Outskirts Press, INC.

How does a three-sport varsity high school athlete, collegiate decathlon competitor, former power lifter, who is in the admistration section of the Michigan Power lifting Hall of Fame, who was featured in Power Lifting USA and on the cover of Power Lifting Canada magazines, Coach of the Year in three different sports with State and National titles, then survive not one but two open heart surgeries? David A. Burke will tell you how he survives with positive attitude, supportive friends and family, and pure determination. You will learn how the author and you can take a lemon and make lemonade, and enjoy it with some lemon meringue pie.

My first open heart 5 way bypass surgery was in October of 1989, at the age of 36. With a family history of heart trouble, it was not a surprise, it was a reality. I had planned for this inevitable surgery ever since my father died when I was only 22 years old. This may sound strange, but I have always believed “forewarned is forearmed.” I knew I had a heart like Dad, and that wasn’t going to change. I never felt sorry for myself or “Woe is me.” I simply made it part of my life and planned to be ready for whatever came my way. Working out daily was part of it.