How Healthy are YOU?
-
Glad to hear you're feeling better and on the mend. I have sympathy for you and trust me, I know how you're feeling. I had a bad motorbike crash when I was 21 (29 now) which tore part of my aorta leaving me with a bit of an emergency. I had major heart surgery to repair it through my back (they tell me it's the best way to get in!). Involves a cut from the top of your left shoulder all the way around under your left nipple before they separate your ribs take your left lung out, fix the hole in your heart, lung back in, then lots of staples...............Quite simple really!
I had never felt terror like it before......actually feeling like my life was going to end when I was 21.........and it nearly did. The support staff and nurses in the hospital in Leicster (UK) are simply amazing and made my recovery all the better.
It does make you sit up and think about life though for sure. I wouldn't change it though. It's made me a better person and I don't regret a moment of it. I think I'd be a very different person for the worst if it hadn't happened to me.
I do hope you find a bit of yourself you didn't know was there before........I know I did.
All the best, and good luck with everything.
Puck
-
@papercutter said:
BTW, I used to post as Dave M. I forgot my password and was having issues retrieving it, so... this is me. Now that I'm using SU more again, I figured I should see what's happening around here.
Dave, I will let Gaieus know. He should be able to get you into your old account then merge these posts.
Welcome back.
-
@papercutter said:
...BTW, I used to post as Dave M. I forgot my password and was having issues retrieving it, so... this is me. Now that I'm using SU more again, I figured I should see what's happening around here.
Hi Dave,
Why don't you tell? See my signature here (and now your Private Message inbox).
(Sorry for being OT) -
I had a quite long conversation with Mike few days ago and he didn't even mentioned, that he has spent whole week in the hospital! Mike I wouldn't keep you that long
I hope you are getting well and take your time.I have a problem with my sight being really tired when sitting and looking at a monitor almost all day. At work I had a small program called Reflection (I will try to find a link) that was reminding me every 45 mins to turn my eyes away from the screen and look at some distant object for a few minutes.
Computer can be very addictive, as you all know
Tomasz
-
Good to have you back Dave and well done on what you have achieved. I'm sure Csaba will be able to sort out your old name
Hebrides, that sound advice. At present I'm taking 5 tablets a day. I have never had to do this before except for the odd aspirin or spoon of cough medicine. I've started looking up natural herbal remedies and find that there is a lot out there. It seems that a clove of garlic a day can go a long way in keeping bad Cholesterol down. Nettles also look to be good for blood cleansing. I will continue my course of tablets but where possible I will try to reduce and replace them with herbal remedies.
Puck, Wow! you went through some ordeal. Mine was not that bad. I initially got a 'tightness' in the chest and thought it was just fatigue and indigestion. I wanted to go to bed and rest but Pauline (wife) dragged me into hospital.
The actual procedures were not that bad. The initial Angiogram was a little uncomfortable but not really painful. I was fully awake while they inserted the probe (through a vain in my groin) and looked around the heart. I was able to see what was going on also as there was a big screen beside the op table.
The second procedure, the Angioplast, was done two days later. This involved going back in and inserting the stents. This was more painful as they were entering a fresh wound. After the stents were inserted it was great chatting to the surgeon while looking at the before photo (still) and the live action screen showing the unblocked artery pumping blood around the lower left part of my heart. He was amused at my interest in the screens and ability to 'read' them but after I explained that I was into 3D stuff we both laughed. I'll stop laughing when I get his bill
but I imagine he will continue All in all it was not a terrible experience and anyone that was any doubts about the condition of their heart should go for a stress test. Blocked arteries can be opened with stents these days and they last for years provided one cuts down their bad cholesterol levels. I don't mean to sound gory but if this information encourages anyone that is having doubts it will be worth it.
Tomasz, that link would be very useful as eye strain is a no no. I think you can testify that I am recovering quickly
We will talk soon also as I have some info that you will be interested in hearing about. -
@mike lucey said:
.Tomasz, that link would be very useful as eye strain is a no no.
I have fund something more professional and free (Windows only
) http://www.eterlab.com/eyedefender/@mike lucey said:
I think you can testify that I am recovering quickly
I won't swear as it was only a web conference
-
Thanks Tomasz, hey it was a colour vid con! Ahh, I suppose you could not see that I had a drip plugged in
Pete! This http://www.trixter.net/xdream will solve your exercise needs! I found it today and as you know I love gadgets and I think its great idea. I have to yet study all the ins and outs but think in might be possible to race a friend over the Net! Now that would be a blast. Maybe even handicaps could be put in place. We could even organise some bookmaking (betting)
We would have to heavily handicap Coen as he is a serious cyclist! Its fairly pricey but there again so are doctors bills!
-
Looks like a good machine. Should be a way to hook it up to SU: you'd have to keep peddling to keep the monitor on and drive the cursor with the handle bars(with muscle resisting controls).
-
Hi Mike, hi folks.
I am glad to know that you are OK now.
As a few ideas I can write these:
-
Dont smoke (easy for me since I never got this habit).
-
Exercise as much as you can. When I was living on the island of Montreal, I was bicycling to work every days, rain or shine, except during the heart of the winter (december to march). This made me pedal a good 115 km per week. More during the summer since I would occasionnaly do a 80 km ride on saturday. At an average speed of 25 km/h it keeps you in good shape. Now, since I live too far from my work to be able to use my bike, I go to the gym 3 times a week and I continue to fly large stunt kites (2.5 meters span). This can be a good workout, especially in higher winds and also when you control tree of these at the same time. If you start exercising, start slowly to avoid injuries. This is obvious but I have seen many young people at the gym trying to put too much weigth and ending up missing the gym for weeks because of torn ligaments or other damages.
-
Eat well and not too much.
