Thread Drift

[salsabike]

Ah, that sounds nice. They DO have really nice parks. And the museums! Boyoboy. The museums are really truly awesome. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

[Biciclista]

oh cool! i want to hear more about your London adventures!

[redrhodie]

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.

[snapdragen]

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.

[Blueberry]

(((((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

[indysteel]

((((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.

[redrhodie]

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.

[OakLeaf]

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

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

[Catrin]

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

[emily_in_nc]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{ 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.

[Crankin]

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.

[redrhodie]

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.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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.
Yay for pedometers that work right!