Heartfelt Harold Morioka: ‘The Good Lord heard your prayers’
A “dear friends” note from Harold Morioka in Surrey, British Columbia: “I’m home now and on the road to recovery. I had quadruple-bypass surgery, with complications. My first operation began at 1 p.m. Because I was practising kung-fu as I was coming out of the anaesthetic, the doctors decided to keep me sedated. Finally at 10 p.m. they decided to do a second operation to stop the internal bleeding. My wife (we’re separated) told me that as she was driving back to the hospital at midnight, she was arranging my burial. I’m not dust yet. When I opened my computer yesterday, I was surprised to find so many get-well emails and prayers from my friends from across North America. The Good Lord heard your prayers and decided to keep me here a little longer. Now that I have a ‘new’ heart, I must warn my competitors that I have an advantage. Of course I’m not sure if I’ll be ready to compete in Kamloops, but I’ll be there. I hope you’ll be there too because I would love to see you.”
Harold (right) with one of his many friends: Peter Crombie of Australia.
5 Responses
Harold, we are all so very happy that you are on your way to recovery and that you are eager to resume training and competing.
You have always been an inpiration for what you have done on the track and now that you have gone through a major ordeal, (that is not too uncommon for our age bracket) when our time comes, will be able to say ” Harold survived, and so can I”
Now the BAD news. I see you have the world record in the M60 indoors 800. I just turned 60 and will see you in Kamloops !!! (:
Harold, as I said before, you have many admirers. Now that you have been through two surgeries in a single day you deserve a little rest. In my experience it’s best to take the short view and the long view simultaneously. (1) The short view: Let’s see how I do today (Saturday, September 12, in this case), and let’s not worry too much about tomorrow.
(2) The long view: I have a goal as to where I want to be in 3 months (in this case December 12, 2009), and I have another goal for 6 months (March 12, 2010). That way, you have something to look forward to even though it doesn’t guide you day by day.
I remember pointing you out to some friends before one of the Boston indoor meets. You were very young and fast at that time, and you will be fast again (if a tad older).
Harold, you sound like you are a fighter!
So happy for you, I will keep you in my prayers.
Another Update on Harold:
Harold was released from the hospital last Thursday, earlier than expected after his two surgeries on that Monday.
Harold rested Friday, felt better and received visitors at his home on Saturday (Sept 12). He had quite a few visitors, including friends and fellow members of his track club. Harold actually looked ok on Saturday and had pretty good energy considering all the surgical trauma he’d undergone the previous week. Harold enjoyed the visits and we enjoyed being there with him. A good gathering it was.
Harold is going to have to take it very easy physically for the next two months, mainly to allow his sternum (breastbone which was cut in half to allow access to the heart during the surgery)to heal and ensure no infections occur. Standard stuff for quadruple bypass.
Horold is hoping, though, to start training after two months. Perhaps we will see him compete -even on a limited basis- in Kamloops.
-Grant L.
Hallo Harold
I just ran across this site …I know it is a little late but I sure hope you are continuing on your road to recovery…I will dig around a little more to find a recent post…take care
PS say hi to Bob
Alles Gute
Detlef
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