Dear CleverJourneys readers,
On Friday the 13th of August, 2021, I will be having heart surgery at the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.
More specifically, the procedure is called Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG).
CABG (pronounced “cabbage”), is a type of operation that improves blood flow to the heart. This surgery is used to treat coronary artery disease (CAD). CABG also is known as bypass surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery, and open heart surgery.
I have a great team of doctors, including three cardiologists who have analyzed all the tests and lab work. My cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Brian New will performs the operation, along with the help of a capable heart team-anesthesiologist, a perfusionist (heart-lung bypass machine specialist), other surgeons, nurses, and technicians.
My “overseer” is the infamous Dr. Robert Schnitzler whose passion is simply his patients. Dr. Schnitzler saved my mother’s life two times in the early 2000s.
During CABG, Dr. New will use my own veins or arteries to “bypass” narrowed areas of my coronary arteries. Oxygen-rich blood is routed around the blockage, creating a new path and restoring blood flow to my heart muscle. I will have this done on at least three vessels.
My systems have been chest heaviness and some shortness of breath. Dodie, a Registered Nurse for 40 years, recognized the signs and that’s why I’ve been taking tests like Doppler ultrasound, pulmonary function, nuclear stress and others the last couple of months.
God willing, once recovered, I will continue my life’s passion of writing, traveling, photographing, filmimg and documenting…all, with the love of my life, Dodie.
About 60 years ago, our paths crossed when were five at Jack & Janet, a two room first grade and pre-first grade school.
When she was the prettiest star volleyball player on our McCollum High School volleyball team, at 15, I asked her for a first date–to go see rock n’ roller Rod Stewart in concert at the old Hemisfair Arena. Her parents said no, “you are too young to date.
A senior, I graduated at 17 and moved on to college. A year later she played on the San Antonio college volleyball team and later went on to WIN the Nationals (best collegiate team) in Maryland that year. About the same time I won national Investigative Reporter of the Year at the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Press Association in Tucson.
It took 45 years, 6 months and 11 days before Dodie and I finally went on that first date–and we saw Rod Stewart in Las Vegas! A year later we were married in 2019.
Each morning at 11:11 a.m., expect to see a new article on CleverJourneys. We’ve pre-written some and Dodie will do double duty of writing and copy editing others.
We certainly appreciate your continued readership, comments and patronage. Purposefully, we limit our sponsorship to only three advertisers–and we place their ads at the end of each article.
Out of respect to our wonderful readers, there are no annoying pop ups, banners or ads placed in actual articles. Our advertisers are kind enough to believe in our simplicity, love of freedom and truth. Please be sure to click their ads. You will not be disappointed. Dodie and I absolutely use and recommend them.
Don’t forget, each morning at 11:11 a.m. (CST), a new post will be issued. God Bless and thank you to all of our subscribers and readers.
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Get Your Natural Vitamins A & D from the Sea!
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Clever Journeys 
Praying for a successful surgery and a swift recovery. I hope that Jimmy and I can get to see you one day. I would love to meet you and your beautiful wife Dodie.
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We will put it on our bucket list when we resume our travels. We love that. God Bless and thank you.
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Jack and Dodie: you guys are on my mind tonight. You’re in good hands and obviously you know that. Looking forward to a time when ya’ll will come and see Pam and I. Ready for some good laughs. So have a speedy recovery. I’ll be praying.
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Love you both. You can count on it.
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Thanks for a great article and I wish everything goes perfect with your operation!!! ❤
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I appreciate you and enjoy your blog!!! Thanks.
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Best of luck, Jack. Mary and I are praying for you.
Bob & Mary Oberlender (nee` Bryant)
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Thank you both so very much!
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GODSPEED, Jack and “Diane” (aka Dodie)
11:11 AM! Got it!
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How nice. Thank you!
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Good bless you Jack! You will be in my prayers. It sounds like you have a great team. May the Lord guide their hands and minds and may you receive the healing touch of Jesus. And bless Dodie for her expertise and wonderful care!
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Thank you very much. I told Dodie my surgeon looks like a superhero, NASA astronaut or jet pilot. Your sentiment is greatly appreciated.
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Prayers. Your work is impeccable. I will look forward to the new post at 11:11 each day. You may feel years younger after surgery and recovery.
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Thank you for your encouraging words, readership & cyber-friendship.
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God Bless and be with you Jack. I have had you in my prayers and will continue to pray for you. You have God and a wonderful group of doctors taking care of you!! 🙏
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Thank you Miss Linda! Your prayers mean a good deal to me.
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My thoughts and prayers are with you, Jack. I pray that you have a successful surgery and a great outcome and I look forward to your return to a clean bill of health and to writing and traveling. God bless you! 🙏🙏🙏
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Thank you my fellow blogger friend!
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You’re very welcome. 🙂
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My prayers and thought are with and the skilled surgeons. Prayers for quick recovery so you and you bride can get back to traveling. Hugs
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What a nice surprise! Thank you, Ulanda.
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You’ve got this, Jack! And what a great lady you have by your side! Lots of people will be praying for you, including me. Look forward to hearing about your progress! JK
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Thank you so very, very much. I always appreciate your kindness.
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🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks Dennis.
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Good luck with your surgery.
Sent from my iPad
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I so much appreciate your kindness.
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🙂 I am wishing you the best of luck where your heart surgery is concerned.
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Thank you very much.
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Hi Jack and Dodie,
I have commented on a few of your posts before and I ALWAYS enjoy reading what you write!
I live in San Antonio and my husband had surgery at Methodist on Floyd Curl in 2019 (before the ‘Covid’).
The surgeon that he had and the hospital were both very good, in my opinion.
And so….
Jack– I pray that you have a speedy recovery after your heart surgery.
Would LOVE to meet you both one day when you are feeling better. 🙂
Mary
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That would be very nice. Thank you for your kind note & info on your husband’s experience. Very helpful because the jitters are beginning to hit me.
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Praying for an easy surgery and complete recovery! Stay strong, God is with you, walking before you and guiding the doctors and nurses hands. Praying for Dodie and your family for peace and comfort. And our Lord will give you peace as well during this surgery as well as your recovery! Take one day at a time. Much love, Peggy
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❤
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May God bless you and keep you Jack. You are in our prayers…will be watching for updates!
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❤
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Dear Jack and Dodie, you are so valuable to God that the devil hates it! Hence this attack. I’ll be on the warpath telling him off, and I won’t let up. You will pull through for much more wonderful reporting and many more years with each other. Blessings, grace, peace in the midst of this for both of you,
Love, Kathleen
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❤
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Hope all the best for you and your family. I had stents put in 3 years ago and met a ton of wonderful people in the hospital (nurses and patients). Life is sure a journey.
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I appreciate your comments & sentiment.
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I pray all went well for you Jack. I’m sure you and Dodie are thankful this part is over. Now you can concentrate on your healing and recovery. May God bless you both and with everyday you feel renewed.
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Thank you. Very kind.
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