By: Brent Brown, National Sales Manager

Many of my customers and friends wonder how I am doing. As many of you already know, I had two bad heart attacks in December. The second one, on Christmas Eve, destroyed the left side of my heart and required surgeons to install an artificial heart pump (LVAD). This newly approved heart pump has a titanium impeller that pumps the blood from my heart. It runs on batteries strapped to my waist during the day, and plugs into the wall at night. During my recovery process in April of this year, further complications came when the blood-thinner drugs caused me to pass out and hit my head hard on the floor. The medications caused severe bleeding in my head, and brain surgery was required to relieve the pressure and to repair the damage. The fall caused a loss of memory and some severe confusion issues. The most irritating issue was that I had to relearn how to swallow. Many of my friends and customers have been calling for details, but do not know the real story. I realize it is a good idea to give everyone an update. Caring doctors and new technology saved my life. Today, I am back to work and doing everything I can to adjust to the new circumstances. Each week I improve, and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still get sick from the large number of medications I take. I am still weak from the loss of muscle after almost three months stuck in a hospital bed, and I still get tired during long work days. But life is now getting back to normal.

These grim events have been tough, but they have provided me with some encouraging insights. There were three times while I was in the hospital that my wife was told by the surgeons to expect the worst. At one point she was told that I might not make it through the night. During these events, she stayed at the hospital all day, every day, even when I was in an induced coma. Many friends showed up at the hospital too. I didn’t get to see most of them, but they left cards and letters that helped me make it through all the rough days. I have gained a renewed respect for my family, and the many friends I have. Those really rough days are over now and I survived it all. I am getting better every day. I still have to prepare myself for a heart transplant sometime next year, but I am closer to my wife and kids, and have put my priorities in order. I realize how busy my coworkers are each day, and how much they took on while I was out. The owners, fellow employees and friends at Winona Foods have been the most helpful and encouraging. I am so thankful for them. Almost every person I know has shown support beyond anything I expected.

Each night when plug my heart pump into the wall, I remember how lucky I am. I thank God for my family and the great friends I know and work with. I was lucky to survive, but even luckier to see all the people who truly care for me.

I wish you all health and happiness. Thank you so much for your support and continued prayers.

-Brent