Sportscaster Randy Karraker was only two days removed from four-way heart bypass surgery, but already was talking about being back at work.
"Normal time out for this is four-to-six weeks, but as you know I sit around and talk sports all day,'' he said. "So hopefully if I get my strength back I'll be back a little sooner. I feel good about talking.''
But he hadn't been doing much of that lately before being reached via telephone Thursday afternoon in a hospital bed.
"I had the surgery Tuesday and was completely out of it Wednesday,'' he said. "But in the last hour or so I started to feel 100 percent better. When the pain is there, it's extraordinary. But right now I don't have any.''
He co-hosts the highly-rated afternoon drive-time show on WXOS (101.1 FM) with D'Marco Farr and Chris Duncan. Zach McCrite, of 101.1's morning show, is subbing for Karraker. That has led to Alvin Reid and Tony Softi manning the morning spot. Rick Venturi, who normally works with McCrite, returns from vacation March 2 and will be accompanied by Steve Savard that week. So station program director Kent Sterling said there is no rush for Karraker to return.
"Health is first, always,'' he said. "His job will be there for him. As driven as he is, I'm sure he'll try to get back quickly. We want to make sure he's ready.''
Karraker, 49, had stents put in last year and recently was having a checkup with his cardiologist when he experienced chest pain while on a treadmill.
"I thought because it was the end of the holidays, I was just out of shape and so did my doctor,'' Karraker said.
More tests found blockage in his main heart artery, leading to surgery.
"I had so much confidence going in because I now a lot of people who have had them,'' Karraker said. "I've had a lot of tips how to do this the right way. My doctors were sensational, the people at 101 couldn't have been better.''
He also has heard from many people in the media.
"It makes you realize what great people we have in our industry in this town,'' Karraker said, adding he's ready for the next step. "I have to eat right and exercise. I will.''
Dan Caesar
