Wednesday, October 11, 2017

October 11, 2017. Fredericksburg, Texas. A Life Changing Event.

At the time, we never noticed.   No bells rung or trumpets blared.  In retrospect, the event changed the course of our lives.  All Ken and I did was to carry on with the events that unfolded in our lives.

It was July 1, 1963.  Ken had checked into St, Michaels Hospital to begin his internship.  My Mother and I attended a wedding just outside Hamilton.  The wedding was late in the morning and after the reception, Mother took me home, only to find Ken back at home.    The first day at the hospital, Ken asked a friend to listen to his chest.  One thing led to another, and the plan was for Ken to be admitted to the hospital to figure out what was wrong with his lungs.  Something was not right.  It took him three months to actually begin his internship.

Ken knew his lung was not functioning, but he would not allow anyone to check him until he had completed his 4th year in medical school and graduated.  And he wanted us to move to another more safe apartment in North Toronto so he over saw that move.  His left lung had actually  been full of fluid since January but he persevered.

After the surgery, one of the doctors suggested that Ken should select for his residency a city that was warm.  "Warm air will be better for your lungs", he said.   So we ended up in Galveston, Texas for his 3 years of residency and 3 years of his research fellowship.  Ken loved the warmth and his health was good.  Without that surgery, we were not contemplating a move .  But the move to Texas changed our lives.  We are still in Texas!!

No comments: