On Wednesday (10/31/12), Uncle Gene had arthroscopic heart surgery to replace his failing aorta valve with a pig's valve. This would be a difficult surgery for anyone, but especially hard for an 85 year old man. Thankfully the surgery went well and as of this writing eight days later, Uncle Gene is recovering nicely.
Before his surgery, Anne and I went to visit him and Aunt Eleanor at their home. Our son Kyle, his wife Diane and their son Keoni did so as well in a seperate visit and Uncle Gene and Aunt El were elated by that visit, but Aunt El was understandably highly stressed by what Uncle Gene faced. To add to the pressure Aunt El even got sick as the day for the surgery approached.
Per the request of Uncle Gene and Aunt El, at the hospital for and after the surgery were Aunt El, their daughter Terri and Aunt El's sister Anita. Their son Ken was also a participant. Subsequently Anne and I came to the hospital to visit.
Yesterday 11/7/12), our son Kevin, between shifts in a very long day of police work, drove to their home in his police car, wearing his police uniform. Uncle Gene and Aunt El were thrilled. "I had a wonderful visit Dick, it could not have been better," Uncle Gene remarked that night over the phone, a warm glow in his voice. "I enjoyed every moment of it."
A moment later in speaking of Kevin's police car parked in front of their home, Uncle Gene added with a laugh "The neighbors wondered what I did wrong." With all that he has been through, what a joy it was to hear him laugh.
Dick
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