Zola's heart surgery » Message from Zola

A Message From Zola

Webmaster — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 06:09:38 +0000

Dear friends,

I really appreciated the prayers, cards and letters. My recover has had one or two setbacks, probably due to age and the fact of a previous bypass, but on the whole I’m doing very well.

I’m walking fine and exercising every day, I wrote the September Personal Letter and edited the Levitt Letter, so I guess you could say I’m back at my post. I sure watch a lot of TV and get in a lot of chair-time but I’m learning a lot from watching various news broadcasts. Please know that I feel a significant improvement each day and I’m told that my recovery is normal.

Thank you for the prayers, the good wishes and the extra support that you’re giving us. I really appreciate it all.

Your messenger,
Zola

Zola is walking by himself and working a bit

Webmaster — Sat, 13 Aug 2005 00:24:04 +0000

Although he feels a bit like he has been run over by a truck, Zola is walking by himself and eating well. He starts physical therapy today.

And Zola is working again! He says the Lord has given him several tasks to do. He has dictated a chapter for a book and material for the Levitt Letter.

Zola said to tell you how much he appreciates the prayers and comments. He said he knew he had a lot of supporters but didn’t know he had that many friends.

August 2 update

Webmaster — Wed, 03 Aug 2005 05:05:15 +0000

Here’s an update today from Zola’s wife, Sandra:

He had a very good day today. He walked up and down the hall twice, so far. He should walk once more. And he felt good! Praise God. We are feeling the prayers.

Zola in the Hospital

Webmaster — Sat, 30 Jul 2005 08:12:04 +0000

Zola continues to do very well. Here’s a photo from his hospital bed:

Zola, one day after heart bypass surgery

Zola on Alternatives to Surgery

Webmaster — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 12:40:19 +0000

Zola says this in the upcomming September Levitt Letter about his surgery and suggestions (given here and elsewhere) about alternatives to surgery:

If anyone wants to know, I gave a fleeting thought to simply sitting it out and seeing how far I could go. Perhaps I would live longer than anyone expected, by medication and losing weight and perhaps taking the volumes of pills and treatments our readers and viewers suggested when they heard the news of my operation.

I must say a word of thanks to all those people who meant so well and who gave a huge variety of suggestions to avoid this bypass operation. Various procedures and products were suggested and also chelation therapy, all of which I dutifully discussed with my cardiologist.

In any case, it’s very late in the game for any such treatments. I have over the years taken anti-oxidant pills, vitamins of all sorts, and various recommended home treatments for artery disease. And after all, I did pretty well, going 22 1/2 years since my last bypass.
…
As to the upcoming operation itself, I believe in God and I believe if the utter worst happens I will finally see him face to face. And there is a certain excitement inside me with the idea that I might actually see God in eight days. That is not at all likely, but as my cardiologist pointed out, when one leaves the house in a car one takes a chance with his life every time.
…
One thing is for sure, I certainly have many people praying for me, and most of the folks who sent in their ideas for cures also did much prayer on my behalf.

The results of the surgery (scheduled for about 4 1/2 hours from now) will be posted here ASAP.