Well folks...it's been a while since I signed on to this site.
I started a new job/career that takes every bit of my waking minutes, or so it seems. I am now working with a crane and rigging company. We also do a lot of trucking for customers with our tractors and flat bed trailers. Quite interesting and I am enjoying learning the trade. No, I'm not going to become a crane operator or really am interested in driving the trucks. What I do is estimating and selling but have also been on job sites doing rigging work when needed. I've been doing this full time since the first of the year.
Then came last Sunday when I experienced a "widow maker" heart attack. I can say that I have never had any heart problems of any sort until then. Heck, even my blood pressure was always spot on.
Like others, I could always lose some weight and needed to stop smoking. But never had a medical problem up to then. As many a doctor has told me, I was very fortunate to "listen to my body" and get to the emergency room. Within an hour or so I was flown to a cardiac hospital and had a stent installed. And a couple of days later they said I was doing excellent so they sent me home. So in a 48 hour period I had a heart attack, was rushed to surgery and was back home. But now I have to take it easy for a few weeks and work on the weight and smoking issues. But I'm going to be alright! It's good to be able to write this post...

Glad it all turned out well!

Bruce, I haven't met you, but I can relate to you about your "widow maker" . A good friend of mine in Maryland had the same thing happen to him about 6 months ago. He had a previous heart attack and had a stent put in, but this time they had to do open heart surgery. He's 73 and he's fully recovered and started back playing golf already. I hope you recover as quickly as he did. I'm almost 65 and as an old guy told me once "Gettin' old ain't for sissies". I'm finding out what he meant. Good luck.

Jerry Davis
'89 Regal
25' P30 Chevy

Bruce, so sorry about your "Widow Maker" experience but thanks to the advances in medical procedures etc, you are an example of the strides made in the past. Glad things are going well for you now and good to hear from you.

Bruce, As a 30 year 2pack a day former smoker I can tell you you can quit. It is not easy but I did it and so can you. Just remember you can NRVER have another one or you will be back at it. Good luck and best of health to you
Wayne

Glad to hear you made out well-- I had just read your post on the TCU. Sort of puts TCU problems in a different perspective.

Good luck

Bud

Whoaa... serious reality check. So glad you can live to tell about it. You are fortunate to have another round (or two!) left!

Take good care of yourself. Steve and Liz

w&bknocke, I also quit smoking and second the idea that you can too. Your life depends on it.

Bruce: Sometimes it takes a big event like this to get your attention. I got COPD from smoking over time. After a big bout, the doc said I had COPD. I heard C and it scared me so bad that the desire to smoke quickly left. I did use the patch for three or four days. YOU can do it. I have never missed them.

Tom Taylor

Thank you all for your replies. And yes, even I can quit smoking. Need to lose 40 lbs. too! It is now my mission until accomplished.

Bruce, my husband lost about 40 pounds by just watching the amount of bread that he ate. He is diabetic and bread is not good for diabetics. He also tried limiting his snacks. Lost from 328 down to 278.

Losing weight or not smoking is not easy but take baby steps and it will work for you.

Hey, Try Weight Watchers. It helps you to eat good stuff and to be HONEST with yourself about what you eat.

If it taste good. spit it out. Don't worry about how fast you loose weight. Just keep going in the right direction. I am down some 70lb from my high. another 50 would be great. Right now I'm happy with a lb or 2 a month. Good luck.