Gibraltar, The Story of My Heart

By Johannes F. Lisiecki

This book is the tale of a remarkable man. With his excellent physical condition and active lifestyle, Johannes F. Lisiecki was not a likely candidate for heart disease. Yet one day he found himself suffering a major cardiac event that soon led to open heart surgery and a complicated recovery. Despite the challenges, within a year Johannes was swimming many miles each week, had established an organization to promote awareness of congenital heart disease, and set a goal to swim the Strait of Gibraltar. His endurance and perseverance amazed the doctors, but Johannes believes other heart patients can make the same dramatic recovery. This book gives a truly inspiring and realistic view of the events surrounding heart surgery and the recovery process, including the psychological journey for patients and their caregivers. It is definitely a must read for anyone undergoing heart surgery and/or treatment. This book contains all the elements we love: danger, suspense, pathos, human emotions, and real life situations. Johannes’ story helps us remember that more than one person is involved in every medical event. Gibraltar, The Story of My Heart is a fascinating and incredibly detailed account of one man’s experience as a heart patient—an experience that will be extremely helpful to others who face the same journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: NorLights Press
• Release date: Aug 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9780996455923

Johannes F. Lisiecki

JOHANNES F. LISIECKI was born in Horrem, Germany. After completing his basic and professional education in the field of mechanical engineering he immigrated to Canada in 1959. He was living with his young family in Toronto when he was invited by the Boeing Co to come to Renton, WA, USA, known as the jet capital of the world, where he joined the team working on the 747. He left Boeing in 1970 to become an adventreneur, which led to a life of fabulous successes and failures. He kept meticulous notes and diaries which he is now converting into books. Johannes received a Certificate of Merit from Writer’s Digest in the 1998 National Self-Published Book Awards for his book An Adventreneur’s Odyssey. He has given over 200 Rotary and other presentations of his story in the United States and Canada. Johannes has written numerous articles and was the final and certifying editor for the English to German translation of the book Conman or Saint written by Pulitzer prize winning author John Fraska. He has been featured in newspapers and magazines in Brazil, Germany, Canada, and the United States. Johannes and Marlis, his wife of fifty-four years, reside in Lynden, Washington.

Book preview

Gibraltar, The Story of My Heart

Johannes F. Lisiecki

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Advance Praise for

Gibralter: The Story of My Heart

This book contains all the elements we love: danger, suspense, pathos, human emotions, and real life situations. While following the author’s adventures we also learn about medical technology in 21st century and travel to exotic places.

Johannes’ story helps us remember more than one person is involved in every medical event. He achieves a fine balance with the narrative, outlining events as they emerge without over-dramatizing or seeking sympathy.

This book paints a sensitive picture of human interactions and demonstrates the full scope and endurance of the human spirit. Sometimes we surprise even ourselves with our resilience.

—Judith O’Malley-Ford, M.D. Australia

This story is definitely a must read for anyone undergoing heart surgery. It was both humorous and candid about the psychological journey you went through. You have so much courage to share this experience with the world and your book will support others who feel alone as they journey through surgery and life’s ups and downs.

—Dr. Erika Creydt, MA, PsyD, LMHC, NCC

I found this narrative very engaging and it brought back many memories. I can see how it will benefit both patients and physicians. Congratulations to Johannes Lisiecki for all his accomplishments.

—James M. Douglas, Jr., M.D., FACS, FCCP

Medical Director, Cardiothoracic Surgery

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center

This book is a VERY interesting read, probably more so because I was actually involved with some of the events as they unfolded. It reads like a complete journal, with good detail and with a few humorous anecdotes along the way. I look forward to hearing more about the Gibralter swim.

—John F MacGregor, MD, FHRS

Associate Medical Director, Cardiac Electrophysiology

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center

2979 Squalicum Parkway, Suite 101

Gibralter: The Story of My Heart is a fascinating and incredibly detailed account of one man’s experience as a heart patient– an experience that will be extremely helpful to others who face the same journey.

