Happy Thanksgiving! (Plus, Fun Turkey Cartoons)

Adam-
A very happy Thanksgiving wish to you and your family.
I am 14 days from my Ross Procedure. Needless to say, I am going through all the expected emotions as I prepare for this surgery. So much to do, so little time.
I know it is all in God’s hands, so it is time for me to relax and get ready for a new energy!
May God Bless you and yours,
Bruce Hale

Thouroughly enjoyed reading your blog today. I can certainly identify with everything you had to say. It is so good to see that the things you hold dear are equally special to me.

Thought this might be a good time to share my Thanksgiving message with you.

Here goes:

Many of us are getting ready aren’t we? We can just smell and taste the cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy, biscuits, stuffing, and yes the TURKEY! It’s no secret that Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

One of the most interesting aspects of our Thanksgiving traditions is the official pardon of a Turkey by the President of the United States. The President of the United States is presented with a Turkey which he pardons and the turkey is then sent to live a long life free from the fear of dying for dinner.

It started me thinking that we are all kind of like turkeys at Thanksgiving. In the world we live in today there are many that think living a good life is all that is required or desired. However, when it’s all said and done, we, like our real turkey counterparts, do not have much left after it’s all over. Some of us will often look and act the best we can and not begin to accept the gifts we are offered through our faith. We are the “pardoned turkeys” and we have lost a sense of urgency for our fellow brothers and sisters who are headed for the table.

I know, you’re probably getting hungry saying – this is a bit of a stretch with all this turkey talk. But, we must recapture a sense of urgency for remembering and being thankful for the gifts we have been given. Far too often we are so caught up in our daily activities that we forget the importance of giving THANKS. We get more upset when things do not go the way we planned rather than being grateful for what we have.

How diligent are you in utilizing the gifts that you have been given? Are you secure in your life and doctrine? Who are those unpardoned Turkeys in your life?

The greatest thanks we can give to the one who has given so freely to us is by serving Him a big helping of committed, devoted, loving, and diligent “PARDONED TURKEYS” that desire to serve Him with every ounce of their strength and desire.

Thanksgiving is a time to stop, reflect and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy as Americans. It is also a time to celebrate and enjoy the company of friends, family and loved ones.

We especially need to take a moment and pause during this Holiday season to remember the many who will be unable to spend this holiday season in the comfort of their homes. I hope that all our service men and women will find consolation in knowing that a grateful nation remembers their service and gives thanks to all of them for protecting the freedoms that we cherish so deeply. Their personal commitment and selfless spirit are inspirational, and serve as a constant reminder to every American of all that is good in our Country. I would also like to take this opportunity to express how proud I am of each and every one of them. They are important to me, to you and our Nation.

This Thanksgiving, I would like for all of us to remember that there are times in our lives that we don’t always see God’s blessings right away. Sometimes, they are disguised, and the things we once thought of as bad, or scary, turn into a wonderful blessing. This is particularly true this year. We have faced some challenges. The nation faces many challenges during these unprecedented economic times. It is not unlike some of the challenges we have faced in the past. But we have a unique opportunity to meet these challenges head on and emerge as an even stronger and more viable force for good in the communities we live in.

I like what Peter F. Drucker says about leadership:

“Leadership is not magnetic personality – that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not making friends and influencing people – that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a persons vision to higher sights, the raising of a persons performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its’ normal limitations.”

Life is no brief candle. It is a sort of splendid torch which we have got a hold of for the moment, and we want it to burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

In closing, let me take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving – May you all have many new joys and blessings to be thankful for in the days and years ahead.

Edward J. Woodard, Jr.

Hi Adam and Robyn,

Real cute! I love the poem too!

Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless!

