The Bill Schroeder Story

According to Barnette, who reported the story for the Washington Post, Schroeder survived the world's second artificial heart implant as long as he did620 daysnot only because of the skill and care of his surgeon, William DeVries, and the Louisville, Ky., Humana Hospital medical team but also because the patient cooperated fully and possessed a strong will to live, which was reinforced by close ties to his wife and six children. This detailed re-creation of the 21-month ordeal of the exuberant 52-year-old workaholic and devoted family man also documents the still-experimental nature of the medical procedure. Along with the disruption of family life and alternating periods of hope and despair, the Schroeders experienced constant, intrusive media and public attention. At his death, the patient's entire family was present. Photos. (July 15)