March 12, 2020 is a day Ted Klumb will never forget.
Klumb, an agent at First Weber Realtors, arrived at Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital feeling dizzy and numb. While checking in, Jennifer Thiede, an emergency department nurse, immediately recognized his symptoms and knew he needed immediate care.
Her voice yelling for a bed is the last thing he remembers.
Klumb underwent a 12-hour operation for an aortic dissection and survived.
In addition to spending the last 10 months caring for COVID-19 patients, doctors and nurses throughout the region have also been caring for patients suffering trauma, heart attacks, cancer diagnosis and other illnesses.
“Our health care workers stand ready to treat all patients,” Klumb said. “Jennifer is my hero. She absolutely saved my life.”
After receiving the critical care he needed, Klumb spent many months in rehab and recovery. Today he is back at work and enjoys spending time with his wife and his children.
