It
was 2000, I was 64 years old and all of my good living, eating,
drinking, carousing and everything else was catching up with me and, I'm
sorry, but I don't regret it. Many people have the same problems I have
and were 'good' their whole life!

Going
backwards, just this week I suffered a bout of gout (that is painful!),
a broken flip bridge, a growth on my brain (See! I told you I had a
brain!), 'something' on my neck which could be either my carotid artery
or thyroid or dental infection. I was suppose to have an ultra sound, a
MRI and MRA but couldn't handle it. I am now awaiting word when I can go
to the hospital, get knocked out and find out what is going on. I don't
worry about things like this and except for the gout pain, which has
now decreased due to anti-inflammation medicine, I feel great and can do
whatever it is I do!

December
23, 2011, I called 911--I was bleeding out of every orifice of my body.
Making a long story short I had Warfarin poisoning caused by overdosing
due to faulty tests. Four days later Allen and I were having dinner at
the City Hall restaurant in Miami and then went to see "Million Dollar
Quartet"!

November
8, 2011, I was walking up to the movies, tripped, fell flat on my face
and with a bleeding face I went on to the movie house only to go into
the men's room and find blood all over me. Well I washed myself off and
went to watch "Weekend". I just had to look up what it was about!!!

July
21, 2008, was when I went in for my aorta valve operation--I still kid
my doctor about putting a pig's valve in a Jewish boy's body! IT WAS,
ALSO, THAT DAY THAT I STOPPED SMOKING AFTER 60 YEARS! And I don't miss
it after 5 years, starting my 6th year smoke free!

I
ended the 20th century and began the 21st with congestive heart failure
spending the New Year's weekend in the hospital. I have written blogs
on that so that's all I will say here.

Along
with other 'minor' illnesses I have P.A.D., C.O.P.D., arterial
fibrillation, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, all monitored by
medicine, and not affecting my day to day life except for the P.A.D.,
which stands for peripheral artery disease, making it difficult to walk
more than 4-5 blocks at a time and I have reached the point in my left
leg where it is not possible to put in another stent.

Okay
folks, that is it! It all sounds like a lot, and I guess it is but you
would never know anything was wrong just by looking at me or spending
time with me. As I said, except for the gout (and I hope you never get
it!) there is no ongoing pain or discomfort. (And no matter what doctors
say ice cream and/or carrot cake is good medicine!!!)

It
is this positive spirit, this Pollyanna persona, that I know not where
it comes from but the bottom line is AS LONG AS I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING
I HAVE IT MADE!

Now,
aside from waking up every morning, let's look at all the good things
that have happened to me in the last 8 years besides the ones I have
already mentioned!