Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter:

1. Last Day of Patient Care
2. My Heart Catherization
3. Book(s) Report (At First Light, The Best Gift, The Natural Medicines Handbook)

HAPPY NEW YEAR: Barb and I hope you and yours have a Christ-centered, warm-memory-creating, family-filled, healthy, and blessed New Year.

1) Last Day of Patient Care

Wednesday, December 29, 2021, was officially my last day of face-to-face patient care after 45 years of patient care in medical school, residency, and practice. I’m forever grateful the Lord allowed me the privilege to serve tens of thousands of patients (including over 1500 deliveries) during all these years. But the time was right to “hang up the old stethoscope.” I’m looking forward to where the Lord will lead next.

2) My Heart Catherization

My superb family physician, Rob Vogt, MD, was concerned about my symptoms of mild shortness of breath with moderate exertion. He put me through a series of tests, including an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart), which indicated the possibility of pulmonary artery hypertension. He referred me to an amazing young Christian physician, Peter Hountras, MD, a pulmonologist at the Pulmonary Artery Hypertension Clinic at the University of Colorado in Denver. Barb and I have known Peter and his wife, Stacy (a FNP) for a few years. Peter was concerned enough to recommend a riight heart catherization which I had on Thursday, December 30. The great news is that the test was normal. They’re guessing it’s just a combination of altitude and aging. I resemble that remark!

3) Book(s) Report

1. At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse, the story about my father’s exploits is in the final stage of editing. Mike Yorkey and I completed a “fine tooth comb” edit over the Christmas holidays. The book should be ready to go to the printer in the next few weeks and be ready for its release on APRIL 19, 2022. It can be preordered at Amazon.com.

The most recent endorsement of the book came from Superbowl and NASCAR champion Joe Gibbs, who wrote:

I’ve known Walt Larimore for many years and have tremendous respect for him. He has always been a great storyteller, and the real-life account of his father’s experiences in World War II shared in his new book, At First Light, are riveting. This is a fascinating story of an American hero whose leadership and sacrifice are truly inspirational

Joe Gibbs, five-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (as team owner), three-time Super Bowl champion (as a coach), two-time NFL Coach of the Year, inductee into the NFL and NASCAR Halls of Fame, and bestselling author of Game Plan for Life and Game Plan for Loss

2. The Best Gift: Tales of a Small-Town Doctor Learning Life’s Greatest Lessons, which came out in October is the sequel to The Best Medicine: Tales of Humor and Hope from a Small-Town Doctor and both books are doing very well. The Best Gift has, to date, only received 5-star reviews on Amazon, for which I am very grateful.

If you read the books, you’ll read about the Kissimmee Police Chief of the time, Frank Ross. Frank wrote this about the book, which provided an amazing gift of blessing and affirmation to me:

I just finished reading The Best Gift. Walt, I must tell you how Blessed I was reading the book. The title certainly glorifies our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He truly is our Best Gift. I could feel His spirit numerous times throughout my reading. Moments of joy, laughter, and tearful emotions filled with Spirit led inspiration. There is no way you could have written this book without God’s guidance and direction. You humbly followed His lead and presented a side of Jesus many have never seen. The Lord gave you a talent.  You used that talent in the writing of this book. The last paragraph (of the book) personifies your journey. Equally important, you shared your journey with so many others. As a result, God will receive the Glory. That’s what our mission in life is all about. Well done Servant. You have served God well. 

3. The Natural Medicines Handbook: The Truth about the Most Effective Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements for Common Conditions was released in April and has been well received by natural medicine experts and the lay public, including 58 5-star reviews on Amazon.

4) Answers to Last Month’s Prayers

• Dec 9-14, Barb and I had a delightful visit to New York City. It’s a wonderful time of the year to see “The Big Apple” completely decked out in her Christmas best. We traveled with two dear friends, walked over 35 miles enjoying the sites, and saw a superb performance by Jeff Daniels and Celia Keenan-Bolger in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” To top it off, the weather was amazing, with daytime temperatures in the 70s.
• Dec 15 was the celebration for our 23 married couples who graduated from their semester of hard work in our ReEngage Ministry at Academy Christian Church. Their recommitment to marriage and to each other was a ceremony that was joyful and tearful at the same time. Thanks for praying for them this fall.
• Dec 17-18, the production crew from LiftableTV was be at our home for two jam packed days of videotaping eight more “Ask Dr. Walt” shows, eight more “The Inside Story” episodes, and 45 “Daily Apple” features. The taping days are fun but exhausting. Your prayers that my voice and strength would hold up were both appreciated and answered!b This taping will complete Season 1 for all three shows. At this point I’m waiting to see if any or all the shows will be greenlighted for a second season.

5) Prayer Requests for Upcoming Events

• Jan 5, Barb and I fly to Orlando and then will spend several days in Kissimmee where we’ll be celebrating her 70^thbirthday (Jan 6) with a number of dear and long-time friends.
• Jan 12 we begin our 6^th semester of directing the ReEngage Marriage Ministry at Academy Christian Church. We’ll have three leader couples facilitating 17 couples through the end of winter and through the Spring. Prayers for us and them will be greatly appreciated!

6) Past Issues of our family newsletter

December 2021

• “The Best Gift” released November 16
• Great Reviews for The Best Gift
• “Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian Living

November 2021

• The Best Gift releases November 16
• Debbie Macomber’s Foreword to The Best Gift
• Super-Early-Bird sign up for “The Ultimate Writer’s Conference” I’m MC’ing ends November 19
• Cute Halloween Decorations

October 2021

• New Episodes of “Ask Dr. Walt” Available at Liftable TV
• Two New Television Shows feature Dr. Walt (“A Daily Apple” & “The Inside Story”)
• More Endorsements, A New Title, and a New Cover for my WWII Book, At First Light
• Ask Dr. Walt” inToday’s Christian Living

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2021. This blog provides healthcare tips and advice that you can trust about a wide variety of general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your regular physician. If you are concerned about your health, take what you learn from this blog and meet with your personal doctor to discuss your concerns.