So, in 1993,at the ripe age of 42 I had what turned out to be my second heart attack after walking 18 holes of golf. Got home, went to the video rental store and quit smoking after 20 years about 10 minutes before the ambulance arrived.

Had a triple bypass and was told not to count on a long life span with an 18 ejection fraction. 3 laps around the pool walking tired me out. Somehow after 3 months I was confounding my cardiologist. So he told me to slowly increase my duration and speed on a treadmill. 6 months later I walked 5 miles in one hour nonstop with a 3% grade. Physically fit I returned to skiing.

3 years later I was starting to have minor problems so I started on Coreg which returned me to full strength at a low dose. In the year 2000 after completing a stress test on a treadmill I flatlined. Resulting in the installation of an AICD. In 2003 while skiing I was shocked walking down the street after skiing, and followed with another shock 2 months later. The pacemaker was activated and I returned to normal.

In 2006 I traveled to Bangkok from Spokane to try a stem cell treatment which failed. For the next 5 years I had issues with 2 bouts of congestive heart failure, a blood infection and finally on July 4th, 2011 after two bouts in one day of CHF and a heart attack it was decided one month later I would need an LVAD and wait for a heart transplant. In the 5 months of waiting I went through two internal bleeds and 16 defibrillator shocks.

Through that whole period I faithfully exercised, and controlled my weight.

Now almost 11 years after the transplant I remain reasonably healthy. I have had numerous issues with skin cancer, one heart stent to complement the abdominal stent from 2005, and an endorectomy as smoking almost ruined my vascular system.

Medical technology, exercise, and controlling weight are my keys to success.

Truly feel blessed.