How Open Heart Surgery Changed My View of Life

I was being wheeled at speed through the corridors of the MedStar Cardiovascular Surgery Center in Washington, D.C. on a stretcher bound for an operating theater. My driver, another Chris, was also to be my anesthetist — so I refrained from commenting … Continue reading

As We Age, How Safe Is Surgery?

(Editor’s note: This story is part of a series for The John A. Hartford Foundation.) As you age, your body’s heart, kidney, lungs and other organ functions deteriorate. Under normal conditions, this is nothing to worry about. But when faced with intens… Continue reading

Caregivers of Medicare Patients: What to Know Before a Hospital Discharge

Recently, an 88-year-old member of my family underwent elective spinal surgery for disabling back pain. While the duration of hospitalization for anyone after surgery can be unpredictable, we were surprised to find out our family member would be discha… Continue reading

Ways to Stay Fit After an Orthopedic Injury or Surgery

Whether you’ve been sidelined by a sports injury, an accident or a surgery, the loss of fitness that often follows can be seriously frustrating. Luckily, there are things you can do to help minimize your downtime, maintain your fitness and recover as s… Continue reading

Need a New Kidney? Ask and You May Receive

About 95,000 Americans are waiting for a kidney transplant today. On average, they will wait three to five years before a match turns up on the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) list. But during 2016, 4,830 died on the kidney list while waiting an… Continue reading