Santa was spotted on the Texas Medical Center’s Memorial Hermann Rooftop Heliport Tuesday morning — and this time, he was the one bringing the cookies.
This week, Dennis Vaughan, 74, was reunited with the surgeon and life-saving crew who saved his life in September.
“I wanted to thank everyone,” he tells PEOPLE.
Although the retired welder and his wife, Linda Vaughan, dress up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus every year to deliver Santa cards to homes, churches, daycare centers and hospitals, this time he took Christmas off because he is recovering from open-heart surgery.
“He is a very happy man,” says his 71-year-old wife. “Not many people survive that.”
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On September 8, Dennis was in the garage before an appointment with his primary care physician. As they were about to leave, his wife ran back into the house to grab her purse. When she returned, Dennis was unconscious.
“It was like, bam, right into a brick wall,” he remembers.
“It was very scary,” adds Linda, a retired school canteen worker. “I knew something was wrong.”
Dennis and Linda Vaughan.
Courtesy of the Vaughan family
Her grandson helped her carry her husband to the house, where she called 911. In the emergency room, a heart attack was ruled out and he was diagnosed with acute aortic dissection, which is often fatal.
He then flew the 90 miles of life to Houston and rushed into emergency surgery.
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“He was already almost dead when he reached us,” says Estera. “He would probably be dead in 30 minutes or less.”
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But before he could have the surgery, a problem arose: what to do with the beard.
“He had his beard, he looks just like Santa Claus,” says Anthony Estrera, professor and chief of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery at UTHealth Houston Heart & Vascular and Memorial Hermann. “He told me before we operated, ‘Please don’t cut my beard.'”
So the staff braided his beard to distract him before they turned their attention to stopping the bleeding and replacing his ascending aorta.
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Dennis Vaughan and Dr. Anthony Estrera.
Memorial Hermann
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After the surgery, Dennis says he feels great, and the good news is that his new aorta should last him the rest of his life. Still, it was important to him to take a year off from his Santa duties.
“He wanted to take it off and rest,” says Estrera. “I think he could have done it, but I’m not going to push him.”
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Dennis Vaughan expresses his gratitude to the medical team that saved his life.
Memorial Hermann
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Despite taking time off, Dennis made one exception when he surprised his medical team on Tuesday by showing up in full Santa gear.
His wife was under the weather, but his daughter and granddaughter saw him off as he thanked the crew who saved his life and wished them happy holidays. He also brought delicious treats from his Mrs. Claus: baked peanut butter cookies, sugar cookies, brownies, and chocolate chip cookies.
As for the future, the couple says they will be back together to spread the holiday cheer next year.
“We just wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – and let all the children be nice and sweet and see you next year!” says Linda.
“Be good,” adds Dennis. “And ‘Go Cowboys!'”
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