02/03/2026
In her 17 years with Mercy Health — Springfield's Heart House, Ariel Sterner, APRN-CNP, never dreamed that one of those patients she would see at their worst would be her husband of 18 years, Ted, who works in quality control for an automaker.
Just one year ago, Ted experienced a heart attack from a severe blockage in his heart’s biggest artery, known as the widow maker. It was 99% blocked at an intersection with another large artery that was 98% blocked.
Following a heart cath performed by Ariel’s coworker, cardiologist Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Michael Siegenthaler performed a quadruple bypass on Ted. Surgery went well, but recovery was a challenge.
Ted had pain issues from his previous back problems and could not breathe deeply, which is key to recovery. In the days following his surgery, he went into congestive heart failure and began taking on what would total 26 pounds in excess fluid.
“I knew heart failure was possible,” says Ariel. “It was a reality I had seen before. But as a mom and wife, my nerves were a constant, every second of the day. It was a terrifying time.”
Amid his post-surgery battle with heart failure, Ted had a birthday, and the Sterners decided to bring in their son and daughter, ages 11 and 13.
“When our kids came in, that was a rough day,” Ted says. “I didn’t think I was ever going to see them again.”
But the care team at Mercy Health — Springfield Regional Medical Center was laser-focused on Ted. They were able to get fluid off and get him moving, and once they relieved the side effects from the congestive heart failure, Ted said it was like night and day.
“The level of care was top-notch, and I had phenomenal nurses. During my 11 days in the hospital, I never worried or questioned my care; I knew I was in good hands,” he says.
He gives all the credit in the world to his smart, savvy wife. “If Ariel weren’t a nurse practitioner, I would have had no idea anything was wrong — and I wouldn’t have gone to the emergency department.”
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