One Year Ago Today

I have no memory of November 3rd 2012- one year ago today.

Actually, I have no memory of anything from about the middle of Halloween afternoon through maybe November 7th or 8th - I'm not even sure which- even though I was conscious and talking during the last couple days of that time period. I had a massive heart attack- actually, a cardiac arrest- on the evening of November 3rd- and, for some reason- it took a big block of my memory out.

It was what they called a sort of "electrical" problem- some nerve impulse didn't happen, and my heart stopped beating. It was very lucky that paramedics got to me  quickly. The paddles did come into play- more than once- and I spent some time  unconscious. During that time, a few procedures were used to try to protect my brain  and system. Fortunately- it worked. (Some of my friends may question the brain part, but- that's okay...)

Though the attack was "electrical", I had some arteries that had some degree of blockage for the past ten years (since my first , much less serious heart attack) - and it was decided that I should have the double bypass  that my doctor and I had talked about over the years, and had been waiting to have done, since it had appeared that I was doing pretty well in spite of them. Soon after that, they also implanted a pacemaker/defibrillator- which should keep the "electrical" problem from causing cardiac arrest again.

A little less than a month in the hospital-then, several months of recuperation at home, and eventually cardiac rehab- and I was finally allowed to return to work- about 35 pounds lighter, and grateful that I had been so lucky.

During my time away, I was overwhelmed by all the well-wishes from my friends and fans- which  meant, and still mean, so much to me. I still have all the cards and letters sitting in piles and bags in my home office. On this anniversary date, I'm thinking of finally packaging them up and storing them away- keeping them as a warm memory of so many caring people- a good memory coming out of a very bad situation.

I used to feel apprehensive every year around the date of the anniversary of my first heart attack- and, honestly, have felt a little leery of this anniversary coming around. Logic would dictate that I am in far better shape than I was last year, that I'm feeling good, and grateful to be here to see  this day a year later- and that certain changes and additions to my aging carcass would help insure against a similar event... but- I guess it's just a mental thing. I worry, though I probably don't have to. I thought writing all this down would be a good way to get it out of my system- and  I think it's helping.

I'm happy to be here. I appreciate your  kindness and support  more than I can say. Now- let's get back to the usual goofy stuff!