Tag Archives: health

Day 222: Steve

Posted on August 10, 2015 | Leave a comment

A good friend of mine found out last week that he has stage 4 lung cancer. He’s 44 or 45, a nonsmoker and in great shape. He’s been extremely active all of his life playing competitive lacrosse, football, hockey – you name it. You cannot find a nicer guy and I was stunned when I heard the news.

While this is a devastating blow and his health has been in the most precarious of states this last week, he manages to fight. A loving husband and father of four, he’s got a lot to fight for.

He’s still got his sense of humor though. I saw him Sunday night and even though he was under heavy meds and had breathing tubes in his mouth preventing him from talking, he tried to get the nurse to go out on a date with me. You gotta love’em.

Steve can beat this – he’s a champion at heart and physically is as strong as they come, but if you have a minute today, I ask you to send him and his family some positive thoughts.

Day 222

Steve,

It was great to see you on Sunday. I thought I’d send you a little old school mail today. So many people are praying for you and sending their love and support to you and your beautiful family: Forlenza, Herman, Sasse, Richie, Hubbard, Kristy & Val Windom, Bubbles, Tobey, St. Amour, Landon, UNC …the list goes on.

You’re doing great and I heard they took you off the ventilator today. That is awesome news. Stay strong, keep fighting and know that TEAM MUIR is all in this together.

Keep fighting brother!
Reed

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Day 160: Michael

Posted on June 9, 2015 | Leave a comment

I received terrible news that a friend of mine and leader in the community suffered a stroke on Sunday and was hospitalized. I went over to see him at the hospital. Unfortunately he is in a coma, they lower his sedation a few times a day and he does respond to commands. The medical evaluation concluded that the stroke took place very close to the brain stem and that it could have severe implications. And while the gravity of the situation was clear, I find some hope in the words of Dr. Richard Harvey, director of stroke rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

“Dramatic recovery from a brain stem stroke is possible because brain stem strokes do not usually affect language ability, the patient is able to participate more fully in rehabilitation therapy. Most deficits are motor-related, not cognitive.”

I sat with my friend, held his hand and spoke to him. I told him how much we all love him and are hoping for his speedy recovery.

Keep fighting Michael – we need you brother!

Day 160

Michael,

I stopped by to see you and let you know how much all of us at Street Sense are thinking about you. You are an inspiration to me on how to effectively work with the community to help our less fortunate neighbors. We love you and wish you a speedy recovery.

Reed Sandridge

 

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Day 159: Christy

Posted on June 8, 2015 | 2 comments

Yesterday I mentioned that last week I received some great handwritten letters. One of them was from my friend and former colleague Christy who lives on Long Island.

Photo: NBC

Photo: NBC

Here’s an interesting tidbit and teaser. Along with Christy’s letter, I found a letter addressed to a celebrity who apparently has a PO Box just one number off from mine. I’m not going to reveal who it is just yet, but I’ll give you a hint: he starred on the Emmy Award winning series The West Wing. Stay tuned this week and you’ll see my letter to him. Oh yeah, you better believe I’m sending him a letter!

Day 159

Dear Christy,

What a fantastic surprise it was to find a letter from you in my mailbox. I am not sure when we caught up last, regardless it has been too long.

I’ve been busy this year with my consulting work, the Year of Letters, launching my own greeting card company (Second Story Cards) and some Board related work for some nonprofits that I care a great deal about.

Christy is passionate about music and her stationery reflects that.

Christy is passionate about music and her stationery reflects that.

I’m sorry to hear that your dad was in the hospital earlier this year. Glad to hear that he is doing better. While I have never met him, I feel like I know him a bit through your stories. Who knows how many young people, and adults, he has inspired to pursue their dreams in music. Does he still play…was it trombone?

What are you doing these days? Are you enjoying it? Still singing? You have a beautiful voice.

I do get to New York from time to time and might get to Long Island too. I’ll definitely let you know the next time I’m up in your area.

Thanks so much for saying hello – keep up the handwritten letters!
Reed

P.S. I’m actually supposed to meet up with John Wilson, Randi Tetenbaum and Kim Perry tomorrow. Wish you were here to join us.

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Sunday Notes and Letters for Week 19

Posted on May 3, 2015 | Leave a comment

Today I want to share a letter I received this week. You may remember that three weeks ago on Day 100 I wrote to Dr. Ellsworth Wareham, the 100-year-old cardiologist that was interviewed recently by Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

He wrote me back! How cool is that. You should watch the link above with Dr. Sanjay Gupta – you’ll be inspired by Dr. Wareham.

Dr Wareham letter

Dear Read-

What an achievement – to write a letter a day!

Concerning prevention of coronary artery disease, I refer you to 2 books: Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell Esselstyn and The China Study by Colin Campbell. In summary – you must not eat animal products. 

I think the material in these books is scientific and highly reliable.

Remember all tastes are acquired except for breast milk. Your taste buds can be changed in 3 months, so you can learn to like what is healthy. Just start eating healthfully.

All the best,
Ellsworth W.

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Day 100: Dr. Wareham

Posted on April 11, 2015 | 1 comment

I made it to Day 100!

I wanted to find someone special to send my letter to today – and I found someone! Meet Dr. Wareham: a centenarian from Loma Linda, CA who up to five years ago was still working. And while he retired as a cardiothoracic surgeon at 74, he continued working and teaching until five years ago.

Check out this report from Dr. Sanjay Gupta – his story promises to inspire you!

Here’s to 265 more handwritten letters and long lives for all of us.

Day 100

Dear Dr. Wareham,

I hope my letter finds you and Mrs. Wareham doing well. Your story featured by Dr. Sanjay Gupta inspired me to write you a letter. I have a commitment to write a handwritten letter every day for a year and today is day 100. As I celebrate 100 handwritten letters this year I can’t think of anyone else better to share this moment with than someone who is 100 and is living life to the fullest. 

I've been embossing the letter numbers on some of the envelopes.

I’ve been embossing the letter numbers on some of the envelopes.

Your story was particularly moving for me because of your lifelong work as a cardiothoracic surgeon. My mother suffered three heart attacks, the first of which she had at the age of 40. She died in 2006 at the age of 63. I’m 41 now and know that this family history doesn’t bode well for me and my risk of developing coronary artery disease is considerably higher.

Your blood cholesterol of 117 is phenomenal and encourages me to continue working at improving my health. You’ve inspired me to reduce my meat consumption even further – maybe even eliminate it all together.

If you have any specific advice for me or suggestions of resources to help me improve my health, I’d love to hear from you. 

With deep admiration and respect,
Reed Sandridge

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