After three life-threatening illnesses, a Millville man enjoys life while helping others.
A heart attack, a cancer diagnosis, an irregular heartbeat, three surgeries (two cancer-related, one for a pacemaker), chemotherapy and radiation treatments might get the best of some people, but not 65-year-old Ron McDonald. Look at him today and you would never know that the trim and fit Millville resident has battled three life-threatening medical conditions in less than two year's time.
Undoubtedly, a number of factors played a part in each of Ron’s recoveries. The most obvious being his spiritual faith, the love and support from family and friends, and his unwavering commitment to strengthen his body after and between his medical crises. Cardiac rehabilitation, followed by two months in a physician referred exercise program and then regular visits to the gym have paid great dividends for Ron.
“They taught me to rein things in,” said Ron while describing his cardiac rehabilitation experience at Inspira Health Network. “There was a lot of training and teaching during rehab; at the end I felt good…much better.”
Ron credits the Inspira PREP (Physician Referred Exercise Program) with helping him rebuild his foundation. While working out in the PREP area of the Fitness Connection, he felt he could always rely on the staff. Even after graduating from the PREP, he and other PREP graduates found that they often made their way back to the PREP area during their visits to the gym.
Today, Ron regularly visits the Fitness Connection to support his healthy lifestyle, and to offer his support and encouragement to others who are just returning to good health and a renewed sense of well-being.