As a young girl I remember a very special doctor name Dr. William R.
Vincent. I had been to several doctors as a child, but I have a special
place in my heart for Dr. Vincent. He was a Pediatric Cardiologist at UCLA
back in 1971 who saved my life. I was eight years old at the time with a
severe heart problem and I needed heart surgery. My Mom did not have the
money to have it done, and without the surgery there was a real good chance
I would not live to be thirteen years old. After contacting several
organizations Dr. Vincent was able to get financial help for me through
United Way, a Crippled Children's Organization.
Dr. Vincent was a handsome man; he was also very gentle and caring. I
remember being in the hospital for an Angiogram test, and during the
procedure I was crying hysterically, so the medical staff called in Dr.
Vincent to calm me down, and he was able to comfort me when no one else
could. Then the time came for me to have heart surgery; there was a fifty-
percent chance that I would not make it through the surgery because it was
experimental. At the time I was only the second or third person to have
this procedure done, they reconstructed the main artery by using an artery
from my leg. I was absolutely terrified, and again Dr. Vincent reassured
me
he would see to it that everything would be all right.
I had a lot of confidence and trust in Dr. Vincent; he was the most
caring man I had ever known. He came to see me after the surgery, which
was
extremely painful but very successful, and brought me a stuffed animal. I
was so surprised to get this gift from Dr. Vincent; I gave him a hug. I
guess Dr. Vincent must of known I was feeling very lonely and scared
because
that brightened my day. You see, I had no family or friends visit me while
I was in the hospital except for my Mom, and I am not sure why. I do know
one thing; I had a wonderful doctor who took the time to help a scared
little girl who felt all alone. This was twenty eight years ago, so
wherever you are Dr. Vincent, I want to thank you for not only saving my
life, but you helped me live a normal productive life, and for showing me
that you truly cared, for that I will be eternally grateful to you.
