Pray for me
Aref Assaf

December 16, 2008

Oxymoronic words posit unnerving ease especially when it is your body that is the subject. I will undergo a “minimally-invasive” procedure tomorrow at a Morristown hospital and will be discharged if all goes well in 36 hours or so. I am a bit tense and very apprehensive about poking into my heart for arterial blockage but without which I stand to suffer a life threatening heart attack at any moment. The blockage, if any, will be removed and the doctor will leave behind a balloon or a stent. Today’s technology makes this a simple procedure without having to open up the heart. I am told a telescopic needle will be inserted through the groin veins and tests will zoom on the culprit. I will be awake during the entire procedure with only a local anesthesia applied to the groin area.

Teary emotions overwhelmed me when I had to carefully announce the news to my wife and children. I am a true chicken when it comes to needles, blood, and hospital smells. I can’t wait to get out. 

I share these personal moments with you because I hope you won’t feel compelled to write this to your friends one day.

I have resisted my doctor’s incessant advice to change my life style habits (long work hours, smoking, stressful schedule, and lack of exercise combined with limitless kenaffa portions.) for I thought I was immune to such a fate. I now regret my stubbornness.  

I will be forced to ease up on my work load for a few weeks but I hope to be back soon. 

Please keep me in your prayers and please do listen to your doctor before he is proven right.