a heart attack in januarygreenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread |
well, this morning, my dear sweet husband had an heart attack!! the ambulance arrived and spent about 45 minutes to stablise him. they had the floor littered with small beeping machines. -- then the ambulance ride from nowhere.com to somewhere.com (about 35 minutes).we arrived at our closest hospital (at somewhere.com) and another 5 hours of waiting -- more hours in recovery with more machines --
while watching the peaks and valleys of his heart on more machines -- and listening to his heart beat on all those machines -- all i could think of was -- what if it had been JANUARY 16 2000???
I am home now -- and the only ones i could share this with is all of you!! thanks for being there.
-- alurker (nobody@nowhere.com), January 17, 1999
alurker,I send my prayers for your husbands timely and complete recovery. Your post should bring the potential realities looming one year ahead much closer to home for those of us who read this forum. Hang in there and be strong.
c
-- c (c@c.c), January 17, 1999.
We're here. Are you home alone? Any relatives to comfort you? It's tough going thru it alone; our sympathy.What type of unit is your husband in now? How is he doing? How did he describe his experience? Hope it wasn't while reading this Forum! ;-)
Ashton & Leska in Cascadia, giving you a cyber-hug
xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx
-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), January 17, 1999.
alurker,All the very best wishes on the speedy and complete recovery of your husband. Our thoughts are there with you.
Please keep us updated on this as you get the time.
Hang in there Ma'am.
S.O.B.
-- sweetolebob (La) (buffgun@hotmail.com), January 17, 1999.
Best wishes for a quick recovery
-- tc (trashcan-man@webtv.net), January 17, 1999.
alurker: had to smile a little. As a paramedic for 10 years, the mental image of a floor littered with small beeping machines was too vivid to pass up. Best wishes to you both- and remember, though it may seem as though everything looks awful, most people with uncomplicated heart attacks go on to do ok. You were right, though, what about a year from now?
-- Damian Solorzano (oggy1@webtv.net), January 17, 1999.
Prayers for you and yours. And we'll say a few more in the AM.Chuck a night driver who has driven a few ambulances in his time
-- Chuck, night driver (rienzoo@en.com), January 17, 1999.
well i'm not alone -- family on phone and email -- good friends with me !! since retiring here to nowhere.com (been easier to make GOOD friends here than i suspected) even some friends in somewhere.com thru volunteer work.BUT alone in the following for January 16,2000
wondering if the phone would work! wondering if 911 would work! wondering if the ambulance could come! wondering if they would be able to call back up emergency group! wondering if the machines would work ! wondering if that's a bad electric shock machine (forgot name)! wondering if the ambulance support equipment would work on the way! wondering if they could call the hospital to give status! wondering if emergency would be so full of people he couldn't get help! wondering if they could beep the specialist! wondering if his car would get to the hospital wondering if the operating procedure equipment would work! wondering if the recovery monitors would work!
alone in looking at those machines as though they had a waiting snake inside.
knowing that it would be terribly crass to bring up that @#$%^& Y2K Crap again at a time like this !!!! to family and friends.
-- alurker (nobody@nowhere.com), January 17, 1999.
alurker: Take a Y2K timeout and tend to the more immediate. We'll all be here. Please keep us posted. As expressed above, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), January 17, 1999.
alurker,I have nothing to offer but my prayers and best wishes for your husband.
Mike ====================================================================
-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), January 17, 1999.
alurker,Best wishes during this hard time. Hope your husband recovers fast. I hope you have some family or close friends around to comfort you.
My husband and I raced 3-1/2 hours south on Thursday because his father had a heart attack! We were in shock. My father-in-law is probably one of the most healthy guys I know as far as excercise. He walks every day. Of course, he eats what he likes and the cholesterol bug big him is what the doctors say.
He's doing well now and will be in ICU a couple more days. I came home to take care of some business, download my 1500 plus emails and go back down there tomorrow probably. Husband stayed with his mother.
