In October around the week of the 14th I noticed that I was very irritable, out of breath, had a heavy chest with numbness going down my left arm. This only happened when I was doing something like mowing or working around the yard or garage. I dismissed it until Friday when I was mowing the lawn in 40 degree weather and sweating as if it was 90 degrees out. Huffing and puffing I finished the lawn and went into the house to get a drink of water. This is when I started to get a throbbing on each side of my neck. A little scared cause I've never felt this before I decided to keep an eye on it and see what happens. Saturday came and went with no issues then on Sunday I was loading up my truck to head north bound with the wife to winterize our camper (I had been waiting over a month to do this). As I was loading up the shortness of breath started and so did the numbness down left left arm. I finally broke down and told my wife what was happening expecting that she would accuse me of over reacting but instead she freaked out. Mind you that my mother inlaw worked in a heart cath lab for over 25+ years. We left the house driving north bound when my wife became very upset saying the camper can wait and we need to get you checked out. To make her happy and get her off my back I drove to the Hospital. I walked in and they asked why I was there and I told them. Next thing I know I'm sitting in a wheel chair and being brought back to ER. I was getting hooked up to heart monitors and blood was being drawn before I answered any medical questions. I was in the ER for a few hours before they decided to keep me. I showed no signs of a heart attack but they wanted to observe me and have me due a stress test first thing Monday morning.
Stilling running tests and still having chest pains I was brought to the area for the stress test and placed on the tread mill. After 5-6 minutes I could feel myself having issues breathing. I informed the Dr and they did some things and then ended the test. It was mid afternoon and I still had not heard anything, so I asked the nurse to find out. The nurse came back and said I was scheduled for a phase two Tuesday morning. Tuesday came and the second part of the test was completed and well it was another waiting game. Finally in the afternoon a Cardiologist came up to talk with us. He said that there was no issues that stuck out and said what was really going on with me but because I was presenting with the chest pain and numbness down the arm, he wanted to preform a heart cath and see what was going on and if there was something that needed attention he would try to fix it then. So the next morning came and I was taken to the OR for this heart cath. I'm scared as heck and in need to something to calm me down. The ladies all knew me but I really didn't know them. The medications started flowing and well off to la la land I went. I woke up to them transferring me from the table to a hospital bed. I asked how everything went and all the lady said was the Dr. will be in in a little bit to talk to me. I'm like WTF? a little bit ago we were all laughing and joking… I didn't even get one of those everything went great and the Dr will be in to explain. I knew something was not good. The Dr. came in and started to show my family and wife pics of my heart will a lll these partial blockages and the Dr. saying there was nothing I could do for him and he needs open heart surgery. I'm thinking I'm dreaming all this but as the hour or so passed I found I was not dreaming. The afternoon and next day was full of field trips all over the hospital to get my veins looked at, my heart, and my neck arteries. Thurs night was some huge prep night for surgery. I had to shower, then an hour later I had to use antibacterial wipes and clean my self. The next morning I was woke up at like 5 a.m. and had to wipe myself down again. I begged for something to calm me down because my mind was all over the place and I was not dealing with this very well. My wife and sister showed up and they were giving me something in my I.V. that helped calm me down and well I was taken to the OR and they did their thing. 12 hours later I was in ICU for recovery and well every day after that I got tubes removed and a little more mobile. I had 5 bypasses done and my widow maker was 80% blocked. I was in the Hospital for another 5 days and was then released. I've been home now 3 weeks recovering and becoming very depressed. There is so much I want to do but can't due to restrictions. I start my Cardiac Rehab this next week and I think that it will help me feel better to be able to talk to the nurses there.
The crazy thing about me is I just turned 42, partied in college like a normal kid (no drugs just drinking) and I smoked a bit socially but chewed tobacco for 23+ years. The Dr said that tobacco is tobacco and it does the same either way. I've since quit chewing and am doing quite well with it. I wish I could have a story like I partied like Keith Richards but I have nothing like that. I am very thankful I did not have a heart attack and that my wife made me go to the hospital to get checked out.
So guys if your not feeling good, sweating or having a hard time catching your breath… GET CHECKED OUT!!!!!
Rick
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Topic: I'm sure glad I listened to my wife (Read 2021 times)