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rookieshooter
05-01-2008, 07:04 AM
Just found this new forum on Health and fitness. So I thought this would be the best place to let you know of my latest journey.
Through a series of events I wound up doing a stress test. Wow! I was not ready for the results. I have been a little short of breath and pain in my back which I thought was an old spine injury. Doctor said there was something going on with my heart at the same time I got those same old pains in my back as the treadmill was increasing in angle. So now my Doctor orders a catherization. This is where they put that little flexible wire up through your veins to check out the condition of your heart and arteries. The results were not good. Seemed somewhere along the years I had a heart attack :eek:. Plus one artery was %100 percent closed, one was %90 percent closed, one was %70 closed and another was partially blocked.
I was immediately scheduled for an open heart surgery for the 14 of April.
The operation went great. While I was in the recovery room Dr Stam who was the leading surgeon told my that I won't believe the difference in my health that I will notice. And that the pain in my back might just have been from the clogged arteries. I was released 4 days later to go home. I even went to Church that Sunday and walked up the steps to the balcony were I usually set. First thing I noticed that there was no pain in my back and I was not as short winded as usual.
My blood pressure is around 116 over 68. It's never been that low before.
Other then a little weak and some discomfort where they opened up my chest, I feel like a million bucks.
Even went out Spring Turkey hunting yesterday. I did not use a shotgun which would have been bad on my chest if I did have a chance to shot a turkey. But used a 22 magnum.
So I will have a life changing diet and exercise routine.
I'm scheduled for physical therapy beginning 6 weeks after the operation.

Gator Jeff
05-01-2008, 08:03 AM
Glad they caught you when they did. Guys with those stats usually get scooped up by the medics and never go above a flat line. Any big plans with your new lease on life?

aldive
05-01-2008, 08:37 AM
God speed for a full recovery my friend.

Sojourner
05-01-2008, 12:21 PM
Thank God they caught this for you before it was too late! My dad died of a massive coronary occlusion (all of his arteries were 100% clogged) at the age of 54 and he had never been sick a day in his life (or so we thought). The coroner said he found evidence of at least one heart attack before "the big one." I wish they had caught his problem before it was too late. I really miss him. :(

I hope you have a speedy recovery! Best wishes to you with your new "lease on life!" ;)

Stic-o
05-01-2008, 01:05 PM
Open heart Surgery is a pretty sure thing now..not to much to worry about there. My Father (zukman) had open heart surgery in 1956 (at 6 years old). Take note that the first ever was done in 1952, the 2nd in 1955. So it was still very much a learning process. But today he's still alive and healty. Living proof that it works:thumbsup:

You have nothing to worry about. Enjoy your new youth...so to speak;)

Perry
05-01-2008, 05:49 PM
Glad to hear you were able to catch it early, with a better diet & exercise you should be able to go for a long time.

Kind of like a motor overhaul. :D

Sams01XplrSprt
05-02-2008, 12:36 AM
hope you have a speedy recovery

Paraphoe
05-02-2008, 12:54 AM
Wow Rook...I hope you stay on the road to recovery. Sorry you had to go through that.

briwayjones
05-02-2008, 06:51 AM
Wow, I'm glad the surgery went well. I hope you continue to have a good and speedy recovery.

briwayjones
05-02-2008, 06:52 AM
Wow, I'm glad the surgery went well. I hope you continue to have a good and speedy recovery.

briwayjones
05-02-2008, 06:52 AM
Wow, I'm glad the surgery went well. I hope you continue to have a good and speedy recovery.

Rick
05-03-2008, 10:19 AM
I'm super glad that you're ok and everything went well! Geez, that kind of stuff scares the crap out of me. :eek: