Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Grace, Gratitude, God and Dr. Green: A Survivor’s Story
Sue Scott has been married for more than 29 years to Benton County Circuit Court Judge John Scott. They have four children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. She ran a catering business for 12 years, in addition to serving as an Arkansas state legislator. She is no stranger to commitment and hard work.
Sue started to notice something was wrong when she was falling behind on her husband’s campaign for circuit judge. She was initially diagnosed as premenopausal. Sue did not agree, so she got a second opinion from Dr. Michael Green, board certi ed interventional cardiologist at Northwest Medical Center – Springdale. The cardiac cath lab team at the hospital and Dr. Green treated Sue. She had an electrocardiogram (EKG) one afternoon and was admitted shortly thereafter to Northwest Medical Center – Springdale. By evening, Sue had a pacemaker/de brillator implanted in her.
“Dr. Green’s news, so many years ago, on that Thursday afternoon changed my life. I remember as soon as he gave me my diagnosis he placed his hand on my arm and said, ‘we can do this’, ‘you and me, as a team.’ I had a picture of my family and I said, ‘here are the reasons that you have to make me well.’ I will never forget his response. He opened his phone and there was a picture of his beautiful children. He said ‘these little faces are the reason I give 100 percent to my patients every day.’ I knew then, God had sent me this smart, caring, compassionate man to walk this journey with me.”
Sue’s had multiple procedures replacing pacemakers and receiving stents. Her fourth pacemaker was implanted in July 2016. “Dr. Green, my only cardiologist, has treated me for the past 14 ½ years until September of 2016 when he then referred me to the Transplant Team in Little Rock,” Sue said. She was placed on the transplant waiting list in October 2016 because of her multiple heart conditions, including congestive heart failure (CHF).
CHF teaches you many lessons, Sue said. First of all it brings you to your knees in prayer. Secondly, you become very grateful, the small things in life mean more than before. Thirdly, you receive Grace, Grace that sees you through and gives you energy to smile and hope, wonderful hope.
“I am much more thankful for just about everything now, a grandchild’s sweet voice, humming birds on the zinnias in our garden, energy, any amount of,” Sue said. “If I awake in the mornings my prayers of gratefulness begin. Yes, I pray for Dr. Green and the staff at Northwest Health daily.”
“Talk about a new chapter,” Sue said. “We are now on the transplant journey, trying to follow their directions. It is my family’s journey as well and their support is paramount.”
Sue watches what she eats and tries to stay active. She plays with her grandchildren, bakes the most delicious treats, and gardens as much as she can. Sue says her vegetables may feed her family’s bellies, but her zinnias feed their souls.
“I think having this disease has made me much more thoughtful and much more thankful,” Sue said.
“Survival for me can be summed up in three words, ‘Never, Give, Up,’” Sue said. “That is truly the heart of it, the heart of the journey, just keep trying, every day. My gratefulness to the team at Northwest Health is overwhelming; I owe the team so much.”
“It is my belief today that without Dr. Green I would not be alive,” Sue said. “He has encouraged me, he has picked me up and put me back on my feet at my worst. He is our friend, our dear, dear friend. Over the last 14 1/2 years his staff has come to mean so much to my husband John and me. They return our calls and they greet me with their true caring spirits. I have walked in to some appointments almost in tears and I have left feeling much better. Dr. Green never made promises of grandeur. He has always been very honest. Honesty creates trust.”
“I still have many steep hills to climb,” Sue said. “I have taught myself not to look up at the top of the hill. Instead I have concentrated on wearing the right boots for the climb to the top. Thank you Dr. Green, it has been wonderful knowing you too have your boots on for my journey.”