Life is good again heading to 2016
This year has been the roughest of my 70 years.
Toward the end of 2014, I began to feel poorly. On Feb. 9, I was admitted to Clovis Community Hospital, where, after many tests, I was diagnosed with a streptococcus infection, which was curable. The bad news was that the bacteria had nested in my heart valves, and I would have to have heart surgery.
On March 13, I had a seven-hour surgery to implant two stainless-steel valves, plus two arteries. Following a nine-day stay, I went home and was discouraged to find I could only manage 50 feet with a walker before needing a rest.
I began to wonder if I would ever regain my health. Finally, two months into my recovery, I woke up one day feeling some energy. Things slowly got better. I began light workouts at the gym, began to taste food again, and the sun shone a little brighter.
I am almost back to normal and this has been a wonderful Christmas. I am thankful for every heartbeat, great medical care, a wonderful family, and news that our daughter will have our first grandchild this summer. Life is good again.
Gid Adkisson, Clovis
This story was originally published December 31, 2015 at 5:52 AM with the headline "Life is good again heading to 2016."