Bob's Corner
From our weekly issue dated November 25, 2009
Comes now Thanksgiving 2009, which opens a fine topic for the ancient publisher, staring at soon becoming a 66-year-old guy with the body of a 30-year-old (a 30-year-old Chevy). Having been a newspaperman since 1963, I’ve got way too many tales to tell.
So I will limit my wandering typefest to a handful (actually quite a significant handful) of situations for which I am grateful. See how nicely that segues into Thanksgiving? Wow, and I’m humble too.
OK, here goes. It was 10 years ago last March that I found myself. Right, I found myself one night lying on the floor in the Illinois Valley News office speaking into a telephone and saying, “I think I’m having a heart attack.” (I was correct). American Medical Response and Illinois Valley Fire District personnel responded.
I was in trouble, and the medics knew it. Rapid Code 3 trip to the former county hospital in Grants Pass. Life-saving drug administered. Big crowd around me in the E.R. Was I a workaholic? Naw, I just thought that I’d spend the night and get back to the office the next day, a Tuesday.
Many knowing smiles around me. The cardiologist cleared his throat, said I’d likely be out of commission for a week or so. He was right. Way right. Underwent bypass surgery at Rogue Valley Medical Center a week later; hospitalized another week. Was out of commission for three months. Got cocky after getting better. Had another heart attack in San Diego two years later. Underwent installation of stents. Another stent installed at RVMC some time later.
Got serious (most of the time) with exercise, diet and supplements instead of prescription drugs. Still working on attitude. Doing pretty well overall. Especially after dropping a bunch of blubber. Really! I was pushing 255 the first time my heart attacked me. Now I weigh around 185. Hard work, but worth it.
Had another “heart attack” in 1964, but it was a good one. That’s when Jan and I were wed. Which means that this month we celebrated our 45th anniversary. She deserves a medal; maybe sainthood for putting up with me. Have a fine family, good friends, great colleagues.
Do I have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving? Absolutely. And I conclude with, Gracias a Dios.
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