I had aortic valve replacement in august of 2007, I chose on the advice of my surgeon to have a pig valve replacement. After a week stay in the hospital, I returned home, resumed walking after another week, at first just about a block, when a little further each day, after another 2 weeks I was walking 2 miles per day.

I had smoked for over 40 years, my surgeon advised me that if I continued to smoke after surgery, I would probably be back for another replacement within 3 years, an I might not be so lucky next time. It is amazing how easy it was to quit smoking when faced with those alternatives.

In april of 2008 I was walking 4 miles per day. When a achilles tendonitis attack wouldn’t allow me to walk any distance, I took up bicycle riding again, have been riding 10 miles a day since then, I exercise every day of the week after my bike ride, 50 pushups, 35 situps, life 10 and20lb weights doing 50 reps of 4 different curls.

I am thankful each day that I’m alive, enjoy life, I am 65 years young, I plan to live to be 100, and I’m not kidding. I also have leukemia (cll), I believe that diet, exercise and living a stress free life are keeping me healthy. I live by the principles, gratitude will change your attitude, and practice being satisfied.