[John Rogers]

I had quadruple bypass surgery 4 1/2 years ago. Here is what led up to it. I have had my high blood pressure and cholesterol controlled with meds for many, many years dating back to when I was in the US Navy, 70's and 80's even. Five years ago I felt unbalanced and 'weird" one Saturday morning so when I found it hard to even walk down our hallway I dialed 911, let my wife know what was happening and went out front to wait. They took me to UCSD Medical Center in San Diego and after poking, prodding and even a MRI it was determined I had a "mini stroke". After getting over that (two months) the heart doctor suggested a stress test so in I went. In went the I V and in went the meds to start the test and I totally lost all control. They called the heart doctor in and after meds to slow things down, TWO nitro pills he said "well now you know what a heart attack feels like"! Wow, it was bad, very bad.

The next day in went the tube and a check to see if stents could be used, but no, I was too plugged up! The heart surgeon came in later and gave me the choices and I figured by pass surgery was the best choice and so far it has been as I never, ever want to have any thing remotely like the feeling of helplessness that came with the heart failing! Several of my friends who I shoot with have asked about this and I always tell them "DO NOT TAKE A CHANCE, GO TO THE HEART SPECIALISTS"! That feeling I had during the stress test has made a true believer out of me.