Heaven Will Just Have To Wait...

This past week has been another whirlwind episode of ups and downs for me. During the past 10 years, I have gone through heart attacks, stints, angioplasty and open heart surgery.

I have beaten those odds because of my deep faith in God and the fact that I have an excellent staff of doctors at my disposal. I might also add that I have many great friends that I turn to when I need some comfort.

I can't ever repay the friendship I have with Dan and Delores Hodge. They are always there when I need an ear to talk into or a shoulder to comfort my problems with. Dan was not only the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion but also a tremendous person that God placed on this Earth to set examples for our youth to learn from. Even today, at 75, he continues his everyday grind to keep the pace he has set for over 35 years since retiring from the ring.

Bp. Jason Sanderson is another great friend that I have met through the wrestling business. The first time I met him, he was just plain old "Wolfman." A wrestler from New Hampshire. Now, 10 years later, he has elevated himself to a position with his church of Bishop. I always seem to ask the question when I call him, which is about every week, “Do you have a few minutes?” I know that he is very busy with his daily duties, but he wears many hats during the day. We sometimes talk for an hour at a time, and it seems like I am the one that asks to end the conversation.

"OX" Baker is another great friend that I have been acquainted with since the early 70's when he came down from Omaha to face Angus. He might seem pretty gruff to anyone just meeting him, but he is one of the greatest friends that you could have when you need to talk about losing someone from the business.

Danny Miller is another one of my friends that I have had the pleasure of knowing since the early 60's. He is sincere about his friends and values each day that he lives.

Dr. David Ring is another great friend that goes back a number of years with me. We have made a few trips to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he became a huge part of my “other family.” He also went to the Hall of Fame inductions in Newton, Iowa and rubbed shoulders with some of the greats of our business. He has been there for me and my family on numerous occasions, including the nine hours he spent with my family after driving over 200 miles to be there when I had open heart surgery. I can't say enough good things about David.

I would be very regretful if I didn't mention my family while growing up in Flint, Michigan. My Grandmother, Matilda Newberry, that raised me from a tiny baby, to my uncles Don, Bob and Basil that also had a hand in that process. My grandparents on my father’s side, Roy and Laura Friend, were also there when I needed them as well.

I guess I could go on about different people touching my life like Dave Burzynski, Glen Rylko and his son Pat, Rich Tito, Jimmy Valiant, Bob Roop, The Orton Family and many others.

I guess I need to say the most important people that I need to thank for giving me another lease on life this past week are Dr. Louito Edge and Dr. M. Afridi and their staff that helped me get through another tough speed bump in life's highway.

This past Monday, after having discomfort and pain in my left shoulder for a few days, I made an appointment to se Dr. Edge. After running an EKG which showed no significant increase over last year’s test, Dr. Edge noticed some “gurgling” in both sides of my neck and set me up for a Carotid Doppler test. It is similar to a sonogram that sends images back from radio type signals.

It was determined that I had 80-99% blockage in the left carotid and that I needed to be admitted to the hospital for surgery. They sent me back to the registration desk where I was admitted and then gave me a wheelchair ride to my room. I wasn't even out of my coat when they began to hook me up with IV's and a heart monitor, as I was a prime candidate for a stroke.

Dr. Afridi came in and said that the earliest that he could get me into surgery would be Thursday, around noon. I was scared for the first time in my life because a new face was telling me that he was going to have control of my life. A few minutes later, Dr. Edge called me at my room and assured me that Dr. Afridi is one of the best that the hospital has. That's all the comment I needed, and I laid in the bed and tried to get comfortable.

Thursday morning, I was given a Nuclear stress test and it was determined that I was okay for the surgery. Returning to my room around 12, I was prepped and readied for the big day ahead.

Around 1 p.m., I was wheeled, bed and all, down a hallway towards the operating room when, suddenly, on the left side of my bed was Dr. Edge, running along side of me and telling me once again that I had a great guy working on me. She took my hand and gave it that special squeeze as only she could, and I was pulled and pushed into the area where they prep you for surgery.

It was about 20 minutes later when they gave me my "Cocktail" through my IV, and I went into a deep sleep. I woke up in the ICU unit with enough stuff hooked to me to launch a space shuttle. It was about 2 or 3 in the morning, and I wanted to get up.

Not fully aware of what my body had been thru, I just sat up on the edge of the bed for a few minutes and then laid back down until I was awakened by nurses wanting my attention. After doing a few things, I again wanted to get up and go to the bathroom. They let me stand beside the bed, and, a few minutes later, with the water dripping in the sink behind me, I gave them what they needed.

Dr. Edge came in and thanked me for being alive, and, after a short exam, she was gone back to the desks beyond my doorway to do her paperwork. Not long, after my nurse came in and wanted to know if I wanted to tour the facility. I told her that I felt good enough to dance around the entire hospital with her.

She and I walked further that she had anticipated me to do, but, then again, she didn't know all the support and prayers that everyone had said were helping me with every step I took.

At 2 p.m., Dr. Afridi came in and asked if I wanted to be released.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW THE ANSWER I GAVE TO HIM ....

My plans are still to go to Las Vegas for the CAC in June and also to Waterloo at the end of June, where I will collect many hugs and maybe a kiss or two from the girls.

Just think , for the third time in my life, I was booked as a special guest referee in a match in Heaven … and I NO SHOWED again!!!

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support during this past week.

I LOVE EVERY ONE OF YOU!

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers

2003 BWC Hall of Fame Inductee
2004 CAC Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 LWA Hall of Fame Inductee
2007 TCCW Hall of Fame Honoree