"Thankful for Another Day"

LowTide Morning - November 17, 2018

"Thankful for Another Day"

I'm sitting at Piedmont Hospital asking questions such as "What is his ejection fraction?", "How much function will come back?", and "Normally, how many arteries are there going to and from the heart?"

I am surprised to learn that the number is not the same for each person. Purportedly, almost everyone has five arteries, maybe six; some might even have seven—cardiac superstars.

So, we have lost a few arteries over the years. That's okay. It appears we can survive with just a few arteries, perhaps even one. Although, I can't imagine walking around with only one artery like a single engine airplane. That would be banking everything on one engine. It's frightful to think what could happen if it sputters and stops in mid-air. At least a pilot has a chance of safely landing a malfunctioning plane.

My preference is to keep every single major and minor artery, but for some, the battle with heredity and heart disease doesn't always agree.

I also wonder if two arteries can supply the heart with sufficient blood flow, why does an artery that is making it's grand exit do so kicking and screaming to the detriment of the heart? "Don't go away mad, just go away."

There is much I still need to learn about the heart. The late Lewis Grizzard's book, "They Tore Out My Heart And Stomped That Sucker Flat," did not quite cover everything I need to know about coronary heart disease. But, I know enough to be grateful when life in general and matters related to the heart properly work. I'm learning more about what happens when it doesn't.

A few good arteries. Indeed, we are thankful we have enough arteries to enjoy another day—this is at the top of my 2018 Thanksgiving list.

What's at the top of your list this year?

~ LowTide explorer, Carolyn Fjeran

[LowTide is an eclectic collection of discoveries and reflective writings.]