It happened at Supercuts just before Christmas.  Rick was waiting for his haircut alongside no other than Dr. Doyle, my long time cardiologist. The fact that these two successful men were waiting in line for a $15 haircut is another story for another time. So is the fact that Rick gets his hair cut every ten days.

I was a little surprised that Dr. Doyle even connected Rick to me or that he would be conversant with my case out of context.  He must have thousands of patients.  But I have been seeing him for 13 years.  I’m younger and fitter than his average patient. I visit his office at least three or four times a year, sometimes as often as two or three times a week.  He’s performed four operations on me, numerous in-patient tests, as well as meeting me a couple of times in the ER.  So, I guess I’m a memorable patient. Plus my case has not exactly been text book.

I don’t know all the details of what they talked about.  Rick didn’t tell me and I didn’t ask. But just a few days ago Rick brought up their conversation.  He said that Dr. Doyle told him that he wished I would embrace my wellness.  While that sort of threw me for a loop, it didn’t really shock me.  Dr. Estep, my CHF cardiologist, more or less told me the same thing.

Cardiomyopathy is an unpredictable disease.  It goes in fits and starts.  You can deteriorate rapidly and then level off for long periods of time.  There seems to be no explaining or anticipating the course it takes.

For me, 2014 was a year of digesting.  I spent most of the year getting my head around the fact that I have cardiomyopathy, a degenerative and incurable condition.  I was quite overwhelmed at first. And also quite distraught.  So, on the recommendation of my good friend Heather, I started blogging about it.  I had a lot to say. Then I said it all, so I started writing about my family. I wasn’t sure how much time I had left, I was in a hurry.  I wrote a lot.

Then a funny thing happened.  I didn’t die.  In fact, here I am.  It’s 2015.  On Monday, I turn 57.  I made it another year.  And I haven’t gotten worse. I have leveled off. Praise God!

So, I’m taking the doctors’ advice.  I am embracing my wellness. Look out 2015. I’m back.