(February 8 - 8:15 a.m.) Bill Mouzis has never been shy about telling it like it is, including his own journey. Over the weekend, Bill sent one of those emails you hate to get. Let him tell you in his words:

I would describe my health condition to be fair at best - being diagnosed recently by my doctors as having ‘congestive heart failure.’ Its root cause appears to be the heart attack and the follow-up open heart triple bypass surgery I had in 1984 while working at KMPC. Although the main heart muscle has scar tissue as a result of the attack, I have led pretty much of a normal 25 years of life since that horrific operation. Over the past year my stamina has noticeably decreased and from time to time I have gone through periods of shortness of breath. This occurs because of the scar tissue formed in the weakened left ventricle of the heart that pumps blood, produces oxygen and prevents excess water retention in the system. Obviously it is also a sign of advanced age.

Normal oxygen retention would be in the mid-ninety percent range. My last exam a week ago showed it down to between 78 and 82 % which requires me to supply myself with more oxygen from an outside source, in this case an oxygen producing unit with a long cord attached to my nostrils. I also have a mobile battery-charged unit I can take with me when leaving the house. It lasts for about three hours and it can also be used in the car with the cigarette lighter input as a power source. I feel fine with it on, absolutely renewed when using it, which is about 24 hours per day, and not nearly as tired as I would be without it. It may be a drag on my lifestyle but at least I can function almost normally.

The belief currently expressed by my doctors is that because of the medicine I take now such as beta blockers, diuretics and others the heart muscle should not weaken any further and water retention should be reduced to a point where it will no longer affect my oxygen retention. The bottom line is that water appears to be the real culprit which we are attacking vigorously with diuretics.

Sure I am depressed at times but I am also fortunate to have excellent medical care and thankful for the full life I have already had. Anyone that really knows me also knows that I will not give up without a fight and am not bashful about asking God for his intercession. He has never failed me before and I look forward to a few more years of life on this wonderful earth. I love you all, and ‘the beat must go on.’

Nancy and I are both hopeful and confident for full recovery - all we ask is for you to remember us both in your prayers and to please understand our predicament. We will confront this problem as we have others for almost 62 years now with God's help.

Warmest  personal regards and love, Bill Mouzis.

You can reach Bill at: bmouzis@aol.com