Interventional cardiology with heart at Sentara CSICU

Jesse McCullough found more than recovery during his stay at the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CSICU) at Sentara Heart Hospital.

He found a stronger sense of hope and faith.

When Jesse was diagnosed with massive saddle pulmonary embolism - a life-threatening heart condition that requires immediate medical attention and can block blood flow to both lungs – he knew his battle was going to be an uphill climb. 

He endured multiple illnesses and procedures - cardiac arrests, sepsis, and even a tracheostomy to help relieve his breathing.

Dr. Rishik Vashisht, MD, Critical Care Intensivist and Medical Director of the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit at Sentara, recalled Jesse’s visit. "When Jesse first came to us as a Shock Alert from Riverside Hospital, he was gravely ill — his condition was fragile, and every hour felt critical," he shares. 

Jordan Grube, NP, Shock ECMO Program Coordinator [Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, a temporary life support system to replace the heart and lungs when they’re compromised], explains, "Our Shock Alert process is initiated by referring physicians at any outside hospital, even outside the Sentara network." 

"It is a multidisciplinary conference call to discuss the escalation of care," Jordan continues. "We consider using temporary mechanical circulatory support for critically ill patients experiencing cardiogenic shock or acute respiratory failure. Team collaboration at this point is essential to expedite the transfer and treatment of a population of patients where time-sensitivity is imperative to survival."

Jesse was on the VA ECMO for almost three days. 

And yet, through his care and experiences with CSICU and a strong support system, he emerged as a renewed and uplifted person.

Finding the strength

When Jesse came to the CSICU, he was intimidated by the experience at first. 

"My emotions were all over the place during my treatment and recovery," Jesse remembers. "When I first woke up from being sedated for two weeks, I was confused and scared. Some days were harder than others with feelings of depression because of several setbacks."

Kayla Delpivo, BSN, RN, recalled Jesse’s struggles. "He remained hospitalized for months," she says. "For much of that time, he could not speak, which made communication difficult and challenged our day-to-day connection."

One of Jesse’s lowest points happened when his lung collapsed, and he had difficulty breathing. "I felt like I was dying while the staff was figuring out what was wrong," he recalls. 

Even still, Jesse, his family, and the staff kept up their spirits. His daughter and wife stayed there and prayed over him to give him the strength to keep fighting. The Sentara team worked diligently to improve his health and morale.

Dr. Jennifer Whaley, Team Lead, IMCU and Consult Teams, remembers Jesse’s struggles and how she bonded with his family during that time. "Jesse and his family had a great sense of humor and laughed with me the entire time," she says. "He was on the brink of death and very sick for a very long time. He developed nearly every complication you can imagine, but God had different plans for him."

Being fully present 

When the situation was overwhelming to him and his family, Jesse credits the staff with giving him hope and optimism when he was in their care. "They would always encourage me to push myself to do more each day," he says. "When I would pass a milestone, they were just as excited as I was to celebrate even the smallest victories. I was always feeling their comfort and warmth no matter the circumstances."

Even with the most critical situations, the staff also was encouraged by Jesse’s endurance, pushing their limits to help him.

Dr. Eric Unger, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, recalls Jesse. "He endured a complicated and difficult recovery during his months in the hospital," he said. "He approached each of the multitude of new challenges as an obstacle to overcome."

"There were moments when the weight of uncertainty was overwhelming," Dr. Vashisht says,     "Yet we refused to give up. Each day was a battle, filled with setbacks and small victories that reminded us why we fight so hard for our patients."

Kayla credits the team’s determination to see Jesse recover. "Egos stayed out of the room," she shares. "Everyone was where they needed to be, exactly when they needed to be there. Communication was clear and constant, not only among nurses but with the providers as well. We stayed calm and focused under pressure."

Georgia Magnussen, a registered nurse and Quality Improvement Coordinator with Sentara whose clinical background includes cardiac critical care, education, and management, also remembers how the team worked in unison.

"Before arriving, Jesse’s condition in the CSICU had been touch-and-go," she states. "Once he was off ECMO and transitioned to our unit, we focused not only on his physical recovery but also on his emotional and psychological needs."

Georgia and the staff were intentional in creating an environment that supported healing by providing quiet time, natural light, and opportunities for Jesse to still be a father. The Sentara staff even helped him celebrate one of his children’s birthdays.

Even still, Georgia even recalls one emotional moment when the situation took its toll on Jesse's wife, Nicole. 

"One evening as I was about to leave for the day," Georgia remembers, "I noticed her sitting alone, visibly upset. Jesse had already been transferred off the unit. I stopped and sat with her as she shared concerns about his care, the financial stressors, and the emotional toll of the experience. I had nowhere else to be at that moment. I simply listened.

Sometimes, being fully present is the most powerful thing we can offer."

Dr. Vashisht remembered the family’s resilience. "What stands out most is his family's courage and commitment throughout his ordeal," he says. "Even in his weakest moments his wife held on, encouraging him to keep fighting."

Kayla adds, "Through their love for each other and their faith, they never quit. Watching their strength was powerful and unforgettable."

A strong support system

Jesse shared that his support system was critical throughout his entire process. "I did receive a lot of encouragement from family, friends and staff that helped me focus on the positives and determination to get better," he said.  

Not only did his family and friends visit often, but they also took care of his responsibilities at home and helped boost family morale.

Friends brought food for his wife to ensure she was eating properly during her stays. His neighbors kept his yard maintenance up. His coworkers sent cards to lift his spirits.
"My family helped take care of my two daughters," he says. "They took my oldest to school and let them live with them during the 11 weeks I was at Sentara."

Dr. Unger recognizes the efforts of everyone involved and how it carried Jesse through it all. "With the aid of his wife, family, and our team, Jesse was discharged from the hospital and remains alive years later," he says. "He impressed me with his willpower and motivation."

And Kayla was proud to have such a strong support system in her team. "Watching Jesse walk back into our unit to thank every staff member who played a role in his recovery, big or small, is something I will never forget," she says. "Seeing his girls high-five Dr. Unger said everything. The impact our team had on this family was undeniable. We did that. We saved his life. And he is crushing it at all of his outpatient therapy sessions! That is powerful."

Jesse also acknowledges one other critical support system - his faith.  While his pastor visited often to pray with him, Jesse also prayed on his own to help him recover. "My church, online prayer chains, family, friends and even believers I never met shared their prayers and words of encouragement."

Dr. Whaley witnessed Jesse’s strong religious bond with him and his family. "The best overall outcome was the strengthening of their faith and their ability to see how the Lord orchestrates the people, the skills, and the timing for good."

For Jesse, he offers these words of advice for anyone facing a similar health condition: "Stay positive and be strong. The most important thing you can do is lean on God to give you that strength and trust he will help you through it. Be kind to the staff and appreciate all of their efforts for such a demanding job."