swampbear gets a wakeup call

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I had a big time scare over the weekend. Saturday night about 10:30 I started feeling kinda bad. Shaky all over and all that. I was about to go to bed, so I thought, good night’s sleep and I’ll be ok. I had been doing some stuff around the house, yard work, putting together a bar for my pool, etc. Well, it got worse. I started having pressure in my chest. Then I started having heart palpitations, then I started hurting in my chest. Then I felt pain in my left arm. I’m thinking, “Oh hell! Heart Attack!” Luckily, I had a friend hanging around the house that night. I got him to come in the bedroom and he said I didn’t look too good. I told him I wanted to go to the chest pain center at the local hospital (which btw is a very good hospital).

We went there and I signed in and said I’m having chest pains. They immediately took me in. Before I knew it, I was hooked up to a heart monitor, having my bp checked, being asked a million questions, having an ekg and all sorts of stuff. They kept me at the CPC overnight to monitor me. The ekgs, blood enzyme tests, etc. didn’t show any signs of heart damage. Matter of fact the attending doctor said they looked really good. However, as a matter of precaution and because I came in complaining of chest pains, he wanted to admit me to the cardiac care unit for at least 24 hours and I agreed. The stuff I was feeling Saturday night I had never felt before and I was damn scared.

So, I am admitted, rehooked up to heart monitor, given nitroglycerin patches, heparin and fluids by iv and all those fun things. Sunday afternoon, the cardiac guy came in along with my regular doctor. They wanted me to have a a heart catherization on Monday as a precaution to make sure there were no blockages in the heart etc. Yesterday, that happened. The good news is no blockage in the heart. Matter of fact the cardiologist says my heart is very healthy.

I feel like I dodged a big one that time. Although I didn’t have a heart attack, it was something. As the doctor said, it was my body telling me it’s time to make some changes. I could have ignored this and been fine. However, in a few days, a few weeks, a few weeks, a year or so, it coulda happened again, but maybe bigger. Doc called it a cardiac “event”, i.e. wake up call. So swampbear is awake now!

First things first, no more smoking! This did it for me. I don’t wanna smoke. I haven’t so far. Oh, I came home from the hospital last night around ten after I did the mandatory six hour bedrest with a sandbag sitting on my right groin, where the heart catheter went in for the examination. So, I haven’t smoked so far. I got a large amount of IRL friends around here to encourage, chastise and if need be, tie me up so I won’t. (My best friend around here told me he has enough rope and volunteers if it comes to that. Gotta love good friends.) I think that with them and support and encouragement from fellow dopers I can do this.

I also gotta make changes in diet and exercise. Mainly, I have to start eating better and have to come up with some type of exercise other than the 25 yard dash from the recliner to the “beererator.” Swimming is good exercise and by this weekend my new pool will be completed. Hmm… maybe I can do something in it besides float around drinking beer. :smiley:

That’s my wakeup call. Wish me luck and feel free to drop lines of encouragement.

I, swampbear, do solemnly vow to begin taking care of himself.

I gotta. Damn, that was scary!

-swampbear (I will not smoke, I will not smoke)

2

I’m glad everything is ok and wish you lots of luck with the non smoking thing!

You never know… you may find you like having your friends tie you up :slight_smile:

Enjoy the pool!

3

Buy a bicycle.

Use it.

It’s fun to go 2 wheeling, & good exercise, too.

Glad to hear you’re not dead.

If you are dead, don’t inconvience yourself by replying.

Also, don’t do it because it would make you much creepier. :smiley:

4

Glad it was just a wake up call, swampbear.

Good luck with the no smoking and take care.

5

So glad you came out of that ordeal still breathing.

Count me in with Bosda - cycling is your friend.

6

:eek:, Swampy!

I am so glad you have good friends to help take care of you. Now, you need to do the same. We couldn’t bear to lose you!

(Ow, OW! Stop hitting, I’m sorry, already!!)

Seriously, I know exactly how hard it is to make a lifestyle change like the one you are undertaking, and I completely support your efforts. (NO smoking!!) If you need anything, anything at all, my e-mail is in my profile; feel free to contact me.

7

I’m so sorry - I know exactly what happened - it was a delayed reaction of the joy and excitiment of meeting me - and it just about done ya in! How could I have done that to you?!?

OK, seriously - I’m really glad it wasn’t anything bad. (Were gallstones ruled out? My gallbladder attack felt like a heart attack, sorta.) And I’m glad you’re quitting smoking - good for you. Now take care of yourself, or I’ll drive over and beat you up. I still have your address, you know! :eek:

Seriously, take care of yourself, ya old geezer!

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Swampbear my buddy,

I quit smoking 20 days ago and I feel your pain.

I’m really glad it was only a wake up call and all your future plans sound most wonderful.

