I have not updated this page in months and I apologize for that however following is one reason that I have been "mute".  Not and excuse, a reason.

  On December 30, '09 I collapsed and was admitted to Queens Medical Center.  The following day I went under the knife to replace 2 leaking valves in my heart.  Yes, open heart surgery.  I was then put into a into a self-induced coma for 29 days.  I was told the reason for that was to make sure my lungs, kidney and other moving parts were in working order.  When I was finally brought back to semi-awareness it was pointed out that it really was a close call.

   The Doctor (Eric Chung, M.D. F.A.C.S.) who performed the operation (and saved my life) at first thought it was a lost cause to operate but my cardiologist (Dr. Joana Magno) wouldn't take no for an answer, hence the successful operation.

   The next stage of my experience was "rehabilitation".  My advice to all is, if possible NEVER allow yourself to be in a rehabilitation program.  It's not a hospital, it's like a county detention center.  They go by the book, not taking the time to know the "patient".  Being on the air from 8:00pm till midnight, I am obviously a nocturnal person however because of their "book" my schedule was totally off and you wouldn't call me a cooperative  person.  I left after a week and a few days to the comfort of my own home ready or not.  More weeks of physical therapy and healing, learning how to use a fork, make a knot, walk without losing my balance etc. etc. has paid off.

   As of now I'm planning to be back on the air next week and am looking forward to the music that has passed me by.   Talking about music, I want to thank Mike Hurzon, Mike Carlson and Fred Mancuso (three of the best radio/record promotors in the country)for their continued support while I was and still am healing.

   I have no idea if anyone will read this but for me it was a vent...a time to explain my absence from KIPO. 

   That's it but I have other opinions you may not be interested in, however, as a heads up, I will use this space (because I pay for it) to share these thoughts with you in the future.  You can always respond by eMail: dongordon@hawaii.rr.com or dgordon@hawaiipublicradio.org.   Seriously, if you read this let me know what you think, I'd like to know.

Best wishes,