So, we "kind" of know what you are going through. It's scary. I thought of the same thing (y2k and hospitals etc) when I saw D. hooked up to all those machines, with heparin and nitro and other stuff dripping into those tubes......yikes.
Hang in there and know that our thoughts are with you.
Bobbi http://www.buzzbyte.com/
-- Bobbi (bobbia@slic.com), January 17, 1999.
... praying for your husband, yourself and family.
-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), January 17, 1999.
Low tech dietary management of coronary atherosclerosis:1. Garlic, particularly whole garlic & garlic oil help to lower serum cholesterol.
2. Skin, and to lesser extent, pulp of the red grape contain a class of compounds, called reservatrols, which have much the same effect. This is present to some extent in red grape juice. Present in higher concentration in red wines, particularly Pinot Noir. Usefulness of red wine in curtailing coronary arterial degeneration is becoming quite well known.
3. Aspirin inhibits thrombus formation by reducing platelet adhesiveness.
I pray for you and your husband and family.
-- Not Whistlin' Dixie (foo@bar.com), January 17, 1999.
I got tears for you. foo@bar has great advise.Watch lots of comedy movies for laughter.
" F. was built like an oak barrel. Like the ones that everyone buys halves of to decorate front porches, to fill with dirt, to grow weeds, and sometimes flowers. He was also filled with something heavy, for the short legs under the cask bowed into an O. On top of this barrel was a round head securely fastened with a stout neck which allowed little motion. Stubby arms were stuck to both its sides.
Oak was hard. Therefore I was once surprised to find that the barrel was soft and warm, like humans. I touched the barrels arm while I helped it to repair its tractor. I never solved the riddle of how something that felt so soft could be so hard.
Despite F.'s heavy appearance, he could be an agile orchestrator in the barn. His bowed legs gave him an unexpected spring. He proved this when he flew into a rage after a cow whipped her moist, green tail across his face while he harvested her last drop of milk. I didnt know if she did this intentionally, but she aimed at the right target. Nor did I learn if F. ate it, or if he closed his eyes and mouth during that critical moment. Green-faced, he jumped from his stool and yelled at the cow loud enough so that she would understand him. He emphasized his remarks by splitting his wooden stool on her hindquarters. After she had delivered him gallons of milk, mountains of money and manure, this cow was dumbfounded.
Energetically she did airs above the ground while green ammo shot out of her back. An agonizing roar exploded from her front, together with a long tongue and white slobber.
The herd instinct produced a quick response. They had practiced this, for they knew that this would happen. Therefore they always kept fresh ammunition in their chambers. Milk flow stopped, tails went up, cowshit exploded in all directions. Each cow quickly unloaded via a second tail, a transient green one, arching toward the ground. Blobs of cowshit splashed off the floor, stuck to walls, people and buckets. Shit was flying everywhere, even though there was no fan. The oak barrel danced while flailing its stub-outs to escalate their tempo. It beat the cows and roared like a bull, confusing them further. The tempo rose to an ever-higher crescendo. Cows were bawling, bucking and kicking. Machines were crashing; milk was spilling while fresh cowshit was steaming up the grand ole opera barn.
Not enjoying this performance, I quietly stole away, taking two newly decorated buckets up to the milkhouse and emptying them into the shiny new stainless steel milk tank. "
-- TTF (seenit@ww2.com), January 17, 1999.
alurker,Thinking of you and your husband surrounded by Divine white light. Blessings and prayers arching your way.
Yes, the thoughts about medical equipment failure potentials, just boggle! Plan to develop my current interest in growing herbs, and decent knowledge of aromatherapy into one of many post Y2K specialties. At least medicinal herbs are a renewable resource, provided there is a good, clean water supply. A Y2K still room would be nice. In medieval times every proper castle had one, used by the resident lady for the community betterment. It was an early precursor to modern hospitals.
Much Love, Diane
(Just interested in natural healing alternatives)
-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), January 17, 1999.
alurker,...My thoughts go to you and your husband, and I am glad this did not happen after 1-1-2000.You've helped me to remember that I need CPR training,...now. I am remiss in not knowing how to do it. Thank you for sharing your crisis with us and spurring my attention.
