Bob
I respect your attitude of paying debts before your procedure.
I wish you the best of luck in getting your heart taken care of. The Doctors are getting pretty good at these procedures! My Uncle had a triple bypass on his 72nd birthday, 10 years ago. His attitude was, word for word, "It's my birthday, I am 72, and I am going in for a tuneup!" He recovered in the 99th percentile for ANY age! Two (2!) months after the triple bypass he was out all night fishing, frogging and turtle hunting! My Dad told me a week later that he had bought a treadmill and was planning on "walking the nephews into the ground in rabbit season". I have a couple of herniated and deteriorating discs in my back. Even though most of the time I look normal when I walk, I always hurt. Going through the thick brush really hurts sometimes. Long story short, HE JUST ABOUT WALKED ME INTO THE GROUND IN RABBIT SEASON!!! He is 39 years older than me!! He wore my little brother out the next day! My brother is 7 years younger than me. Over the last 10 years we have drug many deer out of the woods, he pulls just as hard as me! Even when my back is doing good! He had a heart valve replaced last year. He still climbs trees to hang deer stands!
So, it can be done. I am going to guess that you might be younger than my uncle. You have mentioned before that you had your own business. You understand the principles of self discipline, determination, and hard work.
YOU CAN DO THIS BOB!! You will hopefully feel better after the procedure and healing are done, than you do now. I hope that you will!
God bless, take care, best of luck, and let us know how you do!
Greg