Life as a bionic man

LANA JACOBSON

He can now breathe and walk, without having to stop every four or five steps.

This is a far cry from his days as a fitness fanatic.

After having suffered a number of heart attacks, the now 74-year-old Fransman was in almost total heart failure. A defibrillator had been inserted into his chest, but over a 10-year period, he’d received shocks a few times from the machine.

After four defibrillators were implanted, and his life saved many times, doctors finally told Fransman that his only hope of living a functional life was to become “bionic” – to live with a mechanical heart as well as a defibrillator.

In August, Fransman was flown to the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital in Cape Town. With a less than 10% heart function, he was given little chance of survival, especially since his age precluded him from being the recipient of a heart transplant.

Instead, he underwent open heart surgery, and an artificial mechanism known as an LVAD (left ventricular assist device) was attached to his left ventricle.

The LVAD pumps blood out of the heart to the lungs and other parts of the body.

A moon-belt has been attached to Fransman’s waist with a computerised controller and two batteries that need to be charged 24 hours a day. The device is connected to the heart through an incision in his stomach.

When Fransman sleeps, the device is plugged into the wall. If the electricity fails, he must rely on a generator. If he travels long distances in a car, he must be plugged into the cigarette lighter charger.

For four months after surgery, Fransman lay in intensive care, where he lost 16kg. It took several months before he could stand on his own; and a few more before he could walk without using a walker.

It wasn’t always like this. Fransman had been an ultra-marathon runner, completing three Comrades Marathons and participating in most active sports.

“I had my first major heart attack at 49 years old,” recalls Fransman. “It was 05:00 and I had run 2km when I suddenly felt sharp chest pains. I completed a further 8km in pain just to prove to myself there was no problem.

“The pain persisted, so I went to see a cardiologist. He reported that I had suffered a severe heart attack and I was fortunate to have survived.

“I was admitted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg and had two stents inserted, but they failed to take effect. I was told it was not possible to perform bypass surgery due to the location of the heart problem.

“A few days later, I was sent home and I refused to accept my illness. I continued my daily runs. I have myself to blame for excessive exercising. I always thought that because I was supremely fit I was immune from illness.

“The cardiologist says I lived only because I was supremely fit. I have so far undergone nine major heart procedures.”

Despite his ailing health, Fransman continues with his fitness obsession, although it’s been difficult. “It is not easy to come to terms with my present situation, having previously been so fit and active. My LVAD procedure was performed by cardiac surgeon Dr Willie Koen who, together with his assistant, Helena Williams, were on tap around the clock.

“When life seemed bleak, I would tell my wife and daughter, who left her family in Australia to spend four months with us: ‘This too shall pass.’”

For his wife, Ruth, adjusting to this new lifestyle is a labour of love. The Fransmans are now back at home in Johannesburg, and Ruth monitors her husband carefully. She has to keep a daily logbook of readings, taken from the computerised batteries around his waist. She changes his dressings every three days.

Says Ruth: “I would catch the bus to Chris Barnard hospital daily and I became known to the commuters. Their support

“Words can’t express our gratitude to the Jewish community and our family and friends.”

Life really began in earnest for Fransman when he was moved from intensive care to high care at Chris Barnard Hospital.

When he was eventually able to take a few steps along the hospital passage, the staff clapped as he even tried to perform a jig.

“On Rosh Hashanah, two young men walked all the way from Sea Point to the city centre to blow the shofar for Russell,” says Ruth.

Now daily life continues, with Fransman astounding everyone by being able to walk 3km daily. “It has been a roller-coaster ride and now we are reaping the benefits of life,” he says.