But right now, you gotta quit smoking. I know it’s hard, believe me I know. I’ve been smoking 20 yrs, have quit about 5 times now. But this is it for me, never again, I swear.

Believe me, if I can do this you can do this. It’s really hard, but stay busy.

Here’s a trick that has worked for me. Set up some chore, all ready to go, a chore you really dislike (for me it was ironing, I set up the board, filled the iron with water, got the basket of wrinkly clothes and put it beside) and then I promised myself if I was going to cave I had to do the ironing before I actually got the cigarette.

At the moments I was about to cave I think about doing that ironing and then remind myself I’ve come twenty days, I can go another half hour.

It’s good to keep your fingers busy, build some thing, play with something whatever, I do needlepoint. Put it in front of the TV.

I’ve been eating pumpkin seeds, anything it takes a while to get into and you can eat somewhat obsessively, will be a big help. Smoking is first and foremost an oral fixation, don’t forget.

Make a big list of things you’ve been meaning to do. It’s important to make it about 50% things you’ll sort of enjoy doing. Make a big list, things large and small. When you are thinking of smoking and need a distraction go to the list.

I think your success in meeting your other goals of getting in shape etc, will largely depend on this first hurdle you have chosen.

You have begun with the most difficult of adversaries, but I am certain you will succeed.

When you feel weak come to the board, we’re really here for you and want you to be a non smoker!

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You’re a lucky man. Listen to that body my friend and take care.

10

Wow, that is scary…glad to know you’re ok. Congrats on quitting…YOU CAN DO IT!!

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While elbows offers some excellent suggestions, I can go one better: when you feel the urge to smoke, you should go out and buy me a present instead. That way, we both win!! :smiley:

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Wow, swampbear, that is pretty scary. I’m glad you’re okay physically but I imagine you’re a bit shook up emotionally. Best of luck with the health-related changes. Sounds like you’re really motivated and have a lot of support, which is great. And I really think FCM has a good point. What’s more motivating than altruism? :smiley:

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Yikes.

After the first paragraph I was sure we were getting bad news. You can imagine my relief.

“Cardiac event,” eh? You should definitely discuss your proposed excercise program with your doc before you start. Don’t push yourself too hard in the beginning. Work your way up.

And remember, if you cave in and start smoking again, I will come down to Georgia and plant my boot about three feet up your butt.

Take care of yourself.

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I’m tellin’ ya, Dopers are the best! Lots of great support here. Even some kink from my buddy Exgineer. :smiley: I’m looking into the fitness program at the gym sponsored by the hospital. It’s supposed to be good.

FairyChatMom, I had a gall bladder attack about 20 years ago. That went through my mind this weekend. I’ve made a follow up appointment with regular doc. He’s going to set up some testing for other stuff. Gall bladder is one thing we’ll check out along with acid reflux, which may be a real possibility here. I’m also going to be tested for diabetes. My father has the adult kind of diabetes, so I need that test. Heck, just to make sure everything’s ok, I’d be willing to be tested for anything right now.

tanookie the right friend could tie me up anytime. :wink:

Bosda and kung fu lola can I get an adult bike with training wheels? Never got the hang of that too well.

Sunglasses. Wintermute, earthpuppy, lieu thanks for the encouragement and support.

Salem don’t encourage FCM. You know it just makes her worse! :smiley: And thanks for the words of support.

Three days with no cigarettes. I want one, but I don’t want what happened to me Saturday even more.

Thanks everybody. Them dopers, the best, I’m tellin’ ya, the best!

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oh, and lieu, one other lifestyle change just for you. I promise to preview. :smack:

16

I wasn’t trying to encourage you to smoke with that post, Angel Pants. I’m pretty sure a size twelve in your decending colon would be extremely uncomfortable, whatever your personal habits happen to be.

Can I call you Angel Pants outside of the Rue threads, or is that verboten?

17

Hey, I’ve never been a smoker, but I read this trick somewhere - it might be worth a try. When you get a hankerin’, pucker up like you’re going to whistle, but instead, draw in a deep, slow breath and hold it a few seconds. It’s supposed to take the edge off…
so does this mean no presents?? :frowning:

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Hey Swampbear, I’m so glad you were only tapped on the shoulder. Long ago I was a no filter, chain smoking, chimney. FWIW, I stopped with peppermint lifesavers. Ate zillions of those little suckers.

Or, you can do the FCM gift thing if you want to avoid the extra calories.

19

Ex I’ll be Angel Pants anywhere for you. [sub] size 12’s hmm… wonder if that means… err… [/sub]

FCM thanks for the suggestion. Plus, if I do that in public, people will give me lots and lots of room to walk! :smiley:

[sub]won’t she be surprised when a dozen live pink flamingos show up on her front lawn.[/sub]

20

there are 3 wheeled bikes available, with large delivery baskets between the rear wheels.

Or, get some in-line skates.

But get moving!

RUN–for your life. :slight_smile: