“Before this happened, I was in the gym like crazy,” remembers Ed. “If you saw me, you’d think I played for the Texans. But as my friend said later, I had a Cadillac body with a Pinto engine. I was stressed out, working a lot and not eating healthy. I was pushing my limitations.”
Time catching up
“I was at a family barbecue when my chest felt like it was getting tighter and tighter. Everyone was saying, ‘Man, you don’t look well.’ My nephew called 911. Turns out, I was having a massive heart attack.”
Several minutes later, Houston Fire Department EMS rushed Ed to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital where the care team, led by affiliated cardiologist David Portugal, MD, put in a tiny stent that saved his life.
“Dr. Portugal was so calm, so mild mannered about it,” Ed says. “He took the time to really talk to me, and I thought that was so important. When they asked if I wanted to see the chaplain, I realized, oh wow, this is real. I didn’t know if I was going to wake up, but Dr. Portugal assured me I would see him on the other side.”
Ed really didn’t expect to make it. He saw his own funeral as he lay there on the operating table.
Ed remembers hearing Dr. Portugal tell the care team they needed to insert the stent through Ed’s groin or arm. Nearly under anesthesia, Ed asked if they could go in through his arm. His question shocked the care team— something he loves to joke about now.
“I know these doctors do this every day, but to me, it was amazing—this tiny incision in my arm and going all the way to my heart. You can’t even tell where it was now. And I forgot to tell them thank you for going in through my arm.”
Recovery and loss
Ed attended a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program at the Larry D. Johnson Heart & Vascular Institute at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. While his physical recovery went smoothly, he also experienced deep emotional loss.
“I lost my mom two weeks after my heart attack. I tried to keep everything together, but mentally I wasn’t there. A month after that, my wife asked for a divorce. And all I could think about was suicide.”
These life-changing events brought Ed’s mental health into focus, and he credits Dr. Portugal for encouraging him to get the help he needed. Ed began seeing a psychiatrist recommended by Memorial Hermann and later started grief counseling.
“Every time I would see Dr. Portugal, he asked how I was doing. I would tell him, physically I feel like I’m good. It’s the mental thing I’m still addressing. But overall, he has had a big effect on me because of the calm way he dealt with it. And he still makes time to check on me.”
Uplifting others
Ed has turned his recovery into helping other men understand and address mental health issues by establishing a mental health coaching business, Life 360. He shares his own story to help men understand that they can talk about anything and feel at ease opening up, even crying, to let out their emotions.
“As I help other people, they’re helping me. It’s hard to put myself in front of others and tell them I have mental health and grieving issues, and I can’t do it without crying. I speak on it. I claim it. I’m a work in progress.” Ed’s business is growing as he continues the healing process, hoping to inspire others by sharing his story through client classes and speaking engagements.
“It’s been a tough time in my life. Still, I know that I’m blessed to be here.”
Ed’s Story: Healing from Heart to Soul
Outwardly, Ed Lee was in shape and enjoying life, but inwardly he was struggling. At age 58, he experienced a massive heart attack followed by sudden loss that sent him on a healing health journey.
“Before this happened, I was in the gym like crazy,” remembers Ed. “If you saw me, you’d think I played for the Texans. But as my friend said later, I had a Cadillac body with a Pinto engine. I was stressed out, working a lot and not eating healthy. I was pushing my limitations.”
Time catching up
“I was at a family barbecue when my chest felt like it was getting tighter and tighter. Everyone was saying, ‘Man, you don’t look well.’ My nephew called 911. Turns out, I was having a massive heart attack.”
Several minutes later, Houston Fire Department EMS rushed Ed to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital where the care team, led by affiliated cardiologist David Portugal, MD, put in a tiny stent that saved his life.
“Dr. Portugal was so calm, so mild mannered about it,” Ed says. “He took the time to really talk to me, and I thought that was so important. When they asked if I wanted to see the chaplain, I realized, oh wow, this is real. I didn’t know if I was going to wake up, but Dr. Portugal assured me I would see him on the other side.”
Ed really didn’t expect to make it. He saw his own funeral as he lay there on the operating table.
Ed remembers hearing Dr. Portugal tell the care team they needed to insert the stent through Ed’s groin or arm. Nearly under anesthesia, Ed asked if they could go in through his arm. His question shocked the care team— something he loves to joke about now.
“I know these doctors do this every day, but to me, it was amazing—this tiny incision in my arm and going all the way to my heart. You can’t even tell where it was now. And I forgot to tell them thank you for going in through my arm.”
Recovery and loss
Ed attended a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program at Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. While his physical recovery went smoothly, he also experienced deep emotional loss.
“I lost my mom two weeks after my heart attack. I tried to keep everything together, but mentally I wasn’t there. A month after that, my wife asked for a divorce. And all I could think about was suicide.”
These life-changing events brought Ed’s mental health into focus, and he credits Dr. Portugal for encouraging him to get the help he needed. Ed began seeing a psychiatrist recommended by Memorial Hermann and later started grief counseling.
“Every time I would see Dr. Portugal, he asked how I was doing. I would tell him, physically I feel like I’m good. It’s the mental thing I’m still addressing. But overall, he has had a big effect on me because of the calm way he dealt with it. And he still makes time to check on me.”
Uplifting others
Ed has turned his recovery into helping other men understand and address mental health issues by establishing a mental health coaching business, Life 360. He shares his own story to help men understand that they can talk about anything and feel at ease opening up, even crying, to let out their emotions.
“As I help other people, they’re helping me. It’s hard to put myself in front of others and tell them I have mental health and grieving issues, and I can’t do it without crying. I speak on it. I claim it. I’m a work in progress.” Ed’s business is growing as he continues the healing process, hoping to inspire others by sharing his story through client classes and speaking engagements.
“It’s been a tough time in my life. Still, I know that I’m blessed to be here.”
An annual celebration
It’s been four years since Ed’s heart attack. Inspired by Dr. Portugal to focus on his health and well-being, he has lost more than ten pounds and is taking better care of his body—and mind.
On the anniversary of his heart attack each year, Ed tries to celebrate with Dr. Portugal, his care team and the EMS team who saved his life.
“They changed my life and changed my world. That’s a second chance of life they’ve given me. I want to thank them. They’re a part of my family now.”
It’s been four years since Ed’s heart attack. Inspired by Dr. Portugal to focus on his health and well-being, he has lost more than ten pounds and is taking better care of his body—and mind.
On the anniversary of his heart attack each year, Ed tries to celebrate with Dr. Portugal, his care team and the EMS team who saved his life.
“They changed my life and changed my world. That’s a second chance of life they’ve given me. I want to thank them. They’re a part of my family now.”
That was a perfect reminder of why we made our gift. Memorial Hermann has to be there, always, ready to give their best to the Houston community.