Thread Drift

While on my bike on Friday, I got a call from my brother asking me if I could take him to the ER because he was having chest pain. I told him I was on my bike and it would take me a while to get there, and he should call an ambulance, but he wanted me to take him. Luckily I was only 10 minutes from home, and he lives a couple of blocks away, but those were a long 10 minutes, let me tell you.

I got him to the ER, and sure enough, he was having a heart attack. They took him by ambulance to another hospital where they did a cardiac cath, and implanted a stent. He is doing well, but there was damage. I'm going to be looking into getting him into cardiac rehab. Hopefully that will help.

I just keep dealing with what's thrown at me as best I can, but I need a break, like a year with no one getting sick or dying. Please.

I know the feeling red. Mom fell while going to the bathroom at 3 am last week. I'm not sure how long she had been calling my name before I woke up. Thankfully, she was not hurt. I think it took both of us a week to calm down after that.

I'd love a couple of weeks in Maui, with no responsibilities.

(((((redrhodie))))))

Thank goodness you were able to take him to ER, and that they were able to do those procedures quickly. I don't know what's involved in cardiac rehab, but hopefully your level of activity will be a good example for him:)

((((Red and Red Brother)))). I'm so sorry. I'm glad he took the pain seriously and got to the hospital promptly. How old is your brother if I may ask? My boss had a heart attack 11 years ago at age 55. He, too, got a stent and went on a statin drug. No problems since and is in great shape. I hope your brother also has a positive outcome.

He's 51. Unfortunately, the chest pain started at 2am, and he didn't call me until 10am, so it was pretty serious by that point. He didn't have a lot of pain, he described it as being like a stomach virus, hence the waiting to see if it would go away on its own. Still, he drove home from work with it (he works nights), walked up two flights of stairs, and then back down them again. I think my family tends to have a too high tolerance to pain.

But hopefully getting him into the rehab program (which so far hasn't been mentioned by his doctor) will be an option. It looks like a good program that teaches nutrition as well as exercise and weight management. He really ignored his health for a long time, so he needs professional help.

I could see this coming, but all my nagging to get him to a doctor didn't work. I did try, especially when his color became ashen recently. I really hope he will make some changes and live a long healthy life.

Snap, so sorry about your mom. That is so stressful. Big hug.

Oh, man (((((red))))) (((((snap)))))

Wishing your brother a quick and uncomplicated recovery, and all of you a break, for sure.

Oh my Red! I really hope he gets through this without further complications. {{{{Red and brother}}}}

{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Red }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

That is scary! Very glad he got in touch with you, but hopefully the short delay did not make matters worse. Keep us posted on his condition.

Denial is a huge factor in people having a cardiac event.
I am amazed how many doctors don't prescribe cardiac rehab. It's always holistic and involves both physical and mental health. It's never too late to start.
I hope you get a break, soon, Red.

So, his nurse brought up rehab today before I even got there, and sent a note to his doctor to see if he's a good candidate, which makes me relieved. He's up and walking and seems totally normal. Just being in the hospital is sooooo boring. He is handling that part better than I would. And the food is as junky as the cliche says, but the staff are great, especially the nurses. If anyone on here is a nurse, I tip my hat to you. You are the best. It really takes a special kind of amazing person to do what they do.

Red, I hope your brother is able to make some lifestyle changes that will get him a little healthier. I'm sure he's happy to have a supportive sister like you.


I've been upping my fitness walking after a 'slow spell' where I've slowly but steadily been getting out of shape. Also added yoga several times a week. So I pulled out my trusty pedometer that's always been so dependable...
Wow, I was more out of shape than I thought, because it seemed so hard to walk a measley 2 miles now! I used to walk 5 miles every other day no problem, but now it took forever to achieve two miles. But I've kept plugging at it for the past three months. I just got used to a puny 2 miles being the new '5 mile standard' instead. :(
Last week my pedometer konked out and I couldnt find the right battery (try buying a battery right after a hurricane). I figured I deserved a new one anyway after all these years so I ordered a fancy new one online, and it came right away. I set it up (I know my stride length already) and went for my usual walk this morning. First I checked it two times by walking 100 steps, and sure enough it registered exactly 100 steps, each time.
Um....turns out my supposed 2 mile walk which seemed to take forever is actually a 3.5 mile walk. The new pedometer said so, and at home I mapped my route online to double check, and yes it was indeed 3.5 miles. Duh!
So, that was great, I've been walking a lot more than I thought i had been, and it wasn't taking me forever to walk 2 miles after all! Pretty good feeling. :p
Yay for pedometers that work right!

That's a riot, Lisa! I'm so glad it was the pedometer and not you!!

By the way, thanks again for the yogic "push"! I went to class Thursday at my usual studio and yesterday and today at the new studio. It just feels so, so good. Between that, resistance work and running, I am feeling as close to my old self as I've felt in a long while. I'm positive it's the additional yoga classes. The Sunday heated class at 4:30 is the perfect way to end the weekend/begin the week!

Indy, that's great to hear. Keep it up!
I'm not sure which is doing me more good- the fitness walking or the yoga, but together they are actually making a big difference in how I feel and little differences in how I look. I notice I'm standing and sitting straighter, my skirt waistbands and my bras are not quite as tight, I can now put my pants on one leg at a time while standing without leaning against the wall (that's a noticeable change, lol!), and I've lost a total of 4 pounds so far in 3 months. That's not a lot to lose, but hey it's going in the other direction from what it had been, with no special dieting on my part. Plus I must be building muscle for sure.

Hi Gals! I've missed you all a bunch; busy taking care of mom so very little computer time. Hope you're all doing well.

