"Don Foreman" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 24 May 2008 08:24:26 -0400, "Ed Huntress"
wrote:


"Don Foreman" wrote in message
. ..

I had a case of the flu last January. Achy muscles, no appetite, the
usual.

Had another little dose of it coupla weeks ago. Nuisance. Then, for
no apparent reason, I couldn't get my breath. Uh oh, let's go right
now! We did.

Turns out I'd had two "symptomless" heart attacks. After the second,
the docs said my hours remaining without intervention were countable
with a single digit.

Now, a couple of weeks and one quintuple bypass later, they're quite
optimistic. They said being generally healthy and strong helped a
lot. I'll be limited to 10% "load rating" for a month, then 20% thru
Labor Day, then whatever I can rehab myself to after that -- and, I'd
have more energy than I'd had for a decade with all that good oxygen
getting to where it needs to go.

Welcome to the club, Don, and thank God you made it. I had mine last
year --
not sympomless, as I felt the angina -- but the docs said that taking two
(uncoated) aspirin right away probably saved my life.

Be prepared for a period of psychological adjustment to the idea that you
are now a heart-attack victim. It's changed a lot of my attitudes.

I think attitude can make a huge difference in pshychological
adjustment. It can be trap or opportunity.

I am not a poor victim, I am a lucky survivor! I didn't "have to
give up smoking", I got the launch I needed to get it done. I'd
said for some time that I'd quit if I were out for more than 3 days.
I was out for 6. By then I was already a "former smoker" so all I
need do now is maintain that status. Think cash available for new
toys, oh yeah! Now, rather than thinking "I crave a smoke" I think
"I'm glad I'm able to ignore this minor itch that will be gone in 5
minutes."

We'll celebrate the anniversaries of your deliverance.

Thanks. I know I will!

Funny how a heart attack can suddenly make smoking seem like a habit you can
live without. That happened to me right at New Year's so I'm almost to 5
months of not smoking and it sure is a lot easier now than it was about 4
months ago. I'm told that the cravings get pretty bad at about 6 weeks and
6 months. Hang in there - it does get better!