Vincent Rosche

2019-2021 Person of the Year

Vincent and his Mom

Vincent Rosche is 27 years old and lives in Tampa with his family. He enjoys race cars, trucks, and going to the gym. His story began on October 3, 1991, when he was born at St. Joseph's Women’s Hospital. He seemed to be in perfect health. However, at the age of 11 months, he experienced severe vomiting after he started eating solid food and he was hospitalized with severe dehydration. 

Vincent’s illness continued with no diagnosis until he was four years of age. He and his parents traveled to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio. The hospital performed manometry studies and he was diagnosed with Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction (PIC). This rare disease is characterized by altered and inefficient peristalsis and can be disabling. 

Due to his failure to thrive, Vincent received his first central line port at the age of four. He began TPN and started to gain weight! His first setback came 6-8 months later with his first central line infection. He was hospitalized and received IV antibiotics for the infection. He was only five years old. 

Vincent had a G-tube placed to supplement his caloric intake. The vicious cycle of central line infections and antibiotic treatments continued until he was about eight years old. Finally, his condition improved and the use of TPN was not continually required for the next four years. During this time, he would experience episodes of weight loss and malaise. He would occasionally have a PICC line inserted for 6-8 weeks of TPN infusions to regain his weight. 

Vincent was diagnosed with Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid at the age of twelve. The treatment plan required a total thyroidectomy and neck dissection. His original gastrointestinal issues worsened since the thyroid is involved in the digestion process. Once again, Vincent received a PICC line for continuous TPN. 

Vincent has suffered through a cycle of central lines, infection complications, and antibiotic treatments. Sadly, he has had so many central lines, ports, PICC lines, and midlines that he no longer has any vascular options in his upper extremities, neck, or chest. He currently has a tunneled femoral central line and continues to fight infections. 

Through all of these challenges and frustrations over his experience with the care he received, Vincent is here to make a difference with GulfVAN. He wants to speak about his life experiences and share his knowledge about improving central line care. His goal is to improve patient experiences and support people living with central lines.

2022 Update: Here is our Person of the Year rising to the top!

Let's take a moment to celebrate Vincent's successes! He is truly amazing and resilient.

(and now a TV star too!) 

https://www.wfla.com/bloom/the-inspiring-journey-of-trainer-who-battled-through-major-health-issues/