Close call……..

4 years, 8 months ago 52
Posted in: Uncategorized

 

On Tueday of this week I started to have severe chest pains and had to take a couple of nitro glycerin tablets to relieve the pain.  This was repeated again on Wednesday, and two more nitro tablets, this time my daughter Catherine who manages our local Baptist Heath Cardiology office insisted, more like ordered me, in for an exam!  I went in and was immediately hospitalized and scheduled for a heart cath the folowing morning.

 

Long story short, that beautfiul young lady above, with the old man, saved his life. Dr. Subramaniyam did the heart cath and found that my left anterior descending artery was 99% blocked.  Often called, the widow maker, because heart attacks from this arteries being blocked are most often fatal!  As he stated it I was hours or days away from a fatal heart attack.  Fortunatey he cleared the blockage and placed a stint in that part of the artery, so you could say he and Catherine both saved my life!

 

I’m sharing this becaue I want to thank Dr. Subra and the excellent medical team that gave me a second chance to stick around and serve my maker for a few more years, and to thank my daughter for lovingly insisting I get this checked out, which I woudn’t have done without here insistence!

 

I certainly want to thank my Lord for steering me to the help I needed and giving me a little more time to clear up some very imporant assignments he has me working on!  I am ready and anxious to be with my Lord in paradise, but I want it to be in His timing. plus I would like to think Sherelene and Chester would miss me!?

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

52 Responses

  1. Jerry Reece says:

    Glad to hear you gonna be around a few more years.
    Jerry Reece

  2. Rick Coleman says:

    Many, many people would miss you Bill and count me among them. So glad you listened to advice and got this taken care of. Take care of yourself. God Bless.
    Rick

  3. David Wilson says:

    I wholeheartedly agree with Rick. I’m glad that you were able to get things taken care of. I hope you’re back to speed after the procedure real soon.

    God bless you.

    David

  4. Carl says:

    Ditto all the above! There is NO ONE who can take your place!

    Thank you Lord for taking care of Bill!

  5. Rodney McKnight says:

    That’s the worst lesion you could have Bill….Thanks to the Lord that He wants you to stick around a bit longer…and it’s obvious why….telling more people about Jesus and being an example of a real Christ follower….and Chester would miss you! I’m thanking Him tonight for keeping you here awhile longer…a little selfish too…I want to see you in November at the summit…so glad you are doing well my friend!!!!

  6. William ONeal says:

    Saying a prayer brother!

  7. David Berry says:

    God is good Bill – Praying for a quick recovery my friend!
    David Berry

  8. Bill Fortney says:

    Thank you David, and yes He is!

  9. Hank Rota says:

    Hi Bill:

    I’m so glad everything worked out for you. You’re so fortunate your daughter ordered you in!! You, and your family, have been through so much this last year.

    May God bless you and keep you, and yours, well.

    All the Best,

    Hank

  10. GEORGE THEODORE says:

    Hey Bill – now you cut that out! Want you to stick around for a lot longer. Stay well my friend

  11. Steve Kubik says:

    Glad to hear you’re ok. Thankfully your daughter knew the signs and insisted you get treatment.

  12. Glad you got on top of this early, my friend. Best of health.

  13. Wayne Bennett Jr. says:

    Hey Bill,
    I hope you are recovering nicely!
    Wayne

    • Bill Fortney says:

      Shereleneand I drove down to Nashville last night and I spoke to a group at the Mid South Photo Expo today, felt great!! I think I’m on the way. Back!

  14. Bob Lieber says:

    Bill, so glad God was not ready for you yet. You still have lots to teach us, most importantly how to live a Godly life. Listen to your doctors and do at least most of what they tell you. You are in my prayers my brother.

  15. Bill Fortney says:

    Thank you Bob, you’re a great Friend!

  16. Brad Mikel says:

    Bill,
    Thank the Lord that you are OK and weren’t too stubborn to follow good advice. I have way too many people on my ‘get well’ prayer list, but you are on my ‘Thank you God’ list!! May he bless and keep you and your family.
    Brad

  17. Bill Fortney says:

    Love you man! Same to you!

  18. Mike E says:

    I was quite alarmed when I logged into your blog just now and saw what you have been going through. But as I read the comments and saw that you were out teaching already I realized that things were going to be OK.

    I’m very thankful that your daughter forced you to go in! Please take care of yourself during the recovery and try not to over-do it too much!

  19. Johnny Boyd says:

    Bill, my dad had heart attack in the that same vein about 20 years it took numerous shocks to stabilize him but the good Lord decided he wasn’t ready for him yet. He also had a stint placed for safety and has had no other issues. His was what the Doctor referred to as a “phantom attack” caused by a small piece of cholesterol breaking loose and getting wedged in a narrow spot of the artery.

    Glad to have both of you still around.

    Time to ease up or stop eating those cheeseburgers. I gave them up well over 15 plus years ago and now the only burger I eat is an Elk burger that I grill myself.

  20. Lynn Rogers says:

    I’m so thankful you are okay, Bill! What a scare.

  21. Ron says:

    Hi Bill, just catching up. First, thank You Lord for carrying you through this and then thank Catherine for her advice and loving persistence.
    Please see if they offer a Cardiac Rehab program and take it to rebuild your heart. Catherine will know.
    It is good to know that the Lord has more things for you to do. Take care and get well.
    We love you brother

  22. Jack Graham says:

    The BIG MAN has your (our )backs… It was great and somewhat emotional talk to you fro the airport in Anchorage on Sunday but never the less as always good. I can not wait to get to Corbin on Thursday.. well spend some quality time sans workshops and relax. I can’t wait to see you, Sherlene and Chester.
    God has the plan… already knows how the movie ends and fortunately we all are still playing our roles the best we can thanks to HIM. When we put our trust in Him all this blips on the radar are lot more easy to deal with. Glad your back brother…. Ready for the Palouse?
    Love you!-JG

    • Bill Fortney says:

      Jack,
      God has blessed me beyond measure and I believe our work here is not done! It is an honor and a privilege to stand next to you in the field! I’m so thrilled that we are both brothers and best friends, I think I’m feeling great enough to face any challenge! Travel safe and rest with your Kentucky family! Love you man!

  23. Donna Martin says:

    Thank you for listening to you daughter and getting help as soon as possible! I was worried about your heart during the workshop a couple of weeks ago. Your work is NOT DONE YET! We need you here!

  24. JOHN GOMPF says:

    Bill,

    I am glad we skipped the burger. More important that you stick around as long as you can. We will have many more days together.

    John

  25. Bryan Jolley says:

    I am praising the Lord that he allowed you to stick around on this earth for a while longer! I feel like we have some unfinished fellowship business that needs to be taken care of! So glad to hear that you are feeling better!
    I continue to pray for you, Sherlene, Rhonda and the kids!
    Blessings,brother!
    Bryan
    PS- I have dropped you a few emails but not sure they are getting to you…maybe caught in the spam filter!

  26. So good to hear you are better! Blessings to you… as you have blessed so many!

  27. William Ball says:

    I am so glad you are getting better. Please cut back on the cheeseburgers!!! We want you to be around for a long long time. Prayers coming your way. Love ya buddy!!

  28. Josh Boldt says:

    Praise Jesus!

  29. The Obers says:

    So glad that Catherine had you go in to get checked. Give her our thanks. You’ve touched so many lives, glad you’re sticking around for a while with us.
    Big hugs, Dave and Kerry

  30. Bill Fortney says:

    Can’t think Of better people to stick around with than you two!