The past nine months have taken the Taylors on a proverbial health roller coaster, and it’s been quite a ride. I shall share this odyssey as best I remember. This will be a Cliff’s Notes version of our journey as the full story would rival a Dostoyevsky novel in length. It began in June 2025 when Diane, who is our family health guru, felt that her heart rate was a bit elevated. Her husband had the foresight to suggest a visit to her local doctor and off she went. Her heart rate was consistently in the 140 beats per minute range so on June 4th I took her to McDonough District Hospital and the medical staff there promptly sent her by ambulance to Quincy for further treatment as her heart rate increased to a dangerous level and a decrease in oxygen. A couple of nights at Blessing Hospital and all was well and her heart was back in a normal rhythm, so she was released, and it was back to Macomb.
Things were going well so we decided to visit 7-year-old Dan Taylor and his parents in Grayslake. Unfortunately, we had a bit of a detour as after a restless night of sleep we went to the ER and her oxygen level had dropped to 84 so she was whisked off to Northwestern Medicine in Lake Forest. Another fun ambulance ride with me wondering what the heck was going on with my wife who seldom, if ever, has health issues except for that nasty fall at the United Center prior to a Blackhawks game in 2018 when she suffered, not one but two broken ankles but that’s another story.
I will try not to be redundant as many of the same tests were repeated over and over as events unfolded but these include MRI, heart catheterization, CT scans, chest X-rays, EKGs, echo cardiograms, ultrasounds, blood work, and so much more. The cardiologist informs us that our patient has A-Fib of the right ventricle and a cardioversion (shock the heart but not with paddles you see on your favorite tv health drama) is scheduled. Her heart immediately goes into sinus rhythm after the first shock and she is released.
We head back to Macomb and on June 20th, damn it, she goes back into A-Fib. We head back to Lake Forest for another cardioversion which works for a couple of days then happens again, so an ablation (more invasive) is scheduled, and all is well until the doctor comes in to inform us that Diane needs to see a “valve” doctor. We ask when that should be done and reply is a stunner as he says “certainly within next two months.” The remainder of Summer and well into Fall are a whirlwind of tests and appointments, and the playing field moves to Northwestern’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in downtown Chicago which I might add is a great place to be if you have a serious condition.
Cardiac surgeon informs us that we are looking at a leaky mitral valve that can’t be repaired but rather needs to be replaced. “Oh, by the way, you also need two bypasses which we can do at the same time.” We are stunned by all this and as of this writing we have still not recovered from the appointments, tests, travel, major heart surgery, and rehab. People in their late 70s and for me now 80 are not really equipped to deal with all this but of course we do.
Open heart surgery scheduled for January 13th then rescheduled to the 22nd. Poor Diane. They are going to open her chest, stop her heart and lungs from working on their own, and this is daunting for anyone to face but there is no viable alternative. On the evening of the 21st, Ryan and Gordon III (flew in from Cleveland) joined us for dinner at the elegant Capital Grille. Daughter Jennifer remains in Texas taking care of her family which is where we all agreed she belongs. We had rooms at the Residence Inn on East Erie where I would spend the next three weeks, so we headed back there and visited for the next few hours.
We ubered the four blocks to the hospital at 5:30 am on the 22nd in subzero temperatures, said our goodbyes, hugged and Diane was swept away at 6:45 for what turned out to be a seven-hour surgery. Finally, the surgeon came in to tell us things went well, but the road ahead would be long, difficult, and challenging. It has been. Intensive care for six days then another four before being transferred to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab for another ten days of treatment with occupational and physical therapy. Shirley Ryan is a fabulous facility, and we were very fortunate to get in. Our patient did an outstanding job “working out” each day. My job was to walk from the hotel to spend the day with Diane, hold her hand, and provide moral support and encouragement.
The Taylors returned to Macomb on Valentine’s Day and collapsed for the next couple of days at our home. Diane has begun physical rehab and will begin cardio rehab in a couple of weeks. Challenges now are fatigue, need to exercise, and loss of appetite. I stand in front of Diane in the morning as she navigates the thirteen steps from our bedroom to the main floor and behind her on the return trip at night. Maybe we should have listened to Grandma Paulsen in 1983 when we built this house and she mused, “Don’t you want the master bedroom on the main floor?” to which we responded, “Of course not, we want to be upstairs with the kids.” So much for vision.
We rented an electric recliner in the family room which has been a Godsend. Wonderful friends have signed up on an app called Meal Train initiated by her friend, Barb, so that Diane would have a good meal every night. Probably sound strategy since my skills are limited to French toast, bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich, beanie weenies, fried bologna, and fudge. So, we press on and look forward to the end of Winter and warmer weather that will allow us to take slow walks around the neighborhood and a return to normalcy in our lives. March 5th marked six weeks since the surgery which is a huge milestone. Little by little Diane moves ahead in this journey. She hopes to be an informal resource person who may have open heart surgery for a valve replacement.
I can say with some degree of clarity that life at 35 Indian Trail is never boring. I didn’t say it was necessarily all good, just not boring. As writer Linda Ellerbee, says “and so it goes” and indeed it does.
Gordy and the Fourth Quarter 
OMG you two have been thru tough times, I’m glad you both seem to be healing well. My prayers go out to you two. Think positive thoughts.
You both are amazing people that always conquer what’s in front of you no matter what it is…you’re real-life Super Heroes! We love you and wish for the speediest recovery!
Tough sledding for you both. Best news is that the procedure, although long and arduous, finds Diane moving forward in the right direction. Thoughts and prayers (and support) continue to be with you both……
What a journey you two have had. I am so happy that everything turned out well. Keep up the good work Diane❤️
Oh my! So sorry to hear about your journey, but so ever thankful that everything seem to be going well. Keep on keeping Diane and Gordy!
