For all you older buggers out there...

[pelbo]

Just a bit of advice and a little warning......

I have just turned 70. Had a slight pain in the chest for a few days a couple of months ago and like most males ignored it somewhat. Previous slight pains have been diagnosed as probably a bit of pleurisy...

But I decided to call the doctor. He decided I should go to hospital for a check up. Results showed no sign of a heart attack...probably just a touch of pleurisy...

But I did notice I was getting a bit breathless when splitting a trailer load of hardwood for our fuel stove.

Decided to go to a cardiologist. Results were OK. But he decided to do an angiogram. Results were not good - showed the main artery was over 50% blocked. I was booked in for a bypass a week later. During the bypass operation they discovered I needed a Triple By-pass! During the op my lungs collapsed. I spent another 10 hours after the op with a tube down my throat on a ventilator. Spent a week in Intensive Care as my lungs repaired themselves. It was a bloody awful time! Felt like a bus hit me.

Now out of hospital and recovering at home. I just started painting the outside of our home...slowly! Not allowed to hitch up our van and travel for another 2-3 months.

BUT had I not persisted with getting a proper diagnosis, and had the bypass, I was told by the Heart Surgeon that my first heart attack would also have been my last. That was a sobering comment!

I did ask that since my first lot of arteries lasted 70 years, will I get another 70 out of my new ones? He laughed and said NO! I should get another 10 -20 years if I look after my diet and regular exercise.

SO DON'T ignore any small chest pains or the slightest indication there may be a problem. Get it checked out fully. There may not be a problem..but if there is...

[bagmaker]

Perturbing that the doctor and hospital both missed such a major blockage...
Glad you are recovering Pelbo, get well soon!

[BruceS]

Get well quickly Pelbo!
Trailer load of wood? Silly bugger!! Reverse cycle A/C's are easier on an old body!!
....... or pay some kid to lose some sweat!

[Lance]

Good strong advice for many in this age group Paul, that said, ya don't have to be an 'older bugger' to be hit with heart/artery/lung issues.
Take care mate and do what ya told

[Dot]

Hi Pelbo, glad you made it through now just do as you are told . My 1st husb had his first heart attack way back in 1973 (not diagnosed) just muscle strain!!. NZ 1976 I rang the hosp as he was uncomfortable down his L arm = they asked his age, 27 yrs I replied, "Oh he is too young for heart attack, take 2 disprin and see GP in the morning" Then 1996 I got home from work and had a call from my mate the anaesthetist to tell me Terry was in ICU after a heart attack.. anyway he was too far gone so he went on the transplant list but he knew he was on limited time so he kept working (mechanic) and one day he was putting a battery in a car down the street and he fell off the perch doing what he loved. That was 2000. So no matter how young or old and you have any symptoms that may suggest a heart prob do not let any medical person say there is nothing wrong until it has well and truly been investigated.

[shonky]

Hi, all.

Pelbo - after having a couple of minor strokes when I was 65 my doctor told me to retire, great advice, and that I should make it to 70. So that's the end of May. This year. I'll keep you posted. Or not.

[BruceS]

haha... drink plenty of River Murray water & you'll live to 90.
Drinking it in SA has added benefits as well.... all the composing animals from Qld, NSW, Victoria with a few from SA chucked in for flavour! (Just remember to spit the lumpy bits out!)

[pelbo]

Good strong advice for many in this age group Paul, that said, ya don't have to be an 'older bugger' to be hit with heart/artery/lung issues.
Take care mate and do what ya told

Thanks Lance. I am doing what I am told! The Heart Surgeon also gave some good advice. Watch my diet but don't become a monk! Eat more fruit and vegs (what I am now doing) but also enjoy life and you can have the odd pie, hamburger and Neenish or caramel tart. You may die half an hour earlier if you do this but it will be worth it if you also enjoy your life.

My wife was there when he told me this so I have back -up! I also told the surgeon as we were about to leave his office, "You know, you were the second person to touch my heart, not the first....the first was my beautiful wife sitting here now...."

I got some brownie points for that....

So I'll go along with that!

[Dot]

Brownie points from the wife and don't act like a monk!!!! who's a lucky boy then?? go for "IT", have been told "IT" is good for the rehab

[SteveW]

Sounds like my kind of surgeon - I may live forever!

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