KARATE    GRANDMA    

 "On May 12, 2007, senior citizen Flo Covell, 64 yr. old grandmother, passed a grueling 6 hour karate black belt test (Tang Soo Do), just 18 months after undergoing major open heart surgery to repair an aortic valve and aortic aneurysm.  Flo started martial arts training at 60 years old, 3 months after her husband passed  away.  Flo knows the value of exercise first hand."

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Exercise is a key to health and well being.  If you are facing open heart surgery or are recuperating from open heart surgery please realize the importance of exercise in your recovery.

First and foremost you should follow your physician's  exercise instructions. Listen to your body and advance baby steps, one at a time.  Exercise is a miracle, helps us to feel better and think more positive.  It is very important to follow a form of exercise that you enjoy and fits in with your physician's instructions. 

 

At 60 years old I started Karate.  I had rheumatoid arthritis and hoped it would help. Two years later I found out I had a leaky aortic valve and an aneurysm of the ascending aorta. My parents died of  aortic aneurysms.

  

On October 14, 2005, I had open heart surgery at Colombia Presbyterian Hospital.  I remained positive and hopeful, saying I was going on a "Colombian Cruise". My surgeon was a Black Belt in Karate and told me I would be back practicing in one month.  Yes, I was back, but I proceeded very slowly at first.  My spirit was there but my body took time to catch up with my spirit.  I could barely say the word "kia", let alone shout it.

 

I was so thankful to be in top physical shape before my surgery.  If you are facing major surgery do your best to remain positive and hopeful, see yourself afterwards healed and feeling great.  You are blessed, be the Light that you are! (Please see "article tab" above for Tang Soo Do World article, pictures and WEBMD video.)