Based on what has transpired over the past four weeks, I have so much to be thankful for. I truly feel blessed and watched over and protected. I want to thank those that sent me cards, candy,flowers, plants, food and fruit. So much, from so many; thank you. I’m writing this to let people know how much I appreciate all they have done for me and my family.
To begin with, I need to thank my PCP, Dr. Heather Mane, Elliot Medical Center, for convincing me to take the stress test on the 24th of August. I felt good. I believed there was no need for the stress test. If I hadn’t taken it, I shudder at what the consequences might have been.
I need to thank my long time friend Ken Hand for suggesting that I contact Dr. Sunit Mukherjee and request through my PCP that he be my cardiologist. Over this same time frame I have talked to many people, patients and those in the medical field about this doctor and everyone thinks highly of him. Yes, I did go on the internet to determine if anyone complained about him, malpractice suits, etc. He has a clean slate. He also has a sense of humor and a great bedside manner.
Dr. Mukherjee did the catheterization on Wednesday the 26th and that went as smoothly as it could. Trouble is, a stent or stents would not resolve my problem. I required a quadruple bypass. Initially I thought about going to Catholic Medical Center in Manchester. It would be that much easier for Christopher. My father had his bypass surgery at CMC and he recovered nicely. Dr. Mukherjeree recommended St. Elizabeth’s in Brighton and provided the rationale for his recommendation. He also recommended the Chief of the Cardiothoracic Departement to do the surgery, a Dr. Arvind Agnihotri. Christopher agreed with him. I figured if St. Elizabeth’s was good enough for John Sununu, it was good enough for me.
On Thursday, the 27th, I underwent a series of screening and tests. I went for a CAT scan, X-Ray, Ultra-sound of both arms and legs. An Echocardiogram and had blood drawn every few hours. I was good to go. By the way, the CAT scan was done around one am.
I found out that they did six of these procedures five days a week, three in the morning and three in the afternoon. I was scheduled for surgery on Friday afternoon. This may surprise you, it did surprise me, that I never gave a thought that there would be any complications. I believed that all of the prayers, spells, Reiki and Tong Ren healing energy would ensure that all went smoothly.
My miracle commnenced, I’m sure, as soon as word got out that I would be undergoing surgery. So many people of so many faiths and beliefs sent me prayers, healing intentions, Reiki, Wiccan Healing Spells, Tong Ren saturating the Collective Unconsciousness and the healing began. Eleanor Marks, a Tong Ren practitioner visited me at St. Elizabeths and brought me one of the Tom Tam designed Brain Entrainment healing machines and as a separate entity a healing cord hosting four piezo-electric disks. These were items she purchased for her own use and was kind enough to give them to me. I use the machine and wear the cord everyday. Laura DiGregorio via telecon tapped and sent me Tong Ren healing energy every day, that is, until she left for Ireland. I’m sure she continued to send me healing energy from across the ocean. Tom Tam and Eleanor had called me from Spaulding Rehab Center to let me know that seventy people were there and that they were going to send me healing energy on Sundays. Also, at the numerous classes in Haverhill participants sent me healing energy through the collective unconsciousness. Christopher’s friends sent me healing spells and so many sent me healing through Reiki. I truly am blessed with all of these fine friends, neighbors and friends of Christopher sending me healing energy and prayers. There is no way I can express the gratitude I have towards all of these caring people. Again, Eleanor called frequently and tapped for me and sent me Tong Ren Healing Energy.
I did spend one night and one day in ICU. During the day they had me sitting in a chair for several hours. They also had me walk a few steps. While in ICU I took pain medication once and only one time. I was never in any pain after the one night in ICU. They moved me to a regular room on Monday. While there I was able to pick up my fluid drainage bottles and walk the floor. No pain, no issues. Late Tuesday afternoon they shipped me to Salemhaven for rehab. Honestly, I didn’t believe I needed rehab but agreed to it to make Christopher more comfortable. I wanted him to feel confident that once I went home I could take care of myself.
At Salemhaven they tried to put me in a chair and a bed that had an alarm attached. I did tell them that I was wandering around the floor at St.Elizabeth’s without any issues. I guess after I set off the alarms four times they did check my records and they determined I could get up on my own two feet without any problems. I ended up staying in rehab longer than I needed to because of the holiday. The reason being, there wasn’t a Visiting Nurse that would be available. I did undergo physical therapy and occupational therapy with the therapists discharging me after two sessions. The occupational therapist had me cook soup and had me work my way around the kitchen to demonstrate I could cook for myself. By the way, if anyone ever needs a stint in rehab I suggest they check out Salemhaven. They took great care of Rosalie in 2008 and they certainly took good care of me. I went home the morning after the Labor Day holiday. There were two CNA’s that were still there that took care of Rosalie in 2008. Angie Leonard and Yuby Checo took exceptional care of me. I was truly pampered. Yes, they remembered Rosalie and told me stories about her stay. I felt comfortable chatting with them.
The staff wanted to know if I was some sort of celebrity because I had so many visitors. Here I need to thank Jean Marie for picking up my morning newspapers and a cup of Dunkin Doughnuts coffee every morning that I was in Salemhaven. Also, my next door neighbor Jutta brought me coffee and German chocolates as well other treats. Maria, how can I forget you with all your fruit and cookies. You brought so much that Angie and Yuby had to help me eat it. Jeanne, one of my high school classmates brought me a plant and other goodies. It was a cactus plant and it is still alive. Believe it or not, Terri, a classmate from grades one through six brought me coffee and other goodies plus reading material. Her husband who is fighting cancer came with her. It was nice to see the two of them. My cousin’s widow and his son and daughter-in-law visited. I mustn’t forget my acupuncturist Yvonne Tam drove from Quincy to visit me and then drove to Spaulding to conduct a Tong Ren Healing Session with her father and others at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center in Chelsea. She put a lot of mileage on that day. So many others came but I’m sorry I can’t remember everyone. I was overwhelmed with all that transpired. Others from the Haverhill Tong Ren group showed up like Judith Raywood and Joe Dagati. I’m sorry that with some people I had to cut the visits short because of my therapy sessions. Friends from work like Ken Hand and John Tiller visited as did Terry and Ralph Dolce.
Christopher John Penczak was my rock. He asked the questions I forgot to ask and should have asked. He’s such a smart young man but I did see right through him. There were times that he maneuvered me into thinking the way he was thinking and I acquiesced to his ideas. For instance, the stint in rehab. I really wanted to go home. In reality, they were the right decisions. Both Steve and Adam were there to support Christopher.
I think I have rambled on long enough. I’m sure I have forgotten to thank people for all they have done; if so, I’m sorry. I am still so overwhelmed by all the prayers, good intentions, kind words of encouragement, the Wiccan spells and the healing energy through Tong Ren and Reiki all worked towards my quick recovery. Each and every doctor, nurse, CNA, therapists and social workers have all commented on how quickly I recovered. There has to be something to all of this.
I just wanted to get the word out that I am truly thankful and grateful for all those that contributed to my healing and recovery. According to the medicos it will be several months before I am back to my old self. I am going to follow their directions and take it easy for the next several months. Yet, I’m willing to bet I beat their expectations.
Ron Penczak 