5 days after heart attack, Jawando promises to be back to work soon

Five days after suffering a heart attack, Montgomery County Council member Will Jawando released a video in which he expressed gratitude for his recovery and promised to be “back on track before you know it.”

Jawando, 43, the Democratic nominee for county executive in the November general election, had been hospitalized since Saturday after having a heart attack during a pickup basketball game.

In the video released Thursday afternoon, he said he underwent successful surgery to put a stent in his heart.

“Thank you for all of the prayers, the cards, the flowers, the texts,” he said in the video, shot in his home. “It’s meant the world to me and my family.”

“Most importantly, I want to thank God,” he continued, “for getting me through this and allowing me to still be here and to serve and to be with you and to be with my family.”

Wearing an orange polo shirt with his council member logo, he also thanked his doctors and friends on the basketball court for their quick responses.

An ambulance transported Jawando from his pickup game in Washington to The George Washington University Hospital.

He will recuperate before returning to his full schedule, his staff earlier reported. He did not say in the video when he will return to work outside his home.

“I look forward to seeing you all in the community soon,” he said.

Jawando also advised “everyone out there” to monitor their health.

“Take care of yourself. Don’t ignore the warning signs, especially us guys, but women too,” Jawando said. “I’m in shape. I work out a lot. But things can happen.”