I Can Not Come Back To Cardiac Rehab Anymore

   Back in March of 1995 at the age of 49, I had a heart attack and had a double By-Pass. I didn’t think I was going to make it at the time but someone must have been watching over me. 

 When I had recuperated from my surgery my Cardiologist sent me to Cardiac Rehabilitation and I Started Phase 2 - May 23rd 1995.

I didn’t want to die so I kept going 3 times a week. I felt secure knowing that the nurses were right there in case something went wrong. 

 

 Then I graduated and began Phase 3 - Sept 1st 1995. I was getting stronger. Now I was able to get around better. 

 After I finished stage 3, they said I could keep going to Cardiac Rehab, so I did. For the next 20 years Alexian Brothers Hospital let me stay and  I worked out 3 times a week in Cardiac Rehab. There were a few times when the nurses sent me up to the emergency room because I was getting these rapid palpitations or what I call “skipped heart beats.” I was sure glad I was in Cardiac Rehab with the nurses.

 Now after going to Cardiac Rehabilitation 3 times a week at Alexian Brothers hospital for 20 years suddenly they decided that I could not come anymore. I was devastated. I wrote to the President and CEO of Alexian Brothers Hospital in Elk Grove Village in Illinois and explained to him that I couldn’t afford to go to a community fitness center.   

To: John Werrbach, CEO/ President

      Alexian Brothers Hospital

     800 Biesterfield Road

     Elk Grove Village, Illinois

     60007

 Dear Mr. Werrbach

My name is William Kaufman age 70. I am in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Class at Alexian Brother's Hospital in Elk Grove Village. Recently I received a letter from the Facilitator of Cardiopulmonary Rehab that says that I have to find another place to exercise because of cut backs. I had a heart attack and a By-pass in 1995 and have been going to Cardiac Rehabilitation 3x's a week since 1995. I am below the poverty level and I am on Alexian Brothers Assistance. I can't afford to go to a commercial exercise program. I don't know what to do. Cardiac Rehab has kept me alive and healthy and I don't want to end up sitting in my apartment or I'll end up getting another heart attack if I do. Is there any way you can help me and let me stay at Cardiac Rehab at Alexian Brothers. 

Here are two posts about myself that I wrote in my Blog about my heart attack and going to Cardiac Rehabilitation. 

http://5billdice.blogspot.com/2015/03/today-i-celebrate.html

http://5billdice.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-bunch-of-anniversaries_21.html

 Thank You, Sincerely

William Kaufman

 Well you can see the response I got from The President and CEO of Alexian Brothers hospital in the letter at the top of this post. I have been looking around for a fitness center but I can’t afford any of them. After the engine in my car blew up at Christmas, I went out and leased a car JUST so I could get to my Cardiac Rehab class. Now I don’t have the Cardiac Rehab anymore. It’s the 19^th of January today and I have until the end of the month and then that is it. The hospital won’t let me come back anymore. I don’t know what to do.