Kathy Mccain

Hi Adam ans Robyn
Bless you both and your family. I really appreciated the laughs with your Thanksgiving cartoons. Such a necessary part of recovery. I am 77yrs young and 5 months post op for Mitral Valve replacement and have recently hit the doldrums. I attended an excellent rehab session at our local hospital today discussing emotions connected with heart surgery and also relaxation tips and practice. Laughter is highly recommended! The emphasis was on bypass surgery but plans are in place to include a session on valve replacement next year. The rehab here in NZ is based on the British model and consists of a six week cycle of a teaching session, followed by 30mins exercise under a physiotherapist, afternoon tea break followed by an optional teaching session. Carers and supporters have their own meeting during the patients’ exercise session – no patients allowed.
There are also 2 pool sessions offered per week for those who apprciate/need exrecise in warm water. Generaly limited to 10 sessions and then going on to the floor and educaional sessions.
Keep up the good work. I’m sharing various info from your blogs with other people at the rehab sessions.
Marion

I was told yesterday that my echocardiogram had shown a definite change for the worse since the test was done a year ago. My cardiologist has recommende a heart cath with possible repair or replacement of two valves. I was searching the internet to find info and found your site. I will be getting your book tomorrow. Is there a heart surgeon in the western Ky area that you would recommend. Thank you, Ann

hello to everyone and especially to Adam
happy thanksgiving to you all yes we have a lot to be grateful for we also will be celebrating Eid ul Hajj so Eid mubarak to all
take care
fazilat

My friend Teresa is scheduled for bovine valve replacement sugery this coming Wednesday. She is in the hospital and does not have a computer. We are trying to find out why this implantation does not require anti-rejection drugs. Ms.T is very drug sensitive. Therefore the interest in not having to take drugs to prevent rejection. Thank you for responding in advance.

Kathlean

Kathlean,

To my knowledge there in not an “anti-rejection drug” for tissue valve implantation . I had aortic valve surgery done in Feb.,with a Medtronic Mosaic tissue valve. That was one of the questions my husband, and I asked my cardiologist. Has they’re ever been rejection of an implantation? His answer, “definitely not.” I did have some other issues, such as effusion, and post pericardial syndrome. The effusion is completely gone, but I’m still dealing with the pericarditis. I take prednesone for this. My cardio says it sometimes takes up to 2yrs for this to completely resolve. My last echo was done a couple of weeks ago. The valve is working just great!

I can relate to you’re friend, I am very drug sensitive myself! Tell her not to worry about rejection. It might be a good idea for her to discuss this issue, and anything else that is troubling her with her Dr.though.

Good luck to her! Let us know how she is doing.

I am so happy for you and all of your family. On my gratitude list for this Years Thanksgiving was the Gratutitude for making it so alive andwell from my aortic replacement at the Clevland clinic on Oct.30th. Bovine replacement – no coumeden, no rejection drugs and only @ a 3″ scare. Also, I am grateful for you, Adam, for your help and information made me feel so well informed and confident going into the operation that I knew I was prepared and that greatly helped the success of my surgery and recovery.
After returning to Florida after surgery, I found myself in emergency and being admitted due to a pleural effusionwhich took 2 days to get drained.
I was released and after 4 great days , the symptoms returned and BANG -back in the hospital for yet another thortessis. Painful and exhausting. Any information on this condition or progrognosis would help. It has knocked me for a loop and feels like my recovery has suffered a real set back.Again, thanks and Congrats to you and Robyn.

am so happy for you and all of your family. On my gratitude list for this Years Thanksgiving was the Gratutitude for making it so alive andwell from my aortic replacement at the Clevland clinic on Oct.30th. Bovine replacement – no coumeden, no rejection drugs and only @ a 3″ scare. Also, I am grateful for you, Adam, for your help and information made me feel so well informed and confident going into the operation that I knew I was prepared and that greatly helped the success of my surgery and recovery.
After returning to Florida after surgery, I found myself in emergency and being admitted due to a pleural effusionwhich took 2 days to get drained.
I was released and after 4 great days , the symptoms returned and BANG -back in the hospital for yet another thortessis. Painful and exhausting. Any information on this condition or progrognosis would help. It has knocked me for a loop and feels like my recovery has suffered