I almost lost it all. Not my weight, not my double chin, I almost my life. I suffered my first and hopefully last heart attack last week and it was all my fault.
I have a long family history of both diabetes and heart disease. It took my mom when she was 34, my cousin when he was 32 and numerous other relatives all before they were 60. I knew the risks but I thought that sporadically taking my prescriptions and not smoking or drinking that I would be alright. I eat food like there was no tomorrow though. For some reason I couldn't let myself see that my addictions where just as dangerous as theirs.
I started exercising a few years back for a while, I cut out a lot of soda and I thought I was ok. I lost 55 lbs from my heaviest weight and believed I was going to be ok. I wasn't I didn't check in with my doctor, I didn't get the blood work I was supposed to. I wasn't a good patient. It got to the point that three weeks ago the doctor told me if I didn't start taking it seriously he wasn't going to be able to be my doctor anymore. I wasn't a good patient.
I originally thought what was happening was just GERD. My chest would tighten up and there would be a burning sensation in my throat. It was typically after I ate a lot of food or drink I shouldn't have. It would go away after I took tums, or stood up for a few minutes. I didn't know it was going away because it had just ended, not for anything I did. I was actually having small heart attacks, or at least something indicating I was on the right road to one.
Two weeks ago I woke up and the pain wouldn't stop. It lasted for almost 10 minutes and was by far the worst pain I have ever felt. It was like a boulder was on my chest. I was having my first heart attack. Believe me when I was terrified. I was scared I wasn't going to get to finish my degree I have struggled so hard to get, I wasn't going to be able to start the family I wanted. I wasn't going to be able to do so many things. I just thought about all the people I would leave behind. I had just married the most amazing women 6 months ago and we haven't even had our honeymoon yet. We had so much to look forward to.
The doctors didn't find anything on the EKG or the first set of blood work. They thought it would be best to wait a while and try a second set of blood work and I was glad they did. I had three blockages with two of them over 90%. I don't think I have ever cried as much as I did that day.
They said they would do a heart cath and see if it was something they could just do with stents or if it would require a bypass. I wasn't ready for that. I prayed, begged and pleaded with any higher power I could think of to get me through this. I didn't want to be another one of my families statistics.
They were able to do the stents, no bypass surgery yet. My cardiologist said my heart looked to be in good shape. Finally some hope. They monitored me overnight and throughout the next day and I was able to leave the hospital after 36 hours. I was still scared but I knew what I had to do. I had to take my health seriously, my family history seriously and my life seriously.
That's what I am writing this for now. Please, Please, Please take your health seriously. Don't be like me and push that all aside. Your life is too valuable, don't take the risk. You have one shot at this life and it sucks that it took a heart attack for me to figure that out. It may seem like an inconvenience or something your cant afford but please stay on top of your health, follow your doctors orders. Don't be like me and just down a whole package of Oreos because you think your medicine will keep it in check.
You may have to push stuff that you want to eat or do in life to the side for now but its much better than the alternative.
We love you and stay strong!
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