He went into a coma and was transferred to WMC
He was going to need a transplant
WMC’s surgeons implanted a Left Ventricular Assist Device
Greg calls it his "miracle machine"
Greg Moore, LVAD Patient
Music is Greg Moore’s life. As the singer and band leader of the Cosmopolitan Orchestra, a band he formed in 2007, Greg performed all over New York City. He had begun work on a record and it appeared his dream was becoming a reality.
That is, until early 2009 when he started to become sick. After a few days of feeling incredibly weak and lethargic, Greg took a taxi to a hospital near his home in Manhattan. He did so just in time.
Almost upon arrival, Greg collapsed. His next memory is waking up three weeks later after a lengthy coma. Thankfully, Greg had been transported to Westchester Medical Center and put under the care of Dr. Alan Gass, Director the Heart Transplant/VAD/Heart Failure Program. It was there that Greg received news that would change his life forever.
Greg's heart had failed and he was going to need a transplant. However, his heart wasn't strong enough to survive on its own any longer and the wait for a transplant can be lengthy. To bridge the gap, surgeons implanted a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), a device that would keep Greg’s heart beating while he waits for his new heart.
"It's my miracle machine," says Greg. "I'm able to get back to my music and continue to do what I love."
Unlike older technology, the LVAD now is almost silent and allows the patient to get out of the hospital room and back to their lives. Greg has gone home and, while he waits for a transplant, has continued his music career. He’s even continued to perform.
"Not a very long stretch of time had passed before I was thinking it was time for a comeback, Everybody loves a good comeback story..."
Listen to Greg Moore tell his story:
Learn more about the Heart Center at Westchester Medical Center.
