[SmithtownJoe]

As I sit at the computer typing this post, I thank the good Lord that I am able to do so. Last Friday, Feb 28, I went to the doctor because I had been experiencing some shortness of breath and a burning in my lungs when I exerted myself outside. when I did my normal gym routine inside I was fine so I thought it was probably just some respitory infection aggrevated by the cold. The doctor (actually the nurse with out even asking the doctor) decided to do an EKG. Well, the doctor compared it to an EKG from about 6 weeks earier when I was in for an anual physical, and didn't like what he saw. He had my wife come and take me directly to Stonybrook Uninversity. To make an already long story a little shorter, the doctors determined that I had a mild heart attack. They performed an Angiogram and found I had one artery that was 100% blocked and another that was 70%. They were able to use stenths to correct both and thankfully they damage to my heart was minimal.
So , why am I posting this? One reason is that in a strange way it feels good to journal it. More importantly though, IF YOU HAVE ANY TYPE OF CHEST PAINS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, GET IT CHECKED OUT IMMEDIATELY!!!! I shudder to think what may have happened if I didn't go to the doctor. Finally, to all the young guys out there, I'm 42 years old, try to get to the gym 3 times a week, and probably eat more heatlthy that most people. It can happen to anyone!
Joe

 

[616787]

Thanks for posting that story Joe - it is a lesson for everyone. Just stay away from the recipes I posted!

 

[LkyLindy]

Luck of the toss

Joe-

Great you are ok-I have had a number of friends who were "healthy as horses"-suddenly need bypass surgery-Thank goodness ,all were discoverd in time.Life is too short my friends-enjoy it now-These ARE the good old days

 

[mattyblazer]

Nice post

Thanks

 

[wader]

Joey

Glad to see it worked out ok. now you'll get to try out that new outfit you got for the surf.

The Nessy awaits you - thanks for the advise & the warning to all of us.

 

[613973]

Joe,

I'm glad your doing better and your right it could happen to any one of us!

Capt. Jay

 

[613616]

Joe:

Thanks for your message. If it helps one person to rethink about their own health, your experience was heard loud and clear!

Stay well and have a full speedy recovery !

 

[614668]

Smithtown Joe... Do you smoke? Same thing happened to my friend. You would think it would send him a wake up call. It did not. Within a few weeks he was smoking again. If you smoke, please, for the sake of your children wife and future grandchildren. Throw the cigarettes out for good. I never met my grandparents, not because of smoking but still with I had met them.

 

[bluefishmaster]

I am glad my Pa quited smoking along time ago. Yes, kiss the wife, hug the kids...exercise, and take them fishing!

We got to take the kids fishing more. I have not seen young people fishing by themselves. I am one of 5 young people who fish regularly at my area. I would love to see more ladies fishing if you know what I mean. Nothing beats talking about fish with a young lady who cuts her own bait and fish with her own rod and reel!!!

(This post edited by bluefishmaster on 03/10/2003)

 

[614212]

Joe,
Glad to see you got checked in time and not another "oh he was so young" (you know what I mean.
Hey guys, all of us over 40, get that physical and get the ticker checked out. And while you're at it, get the other end checked too. That colon starts changing. My uncle had colon cancer so us boys have started getting that checked.
Be safe (and healthy)
Capt Tom

 

[618563]

I work in the emergency room and if i see another preventable 40 something being pronounced dead I am just going to scream.. put down the cigarettes and booze, stop taking prescription drugs and lay off the white castles..people dont realize that overweight people such as myself who smoke and dont take care of themselves will likely suffer the consequences...medicine has moved away from the "treat the cause, not the symptoms" school of thought....my father is overweight and went to his doctor for a physical where the doctor discovered he has high blood pressure..instead of saying "hey tubby, drop a few tons", the doctor just wrote him a prescription for pills! Doesnt that seem wrong?...he now picks up his blood pressure pills from the pharmacy and gets his chinese food at the same time...come on!

SmithtownJoe...people your age who have heart attacks usually do very well after a heart attack!...dont be scared...good luck to you!

EAT MORE FISH!

 

[LkyLindy]

The time is NOW

quote:
people dont realize that overweight people such as myself who smoke and dont take care of themselves will likely suffer the consequences...medicine has



Ok Magilla-take your own advice buddy-Time to eat less and FISH MORE

(This post edited by LkyLindy on 03/14/2003)

 

[618563]

roger that, lkylindy..way ahead of you

 

[SmithtownJoe]

I just wanted to thank everyone for all your well wishes. You are all first class in my book! I would have replied sooner but I had a minor set back last week and was back in the hospital for a few days. Had some burning in the chest so they did another angiogram and thankfully everthing is OK. In answer to your question FrankB, no I do not smoke. My dad had a heart attack also at 42 (pretty eirry) so I have genetics to blame. Thankfully, he is now 77 and in pretty good shape. Bluefishmaster, your right; my best fishing partner is my 6 year old son. In fact, his birthday is May 2 and as a present, I was hoping to take him out fluking on a party boat (may have to put that on hold depending on the docs oders). Anyway, if this post has made one person get a problem checked out, it has done its job. After all, we have too many good fishing day ahead!

Joe

 

[614668]

God bless you Joe. Glad to hear you are okay. I lost my Dad a few years ago to heart disease. He was 2 months shy of his 75th B-day. We got him to quit smoking (couple packs of camel unfiltered a day) back in the 70's. I don't think he would have made it nearly this long had he not quit.
tight lines..