Sending good thoughts and prayers for complete recovery for Diane. May you both continue down this path together and support each other.
Michelle (Intravartolo) Hillebrenner
Sending positive vibes to both you and Diane. Prayers for healing and strength on Diane’s journey forward. Love to you both.
Wh
We are so sorry Diane has been through these very serious heart issues. We are glad she is past the worst of it & is recovering nicely. Mike & I will keep her
My thoughts and prayers are with you both as Diane deals, so successfully, with this new challenge.
Scott
Folks –
I had a “valve job” twelve years ago. Rehab is slow, but recovery is complete. Unless something like this reminds me of it, I don’t even think of it.
Hope and pray that it’s that way for you.
Ih, my! Our thoughts are with you both. These things should not happen to GOOD people! Thanks for the update, no matter how sad it Is. We are pulling for you both. Wish we could help from this distance.
Prayers that your recovery will continue to go well. Sorry she has to go through this.
Diann, Hope you feel better soon and back to Marco to walk on the beach. After you heal and get through your rehab I think you are going to feel better than ever. With all that has been going on in your lives you probably didn’t realize just how bad you were felling. Sending up prayers that your health returns ahead of schedule. 🙏♥️
Sent from my iPad
WOW, 🤞🙏🙏🙏Sent from my iPad
We all know Diane has a “heart of gold”, and also some great heart technology. Get well soon.
This is a very tough time for you, as if you have not had tough times in the past as well. I wish you both so much grace and strength and determination to recover from this. Thank you for telling about it because you have support from me and all your friends.
My goodness, I had no idea. When I saw you and Diane in August, she looked a little frail but beautiful as ever. I’m sending good thoughts and prayers your way, and am also looking forward to warmer months.
keeping you both in my prayers for complete recovery. I know it’s a long road but you both are resilient and have plenty more to do on the earth. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and trusting our Heavenly Father. His will be done.
Sending well wishes and healing thoughts to both of you !
What a story! Lady Di is a real trooper..and her 80-year old Uber driver isn’t too bad either. You two will make it.
Geez. When your heading said, “it’s Diane’s turn” I thought you meant she was going to write the blog – not that she was recovering from such an ordeal. You have told her it isn’t a contest, right? Please give her our best. I’ll be sending her a card, along with my thoughts and prayers!
… and so it went, and ever after love and memories and revised plans. Not to mention the revised body parts, but might as well mention them, too. Getting run through the mill is rarely a good idea unless you’re salt or pepper. Running on faith and hope is a good idea. The idea is to keep the old and new body parts running. Keep your expectations positive, and enjoy the being together, having each other’s back. Be cool, stay warm, and rest assured that many people care.
Oh Gordy and Diane! What incredible challenge you both have faced. I so
appreciate your detailed update and openness, Gordy. Your writing style
is amazing. Diane, my best wishes for the slow but steady recovery
process. Hunker down and do the best you can and the long haul will
pay off.
Love and best wishes to you both,
Becky (and Sam, too)
Diane, I have kept up with your heart journey this past year through Bobbie and John. So glad you are improving. I am sure it has been so difficult to be the patient when you are used to being the caretaker.
I also go to Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute downtown. We usually stay at the Aloft and walk through the parking lot to the Dr. We usually eat at Capitol Grill or an old Italian restaurant, Volare. It is a magnificent place. I have Afib and a pacemaker as well as leaking Tricuspid valve which they are monitoring. I have to have new batteries in my pacemaker this summer since I have had it 10 years.
it was so sad to hear of Jan Hardy’s passing. We haven’t talked in years. It was a strange situation when she left John and moved to Wisconsin. It seemed like she didn’t want any ties to Fulton County.
Gary was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in July and is in a clinical trial at the University of Iowa. We went to Florida early January and flew back to Iowa Jan 25th for a PET scan and bone marrow biopsy. He is in remission and goes back every 82 days for scans since it is treatable not curable. So we flew right back to Florida per his wishes. Having a great time.
Hope your cardiac rehab goes well. As Gary says “Getting older isn’t for sissies.” It would be great when everyone is on the mend to get together with the two of you and Bobbie and John. Hopefully we can make that happen this summer.
SUSAN BARNHART
What a journey you two have endured! All our best to you both.
My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Gods Blessings.
Hi Gordy and Diane
I read each word of your story intently. I think that many – at least I usually do – think of life and death challenges in terms of physical combat that I can only read about from places like Bastone or Fallujah, or 9-11. What you and Diane have faced in the last several years is equally challenging. Different but essentially equal. Hang in there. We need you both! I found out several years ago that I am a freak of nature in that I have a bicuspid aortic heart valve instead of the traditional tricuspid aortic heart valve. Had the Army discovered that back in 1978 I’d likely ended up teaching in the business department at WIU instead!
I too am facing my own health challenges. Had a prostatectomy last July, which ultimately led to a hernia and bowel obstruction 2 weeks later, which led to emergency surgery, which led to an abdominal hernia presently. If I put on fake boobs, I’d look like a 70-year-old pregnant man! It is fun to gross out my wife and kids though when I hug them! My due date is 30 April at Barnes Hospital in St Louis. We all have something going on I suppose!
Take care Gordy and Diane!
Regards,
Mark Hemann, Jo Moore’s friend
So sorry to hear about Diane. Faye and I send our love and pray for a speedy recovery. She’s a fighter and day by day she’ll get stronger. Been meaning to call and catch up. Still putting house together. Doing a lot of purging. Take care, we’ll give you some time and then have a call. You’re