[Oe List ...] recent surgery reflections

[Charles or Doris Hahn]

Dear Friend,

I prepared the following as an earthrise witness, but
I want to send it to all who have in  any way
responded to my recent surgery. I just hope I don’t
miss anyone, but if I do miss someone, know that it
was not by intention.  All of you are very dear to me.
Charles Hahn


Because of Doris’ skill using the internet, more of
you than I dreamed possible know of my recent
open-heart surgery. Today I want to share my learnings
from this EVENT .

A DANCE WITH CONTINGENCY!  I should have known!  I
didn’t really pay attention to the pains in my
shoulder and arm. Things my doctor said were major
clues. “With this report {cholesterol) I have to put
you on a statin (a class of cholesterol control
medication).” “I want you to wear a heart monitor for
a month, and record any events.” “I received the
report from the monitor, and I think you need to have
a heart catheritization. Also I want you to see a
cardiologist. I will set up the appointment for
tomorrow.” Cardiologist: “I have received your records
from Texas. I think you need to have the heart cath
(angiogram). That way we can really see what’s
happening.” But, the holidays were coming. I had had
so many negative or inconclusive tests before. So, I
put it off---about six weeks.  I awakened from the
heart cath on January 7 to discover I had a real
problem---90% blockage on the right side of my heart,
and 50% on the left side. I knew then that I was a
walking time-bomb—a  heart attack wanting to happen.
Fortunately, I had no attack and I suffered no heart
damage. I was awake now.  When I awoke from the actual
surgery three days later, I was really awake.
Something radical and debilitating (at least for the
moment) had happened to me. I was aware that life—my
life, that is—was  contingent. Or, one day Charles
Hahn will not show up for roll call among the
inhabitants of the earth.

Since then my body has slowly strengthened.  I am now
in a rehab program at the hospital three days a week.
Each day I feel stronger and more engaged.  

UNIVERSALLY RELATED!  A day or two after surgery,
Doris began to bring in email messages from many of
you. They kept coming. Stacks of them! Then came cards
and notes through the mail and more email. Then, after
I arrived home 5 days later, the phone calls
came---from London and Geneva, from across the USA and
Canada, and yes, many from Texas. The emails and cards
and notes continued. These communications were from
people I have seen quite recently and from people I
had not seen in two or three decades.  They came from
old colleagues of OE/EI/ICA, from clergy colleagues
and associates in Texas, from former parishioners,
from friends and acquaintances along the way. A small
ingeniously designed flower arrangement came from a
neighbor I hardly know, and a gorgeous plant from a
group of closest colleagues and friends. A very
challenging and inspiring book came from one, and
suggestions for reading from others. Locals visited me
in the hospital and at home. I guess there have been
between 150 and 200 communications. I had never
experienced such an outpouring of concern, support and
prayer in all my 74 years. I have reflected on this
inundation of love at least as much as I have
reflected on my contingency. My reflection tells me
that we humans are aware of real crisis in another
human’s life, and we focus our spirit and concern on
that crisis. Another way of putting it might be: the
universe strives to heal itself. All of us know that
we are a part of the whole. We all know that “as
Charles is healed, we all are made whole.” Faith
language would say: “God loves the world.”

Grace and Peace to all,   Charles Hahn.