My cardiologist told me this week that more extensive testing reveals that one of the things that could kill me is not really a thing.

Good news.

Another thing that was trying to kill me, a complication from the last open heart surgery, has been fixed by a simple but gross procedure.

That’s two things that could kill me crossed off the list in one week. Not a bad week.

The other thing trying to kill me is still a thing, but there is a plan and there are options and I am not out of time.

I was expecting this thing to progress quickly and cause dramatic symptoms. That’s how it’s been in the past. This will allegedly progress much slower. There may be yet another open heart surgery in my future, but not immediately. There are other options to try first.

I am, once again, going with the optimism. Foolish? Maybe. But if you’ve been reading this blog, you’ll know this is what I do. Know the worst outcome, wrestle with it, and then choose to believe in the best. I have occasional lapses. Some news is pretty dark. But mostly, I get there.

As for the last two things trying to kill me, they remain under surveillance. I try mostly to forget about them. Mostly I am successful.

And, it’s worth noting that I could get hit by a bus or by falling satellite debris. Anything is possible, including living.

For the record, none of the things not killing me is making me stronger. If you’ve ever said, “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” to someone, go apologize at once.