“Cardiac Event”

Adding to my list of achievements this year: I survived a heart attack!

How very surreal the past several days have been. Of course, I have been very conscious of my high blood pressure for several weeks – taking my meds, drastically changing my diet, etc.

Monday, I had some strange pain in/around my chest – but not centered near my heart. It was located in a line of about six or seven horizontal inches between my neck and my heart, more on the right side of my body. I very briefly wondered about a heart attack, but had no other symptoms, and tried to believe that it was maybe a pulled muscle.

Tuesday, the pain continued. I came home from work for lunch, and my appetite basically disappeared, and I felt so tired. So I told work that I didn’t feel well, and promptly fell asleep at home for about five hours.

Wednesday morning, the pain continued but had spread a little bit farther to the left. And I realized that I was sweating for no apparent reason. The sweating is what convinced me to ask my wife to take me to the Emergency Department.

And they hooked me up to machines, drew blood samples, and the doctor returned a little while later with the formal announcement: I had indeed experienced a heart attack.

Next up was a visit from a cardiologist, who explained that I was about to undergo cardiac catheterization, and if needed, some stents would be placed.

About two hours later, as I emerged from the drug-induced fog, I was informed that three stents had been inserted.

Overnight, the amazing team of nurses, CNAs, physicians, and nurse practitioners checked on me, gave me meds as needed, checked my catheter “wound” to make sure it was healing, etc.

Thursday afternoon, they released me back home, with some changes to my meds. Ordered to be on “light duty” for a while, no lifting, take it easy, etc.

Now – feeling pretty good, but still a bit light-headed occasionally.

Post-procedure, I did some searching for cardiac catheterization, and…wow. Just wow. It absolutely amazes me that this technology exists.

So grateful to my wife and my daughter for all they have been through to help me, and of course extended family, friends, and co-workers for the support and encouragement.

No easy way to summarize all of this. So many thoughts, emotions, etc. Very much appreciate all of the positive vibes and warm thoughts from all of you!