A Wake Up Call

[TTT1953]

Hello to all my fellow NorEasters. It is truly great to be able to post here as I will explain. I've just found out the hard way that I am one of the 52% of all men over 50 that have coronary artery disease. It started with a crushing feeling in my chest and ended with 3 days in the coronary ward. I have to thank my bride Carol and my GREAT FRIENDS Bill (Vet Man) and Nancy for staying with me through it and after. This time it wasn't a heart attack, but the test showed that I'd already had a heart attack and didn't know it. I have one artery that is 70% blocked.

I'm not posting this to look for sympathy or pity. And I'm not going to get up on a soap box to preach, I just want to tell all our friends to get regular check ups and pay attention to warning signs. If you think you're having a problem, don't wait 4 hours, like I did, to tell someone. Get help. Better to be sent home with a bad case of indigestion than to be sent to the morgue.

Looking forward to many more camping seasons!!!

Tom

[TTT1953]

Hello to all my fellow NorEasters. It is truly great to be able to post here as I will explain. I've just found out the hard way that I am one of the 52% of all men over 50 that have coronary artery disease. It started with a crushing feeling in my chest and ended with 3 days in the coronary ward. I have to thank my bride Carol and my GREAT FRIENDS Bill (Vet Man) and Nancy for staying with me through it and after. This time it wasn't a heart attack, but the test showed that I'd already had a heart attack and didn't know it. I have one artery that is 70% blocked.

I'm not posting this to look for sympathy or pity. And I'm not going to get up on a soap box to preach, I just want to tell all our friends to get regular check ups and pay attention to warning signs. If you think you're having a problem, don't wait 4 hours, like I did, to tell someone. Get help. Better to be sent home with a bad case of indigestion than to be sent to the morgue.

Looking forward to many more camping seasons!!!

Tom

[Doris]

Tom, so glad you are ok. Gil just had the nuclear stress test, and was told everything is ok..but I'll still keep your warning right up there in front of my mind. Are you looking at having that artery cleaned out?

Thank God you didn't wait any longer. Darn stubborn men.

Can't ever have enough good friends, and of course a good spouse, well can't say enough about having one of those!

Thanks for sharing.

[Captain Bud]

Tom, I 'm glad you're posting this for everyone to see. I've heard of a lot of people passing that problem off as heartburn. Good news that yoou caught it in time. Are you sure that you want Bill hanging around your bedside??LOL Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing. If you need anything, holler....Bud

[TTT1953]

Hi Doris & Bud. Thanks for the concern. For now they are going to try to treat the blockage with chemicals to clear it. If my posting this will wake up one person, man or woman, then it's a bonus for us all.

Hey Bud, a friend like Bill can be pretty comforting when you're laying there wondering if you're ever gonna get up again.

[Vet Man]

Can you imagine me being the last one you see? He was afraid to go, and I am sure glad he didn't. Wife, children, Grand Children, friends, family, how could we do without them. Vet Man

[Cookie Mom]

A few years ago I was experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing and heart palpitations. You often hear how women's heart disease symptoms are not the same as a man's and, therefore, it's often overlooked by both women and their physicians. It was the middle of the night and God bless my sister for coming over to stay with our kids. Rich took me to the emergency room and, fortunately, it wasn't a heart attack. I was, however, having a panic attack. I'm still glad that I went just to be on the safe side. I have also learned from that experience that I needed to learn to deal with my stress better. I was having a very difficult year and although there were other symptoms that preceded the panic attack, I didn't change much in my life to help me deal better with my stress. There's always going to be stress but I deal with it much better now. I also recognize the signs of an impending panic attack now and I'm able to short circuit it before it becomes full-blown.

[Doris]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Vet Man:
Can you imagine me being the last one you see? Vet Man </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Awww...you're a good friend. I can tell that Tom really appreciates you.

[Captain Bud]

No, Bill I can't imagine that....LOL

[Frankie]

Tom
Sent you an e-mail. Glad it was just a wake up call.

[Beer Belly]

Glad to hear your doing well. My Dad recently had a bout of Heartburn....for 2 months, he tells us of this after having a Heart Attack at my Nephews B-Day Party and my Brother did CPR and brought him back....Quadrupal By-Pass at 83...back home in a week....one tough old man. I definetly well not ignore Heartburn for more than 2 days....you just never know.

[NYMoose "Lenny"]

Tom Glad to hear you are ok, gee looking foward to another golf game with the four of us! If I can do anything or you need anything give me a call!

[Miles]

Glad to hear all is well. I'm surprised the per centage is not greater than 52%. It means a change in life style but can be for the better.

[Lynnvt]

Oh Tom, so glad to hear you found out about the problem in time! Will keep your warning in mind as well. Take care of yourself. I know you are one tough cookie. Family and friends are essential in our lives. You are so lucky to have such wonderful friends.