A Heart Attack, Four Bypasses, and 550 Books — My Story Isn't Finished Yet!
By Bruce Goldwell | November 1, 2026
At 75 years old, I survived a heart attack, underwent quadruple bypass surgery, and reached 550 published books. And I'm still looking forward to my next chapter!
October 2026 was a month I'll never forget.
I suffered a heart attack. What began with chest pain and a trip to the emergency room eventually led to open-heart surgery and four coronary bypasses.
There were hospital transfers, medical procedures, days of waiting, and the challenges of recovery.
But something interesting happened while I was lying in that hospital bed.
I started thinking about writing another book!
Not just any book. A book about surviving a heart attack, sharing my personal experience, and helping others learn about heart attack prevention.
Even during one of the most serious experiences of my life, my desire to create something useful hadn't disappeared.
550 Books and Still Writing
By the end of October 2026, I reached an incredible personal milestone: 550 published books on Amazon.
My books cover a wide range of subjects, including artificial intelligence, science fiction, spirituality, personal development, travel, senior living, and practical financial education.
I never started with a goal of writing 550 books.
I simply kept discovering new things I wanted to learn about and share.
One idea became a book. Another idea became a series. Sometimes a book inspired a website or an educational resource.
And the journey continued.
My Life Hasn't Always Been Easy
I'm a Vietnam veteran and Bronze Star recipient.
Over the years, I've worked as an architectural draftsman, journeyman carpenter, computer operator, programming teacher, and entrepreneur.
I've also experienced nearly a decade of homelessness.
During those difficult years, I made a personal commitment to dedicate my efforts to helping others if I could rebuild my life.
That commitment has influenced my writing and the projects I've created ever since.
Today, I'm especially interested in helping seniors and veterans through practical books and resources such as Senior Vet Discounts.
The Words I Told My Daughter
During my hospitalization, my daughter was understandably concerned.
I told her something that reflected how strongly I felt about the work I still wanted to do:
"I don't have time for dying. I'm on a mission from God."
That doesn't mean I underestimated the seriousness of my heart attack or surgery.
My health and recovery come first.
But it does mean I still have a sense of purpose.
I still have stories to tell, ideas to explore, and knowledge I'd like to share.
My Next Book May Be My Most Personal
I'm considering a book about surviving a heart attack.
The first part would describe my own experience, from the emergency room through surgery and recovery.
The second part would explore prevention and heart health using credible medical information.
While recovering in the hospital, I began documenting my experience using voice transcription and conversations on my phone.
I wanted to preserve the details while they were fresh.
If my experience eventually helps even one person recognize warning signs and seek medical attention promptly, sharing that story will have been worthwhile.
You're Never Too Old to Begin Again
At 75, I'm still learning new technologies, exploring artificial intelligence, developing websites, and writing books.
I believe one of the biggest mistakes we can make is deciding that we're too old to learn something new.
You don't need to publish hundreds of books.
Maybe your dream is to write your first book, start a small business, learn a new skill, or share something you've learned with your family.
Whatever it is, don't dismiss it simply because of your age or your past experiences.
Your next chapter may be more meaningful than you imagine.
Discover My Publishing Journey
I've created a new section of my website called Publishing Progress.
There, you can explore my publishing milestones, featured books, personal journey, and some of the projects I'm considering next.
Visit Publishing Progress:
https://www.mykindlebooks.net/bruce-goldwell/publishing-progress/
I'm recovering from surgery and following my medical team's guidance. I'm grateful to have more time with my family and opportunities to continue doing meaningful work.
And yes, I'm still thinking about my next book!
550 books published. Four bypasses. One continuing mission.
My story isn't finished yet.
Keep learning. Keep creating. Keep helping others.
— Bruce Goldwell
Independent Author | Vietnam Veteran | Lifelong Learner
What about you? Have you ever experienced something that changed your perspective on life or inspired you to pursue a new goal? Share your story in the comments.
