Home! One of the most beautiful word in the English language. While the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital is fantastic, and I sampled everything from the initial ambulance ride to my fantastic surgical teams, I am back where I love … Amity Creek and its ravine next to my house as winds its way down to Lake Superior.
My wife brought me home yesterday afternoon. My unexpected travels began two weeks ago today when I went out for a trail run. Just 1/2 mile into my run near the Lester River I collapsed and passed out on a trail in the woods. I have no idea how long I was on the ground … eventually coming semi alert but not able to see properly or stand up. I knew I was near the pine grove where Hoot lives. While still groveling on the ground, I yelled the following:
- Hoot, I need help
- I don’t want to die.
Thankfully God heard me, and after I was able to finally stand up, I attracted the attention of a young couple hiking on a nearby trail. They phoned 911, helped me to hike down to a nearby park parking lot where medical personnel met us. Over the past two weeks I have had two heart surgeries. The first surgery was “open heart” to replace a genetically defective mitral valve. The second surgery was much less invasive and installed a combination pacemaker / defibrillator device. I have a long recovery road as my medical team and I work through some issues, but the prognosis is very good.
When I returned home yesterday evening, some Fox Sparrows were busy having supper in my yard. These little guys are some of my favorite sparrows in terms of color. Fox Sparrows are recently arrived in my yard from the Arctic.
