Tom's Posts

I was reminded of the Heart Valve Journal since my cousin and best friend "Ozzie" (who had the same aortic valve replacement surgery as me) experienced serious setbacks. He had two strokes, his speech is impaired and been in and out of the hospital for several months now. For whatever reason his doctors could never get his blood levels to do what needed to be achieved. His coumadin levels were constantly being changed and never really stabilized. Ozzie is eight years older than I am which may not necessarily have anything to do with his situation. He continues with physical therapy and that seems to help some but he is deeply depressed - who wouldn't be depressed given his situation? I ask for your prayers for Oz. I also started receiving emails about Fran Zilko and her circumstances. Fran was one of the first supporters of me through this blog as I was approaching my surgery. My prayers and support for Fran go out to her and her family too. As for myself, I just turned 64 and continue to work and plan to keep working until I am seventy. One reason is I have for continued working is my current job as Coordinating Chaplain in a men's state prison in upstate NY. Something I've been doing now for the past 5 years. It is challenging work but I've never felt so alive in performing it compared to the other jobs I've held throughout my career. So there you have it - a short update on my situation. If I shared everything with you folks you'd end up laughing / crying. So I will save that for a later post. In the meantime - May God bless and keep you all in good health. Keep on Laughing (and Rockin') Tom "Deke" Schrage tschrage@rochester.rr.com

It is hard to believe but FIVE years ago I had my aortic valve replaced. Since that time Life continues to surprise me. I made significant changes in my career, celebrated 41 years of marriage with my wonderful wife Barbara, and continue to wonder where I will go or what I will do next. Since its been three years since my last post, I thought I would see how many email connections are still valid through this website. I hope everyone is doing well. God Bless! Tom Schrage tschrage@rochester.rr.com