Robert L. Tools
| Birthdate: |
July 31, 1942
Age 59 |
| Birthplace: |
Mobile, Alabama |
| Occupation: |
Retired phone company technical librarian |
| Family: |
Married
Two adult children |
| Hobbies: |
Fishing, music |
| Current residence: |
Franklin, Kentucky |
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Robert Tools with Drs.
Gray (left) and Dowling (right)
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Robert Tools spent most of
his early years in the South and Midwest before moving to the West
where he spent much of his adult life. Mr. Tools suffered two heart
attacks in 1992 that were followed by quadruple by-pass surgery.
He developed congestive heart failure and diabetes in 1995, and
was first evaluated for heart transplant in 1998-99 by St. Thomas
Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Tools was determined to be
unsuitable for transplant due to other complications.
This year, Mr. Tools was diagnosed as being in severe
end-stage heart failure. On Wednesday, June 20, Mr. Tools' cardiologist
shared a Newsweek article and a letter regarding the AbioCor study,
and the Tools family expressed their desire to be considered for
the trial. Mr. Tools arrived at the Jewish Hospital campus on Tuesday,
June 26 for evaluation. The AbioCor was implanted on Monday, July
2.
"I am looking forward to returning to a
normal life," Mr. Tools stated today. "I truly appreciate
all the prayers and well-wishes that we are receiving from around
the world, and I ask you and members of the media to continue to
respect the privacy of my family and friends."
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