Bobby Brown believes in beating the odds.
Despite the slim chances that he’d survive past the age of 40, he has managed to turn his encouraging story into one of survival, perseverance, and now, a Guinness World Record title.
Living in Gastonia, North Carolina (USA) the 78-year-old is now able to spend his newfound time with the heartfelt company of his 8th grade sweetheart, three children, and six grandchildren as the Longest surviving double heart bypass patient.
However, he may not have received that time without his first valiant plunge under the knife, at a time when open-heart surgery was not at the level it is today.
The year of 1975 would be the first time Bobby would go into an infirmary for his own intensive heart surgery. At the age of 37, it soon became a blatant ultimatum if he wanted to continue living his life.
Bobby had lost his father at the age of four, as well as his two brothers in their 40s due to their plaguing family history of heart disease.
Despite the number of deaths, the most devastating bereavement was by far his oldest brother, who was idolized by Bobby as his “father fill-in”.
Brown felt the loss tremendously when he was taken so abruptly at a normal day of work.
Since the death of his last brother, heart disease had dwindled the numbers to his once six-person family to three.
It was a drastic loss that many are fortunate not to experience.
Little did Brown know that one night in 1975, he too would feel the same excruciating chest pains his father and brothers once felt.
After being taken to the emergency room from a night of severe discomfort, doctors at the Charlotte Memorial hospital declared that Bobby had two blockages out of his four coronary arteries.
He would need to undergo a double coronary bypass procedure, with the terrifying knowledge that the first successful bypass performed in the United States, was only done eight years prior.
Yet, Bobby elected to regain control over the fate that hung over him to continue living for himself and his loved ones.
While he was frightened from the outcome, in his own words, “I had no choice. You just have to suck it up and face it… or risk an early demise.”
Fortunately, Bobby would outlive his brothers by thirty years and counting.
After having a triple bypass procedure in 1985, a pacemaker and defibrillator put in in 2009, and stents added in 2013, Bobby now lives as a resilient patient who overcame his genetic demons.
The retired business man and school teacher now thanks his fantastic surgeons and healthcare professionals for his recovery and long-term survival.
He mentions, “I am just the recipient of some wonderful care. I want to encourage others that surgery is not the end but a new chance on life.”
Robert “Bobby” Brown is thrilled and pleased to get the chance to do things he loves. With the time he has gained from his surgery, he has become an award-winning historical author, member of the Mended Hearts Caromont Health Chapter, grandfather, and has reached great progress on restoring his 1930 Model A Ford.
A subsequent of his life story, he now lives by 5 epigrams:
1. Do something for someone else
2. Do something creative
3. Do something selfish
4. Do something learned.
5. During the day, have a good laugh.
Bobby is thrilled to be a Guinness World Records title holder, and considers it a great honor. He believes it is a wonderful addition to his story, that he can now share to inspire others.