On Sunday afternoon, July 20, 2008, in the
afternoon I had my last cigarette. I had smoked since I was 13
eventually smoking 3 packs a day. I had really expected to go through a
hard time but I must admit not smoking is a lot easier than I expected.
Yes, every now and then, usually at odd times, I think of having a
cigarette but the thought almost instantly vanishes. It was a few hours
later that I was rolled into the operating room and have a aorta valve
replacement operation.

I won't go into it but the next 4-6 months
were some of the worst times in my life due to the surgeon and my heart
doctor not informing me as the what the after effects could be which
basically was severe anxiety. Having a calm disposition most of my life,
under all circumstances, anxiety attacks over took me. Eventually, with
the help of my primary doctor who put up with a lot from me, I got
through it all and returned to my fabulous self!!!

I have become a big advocate of all
potential
heart operation patients be told about depression and anxiety and the
need for physical rehabilitation to help overcome both.

On Monday, June 15, 2009, Allen took me to
my
vascular surgeon's office where I proceeded to have a catheterization
which is a procedure to treat certain types of diseases in vessels of
the leg. The doctor makes an opening in the femoral artery, a large
blood vessel in the leg and inserts a flexible tube called a catheter to
treat the blockage. I really don't remember if I was put out for the
operation but I don't remember anything until later that afternoon when
Allen and I were the IHOP having lunch!

Last
week I went back to the vascular surgeon, where I had an ultra sound
taken on my legs, and will go back to see him next Monday, July 26 for
the results.

I may moan and groan about
wasting a lot of time visiting doctors but I guess without them I
wouldn't be here in 2010, going on 75, not smoking and, except for a few
'old man' problems like becoming short of breath now and then, all in
all doing okay.