It all started 2 days after 9/11 when I had my first heart attack.I was one of many waiting to have such an experience that was set off by the events of that fateful day. Three days later I had four bi-passes installed. Since that time I have had 11 stents, and been the recipient of a Pacemaker and a new aortic valve. I'm now awaiting the possibility of a Metaclip to stop the leaking in my heart. Anther heart attack at the end of 2015 pushed me into early retirement having been told by my then cardiologist that I had 2 - 3 months to live.
After I outlived his prediction I fired him and hooked up with a cardio-rehab cardiologist whose positive attitude and advice has kept me alive and kicking for the past 18 months. I try to do an hour of cardio-rehab each day and find the results stunning. Even though I am in the end stages of heart failure, the physical experience and motivation the cardio provides is absolutely amazing. My cardiologist, has his office right next to the gym and so he frequently gives me words of encouragement.
Some days are more difficult than others but I'm still here being as productive as my physical limitations allow me to be. And it's all because of the cardio-rehab regime.
By the way, both the installation of the Pacemaker and new aortic valve kept me in hospital less than a day each. In face I was back teaching the day after I had the Pacemaker installed.
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