"Here and now boys, here and now." Aldous Huxley, Island
-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), January 17, 1999.
A Lurker,You're wondering what we all have been wondering, but you're wondering with a sharp excruciating taste right now.
I suggest what Arnie already has suggested, to take a Y2K time-out, and concentrate on the here and now. Tend to your husband, blank-out for a while Y2K as if it wouldn't happen. You must go into a self-preserving temporary withdrawal/denial to keep your strength so that you can in turn give strength to your husband, as well as live life fully at the present time. Your husband is in good hands, he will recover, you and him will learn what he must do for full recovery and prevent another heart attack in the future. This will be your Y2K survival learning. He WILL be able to live through Y2k without a heart attack IF he applies what he has learned from the hospital cardiac team, to the letter.
Keep your strength and my thoughts are with you.
-- Chris (catsy@pond.com), January 17, 1999.
Dear Lurker,My heart goes out to you. Heart attacks are terrible things--I lost my father to a massive coronary ten years ago. You and your husband are very lucky to have a second chance. :) As for Y2k and medical emergencies, it's almost too much to think about on a *good* day....You're in our prayers.
-- Scarlett (ohara@tara.net), January 17, 1999.
Lurker: Are you the one who has a chauffuer?
-- ~~@~~ (~~@~~.com), January 17, 1999.
Lurker: P.S. The reason why I ask, if my husband or wife had a heart attack today, I certainly wouldn't be on the internet posting the fact. I just smell a rat, you know, one of those trolls that's jerking our chain again.
-- ~~ (~~@~~.com), January 17, 1999.
~~, there was no need for this observation. Even if Lurker was a Troll, which I believe and feel she isn't, it's still good advice and responses she received.And she already has answered your question on why she posted this here; "I am home now -- and the only ones i could share this with is all of you!! thanks for being there."
That's as healthy and good a reason as I can imagine.
-- Chris (catsy@pond.com), January 17, 1999.
Lurker,All that I know to add to the excellent advice and good wishes and prayers already sent your way are my own hopes and good wishes for your husband's full and speedy recovery, and I sincerely do so.
And to " ~~ ", I suggest two things.
First, while your "instinct and/or suspicion" may have posed a legitimate question and an understandable one considering recent events on this forum, you could have exercised a bit more sensitivity and certainly given "Lurker" the benefit of the doubt. It would have cost you nothing. I suspect that your question may be an example of what S.O.B. meant by "friendly fire" but I'll leave it up to him to say for certain. In any case, "innocent 'til proven guilty" is the way we should be doing business.
Secondly, I submit that one is better off to be "taken in" by a troll than to offer injury or insult to an innocent party.
-- Hardliner (searcher@internet.com), January 17, 1999.
Thank-you Hardliner for saying that. I "bit my tongue" earlier and kept my mouth shut, but I think the same thing should be said to TTF. The last part of his post was totally uncalled for in my opinion.Lurker, you have actually helped many people today, more than you could possibly know. For that we thank you. You certainly reminded us to put things into perspective. I'm glad you decided to share with us and didn't keep your pain to yourself. We're honored. Our best to both of you!
-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), January 18, 1999.
dear alurker, sorry to hear about this. Co-enzyme q-10 is a great supplement for protecting and rebuilding heart muscle. Mega-doses of vitamins e and c would be well worth their cost. Selenium and copper are crucial minerals for avoiding and/or recouping from coronary problems. Be careful to get a third opinion on anything to do with health - the accepted wisdom of the doctors is often decades behind the latest and/or best medical research, and they are usually ignorant of so-called alternative treatments, which are often better than the hi-tech corporate medicine. Good luck.
-- humptydumpty (no.6@thevillage.com), January 18, 1999.
alurker, all my best to you and yours during a trying time. Gratitude that this happened now is certainly in order. Bobbi, sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Again, all my best to you and your husband. I'll keep you both in my prayers.
