Thank You from the Bottom of My "Newly Mended" Heart

My journey started with an appointment to see Dr. Matthew Roes in Hiawatha, IA. In the morning of that fateful day my doctor

determined that due to the rapid weight gain throughout my body, further action would be needed. Dr. Roes immediately ordered an ECCO that my wife Kathi and I chose to be performed at Mercy Hospital. At Mercy, a wonderful person named Sue, with those special touches of care that Mercy is so famous for, performed and read my ECCO. Following the ECCO she quickly moved me upstairs to the Cardiology Clinic where I'd meet Dr. Sal Mehboob. His calm and reassuring demeanor started my path to admission and to the heart catheterization I would have a few days later. The results of this test lead to our decision to shoot for heart bypass surgery which

according to the heart catheterization would be a triple. Dr. Sal and 2 of his other partners, Dr. Jennifer Lee and Chief of Staff Dr. Cam Campbell, make up a very powerful and special team. I would be remiss here if I did not also mention here all the nurses that took care of me while at Mercy. They are some of the best around. The 4-star room (or is it 5) I stayed in made me feel so much at home, and the heart-healthy meals (especially the salmon) I enjoyed helped to more aggressively decrease the fluid that had accumulated in my body. Thanks also to the entire Cardiac Rehab department for helping me get back into shape.

The next step…very early on the morning of March 14, I was prepped for my bypass surgery at St. Luke's Surgery Center where an

amazing team was assembled to prepare and to perform my surgery. Dr. Parsons, my anesthesiologist sure was a reassuring, capable and funny guy. That "non-alcoholic" cocktail you made up for me sure helped me slip into a wonderful sleep. Dr. James Levett MD, my surgeon and his tall assistant Dr. Jeff Miller, PA-C were with me every step of the way. (Sure was reassuring that they were working and listening to a little of "Old Blue Eyes", Frank Sinatra, that day while performing my surgery).

While in the ICU after my surgery, Nurse Gwynn (or as she is affectionately known as "Nurse Cratchet"), a seasoned 30-year vet, helped me push through those very first hours and my second attempt at taking my first few steps. Her famous "Golden Rule" words to

remember to "just keep breathing", were perfect and I continued to follow it for the rest of my stay at St. Luke's.

The next day I was moved to the 3rd floor, where the Nursing Staff helped whip this sick puppy back into shape. My Special nurses,

Lindsey, Kiley, Andi and Jenn (to name a few) surely helped me feel like I'd soon be going home. To the entire RN PT Staff, thank you for your help with those baby steps. Lisa, thanks for pointing out the small bend in my nose and Jason for the ½ hour you spent sitting with me an reassuring me that with proper food and daily exercise, I'd be just fine. I am looking forward to using the 3rd floor exercise track sometime in the future.

Now let's move onto family and close friends...

- My brother Michael, thanks for the daily calls, texts and also the green flowers that were delivered to me on St. Patrick's Day while in the hospital.

- My 2 amigos, best friends and lifelong golfing buddies, Jeff (and wife Luann Fleck) and David (and wife Susan Wise). Jeff and Dave, you have always been there for me in my time and hour of need. I feel so very, very blessed to have you to travel the many miles with me on life's mysterious journey.

- Eddie Kotaska, my other childhood friend…Fast Eddie. We were once 3-year varsity track mates and passed each other that small white baton. Let's hope now with this "newly mended" heart, we will cherish these extra miles together until the end of the race.

- To the 3 foundations of my wife's family, my second mom, Norma Manhart, Aunt Mary and Uncle Bob. You are all so wise, funny and kind-hearted. All 3 of you are this family's "ROCK"; the example you show by being such strong people of faith has helped to sustain me during many a bad day or during a difficult situation. Following Matthew's "Golden Rule" to "Seek first the Kingdom of God" in all

situations has helped to provide a clearer direction as I walk my path each day.

- My wife's 2 sisters Vicki and Pam, and brother Bill, as well as the rest of the Manhart Clan have rallied around me. I think your late

father "Bill" would be very happy and extremely proud.

- I'd like to thank Paul, Pam, Ethan and Gemma Morisette for their continuous love, support and prayers through these past 2 months.

- My beloved uncle, Pastor Arnold Clauson of Denison, TX and wife Trish - you have inspired me so much and your fight with stage 4

Prostate Cancer has shown me to "Never give up"!

- My late sister Kathleen (Clauson) Wright, husband Bruce, nephew Bruce Jr. and niece Brittany; thanks for the calls and loving words of support.

Alright, I have saved the "best" for last - my loving, beautiful and caring wife, Kathi. We've been on this heart crisis together and by each other's side each and every day. I feel so blessed and honored to have you by my side as we take "one step closer to Mt. Everest" each and every day!

I would also like to thank the following people/organizations...

- Thank you Father Mark, Deacon Dennis and Sister Annette of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, for your kind words and being there for me. St. Elizabeth's is like a second home to me because of you.

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