SEBRING – As a former high school and college football star, Tom Bowman has been conscious of how important a person’s health is. After his football career ended, he became a college instructor where he taught topics such as nutrition, health science and sports management.
However, one of his greatest challenges came when a heart attack changed his life.
The former West Virginia University running back was living in Myrtle Beach in 2015 and said he had a defibrillator implanted in his body following that heart attack. Years later, it would be that same defibrillator that led him to a doctor at AdventHealth Sebring, who he said saved his life, Dr. Giancarlo Speziani.
“I had some issues (with the defibrillator), and I was getting shocked (by it) a lot,” Bowman said. “One time I was rushed to the hospital, and I coded and when I woke up Dr. Speziani was right there by my bedside. He told me what he wanted to do, and pretty much right off the bat I felt very comfortable, and I trusted him.”
Bowman said Dr. Speziani diagnosed him with ventricular tachycardia, an abnormal heart rhythm. Health experts say during an episode, a person’s heart can beat so fast that the heart can’t pump enough oxygen to every part of the body. The condition can also lead to ventricular fibrillation, which is a life-threatening arrhythmia and cardiac arrest.
“Even when he was getting ready to do that serious surgery, you know I put my hand in his hand and I said you and God, you are in charge now and he fixed me,” Bowman said. “I just can’t say enough (about him). He saved my life.”
Bowman, 62, praised Speziani’s “impeccable bedside manner and personality” adding he and his wife, Lisa, are grateful for him taking his time to answer every question they had. He also lauded the hospital staff not just for his care but for the treatment of his wife.
Bowman is doing well today. As part of his treatment plan, he’s lost 130 pounds.
