A Heart Full of Life
The Powerful But Wonderfully Warm and Whimsical Journey of a Heart Transplant Recipient
by
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“. . . . in our house, sumptuous meals were the highlight to any event. . . .”
Come with me as I take you on a powerful but wonderfully warm and whimsical adventure of a Heart Transplant Recipient. What we didn't know about heart ailments back in the 40's and 50's, came at a tremendous cost as Coronary Artery Disease was considered a natural cause of death, the term cholesterol was used by scientists and a heart transplant was something from a Frankenstein monster movie.
“ . . . have you any idea what 500 empty tuna fish cans sound like as they hit the floor. . . .”
Follow me as I entered into my chosen field of endeavor during the zany, early days of LIVE Television. I'm talking about those memorable, madcap events before color television or video tape. You're going to be tickled when I tell you about the female mannequin that almost got us all canned or behind the scenes of a LIVE kids show.
“. . . . are you Chief Bea?, she asked with a voice that echoed like it had been poured out of a jar of honey, I'm the proprietress, said Mitzie . . . .”
You're going to love reading about the hilarious antics of a Firefighter and will find out just what Smokey The Bear did in public that almost ended my career. The pranks, puns, parades and parties show the reader a side of our" All-American Heroes" that most don't get a chance to see. You will not be able to contain your emotions when I present these lovable, grinning, dirty faces who risk their lives for us every day. I am going to share with you, close-up, my first heart attack that damaged beyond repair, the most powerful pump known to mankind.
“. . . laying on my back with Dollie spread-eagled on top of me, I arose from the bed, holding her by her left breast, leaned her up against the wall and said. . . .”
You will wonder in amazement at how my poor health unexplainably defied the demands I placed upon it as I bring you along with me into the fascinating and unseen underbelly of the glitzy Hotel/Resort/Casino Industry. Travel with me all over the country and experience the astonishing and often frightening "things" I found while inspecting hotel rooms. I was trained to know where to look, and now, so will you!
“. . . . my breathing became labored, I was perspiring profusely and I began to bring up the familiar crimson fluid from within my lungs. I was drowning in my own blood. . . .”
Las Vegas is the scene where I became a statistic, waged an all out war on a powerful HMO. . . . and won! Join me in a whimsical and playful series of events where I beat The Grim Reaper over and over again.
“. . . . the next six weeks of my life made a Stephen King novel seem like a romp in the park compared to the emotional and physical hell I was going through. . . ."
You will actually accompany me into the miracle world of modern medicine to see how these dedicated and heroic warriors were able to keep me alive just long enough to get a donor for a Heart Transplant. I'm going to get into a couple of weighty issues including "near death incidents" or what some call "crossing-over".
“. . . . on my way home, I'm stopping off at the Baptist Heart Institute with a large pepperoni pizza with extra cheese. I'm going to spend a little quiet time with a sixteen year old who is struggling and waiting for something that I already have. . . .”
I know you are going to be pleased and feel an inner warmth when you see what I am doing with my Gift of Life today as I shamefully draw upon your emotions in bringing this exciting and unforgettable journey to an open-ended conclusion. . . .
“. . . . you know, when your time comes, and it will, to leave behind a part of you that can become a part of someone else, can only be considered as the supreme act of heroism and the absolute, noble accomplishment to your life on earth. . . .”
The modern American lifestyle can, at times, be very confusing and complicated, yet there exists the simple but effective process of passing-on one rewarding life to another. . . . by becoming an organ donor.
HOLD-ON for a powerful, unforgettable journey into my;
HEART FULL OF LIFE
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About the Book
“As a heart and lung surgeon, it encourages me to see a Heart Transplant Recipient share his incredible story.”
-Bill Frist, M.D.
United States Senator
Come with me as I take you on the warm and whimsical adventures of a Heart Transplant Recipient. While growing up in the 40’s, what we didn’t know about heart ailments came at a tremendous cost as Coronary Artery Disease was considered a natural cause of death, cholesterol was a term used by scientists and a heart transplant was something from a Frankenstein monster movie.
Follow me into multiple careers in the zany, early days of The Wacky World of LIVE Television and the behind the scenes antics of a Firefighter. I am going to share with you, close-up, my first heart attack that crippled the most powerful pump known to mankind.
See how my health unexplainably defied the demands I placed upon it as I take you with me into the glitzy world of the Hotel, Casino Industry. Recall with me a playful series of events where I repeatedly beat the Grim Reaper and waged an all-out war against a powerful HMO. You will actually accompany me into the world of modern medicine, experience some weighty issues of what some call “crossing-over” and the topic of transferral of organ donor characteristics.
I know you are going to feel an inner warmth when you see what I am doing with my GIFT OF LIFE today . . . . Join me for an unforgettable journey.
About the Author
GENE BEA, the author of DON'T EAT THE SNAKES, has had a 20 year career in Radio and Television Broadcasting and a rewarding, accomplished calling as a Firefighter. He has held two terms as an elected Municipal Administrator and experienced seven years in the Hospitality Industry where he frequently traveled throughout the entire continent. Gene received his heart transplant in 1995 at The UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles and continues his relentless pursuit to promote Organ Donor Awareness. The author and his wife, Phyllis, live in Memphis, Tennessee.