Engine Repairs

The results of the investigation led to the need for a heart catheretization ... that was done last Monday. During the process the cardiologists ... note its up to two now ... determined an angioplasti could not be done.

There was a solution: triple bypass surgery ... the next morning. So that is what happen. Monday I remained in the cardiac area of the hospital with a little "joy juice." Early Tuesday morning, exactly one ago today. After 5 1/2 hours of surgery I was returned to my room.

Surgery was successful. Heart in good shape: just the fuel lines to the engine.

I have returned to St. Jane de Chantel parish to a guest room without a phone, which restrictions on visitors for another ten days. Following this period I will continue to convalesce before returning to Our Lady of Victory. My cardiologist was firm about my returning to parish work in the month of December. I wonder why???????

I will not be checking emails and the like very often. Please contact Ms. Wanda Gomez at the parish (202-337-4835) if you have a problem. Msgr. Duffy is Acting Pastor during the time of my absence. You see it's hard to keep the likes of himself down regardless of age and retirement.

Please continue to remember me in your prayers. Know that I have a great team of medics taking care of my health. The cardiac surgeon made a "rectory" call this morning to check on me. When is the last time you heard that kind of news. Likewise, the staff, especially the good Monsignor Essex, go out of their way to ensure that I get the rest I need.

The one prayer of thanks I offer throughout the day is to God because as my cardiac surgeon said to me, my siblings and Msgr. Essex, has deeply impacted my thinking: With situation around my heart was such, that I was very lucky to be alive and that I was susceptible to a massive heart attack. More on the whys after getting some strength back.

If any of this is disjointed, let me assure you that it is so difficult trying to concentrate these days. My mind runs in different directions, my thoughts get taggled with other things have happened.

Thanks to all of you who have been helping me: especially my sister and brothers, my secretary, our school principal, Msgr. Essex's staff at St. Janes and the priests who live here.