Today marks the 4th anniversary of The Ancient One's emergency triple coronary artery bypass surgery. I remember the early part of August 30, 2004 very well. I remember when an angioplasty didn't get the artery open and being rushed into the operating room. I remember little else of that day. I seemed to heal well and went home 5 days later. Recovery was slow and I finally felt "good" again after about 3 months.
The Ancient One's open heart surgery was one week to the day before Bill Clinton's. Following his surgery I watched too much TV news and learned more than I wanted to know about the procedure and the use of heart/lung machines. I just wanted to get well.
Today, I am still heavier than I should be although 40+ pounds less than at the time of the surgery. I am obsessive about exercise; 3 days a week at the cardiac rehab center (my health club staffed by cardiac nurses) and walking every other day of the week. Strength training with 8 pounds weight is added in, usually twice a week (on walking, not rehab days).
I am a lot healthier now than I was 4 years ago. This is a happy anniversary. While it came about because of a medical threat to my life, that surgery added many years to my existence on this earth. I have now enjoyed 4 of those additional years and plan to be around for many more. I retired from my "job" and now do consulting and acting on my schedule, not someone else's.
Life is good! Sometimes it takes something like open heart surgery to appreciate all we have and how good life can be when it is lived in the now and the future. And The Ancient One is planning on being around for a lot of "future."
Amen!
6 comments:
Sometimes I criticize modern medicine, with it's overreliance on drugs. But there's no doubt that such procedures as this have saved a lot of lives and given a lot of folks many great years. My brother in law also had this surgery and is doing very well. I'm glad you are here and have many more years to go.
I am most pleased and thankful that the procedures you had were successful Leon.
Where would we be without the 'Ancient One, Blessed Be He'. Many good and healthy years to you my friend. :D
Hi there, just dropping by to say I am glad to know that your triple coronary artery bypass surgery was successful. You deserve to have that 4 added years and even more for sure. Enjoy life to the fullest and good luck in your endeavors.
My dad had his first emergency triple bypass at 42. He's 60 now and doing just fine. Isn't modern medicine wonderful sometimes?
Glad to read you are doing well.
Thank you CHARLES and ERIC. I appreciate your supportive comments here and on other posts.
And welcome to new visitors MEDPATHGROUP (and whoever you are by name) and JESSICA. I am expecting at least 10-20 additional years in total. While I don't often talk about my bodies physical woes, I appreciate your support and hope you'll come by more often. :~D
Hi Leon, thank you very much for the warm welcome. I will make sure to include you in my prayers. Stay healthy and more power to your blog. I will keep on visiting for sure. God bless you and your family.
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