Everyone has heard the adage, 'Carpe Deim' or seize the day. Live like there is no tomorrow. Well, those words rang loud and clear for me and our family on Saturday November 12.
With all the heavy snow that fell the past week, and my shoveling my driveway by hand, I felt some strangeness those few days, which went away after 10-15 minutes. Saturday I was downtown just walking from Owenhouse to our car a block away when the same pain began building (no warning, and no physical strain), and then layed down while I got dizzy. Thankfully Katie was with me, got me right to Deaconess emergency to hear that I was having a mild heart attack. No one expects to hear these words, yet here it happened - my first time really needing admission into a health care system.
Needless to say, emotions and anxiety were everywhere. Long story short, a local cardiologist took me into their cardiac catheter lab and ran die into my heart (an angiogram) showing the stopage. Due to its small size, they recommended a Billings Clinic team in Billings who specialize in cardiac surgery, so I took an airplane ride in the next 90 minutes, and by Monday morning, had a Stent put in, alleviating the blockage - hallelujah. (Note: a stent can be done here at Deaconess, but the physician and I discussed what can be done locally and what may need to be done aside from this, and I determined the Billings option was best for me. Open Heart was in that discussion).
We returned home Tuesday with post-cardio orders to take it easy for 2 weeks (re: physical lifting or exertion) until rehab can start strengthening the heart. It means I will likely miss a few meetings, hopefully not the Christmas party, but should be able to continue simpler tasks like e-bulletin, website updates and general updates to club members.
For some of you, I had to cancel some planned meetings, lunch or visit with a vague reason why, so now everyone is up to date.
I say this with a teary eye right now when I say I was overwhelmed with love and support from some who were apprised early. Words cannot express the emotional lift it brought me knowing prayers were said in my name. To you I am eternally grateful - if you listen close enough, in a quiet setting, you can feel and hear these prayers infiltrate your soul.
With appreciation and affection, Mike Banville along with Katie and Adrianna
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For our December 16th Club Meeting in Person. We are required by RI statute to have a valid quorum of members be present to vote for officers. The slate of candidates for the 2023-24 Rotary Year that were initially proposed at our November 11 meeting are the following:
President Elect – Paddy Stoy
President Elect Nominee – Megan Bittinger
Secretary – Keith Nathan
Treasurer – Gene Gaines
Vocational Education – Ted Schmidt
International – Mary Hubbard
Youth Services – Anne Keith
Resources – Carl Caulk
Foundation – Bob Wiersma
Community Service – Robb Miller
Holiday Auction – Lauren Peck
Membership – Bill Souba
PR – (under discussion at this time)
On this special day of Thanksgiving, I hope every Sunrise Rotarian is spending precious time together with family and friends. As Bert Bartle so eloquently reminded us in last Friday's inspiration, it is important not just to be thankful for all the bounties we enjoy. It is every bit as important to affirmatively thank those in our lives who make it a little brighter, a little better, a little more special. And today is also a good time to think about all the folks we've helped in the last year. Second graders and their books. Homeowners with new roofs or windows. Swimmer and kayakers at Glen Lake Rotary Park. Kids fishing with their families. High school kids experiencing homelessness. Bridger Academy grads heading to their post-HS education. Kids and teachers in Nepal. All of you through your commitment to Rotary and our motto of Service Above Self have made their lives a little brighter, a little better, a little more special. Thank you and enjoy this special day.
.png)
