Resolute (Feb 20/06) - Last September, while lying in an Ottawa hospital bed after heart surgery and his second heart attack in 10 years, George Eckalook felt more alone than he had ever felt before.

And worse, he felt like nobody cared.

Meanwhile, a group of students from his home hamlet were cutting, pasting and colouring a bright and cheerful "Get Well Soon" poster to show him they cared.

It wasn't until late January of this year the students were able to show Eckalook the poster.

That's because the busy Qikiqtani Inuit Association vice-president had been out of town on business pretty much steady since his operation.

But the message to get well soon was still relevant.

Eckalook's doctor gave him a six-month restriction on operating any machinery or doing any strenuous activity to give his chest bones and muscles a chance to heal.

He still has another month to go.

"When I was sick I felt that I was all alone and nobody cared about me, but then when the students did that, it made me feel really good and strong and not alone in this world!"

The poster has helped him heal even more, he said

"It really made me feel better."

Eckalook experienced his first heart attack 10 years ago.

Before then, he smoked cigarettes, drank alcohol more than he should have, and ate lots of fatty and sugary foods. Ironically, he quit smoking about a year before his heart attack.

After the attack, he cut down on drinking, but still had a taste for junk food.

Since his second heart attack and subsequent surgery, he's taken great care of himself.

"I want to tell people to eat better. Read the labels. Don't eat fatty stuff and sweet stuff so much."

The bulk of Eckalook's diet is now fresh fruit, veggies, two per cent milk instead of the thick, whole milk, and country food. He still likes his pizza and candy, but only indulges once a month or so. This, coupled with his recent interest in walking, leaves the heart attack survivor feeling fantastic.

"My breathing's good and I could walk as long as I want. I do feel better since the operation."

When he reaches the six-month mark, and the doctor gives him the okay to work machines, the first thing Eckalook will do is hop on his snowmachine and hit the tundra for some hunting. Now, he's working his body up to it "little by little."