing, which meant that initially Eric had to go to his appointments by himself. I stayed in the hotel room and called in by phone to hear a very dire prognosis. It was so hard. When Eric got back to the room, we just hugged each other. 

Eric: Dr. Estep1  and Dr. Valent2  were amazing, along with the rest of my care team. Within a few days, they nailed what was wrong: I had amyloidosis3 , which was attacking my heart. I started treatments in Cleveland, then continued them in Florida. Dr. Estep knew we were concerned about being more than 1,000 miles away from the care I needed. He asked to be my doctor, and he promised to stay close to me. When Lois and I were back home in Florida, Dr. Estep and I were speaking once or twice a week. I’m very lucky to have him watching over me. 

Lois: Last year was definitely tough, but we got through it, thanks to Cleveland Clinic. 

Eric: The legendary Patients First culture there is alive and well. Without Cleveland Clinic, I might not be here today. Now I’m walking over 30 miles a week — and I’m back to playing 18 holes of golf again! 

 

Eric and Lois Zorn celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary this year. On their first date, they went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Three months later, they got married. 

Photo of Eric and Lois Zorn

Eric and Lois Zorn. | Photo: Courtesy of Eric and Lois Zorn

Notes

  1. Jerry Estep, MD, is Head of the Section of Heart Failure and Transplantation.
  2. Jason Valent, MD, is a physician in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology.
  3. A rare protein disorder that can affect the function of the heart or other organs.

Eric Zorn's heart was under attack, although doctors in his home state of Florida couldn't pinpoint the problem. When he came to Cleveland Clinic, he was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare protein disorder that can affect heart function. Eric and his wife, Lois, are grateful for the care they received from the team of teams at Cleveland Clinic.