A Heartfelt Thanks

Since retiring earlier this year I have had more time to devote to one of my passions -- staying in shape. I have been able to do more biking and hiking than ever and it helped get me in the best shape I have been in for decades. Two weeks ago I could bike 125 miles or hike 20 miles without a problem. So it was disconcerting when I started to feel a pain in my arms when I exercised a few weeks ago. At first, it would go away after 15 or 20 minutes of hard exertion but after a few days it got progressively worse. Sunday, I went for a walk on a flat road and had to stop a couple of times because I was out of breath and the arm pain was so intense. Monday, I couldn't even walk up my driveway without stopping to catch my breath and to let the arm pain subside.

I told Rosie about the problem on Saturday when we went for a ride on our tandem bike and she had to do more than her share of pedaling. With none of the risk factors that typically apply to heart issues -- Family members under 55 who have had heart disease, cholesterol problems, smoker, overweight, sedentary lifestyle... -- I assured Rosie, "If there is one thing I am not worried about it is my heart." But I knew I had something seriously wrong and my mind kept dwelling on things like cancer. I couldn't help but think I may have done my last hard bike ride or difficult hike and that my life was about to change dramatically.

Monday I went into Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle and had a battery of tests to assess the situation. Because the pain was localized in the arms and I never felt any chest or neck pain it didn't fit the classic heart problems description. Tuesday I went back for an echo stress test and it was immediately clear the problem was indeed with my heart. The cardiologist showed me a comparison of the test to the one I did in 2007 and it was like night and day. It was obvious I had a big problem with my main artery.

Thursday I went in for an angiogram and the cardiologists found a 98% blockage on my main artery. Fortunately, they were able to put a stent in right then that opened up that blockage and should hold it open. That appeared to be the only problem so I avoided any serious heart surgery. Yesterday (Friday) I came home and I'm already well on the road to recovery.

I dodged a bullet. While the scans below are not real clear (click on them for a larger, better image), you can see a picture of my heart and the arteries "pre stent". The blockage (circled) is obvious and when the cardiologist described this to us he said that "every drop of blood had to fight to get through that place. If it had closed completely you would have had a massive heart attack." The second scan is "post stent" and shows how clearly the blood is flowing through the artery now.

Over the last few days, many people have said to me, "It isn't fair that you have a problem with your heart." Perhaps they are right, but I learned long ago that life is not fair and it never will be. It also isn't fair that I have been blessed beyond measure in virtually every way. I have been given the best wife in the world, eight marvelous children, a wonderful career, a fabulous family, innumerable friends and blessings beyond measure. No, life is not fair -- but I wouldn't trade the hand that I have been dealt over my 53 years with anyone else. The good Lord has been more than fair with me.

This week I have had some time to reflect on the past and the future. Here are a few things that have dominated my thoughts:

• I feel more compelled than ever to make the most of every moment we are given. "Carpe diem" (Seize the day). Life can change in moment. Who knows what the future will bring or if there will even be a future.
• I'm deeply grateful for the freedom I have at this time of my life to be with Rosie and the children and pursue my dreams.
• Good health is perhaps the greatest blessing we can be given (without it what else can you fully enjoy) and we should make every effort to keep our bodies in excellent condition. I'm thankful for the miracles of modern medicine and dedicated doctors and nurses who change people's lives daily.
• My family and friends, as always, have been absolutely great as I worked through this new challenge. What would life be like without the great people around me.
• There is great power in prayer and I am certain the good ending was at least in part due to the many prayers offered in my behalf.
  

I am very thankful for this new lease on life as I still have many trails to hike, roads to bike and mountains to climb.