Dr. Michael DeBakey

I did not know Dr. DeBakey, and am glad that he lived a very long and productive life doing what he loved. Dr. DeBakey performed open heart surgery on my grandfather in May of 1965. My grandparents who were also Arabic traveled from California to Texas to take a chance with this new surgery avaable. Unfortunately the surgery was not a success for my grandfather, he only lived a couple of days after it. He died on my 1st birthday. I always get proud that he traveled so far to meet Dr. DeBakey to have this surgery. In a way he was helping with research. I would love to speak with his son Michael and find out if Michael Sr. Ever spoke of my grandfather. His name was Kamel Shaheen.

For Michael...

WEEP NOT FOR ME


Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.

Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.

I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.

Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.

Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.

Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.


© Joe Fazio
~
jfazio@gmail.com /Joe Fazio,
Beverly Hills, California

November 17, 2009

Words do not come easy to adequately pay tribute to this giant of a man. I had the honor to know and work with Dr. DeBakey and I can only say that few people in my lifetime have influenced me more. The body of his work has enriched the world and his practice set a new and higher standard for health care.

My deepest sympathy to the DeBakey family. He was truly one of a kind and something the world will never see again. He pioneered so many countless things for the cardio and vet world and we will miss him.

After just listening to Sherwin Nuland's book on tape entitled, The Art of Aging and feel that I have personnaly come to know & geatly admire the person & career of Dr. Debakey. I thank Dr. Nuland for opening the door to me regarding this great man.

Thank you Houston Chronicle for a wonderful history lesson on the life of Dr. DeBakey. Truly remarkable. Thanks to his wonderful parents that set the foundation for this great man. Will we ever have another Dr. DeBakey? With the compassion and respect he had for his fellow man??? I hope so. I am very sad that he is gone but he has gone to a great reward in heaven. Job well done, Dr. DeBakey, you truly earned your crown. My deepest condolences to his family.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and co-workers of Dr. DeBakey. My dad was the first person to have two heart valves replaced by Dr. Debakey in the fall of 1964. The valves were plastic balls surrounded by stainless steel cages. This new procedure gave Daddy nine more years of life. For that, I'm so grateful. Dr. DeBakey's contributions to medical science will benefit millions of patients for years to come. He will be missed.

He was truely a man sent by God to have the knowledge he had and to be able to do the things he did. That kind of man is a gaint in the profession of medicine. He will always be remember.

I was sadden to hear of Dr. DeBakeys death. He entered our lives when the Indiana doctors gave my husband no hope for living. We contacted and was welcomed by Baylor College & Dr. DeBakeys staff after just a phone call. He gave my husband 3 bypasses and extended his life for 7 years. At his death the autopsy showed the beautiful gifted work of this skilled man was working without a miss. Natural causes was the cause of deteriation. OUr family was blessed by this man, given a gift way above the $200 he charged in 1974. God has a special place for the service he gave others while on earth. He truly was gifted and followed Gods lead. We thank the family for sharing him with us, may your grief be short spaned.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Dr. DeBakey. My grandfather's life was extended by 8 years thanks to Dr DeBakey. He was an extremely special and passionate man and the world is a better place for having known him. God Bless you Dr Debakey and you will be missed.