Politics

Sen. Apodaca recovering from open heart surgery

By Bill Moss, Published: August 6, 2012

State Sen. Tom Apodaca is recovering from successful open-heart surgery Mission Hospitals in Asheville after doctors found blockages in three arteries.

Apodaca, the second highest ranking legislator in the now-Republican controlled Senate, said in a statement that he had suffered "unusually bad acid reflux" and had seen doctors at UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill. Those doctors ordered tests, which indicated the blockages and need for immediate surgery.
Apodaca, a fourth-term incumbent who faces no opposition in the November election, is expected to return to his work as Senate Rules Committee chairman, a post that gives him the authority to direct the flow of legislation to the floor for a vote and makes him one of the top three or four most powerful lawmakers in Raleigh.
Apodaca said one benefit from his health situation might be to serve as a wakeup call to others.
"I'm only 54 years old and while I could stand to lose a few pounds, I'm in pretty good shape," he said in the statement. "Hopefully my story will encourage people not to ignore warning signs from our bodies and to seek the advice of medical professionals."
Jeff Miller, one of Apodaca's closest friends and a political adviser, said the senator has not been seeing visitors. He will likely be released by midweek and given an exercise and diet regimen to follow for heart healthy living.
Apodaca said his staff will handle any constituent service that needs to be done, and with characteristic humor, he promised to be back at work soon.
"In a few months I'll be back, looking like George Clooney, ready to give everyone grief again. For now, I'm just looking forward to wearing clothing that opens in the front."

Here is the full statement released by Sen. Apodaca's office this afternoon:
"On Thursday, I underwent successful open-heart surgery in Mission Hospital in Asheville. I'm incredibly grateful to the talented group of doctors and nurses here who have taken such good care of me. For months and months leading up to this, I endured unusually bad acid reflux. Doctors at UNC Health Care were able to determine it was caused by blockages in my arteries.
"I'm only 54 years old and while I could stand to lose a few pounds, I'm in pretty good shape. Hopefully my story will encourage people not to ignore warning signs from our bodies and to seek the advice of medical professionals.
"I greatly appreciate the thoughts and prayers of family and friends. Fortunately — for all of us — the Legislature doesn't meet again until January and I can use the break to regain my strength.
"My only request is that you please respect my family's privacy over the next couple of months. During this time of recovery, the very talented and committed staff in my legislative and district offices will be working overtime to make sure we continue to deliver the high level of constituent service the citizens of Western North Carolina expect and deserve.
"In a few months I'll be back, looking like George Clooney, ready to give everyone grief again. For now, I'm just looking forward to wearing clothing that opens in the front."

— Tom