Haydon Alert; Removed From Respirator
Murray P. Haydon was removed Tuesday from a respirator that had aided his breathing since emergency weekend surgery to stop bleeding near his mechanical heart. Two of three chest drainage tubes also were removed, doctors said.
Haydon, 58, a retired Louisville auto worker, was awake and alert. He received a visit from his wife, Juanita, at Humana Hospital Audubon, where he became the world’s third permanent artificial heart patient Feb. 17.
“Haydon is making good progress,” said Robert Irvine, a spokesman for the hospital’s experimental heart program directed by Dr. William C. DeVries.
“He was taken off the respirator early this morning and will be given small amounts of liquids as the day progresses,” Irvine said.
Speaking had been painful for Haydon because of the respirator tube inserted in his throat.
Fellow mechanical heart recipient William J. Schroeder “continues to improve,” Irvine said.
Irvine said Schroeder, 53, a retired Jasper, Ind., munitions inspector, spent the day trying to build up his strength by “supplemental nutritional feedings” through a nose tube.
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