Photographer Chris Maher was helping load his wife, Annette Morrin's, van for the trip to the Columbus Winterfair, and intending to accompany her for the 3 day show this past weekend when he decided to stay home because he wasn't feeling well. Then they decided maybe to check in with his doctor. He was immediately hospitalized with a "near death", very serious heart condition.
Last word is that he had an operation on Sunday that went well.
Chris has been enthusiastically pursuing every avenue of photography and it is always a surprise to enter his booth at an art fair to see his latest work. He has been an active member of the Guild of Artists and Artisans in Ann Arbor and in both capacities is well known and well loved for his wit, caring and inquiring mind.
Words of encouragement can be sent to Chris and Annette at P.O. Box 5, Lambertville, MI, 48144
Replies
My mother had a mitral valve replaced when she was in her 40's and lived another 40 years. So, I'm guessing he will outlive us all. I'm glad to hear he is doing well.
I heated with wood for a number of years. I got tired of all that cutting, chopping, and stacking. It's really good exercise, though.
It warms you twice; while you chop it and then when you burn it. Two fer one ;-)
Dear Artist Friends,
Thank you all for the well wishes, healing energy and prayers during Chris heart crisis,believe me it was well received and kept us centered. Everything moved so quickly,I felt confident that Chris was just where he should have been and the cardiologists and surgeons work quickly to get Chris the life saving surgery he needed to replace his destroyed mitral valve.
Chris was released from hospital just 5 days from surgery!The doctors all raved what excellent health he was in, something to be said about setting up and tearing down all the art shows we do, keeps us in shape! Chris is up and around, walked about a mile yesterday, said he is at 90%
We were to show at ODC Winterfair in Columbus, ODC has refunded my booth fee, Hotwire my hotel!
Artists took up a collection for us at Winterfair...made me cry, such kindness! We are using the money to buy firewood, Chris loves to cut wood from our woods and had just started to get a good supply for the winter. This will keep our office nice and cozy in the next few months as he continues to heal and create new work.Looks like Winterpark will be his next show in March and we are so looking forward to it!
Love and Light!
Annette
Has anybody set something up yet for Chris?
I'd love to pitch in if we set up a collection. A little support can really make a lot of difference.
Connie: I have never met Chris, but sent he and his wife a card. I can empathize with their situation and would hope if that happened to me people would reach out. How about those of us on the site take up a collection for them? That has to be tough, especially this time of year. What do you think?
I spoke with Chris a few days ago when he got home. He's been watchful of his heart for some time but got thrown off on his symptoms this time because of a bad flu that he'd had and thought the congestion in his lungs was from that. No, it was congestive heart failure and his mitral valve was in shreds when he got to the operating table.
Those of you who don't know him, he is slender, very energetic and he says "who wouldn't be who unloads 2000 lbs from a van every weekend and then loads it up again?" He is bouncing back so well that the day after he got home the water pump in his house went out and he was ready to fix it and then decided maybe now was not a good time for that. Good thinking, Chris!
Then, there is the financial reality as they have had to cancel two upcoming shows. He plans to be ready to go at Winter Park.
I've found out it was valve replacement surgery and that he had had strange feelings in his lungs in recent days.
Also, an email from John Barr at ODC:
We'll keep him in our prayers
Keep us posted. I didn't know he was from Michigan.
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