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I just got back from the hospital. My stepdad had a major heart attack. His central artery was completely blocked and they put in a shunt.
I think he'll pull through but I'm scared and sad. The lifestyle changes required to allow him to live are changes that he will fight tooth and nail.
I hope and pray that he decides pride and stubborness are not always necessarily helpful. I want him around - he's a fun man with tons of energy, lots of interests and some pretty bad habits (2.5 packs per day, greasy fried food, Type A "go go go" - relax is a foreign word . . . )
He has grandchildren to play with - heaven's sake - he's needed here.
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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That's rough. Grandchildren have motivated many a man to make more difficult changes. I hope he finds the strength to do what he needs to stay around a long long time.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds like it will be tough for him to break those long term habits, especially the smoking. The average smoker tries to quit five times before they're successful. Of course, the scare the heart attack has given him may slow him down a bit and be a huge incentive.
Luckily, he has a great stepdaughter providing emotional support for him. Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sep 2003
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I hope things go well. Find someone close to you and get a big hug (small children seem to perform this task well). It always helps me.
My grandfather just came out of hospital after having half his lung cut out - he had a small lung cancer discovered, and his chances of living by cutting it out was much greater than his chances of living with chemotherapy. It was a major operation, and he is diabetic so there were, unsuprisingly, complications. But he has pulled through and is making all the necessary lifestyle changes - including giving up beer (which he LOVED) and partaking in a seniors exercise class (which he hates).
I guess the reason I'm telling you this is to say that people are pretty resilient. Especially when they have a reason to fight.
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I'm sorry I can't give you anything more than a e-hug, but still... ((((((((((((((((((((Shan))))))))))))))))))))
Posts: 3526 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Thank you, everyone. I think he'll be okay if we can just get him to mind his p's and q's. The nurse informed me he was referring to her as the "warden" today. He was bragging about how fast the ambulence driver went, too. The man is so young at heart in so many ways - the doctor said he had more than one attack and the worst was during transport. 99% blockage. Lucky to be alive. Stubborn.
I couldn't sleep last night - so now I am going to bed. Thank you again for your support -
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It sounds like it will be tough for him to break those long term habits, especially the smoking. The average smoker tries to quit five times before they're successful. Of course, the scare the heart attack has given him may slow him down a bit and be a huge incentive.![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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