Terry Jessen of Scottsbluff went through a life-changing experience earlier this year when he had seven bypass heart surgery. Although he faced lots of challenges from that surgery, including going into a coma for three weeks, being put on kidney dialysis for eight weeks, and struggling to walk after being released from the hospital, he stayed determined and is now back to doing the things he loves, like farming, working at Tax Express, and spending quality time with his family and friends. He’s now also on a mission to help other people, whether it’s encouraging them to seek medical help when they’re having warning signs of a heart issue or helping them understand the power of prayer.
JEFF FIELDER Editor
SCOTTSBLUFF – Terry Jessen of Scottsbluff was walking up the steps at the Nebraska State Capitol in early January when he started to feel a little shortness of breath.
Jessen, who was in Lincoln at the time serving as a citizen volunteer assistant to Senator Steve Erdman, took about a five-minute break to relax before moving on with his day. A few days later, Jessen felt a shortness of breath again as he climbed up the steps at the Capitol building. He rested for a few minutes, but didn’t think much of it.
“I just thought, ‘OK, I’m older, so my body is slowing down a bit. I just have to accept that, even though that’s not easy for me to accept since I’ve always moved around pretty well,” he said.
A few days later, the 69-year-old Jessen was climbing the steps at the Capitol again, when he felt a stronger shortness of breath. As soon as he entered the building, he went into a nearby room to sit down and rest for a few minutes.
“That third one got my attention,” he said.
You can read the entire story in the August issue of Nspire Today! magazine. A one-year subscription (12 issues) is only $15. You may sign up for a subscription by sending $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363, or you may pay with a credit card by calling 308-220-8865.
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