In a recent episode of David Letterman‘s talk show, the beloved host reflected on a major milestone – the 25th anniversary of his heart surgery. The chat show veteran, joined by his colleagues Barbara Gaines and Mary Barclay, shared the incredible story behind his unscheduled quintuple bypass surgery that took place on January 14th, 2000.
Letterman expressed his gratitude towards his skilled surgeons, Wayne and Carl Creger, and Donna Riley, for their expert care during the life-saving operation. With his trademark humor, Letterman described the moments leading up to the surgery, recounting how he went in for a routine stress test and ended up being rushed to the operating room.
During the procedure, Letterman found himself wide awake and engaging with the medical team, even cracking jokes and offering ham sandwiches to the room. He described the surreal experience of having his heart temporarily removed from his chest while the surgeons worked meticulously to keep him alive using a heart lung machine.
In a bid to generate some publicity, the surgeons even displayed Letterman’s heart in a pan at the gift shop, inviting visitors to take pictures with it. Although it didn’t attract much attention, Letterman humorously shared this anecdote of how his heart became a unique exhibit.
Since his surgery 25 years ago, Letterman has continued to thrive. He expressed his admiration for his surgeon, Wayne Isom, who performed five bypass surgeries on him, ensuring his heart was in showroom condition. Letterman also revealed that Isom is missing a thumb, which initially surprised him but quickly became an interesting quirk.
As Letterman reflected on his journey, he remarked on the advancements in open heart surgery and how procedures today have become more sophisticated. He mentioned that valve replacements can now be done without invasive techniques, jokingly adding that surgeons might even go through your wallet during the process.
When asked how he celebrated the 25th anniversary of his surgery, Letterman shared his love for pie. He mentioned a special peach pie he enjoyed, along with the discovery of a unique peanut butter pie made by Sag’s Peanut Butter Pie Company. As he savored the taste, Letterman playfully encouraged viewers to indulge in the delicious treat.
Throughout the episode, the talk show host’s wit and comedic charm shone as he discussed his health journey while taking a delightful trip down memory lane. Letterman’s resilience and ability to find humor in even the most challenging situations continue to captivate audiences.
