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After getting married right after high school I found out how big the world could be. I lived in California, Ohio and Flordia which was just the start of my travels. After a failed marriage I was able to go to college and get a cirtificate in data processing which launched my career and future.
My first job was at Whidby Island Naval Air Station in Washington. I received the 2nd outstanding performance award in the data processing department history. I took night classes at the college and several corespondant courses with the Navy. After a few years the Navy transferred me to Hawathorne Nevada Naval Ammunition Depot where I was a computer operator and programer. When the Ammunition Depot changed to private ownership I then transferred to the Bremerton Naval Shipyard in Washington. There I ended my 14 year career with Civil Service to be with my mother.
Starting over I found work in Anacortes WA with Snelson Anvil in their data processing department. They built modulars and shipped them by barges to the Bearing Sea. This alowed me to be with my mother who was very ill. Then with my mothers passing and both my daughters married, it was time to start a new adventure.
This was with a company in Bellingham WA selling woodworking and metalworking equipment. They were just starting up so I was their first employee. I started a computer automated system for its retail and phone order business. After 3 years I moved to Williamsport PA to open an East Coast division where I was the General Manager. We were the second largest woodworking and medalworking company in the U.S.. The PA plant was fully automated with high tech office equipment and computer system. Shipping and receiving docks and a large crew got us started. We were responsible for taking all the companies phone orders in the U.S. and shipping all merchandice to costomers east of the Mississippi River. We ran 2 shifts and worked every saturday to handle all the orders. I was with Grizzly Industrial Corp. for 15 years. This is when I had my cardiac arrest and was forced to take a medical retirement. What a life changing experience that was. It turned my life upside down. Thank God for my family.
I moved from PA to WA state to be close to my family. After many doctors and medical bills I was forced to live on my social security. Then after 3 heart attacts and a triple heart bypass I received a defibulater implant which saved my life twice. After the 2 sudden death experiences, then came the biggie, a Heart Transplant. My Heart Transplant is like being born again, a new life. However there is no end to the trips getting blood work done till you think they are selling your blood, medication that is a meal in itself 3 times a day, the diabetes that comes from the medication and of course not having an immune system left. This is a small price to pay and I would never hesitate to tell someone else to do this as I was only in the hospital for 12 days. I truly feel like the most blessed and luckiest person ever. With the support from my daughter Brenda and my granddaughter Hanna who were beside me through my critical times, with all my family and many friends and the compassion of my doctors, I could never ask for more in this life time.
I would like to end with a poem I wrote about my feelings after my transplant. It was published in 2008.
**** MY HEART MY SOUL ****
Today the gates of Heaven have opened wide.
Angels reached out, took my hand and walked beside.
We walked down the corridor of Beauty, Peace and Pride.
We walked through the light, and in Heaven we stepped inside,
The Angels surrounded me only to smile and say,
My son, your work on earth is starting over today.
My family knew I had things I wanted to do,
And there are holidays and birthdays to celebrate too.
There is still a chance to make someone's dream come true,
Someone needs you to sustain their life and make them new.
Son your family gives you permission, so we shouldn't delay,
In your family's sorrow they knew, being a donor is the only way.
So the Angels gently, gently took my heart and soul today,
God blessed them, and back down to earth we found our way.
Awaiting for me a lady with eyelids closed in sleep,
Who knew God's love was timeless, true and deep.
My heart she did need as hers was sick and weak,
A new life was given to my new friend, to cherish and to keep.
You see I am the new friend and his heart I was able to share,
God works his miracles, just ask my family and friends who care.
My daughter held my hand this day and I was totally unaware,
Oh what love I felt when I saw her standing there.
With this overwhelming gift that I have been given my friend,
The Gates of Heaven opened wide and God said: on Me you can depend.
Shirley
On July 8th 2009 I had 14 1/2 inches of artery replaced in my right upper leg. I ended up with a staff infection in it which caused a major problem. I am still dealing with trying to get feeling back in the entire leg. There seems to be these bumps in the road I could certainly do without.