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Originally Posted by Pax

Hi Gals! I've missed you all a bunch; busy taking care of mom so very little computer time. Hope you're all doing well.

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Pax, we miss you, too (if I may speak for the group and I think I can on this count)! I hope that you, your mom and your Honey are all well. Check back in if and when you have time. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Pax - what Indy said. Have a very nice and stress-free Thanksgiving!

I had an unexpected ride today; well, actually, I am still on the ride. My 2:30 client cancelled, so I went home so I could vote. I rode to the polling place, but it was too early to ride to my client who lives 5.5 miles fro my house. So I decided to do my short loop, since the kid lives right off of it. Right now I am sitting on a bench in front of Ferns in Carlisle; got about ten minutes to kill. I am wearing my new Assos winter jacket I got for half price. It's really snug, but warm. So warm, I need a lighter mid layer.
Well, I have my lights and my stuff for my session, plus I'll get close to a 20 mile ride.

Pax, good to see you pop in....I hope things are going smoothly with you and your loved ones.

Crankin- I have to hand it to you, ridin' in the cold!

Today my mate and i walked down into the village to have breakfast and then go vote. I was about 40F but very sunny, so perfect walking weather. Since we were out and about already, we extended our walk and did a brisk 4 miles altogether. Very pleasant way to get some exercise in today! Right now I'm bottling up the 42 pounds of beautiful pure golden honey i got from my bees this year- it came to about 4 gallons... woo-HOOO!

Forty two pounds!!! That's awesome! Where do you sell it (assuming you sell it)?

Pax - good to see you, hope you're hanging in there.

Crankin - I can barely drag myself out for a run before midday when there's frost on the ground!

Lisa - the 5.4 mile out-and-back WAS our walk to the polling place and back. :p It was a nice sunny day here too, and a nice walk, but a little darker than I'd have liked by the time we got back. At least I had hi-viz gear on, my DH wore his cloak of invisibility. :rolleyes: And yum, fresh honey. Mmmmmmmm.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Forty two pounds!!! That's awesome! Where do you sell it (assuming you sell it)?

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I've kept bees for 3 yrs now and this is the first time I've gotten enough honey to even consider selling any. Last year we had just enough for ourselves and a few friends and family.
We probably go through 1.5 gallons per year at home (we're big tea w/honey drinkers), then I will give a couple 2 lb jars to each of our 3 children, several more jars to other family members. I also bought two dozen pretty little half pint jelly jars and filled them for xmas/birthday/hostess presents for the coming year. That actually may not leave me with all that many extra jars. I figure there may be some people who get the tiny jars from us as gifts and they may like it so much that they'll want to buy a larger jar from us, so I'll keep those extra jars on hand for that possibility. We'll have to see how this coming Spring shakes out, honey-wise. Always good to have a dozen or more jars stowed away for hard times! Especially since honey can't 'go bad'.

The cold on the way home was kind of shocking, but by then it was dark and I needed my AmFib gloves. I had warm ones, but not warm enough.Could have used a balaclava (a light one), but I managed. I love riding in the dark. And the bad traffic was going in the other direction.

I passed my boards!!!
The exam was easier than the simulations.
So relieved. I am now at home, drinking coffee and getting ready to do some *real* work.
Only a few more hoops to jump through, and these involve about eight more months of getting my supervision hours and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Hopefully, sometime in August I will be fully licensed. I am hoping it will be before I leave on my TRIP TO ITALY!!! Yes, after much soul searching, and after our friends told us they weren't ready to do a bike trip to Europe this summer, DH and I have planned a vacation that does not involve 250 miles of cycling and climbing category 3 climbs. We are renting a flat in Torino for a week. My DH's company has an office there, so he has been there several times, but hasn't seen too much. We will be taking trips to the Piedmont wine country, the Lakes District, and spending time with the person who runs the office there, and his wife. They are lovely people, who have been to our home. After Torino, we are going to Milan and spending 2 nights there, before flying home. We will probably ride around Torino on the city bikes for rent and may consider renting a road/hybrid bike, to do a one day trip somewhere.
But basically, this trip is going to be eating, culture, and wine. With a little riding and hiking thrown in.

Crankin - Congratulations! I knew you would do it :)

The trip sounds fantastic and it sounds like a lot of fun!

Congrats, Crankin!!! Have a wonderful trip! It sounds lovely.

Congratulations Crankin! I had no doubt - but how great is it that you get your results right away.

The trip sounds fabulous.

Congrats, Crankin! I just knew it! :)

Congratulations, Crankin! You've earned it!!

Good news Crankin! Perfect time for a nice trip.

Congratulations, Crankin! (And a trip to Italy? Nice!)

Good job Crankin!

And BleeckerSt---I'm working out whether I want bees next year or the year after or not. How did you get started?

Congratulations, Crankin!!

Thanks, everyone. I kind of feel a let down; more free time, and I am procrastinating on some paper work I need to do! I lost a couple of clients in the past 2 weeks and I need to build up my case load again. Playing phone tag with people; ugh.

Congratulations Crankin! And your trip to Italy sounds fabulous!

Veronica

Thanks, Veronica. It was nice to go to the office yesterday and get congrats from my colleagues.

Red, if you're reading this, how's your brother doing?

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Red, if you're reading this, how's your brother doing?

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Thanks for asking, Indy, he's doing well. He can't lift more than 5lbs until his follow up appointment, so that's been tricky. Luckily I'm just a few blocks away so I can help him. He seems to be adjusting to the low sodium diet. The rehab hasn't started yet, but we're going to take a walk today. He needs to start moving.

(((Red))) I missed your earlier post about this.

That's good to hear, Red.

Thanks for the update, Red. I'm glad he has you, in more ways than one. I hope he's able and willing to make the changes necessary for better health.