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Here it is, a beautiful Spring, Friday morning. I roll out of bed and take my morning shower. I stroll down the hall to the kitchen where Rose is already having her second cup of coffee. I have a small breakfast of coffee and toast. Today is the last day of a software class and I tell Rose, "Rose, I should get out of class around noon today. Be ready and when I get home we'll go to lunch and then just wander around the area." She looks at me and says," Sounds like a great idea. I'll be ready around noon."
I leave the house and stat the car and begin my ride to Rolling Meadows. I have driven only a short distance when I notice a have a slight pain in my side. I don't pay attention to it, however by the time I got to Dundee Rd. I was sweating and very dizzy. I get out of my car at the gas station but then decide to get back in and head for home. was driving on rt. 83 when I noticed a health clinic. I knew at this time I could not make it home and definitely would never make it to a hospital. I drove the car into the parking lot and ran into the building. At the end of the hall I noticed a nurse and I ran up to her and said, "I'm having a heart attack. " She led me to a table and that is all I remember of that place. The nurses called for an ambulance which transported me to Condell hospital. I have no recollection of the drive or the heart doctor that was working with me. Later, I found his name was Dr. Klimitis. There were only two heart doctors at this small hospital. He treated me for two days and decided that I should go to a hospital that does heart surgery. He said there were two in Chicago and one in Milwaukee, Wi. He recommended St Mary's in Milwaukee.
I had heart surgery at St Mary's and spent the next three months at home trying to regain my strength. After three months I had visited Doctor Klimitis a few times and he told me he was working with a few heart patients. He was doing an experiment with the patients. Normal care for heart patients was bed rest, however he said he believed heart patients need to exercise their hearts and bodies. He asked if I wanted to join his small group to exercise. At this time, most heart doctors did not approve of his method of treating heart patients. I did join. We met at St Joseph church gym Monday to Friday at five a/m. The treatment was different for every patient. Some just walked for a half hour and then did exercises with the doctor. A couple walked and jogged a little, followed by a half hour exercises with the doctor. Little did I know, he was a pioneer in keeping a heart healthy. We didn't have any special health equipment. A few ropes to jump. A couple of stretching springs for your arms and legs. Now It is standard treatment to exercise to keep your heart healthy especially after heart surgery. Thanks to a him and a very few other doctors. Most Hospitals have a rehab section with stationary bikes, Walking machines and many other machines for exercising.
This was the absolute beginning of real treatment for our hearts.
That was ONLY forty or forty-five years ago.