Bedford bounces back after health scare

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
Sen. Roger Bedford returned to work Monday less than a week after spending time in the hospital with heart ailments.
Bedford said he began having light chest pains and shortness of breath last week and decided to go into the emergency room at Russellville Hospital as a precaution.
"I went to our local hospital because we have such a fine facility here with good doctors," Bedford said.
While at the emergency room, Bedford began to show signs of a heart attack and he was taken by ambulance to Montclair Baptist in Birmingham.
"I had to go in an ambulance because they would not let me drive myself," Bedford joked.
While in Birmingham, Bedford underwent tests to monitor the condition of his heart. Doctors found no heart damage and only a small blockage in a back artery, which is not uncommon.
Bedford was discharged from the hospital Friday night and returned to Russellville Saturday.
"I am pretty lucky because all they really found was a little high blood pressure," Bedford said.
Doctors ordered Bedford to watch his diet a little closer and get a little more exercise.
Bedford was back to his old routine by Monday.
During his illness, Bedford received several visitors from Franklin County, and many more phone calls wishing him well and prayers.
"It's a humbling experience knowing that you have people praying for you, and I am grateful to have had the phone calls, visitors and prayers said for my health," Bedford said. "I don't guess God's done with me yet."