—Bev Mayhew

Director,Marketing& Communications

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center

Mr. Lisiecki’s story gives the real side of what patients experience when they have a major heart problem or surgery. He does an excellent job noting the highs and lows of the recovery process and that it takes time. In addition, I am so encouraged by how he shows that the key to recovery is being motivated to change one’s lifestyle—and the keys to that are activity and exercise. This book gives a truly inspiring and realistic view of the events surrounding heart surgery and the recovery process.

—Jerry Marschke

Executive Director of Cardiovascular Services

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center

Cardiovascular Services

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Gibraltar, The Story of My Heart

Published by NorLightsPress at Smashwords

Copyright 2015, Johannes F. Lisiecki

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

A NorLightsPress Ebook

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Dedication

This book is dedicated to Jacqueline Lisiecki and the divinely guided hands of cardiologist Andrew T. Coletti, cardiothoracic surgeon James M. Douglas, Jr., electrophysiologist John F. MacGregor, and the Heart Team at PeaceHealth, St. Joseph Medical Center - North Cascade Cardiology.

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Acknowledgements

I often wonder how to acknowledge and thank the special members on the team who helped turn my dream into reality. Sometimes that happens overnight, but in most cases a project comes to life over time, like this book. The key was finding the right publisher and editor, which took several years. After many disappointments I found a perfect match with NorLightsPress.com.

It just so happened the editor answered the phone when I made my first contact. After hearing my story she asked me to send the manuscript. Sometime later she informed me that she was seriously thinking about accepting the book. During several follow-up conversations I learned she is an RN who worked in cardiac care for many years before becoming a literary agent and publisher. I was dumbfounded. What are the odds of finding a publisher with a medical background for this book? I had a feeling she wanted to do the book, and after a little prodding she decided to go for it.

Little did I realize the treasure I had found. Her husband and partner sent me the contract and we were in business. What ensued was an amazing ride with superb corroboration and exiting exchanges of thoughts and ideas. The NorLightsPress crew is comparable to any great team I’ve worked with, yet their numbers are few. Talk about divine guidance.

So herewith I extend my gratitude to Sammie Justesen, Vorris (Dee) Justesen, and Nadene Carter for helping to bring this book to life.

And yet the story continues. As fate would have it, we’d just finished editing the book when Dee suddenly needed triple bypass surgery. One has to ask, What is next?

Also, many thanks to

the nurses at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center,

Dr. Michael S. Higgins,

Dr. Erika Creydt,

Dr. Larry Hartwell,

Jerry Marschke, Cardiovascular Administrator of North Cascade Cardiology,

Beth Clark, Executive Director for Cardiovascular Services, posthumously,

Lisa Brown,

Amy Cloud,

Sharice Ballou,

Ja An Littlefield,

Dean Kahn, columnist/editor extraordinaire,

and the sponsors.

A special thank you goes to Israel George for patiently turning my visions into visual drawings. It takes a team of many members to bring anything to fruition. Last but not least, thanks to my guiding lights, Marlis, Cameron, and Jacqueline.

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Table of Contents

Foreword

Prologue

Chapter 1: Warning Signs

Chapter 2: Ticker Shock

Chapter 3: Recovery - Not so Fast

Chapter 4: Are We Done Yet?

Chapter 5: Recovery

Chapter 6: Motivation to Swim

Chapter 7: Calamity Strikes

Chapter 8: No, Not Again!

Chapter 9: The Final Chapter—Or Is It?

Chapter 10: Spain

Chapter 11: Retrospective

Afterword

Gibraltar Swim Sponsors and Contributors

Being a Caregiver for Your Heart Patient

About the Author

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Foreword

by Dr. Andrew T. Coletti

In your hands, you hold the tale of a remarkable man.

Johannes Lisiecki has been an unusual patient in many ways. With his excellent physical condition and lifestyle, he was not a likely candidate for heart disease. Yet I found myself treating him for a major cardiac event—and you are about to read that story.

A year after we met, Johannes approached me with a stunning idea. At first I wasn’t sure how to react, but considering his determination and recovery accomplishments, I felt he could succeed. I gave him my full support and encouragement to pursue his Gibraltar dream.

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Prologue

This is my story—an encouraging account of my experiences and the challenges faced by people with heart disease and those who care for them.

—Johannes F. Lisiecki

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Chapter 1

Warning Signs

The