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‘When you’re going through hell, you’ve got to keep going’: Mattress Mack shares update on recovery

Community support fuels McIngvale’s post-surgery resilience

Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, the beloved Houston icon and owner of Gallery Furniture, is on the road to recovery following a successful open-heart surgery.

McIngvale recently shared an update expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community and reflecting on his journey through this challenging time.

“I want to thank all the great Gallery Furniture customers for your support,” McIngvale said in a video message. “You bought furniture while I was out over the last 10 or 12 days. Your support really means a lot, helped my psyche to get better.”

Tough road to recovery

The 73-year-old businessman, renowned for his resilience and philanthropic spirit, underwent surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital. He described the experience as one of the toughest periods of his life, with the first few days marked by excruciating pain.

“I was down there for eight days,” McIngvale said. “The first three or four days, the pain was pretty excruciating. But thanks to your well-wishes and thanks to the good Lord above, the ultimate physician, I made it through that.”

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Overcoming setbacks

After his initial recovery, McIngvale faced another hurdle when doctors discovered fluid around his heart, requiring an additional medical procedure to drain it. Despite the setbacks, his determination to persevere remained unshaken.

“Tough times never last, tough people do,” he said. “There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. So keep battling and struggling to get to that light at the end of the tunnel.”

McIngvale shared inspiration from a saying popular in Australia, where his surgeon, Dr. Lawrie, hails from: “They use the term ‘battler from Struggle Street,’ meaning they came up the hard way. Well, we all come up the hard way. We’ve all got battles and struggles and difficulties to overcome, but we can overcome them together.”

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The support McIngvale received from Houstonians—through letters, emails, text messages, and continued patronage at Gallery Furniture—has been overwhelmingly positive. He emphasized how much it lifted his spirits during this dark time.

“Even today, people are coming in, showing their support. It’s been overwhelmingly positive to me and my psyche,” McIngvale said.

Looking ahead

As McIngvale continues his recovery at home, he remains optimistic and forward-looking, sharing a message to the community of resilience and gratitude:

“When you’re going through hell, you’ve got to keep going,” McIngvale said.


About the Author
Jyesha Johnson headshot

Jyesha Johnson, a Mississippi Delta girl who swapped small-town newsrooms for big-city screens at Houston’s KPRC 2, is all about telling stories—whether it’s on the web, social media, or over a good meal. When she’s not crafting content, you’ll find her outside soaking up nature or hunting down the best food spots.