Seventh anniversary- A day of bittersweet memories
Seven years ago the world was changed forever by an unthinkable act of cowardice that shook us to our very core. That day affected me like many others but had a personal twist to it that makes this anniversary bittersweet for me. I republish my chronicle of open-heart surgery every year at this time at the request of very many folks who find it helpful. If you have no interest in non-tech stuff then skip this. For those who wish to experience life-changing emergency open-heart surgery from the patient’s perspective then read on.
"Mr. Kendrick, can you hear me? I’m Mrs. Reinhard, the patient carefacilitator here at Methodist hospital. Are you comfortable? I’ll bemaking sure your wife and family are OK while you’re in surgery asyou’ll be there for a while. Do you want to tell me anything beforethey take you back?"
I have to think about that one. I’m so cold, it’s so cold in here.How should I respond that won’t conflict with my Southern upbringing.You must be stoic when confronted with the most terrifying thing inyour entire life. Scared beyond words that you will never wake up.Scared that they won’t be able to fix your problem. Scared that you’llnever, ever see your beautiful wife and wonderful children again.Terrified that you’ll be an invalid after the surgery.
"Thank you but I’m fine."
"You understand the procedure you’re about to undergo, right Mr.Kendrick? Would you like to talk about it or ask me any questions?"
"No, I’m fine. Tell my wife that I love her and I’ll see her shortly. She doesn’t handle upsetting things very well."
"Well, OK, Mr. Kendrick. Don’t you worry- Dr. Lawrie is one of thebest surgeons in the world and you’ll be just fine. I’ll sit with yourwife for a while and make sure she knows what’s going on with yourprocedure. They’ll be coming to take you into surgery in a few minutes.I’ll see you in the recovery room." (What I didn’t know then is that Dr. Lawrie worked for 20 years on the personal surgical team of Dr. DeBakey, the pioneer of cardiac surgery. Sometimes you just get lucky.)
As she walked away I hoped that Sheri would be OK. A single teartrickled involuntarily down my cheek. I suppose it was still there whenthe doctors and nurses started their work.
Rob Bushway of GottaBeMobile is a good friend and right now he needs your help in a major way. Rob’s daughter Maggie is suffering from complications of a past brain tumor and is not doing very well. She is in a hospital in Saint Louis and they are about to induce a coma to give her brain a much-needed rest from severe seizures so they can figure out how to treat them. Rob and his wife Kathi are with Maggie and exhausted and they need your thoughts and prayers to get Maggie through this critical time. Rob is posting updates on his
Today is Father’s Day in the US and I want to wish Kevin Tofel, Matt Miller, and all of you who are fathers to have a very special day and enjoy time with your family. I intend to do the same and think back on the impact my own father had on me. He passed away a few years ago and I find it fitting to run this tribute for him as he is in my thoughts this fine day:











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