Journalist Vidas Mačiulis thanks supporters after heart procedure

Lithuanian journalist Vidas Mačiulis has shared an emotional message of thanks following a recent heart procedure that saw him placed in intensive care. Mačiulis, who celebrated his 80th birthday on January 18, underwent a cardiovascular stenting procedure at the Kaunas Clinics of LSMU.

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THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO ALL who were moved by the information spread by colleagues about my unexpected heart problem.

"THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO ALL who were moved by the information spread by colleagues about my unexpected heart problem," Mačiulis wrote on his Facebook page. He extended his gratitude to supporters in Lithuania and abroad, including those living in Ireland, Greece, Turkey, the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Austria, China, Latvia, and Russia, who wished him a speedy recovery.

Mačiulis revealed that doctors inserted three stents after discovering a 95% blockage in a major coronary artery. He expressed surprise at how he had managed to work and live with such a severe condition, noting he had only felt weakness and shortness of breath, not intense pain. "My heart could have burst, they said it could have happened any minute," he told "Žmonės.lt," emphasizing the urgency of the intervention.

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My heart could have burst, they said it could have happened any minute.

Despite facing past criticisms and challenges, including those who opposed his receiving the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas and his prominent role in the TV program "Krepšinio pasaulyje" (Basketball World), Mačiulis affirmed his resolve. "I apologize to those I have disappointed and, I believe, I will still live. They were furious when Lithuania honored me for the first time in my life with the Order of the Grand Duke of Lithuania, who seek that I not be on TV's 'Basketball World,' not lead the Kaunas district branch of the Lithuanian Journalists' Union, and most importantly, remain silent when I see wrongdoing and speak my mind to their face. Or perhaps that illness is also striking me? But it still hasn't defeated me!" he declared, thanking the medical staff, friends, and loved ones who help him live and fight.

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They were furious when Lithuania honored me for the first time in my life with the Order of the Grand Duke of Lithuania, who seek that I not be on TV's 'Basketball World,' not lead the Kaunas district branch of the Lithuanian Journalists' Union, and most importantly, remain silent when I see wrongdoing and speak my mind to their face. Or perhaps that illness is also striking me? But it still hasn't defeated me!