He went for a stress test and then an angiogram, which confirmed his suspicions. More bypass surgery was needed.

As heart doctors will say, Walter was a “re-do.” (For many reasons, including scar tissue, this makes the case more complex.) “The doctors had warned me that I might need more surgery down the road and I knew it would be more difficult this time,” says Walter.

“Everyone said Dr. Geiss is the one to go to if you have to have a second surgery. When I met him, he actually seemed a little too calm,” he says with a chuckle.

The retired truck driver thought he’d need four grafts; Dr. Geiss did six. Though his hospital stay was longer than expected, “every day got a little better,” he said, “especially with Sandy by my side.”

With three grown children and seven grandchildren, Walter is eager to be active again. “I feel fine now. It’s my legs that are keeping me down. I used to fish and hunt and I’d like to do that again. Maybe it’s time to get my knees replaced!”

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