-- Tricia the Cancuk (jayles@telusplanet.ne), January 18, 1999.
dear alurker (and anyone else concerned about the possibility of heart attack or stroke), i will shortly post info about protecting your cardiovascular health, on this forum. check it out, it's safe and relatively cheap.
-- jocelyne slough (jonslough@tln.net), January 18, 1999.
Gayla, TTF was sharing a painful personal experience. It's his way of sharing, and empathizing. That's part of his memoirs.
-- Chris (catsy@pond.com), January 18, 1999.
Hi Everyone,Took Arnie's advice and left the forum for a a couple of days -- but unable to let go of y2k -- it is like a worm in my belly all the time now. I was so surprised to see so many prayers and well wishes for someone unknown out here in nowhere! It really lifted my spirits. I am sure it helped -- my husband is doing great -- He is walking around now and being chastised by the nurses for raising his blood pressure moniter (works like a remote) they try to slow him down but I know what that is like.
I especially found comfort in from Bobbi's post -- I felt that we both shared the same thing!!
I almost emailed Ashton & Leska -- I always enjoy their posts so much, but decide to remain alurker because of my great unreasonable/reasonable fear of audit trails.
When posting above,I tried to limit my comments to Y2K only, but found that it was very unfair not to give you more information.
To answer your question, as to if I have ever posted before, I prefer to sit at your feet and learn from all of you -- but yes -- I have weakened a few times.
I posted last, on PNGs goodbye post -- and before that, on that toilet paper debate about 2 months ago.
Also I commented on the rice run that Gary North wanted us to make on Cosco.
Also, you may remember my telling you, on another post about being a trouble shooter on New Year's Eve for several years -- and having to fix the same program every year. Then about moving to the perfect place for Y2K four years ago -- (this without with out considering Y2K. we have always been so lucky with "this kind of dumb luck").
BTW, I am no relation to B lurker that also lurks here.
I really hesitate about personal ramblings but, since I popped the pull tab on this thread and left so many question open -- here goes!!
I am the 62 year old lady in the check out line in front of you fumbling with her coin purse. (Hey, give me a break -- my fingers are a little numb and if you push me I will drop the change -- see how long you will have to wait then.)
My husband is the 70 year old small wirey guy out in the parking lot, the one that doesn't take advice easily, (you young whipper snapper)!! he is a retired bio-chimical researcher.
He had a MAJOR heart attack in 1972 (27 years ago) we didn't think he would make it that time. He doesn't go in for checkups -- (I am doing just fine thank you!!)
Then a stroke that took a bit of his eyesite 10 years ago -- didn't even go in to the hospital that time !! (I know what it is, I took an aspirin -- it's over now why go in now??)
Another stroke 3 years ago, that one took alot of his language skills (he went into the hospital that time -- but only because I was so worried.)
All of these events occured in January's. Do you see my concern for next year !!
Thru all the 27 years I have learned to not fuss -- he said, "What good is the life I have left, if you nurse maid me??"
That has made good sense -- been scarry a few times when he has had to stop and catch his breath, especially when doing humanitarian work in Nicarauga and on the streets of New York and in the Everglades -- but he is very good about monitoring himself and telling me exactly what is/has happening.
Also, our life has been blessed for the 27 years, because we have lived each day as the last -- gone everywhere we wanted, done all things we wanted to do -- done things our friends would not dared to do -- because we felt we had nothing to lose!!
He always said -- I know my body, I promise I will tell you when the time comes to call the ambulance -- TRUST ME !!
Well, Saturday morning he said, call the AMBULANCE -- his heart was racing and his jaw was hurting his chest was radiating pain. I called -- he said he would walk to the ambulance, they didn't need to bring in the gurny. (I told him -- let the kids do their job).
The solution they gave him didn't work -- the first shock didn't work -- they really drugged him and hit him with a great shock (scarry) It worked!!
They got him to the hospital -- checked him our for about 2 or so hours then I had the following conversation from some YOUNG doctor.
