Congratulations, Peter. It has been nearly 27 months post CABGx5 for me and I felt and still feel the same gratitude to my doctors, nurses, other caretakers, wife and daughter that you expressed. I feel something else as well, and I think it is at least partly attributable to the Covid pandemic.
All my life, at least since my teenage years, I was always the type of guy who would never take no for an answer and would risk anything. My motto might as well have been "I'm going to do it anyway." This is no longer the case. Although I am very fit despite being a 69 year old heart patient, and have this thought in the back of my head that many of the "comorbidity/preexisting condition" statistics are not meaningful for someone like me, I nevertheless have been meticulous in self-isolating and social distancing, following all health care recommendations as well as following additional ideas relating to nutrition, extra sleep, vitamin supplementation, exercise, etc.
Why am I doing this, given my prior "don't give a damn" attitude and even my current inclinations? It is because the sense of gratitude that I still feel has morphed into something even greater. It has morphed into an understanding that I am connected to all these good people that saved my life, as well as to everyone else, including my old, dying dog who waited for me faithfully over the long six weeks that I was hospitalized with open heart surgery complications. It is as if we are separate parts of a single living, breathing organism called life. I "owe" it to everyone to take care of myself in the same way that your hand "owes" it to the rest of your body to pull itself away from a hot flame on a stove. Although we all are special, unique individuals, we're really not special at all in the sense that we are all the same as souls travelling along life's path in this limitless universe of ours.
All the best,
Ira
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Ira Reid
Hoboken NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2020 12:55
From: Herb Greenberg
Subject: One-Year Heart Anniversary!
Peter Congrats. I'm a mere 8 weeks out. Isn't it remarkable that you can have all this stuff done inside and other than a scar not realize it was done?! And to think, if this is "modern medicine" now...!!!!
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Herb Greenberg
San Diego CA
Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2020 21:28
From: Peter Eglinton
Subject: One-Year Heart Anniversary!
I'm happy to be celebrating the one-year anniversary of my successful open-heart surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm and an aortic valve. I am so grateful for advances in medicine, skilled surgeons and nurses, meditation, and the boundless support of family and friends. Thanks, in particular, to my rock - my wife - whose unconditional love gave me strength during the difficult times during recovery. The procedure went well and I feel stronger than ever. I send my healing thoughts and support to all those affected by COVID-19.
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Peter Eglinton
Portland ME
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