From a Facebook post
OK, it’s time to break the news — not looking for sympathy, but just to let my friends know.
On Monday, I will be going in for open heart surgery. Apparently, I suffered a heart attack last week. (Didn’t feel like much, but the sensation was enough that I stopped in the hospital for a quick check.) Flat on my back in a hospital bed since then.
The surgery is routine, they tell me, but I will be slowed a little for about six to eight weeks. I work from home so can continue to …provide for my community newspaper, but won’t be driving, lifting or chasing cars.
Yes, I’m a little scared — not so much for myself as I am for my wife, Tracey, and our children and grandchildren. I can’t imagine the horrible agony for which I would be responsible if something were to go wrong.
I also feel for my parents and brothers — and I guess for many of you, my friends.
So, my commitment is to go to the surgery and count forwards as I go under instead of counting backwards. I plan to will myself to wake up — my last thoughts being of all the good things to which I will be returning.
I’ve given a lot of thought to my mortality over the last couple of days. I think I can sum up my life this way: the Stuckey men have so much trouble with their hearts because they live passionately.
No regrets. No excuses. Just experience.
I’m not the wealthiest man in the world, but I’ve come to be very content with the world Tracey and I have created. It is wonderful and complete.
My hope is for a whole lot of more time within it. The repairs they will make to my heart should provide for that.
No need to publicly send well wishes and your prayers. You are my friends and family and I know you will be thinking of Tracey and I on Monday.
Until Tuesday, my love to you all.
Andrew Stuckey