I could tell he was a little scared to talk to me (how am I going to tell this old lady??)
dr. "The heart has three arteris that go around the heart" me. "I understand" dr. "He has had a serious heart attack some time ago -- and 2 of the arteries are damaged beyond repair" me. "I understand" dr. " The third artery is the only working artery and has " grown around the heart to supply the heart with blood me. " I understand" dr. (he looking down at the floor) and the 3 artery is 99 % percent plugged. me. (oh! oh!) "so what is the bottom line?" dr. (she understands, whew!!) Well there are 2 techniques we can use" me What are they?? dr. Well bypass is one of them but -- his heart is badly damaged on the side we bypass on (the side where the 2 arteries are) so we can't do that!! me "What is the other technique?" dr. (more encourged) Well the only other choice is a stent implantation -- we'll need to do two of them. me "Well I think that is the best then" dr. (much relieved) Well that's what we'll do then"
Two more hours the doctors (3 in all) laughing, "You know your husband all talked thru the procedure -- he gave us advice all the way thru".
The first words out of my husband mouth "See, I told you that I would tell you when to call for an ambulance -- I was right wasn't I!!"
Well -- I know when it comes time to leave the hospital tomorrow, or maybe the next day -- I will have to fight to get him in the wheel chair (I don't need that -- bring the car around -- I'll meet you there.)
So back to Y2K -- (yah I know what your all thinking -- those old guys are TOAST !!) it is probably true -- and I don't worry for us -- We have had such a good time together!! -- We'll not get a shot gun -- we both duck hunted when we were young -- but now -- (well I told you about fumbling with my change.) Do you think either of us could get a shot off before young guys can??
I worry about all of the people I see who are not content with what they have had -- and those that have had only a few years.
My husband and I have lived in the greatest time of change -- we both have driven work horses when we were young and now I am writing to Leo in Australia!!
Sometimes I cannot believe the good life we have had!! and the things we have seen --
So we know what the odds are, but we keep preparing and hoping, But if we can't call the ambulance -- OR the tuna runs out -- I guess our time does too.
-- alurker (nobody@nowhere.com), January 18, 1999.
Lurker,>I especially found comfort in from Bobbi's post -- I felt that we >both shared the same thing!!
I am glad you found comfort in my post. I felt a connection too, when reading your post. Glad it was of any sort of help to you. :-) I am home today and tomorrow to take care of business and then back on the road to the folks' house.
>I am the 62 year old lady in the check out line in front of you
We need you 62 year olds around to teach us the stuff we haven't yet had the time or inclination to learn! Actually I am only about 12 years behind you :-) I think post-Y2k, the 60-plussers will be the ones to have around. One can LEARN from you *older folks*. Husband's grandfather is a cranky 92 year old, but man does he know stuff! He knows stuff like you wouldn't believe! (or maybe you would heh)
>So back to Y2K -- (yah I know what your all thinking -- those old >guys are TOAST !!) it is probably true -- and I don't worry for us
Now why would we think that? I figure the older folks have a far better chance of making it through this than the younger ones do. Life experience counts for a lot in this Y2k thing. We will need people who know how to do stuff. In talking to people about Y2k, I have found that those who "get it" the quickest are usually over 50.
>So we know what the odds are, but we keep preparing and hoping, But >if we can't call the ambulance -- OR the tuna runs out -- I guess >our time does too.
Preparing and hoping is all *any* of us can do. Our tuna can run out too! Illness isn't strictly an "older person" thing either. Besides, I am not that far behind you at "almost-50"!
I wouldn't dream of giving up and don't you dare do that either! We will need people of your ilk around after TSHTF. We will need you to teach us how to do stuff. We need your life experience to learn from. We need you! BTW, my father in law is doing well. He may be coming home in a day or two. They moved him to a larger hospital with better facilities and heart specialists. The doctors found two blockages and were able to "fix" them . They say that he's doing well now. He's up and walking around, and bitching that he wants to go home! :-)
My thoughts are with you Lurker, and don't you dare give up!!! Never Never Never! Ever!
Sincerely, Bobbi http://www.buzzbyte.com/
-- Bobbi (bobbia@slic.com), January 19, 1999.