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He’s back! Reporter John David talks recovery, return to work

JD is back after being out since early September.
John David

MOLINE, Illinois –Three months to the day after suffering the first of two heart attacks, I’m back on the job as a reporter at WQAD.

Gratitude is the first word that comes to mind.  I’m so grateful to my WQAD co-workers, audience and Tribune Company for tremendous encouragement and support during my absence.  It was a big motivator for me to want to return to work.  I’m so thankful for the messages and posts while I was out!

My first heart attack took place in Los Angeles on Labor Day.  I really thought it was just a bad back ache.  But when my cardiologist, Dr. Heather Shenkman, told me it was a big deal, reality started to sink in, along with time in the Intensive Care Unit.

Two weeks later, on September 18, I had another heart attack in my Davenport doctor’s office.

In all, there were two hospitalizations, three stents placed and six weeks of cardiac rehab in Davenport. I progressed from limited walking to doubling my output and exceeding all my goals in rehab.

It’s going to be a long road ahead taken in baby steps.  Since I had muscle damage to my heart, continued exercise and a low-sodium diet will help to restore its function.  Medication – a lot of it – is helping to keep everything on track.

Stress is my biggest enemy right now, so I will be taking it slow and easy at work.  Still, it is great to starting a normal routine again.

Thanks for your kindness and support!

Watch John working hard to stay fit and healthy:

 

 

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