Today's title is taken of course from the 1977 British - American Epic Film concerning World War Two Operation... Market Garden.
British, American and Polish forces went behind lines in 1944 to capture a number of bridges leading to the final one at Arnhem, The Netherlands. It was one bridge too far resulting in the British Airborne losing 80% of its 10,000 crack troops.
My Bridge, on the other hand, is not one of steel and concrete; rather it pertains to my Heart.
Permit me to explain.
Two years ago this month, I was cleaning up some paper work from a Rally two other couples, with my wife and I, had organized on our Capital Hill seeking the Government's support to come to the aide of Christians who were facing genocide in the Middle East. The Rally took place on a Saturday ... and two days later - on the Monday morning, at 9:10 am, just 10 minutes after my wife Anne had left for work, I began to feel some pressure ...(no pain) in my upper chest but did feel pain on my left side through to my left shoulder-blade. I also experienced pain up through the left side of my face.
I was suspicious that I was having a heart attack although admittedly, I had never had one before.
I took 3 baby aspirins and laid down. And after but a few minutes, half the intensity of my symptoms disappeared.
I decided to drive to my doctor's office located in a clinic but 5 minutes drive from our home. I told the receptionist that I thought I may - or may not, be experiencing heart trouble.
She soon had me before one of the clinic's nurses who, after berating me for having driven to the clinic, placed some nitroglycerin under my tongue.
"How did I feel" she asked - I told her the balance of my symptoms had miraculously disappeared.
She went to find an available doctor - my own happened to be off that day.
The Doctor checked me out and opinioned that she did not think I had nor was having a heart attack. I thanked her profusely and made for the door whereupon I ran into the Nurse.
"Where are you going" she asked - "home" I said - "No you are not" she responded. "I am a former Registered Nurse from the Heart Institute and I can tell you - you are having a heart attack".
And not only that, "an ambulance is on route to take you to the nearest Hospital".
While waiting - I called Anne. Bad news and Good news I said, - I am off to the hospital for fear I may be having a heart attack but not to worry, the Doctor does not believe I am...having a heart attack that is.
Silence on the other end. "Anne...you still there?"
Finally Anne responded, "I will meet you at the Hospital".
Oh, No, I thought - what have I gotten myself into.
To cut to the chase - I was having a heart attack and for the next three days made the Hospital my new home.
Two Stents later - I was discharged but the story does not end here.
I was soon back to meet with "my Cardiologist" for a recap of what had occurred and what my post hospital treatment would consist of.
My Cardiologist informed me that in dealing with my recent heart attack it was discovered that I had an aneurysm located on major artery leading from my heart.
More tests were ordered and included an MRI.
I was by now calling my heart attack the Good Heart Attack since had I not had it - the aneurysm would have gone undetected.
In due course I was back before my Cardiologist who informed me that the recent MRI had found not 1 but 2 aneurysms along with a defective valve.
Good Heart Attack was now replaced by Great Heart Attack.
She explained to me that the aneurysms averaged 4.8 in size ... (I am not totally sure but assume we are talking about millimeters). She went on to say that if and when they reached 5.5 in size, they would be operated on to repair them.
She then let slip that most aneurysms burst at below 5.0 that is to say roughly the diameter of my two.
I ask her what was I missing in this - if most burst at below 5.0 and both of mine fall into that classification - why wait until 5.5 for repair?
She calmly explained to me that my case would be different because she would be monitoring my situation closely in the hope that the major restorative surgery would not be necessary. (apparently some aneurysms stop growing)
Needless to say, I was happy with her explanation since who in their right mind would want to undergo major surgery if it can be permanently avoided. But it still left me somewhat unsettled.
We are now about to encounter my Bridge Too Many.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
