THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

February 16, 1982

Dear Dr. Kissinger:

To paraphrase another master of dialectic, "We have
nothing to lose but our pains."

I know from my own experience that the first five
days after your bypass must have been on the order of
a Hieronymous Bosch painting of hell.

But as you are now discovering, it is possible to
cough or even emit a Cabinet-level harumph without
strangling the huggy pillow the hospital gives you
(probably for $28 on the ultimate bill). Mine was four
ways and on December 16th. I went home in eight days
and back to work in three weeks, but don't you try that
because it wasn't very smart. By now there is no rem-
nant of chest pain, but the legs take a while to heal.
This may force you to cease your life-long habit of
running five miles before breakfast.

Maybe they told you like they did me that you didn't
get a new heart, just a tune-up, but you'll forget the post-
operative agonies quickly. I'm going back into the Fairfax
Hospital on February 28th for an operation on the carotid
artery in my neck and after that, I intend to tear out the
phone numbers of all the surgeons I know.

My warmest wishes for speedy recovery.

Dr. Henry A. Kissinger
c/o Coronary Care Unit
Massachusetts General Hospital
Fruit Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114

HENRY A. KISSINGER

March 4, 1982

Dear Governor O'Neill:

Thank you for your gracious letter of February
19, and its warm good wishes. It was thoughtful
of you to write, and I appreciate it.

So many people in leadership positions seem to
have shared our common experience -- I feel
I am in very distinguished company!

The Honorable
William A. O'Neill
Governor
State of Connecticut
Executive Chambers
Hartford, Connecticut

MAR 17 1982

WILLIAM A. O'NEILL
GOVERNOR

STATE OF CONNECTICUT
EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS
HARTFORD

February 19, 1982

Dr. Henry Kissinger
Massachusetts General Hospital
Fruit Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114

Dear Dr. Kissinger,

I want to be among the many to wish you well following
your open heart surgery.

I went through a double bypass operation in December
and am well on the road to recovery.

Please know that the thoughts and prayers of the
citizens of the State of Connecticut are with you
while you make your recovery.

With all good wishes to you and Mrs. Kissinger, I
remain

FEB 22 1982

HENRY A. KISSINGER

March 18, 1982

Dear Mr. O'Sullivan:

I want to tell you, now that I seem to be recuperating, how much I appreciate all that you did for me in the catheterization lab. It was not the most pleasurable experience in my life, but I know that it may have saved my life. Your professionalism and dedication were of a high order.

I am very, very grateful.

Mr. Kevin O'Sullivan
Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory
Bulfinch One
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts 02114