That’s what they call a wake up call

Posted on July 12, 2006 by Gene

I guess that this blog is not cathartic nor stress-relieving enough.
I had a heart attack on Monday.
No, I’m not joking, but I am pretty freakin’ stunned.

It was 8pm, a cool evening, and I started to mow and rake the front yard. Halfway through, I found myself hyperventilating; I sat down and relaxed for a bit until it went away, and then went back to raking.
Only minutes later, the rapid shallow breathing was supplemented by a tightness in my chest, dizziness, and nausea.
This afternoon, after an emergency room, a transfer to a different hospital, and a visit to the Cardiac Cath Lab, the two blockages in my heart have been cleared and I now sport three stents to keep everything flowing.
When I lay in a hospital bed the other night, I contemplated what kind of long, rambling, tongue-in-cheek entry I’d write here, but now… I dunno.
I’ll have to think about what happened for a little while, about how I let it get to this point and what I have to do next.
Other than take 5 pills every day.
For now, I am home and okay, although sore all over. More later; but here is some humor from my cousin Kirk that made me laugh — thank goodness I didn’t open up the angioscopy wound…

Top Ten Reasons Gene Had A Heart Attack-

  1. Just One More Thing To Fret About
  2. Said To Dick Cheney “Anything you can do I can to better”
  3. Chance To Meet Cute Doctors
  4. Had Mid-Life Crisis at 20, Didn’t Want To Over-Extend The Plan
  5. What Better Way To Fill Mother With Guilt
  6. Just One More Thing To Blame On The Republicans
  7. Was Hoping Sara’s Next Album Would Have A Sweet Dedication “In Memory Of”
  8. A New Avenue For The Melodramatic
  9. Monthly Payments On Health Plan Are Pricey, Wanted It To Earn Its Keep
  10. Ran Out Of Things To Blog About