-
If possible, cut on stress. This is not always easy but it may help.
Best regards.
-
-
All the best with the recovery, Mike.
I know how hard it is when there's tea and pastries to be had every couple of hours; maybe a sausage roll into the bargain. That used to be my daily routine, living in Derry and Belfast.
Not any more, especially since my wee girl was born. I've nixed the booze the last few years too, but still relapse to the odd ciggie here and there. Everything in moderation, I say but don't make yourself miserable.
No better country to get out for a walk than the Emerald Isle too.
Are you on a daily aspirin and all that business? Porridge every day and lots of green tea should see you right!Take care,
Nigel
-
My thoughts are for a healthy life for you Mike...and for all of us. I'm about ready to embark on a 20 pound weight loss effort. I can't seem to get off my ass to start, though. I will look to Mike for inspiration.
-
Mike glad to hear that you are on the mend and got your appetite for gadgets back.
Boo and Pbacot mention the idea of a standing or pedal powered workstation, it's a great idea, I think we should have a speed modelling competition to design one.I've lost about a stone last year running. I have to get a train to work so every morning I run from my house to the station and then get a shower when I get to work. It's only a couple of miles, I'm not a sweating mess when I get to the train, so it's not too unsociable. I always find it easiest to make exercise part of my daily transport routine. Running or cycling to and from work requires less motivation than dragging yourself up off the sofa for a jog on the weekend. Also I've been a vegetarian for about 20 years now, I recommend it to anybody. For the record I've got nothing against eating meat. I just never liked the taste of it, but the health advantages are a bonus, I never really put on excess weight. Although the beer has made me gain a few pounds over the years so I've curbed my drinking now too.
-
Thanks Guys for all the good wishes. I'm getting better by the day. Plenty of walks with Jock (Westie). I imagine he's wondering what caused the change, now he is looking tired. Still the word 'walkies' is enough to get him excited and looking for his lead
I can't 'stress' (excuse the pun!) it enough, if you have having any doubts about your ticker, go for a Stress Test!
I think many 1st World kids of today will be in serious trouble in the years ahead. Many are getting very little exercise and their diets are very poor. Walking to schools seems to be a thing of the past and fast food is the 'order of the day'!
-
dear mike,
sorry to hear about your health problems but very happy to know you are pulling through them.
perhaps one of the best things i picked up from my years of study abroad was a health-conscious attitude. thus i do not smoke, i drink very little and exercise everyday (alternating running and weight lifting, in a normal week i exercise 6 days out of 7). in terms of food i follow a very balanced diet (lots of fruit, vegetables, fiber, etc) and try to keep any excesses to a minimum.
the result of all that is more than 20 yearly check-ups with not a single bad result. my heart is doing fine, perhaps because running has brought my heart rate at rest down to 56.
one never knows, i may drop dead just like that but i am certainly doing my best to avoid it. the above is no recipe but it has been working for me.
take care.
-
Hi Mike
Glad to hear that you are on the mend. Here is a few ideas that may be of use.Over the years (59 soon) I would have to say that my greatest learning curve, health wise has been in the last three years or so.
In no particular order I’ve improved the following to a level that I am really happy with.
a I had to tendency to ‘binge’ occasionally on food, sweets, chocolate, ice-cream, take away food etc, until I bought the book by Paul McKenna ‘I can make you thin’. Getting out of my bad habits (key word here IMHO) took around 3 weeks. I measure in the region of 6’ 4 ½ “, and hit the scales at
13stone 6lbs. Really really happy at this weight.
As a result of that book we bought a running machine and use that around 3 times per week. 10 minutes slow warm up, then ½ hour of walking at 6kph and varied slope between 6 and 12(max).
This effectively gives me near limitless energy.
b Booze. I’ve cut down by booze intake to sharing a ½ bottle of champagne
every week with my better half. I just love it that I am now completely
in control of my drinking habits (I just love this word because for me it is the
key)
c Stress Many years ago I really needed help in this area because I was well
and truly stressed. This was solved with a book by Paul Wilson ‘calm at work’. Also helped a number of friends. Fortunately for me I had two superb role models during my working days. Exceptionally motivated and calm as a still water. If ever I felt that I was rushing around I would ‘see’ these two guys in my mind and it worked as an immediate ‘switch’. I could become Mark or Tim. They were really inspirational to me.The calm at work book taught me so much. That was amazing. I know that I am using a lot of highly complimentary adjectives in describing how these books, and two guys helped me, but it is totally justifiable.
cheers
Alan
-
Micheal! I'm going to tell you what I told me husband... "I like you and I want you to stick around a lot longer." and "STOP SMOKING"
Eric and I starting a fitness/eating program on this year also. We have both been "happily married" in the wrong way
I am turning 40 this summer and my motto is "Foxy at 40" I've actually come up with a bunch of "40" saying. I also like "40 'n Fine" LOLPlease take care of yourself. Who else is going to keep us in line at the Corner Bar? You are the only one who can "knock us upside the head" with class and patience when we are getting rowdy. We love you! Hugs and Kisses from Maine.
-
Thanks so much Edson, Alan and Tina. This is great advise and encouragement. I was initially going to keep this thing quite but am now glad I opened up. I also hope that it puts a few others thinking about their health.
I'm doing fine. In fact while having a walk with evening with Pauline and Jock, Pauline commented that my stride / pace had improved a lot over the past couple of weeks. I'll stick with the walking as I believe its the best way for me at any rate to get fit.
I've even been walking into town each day to post stuff etc. It's about a mile and a half round trip. Now my problem is that my car has got a heart attack! I have not been using it for the past three weeks and the battery has died
Mike
-
Mike, glad to hear you are getting better, and that your horrible ordeal is a catalyst for positive changes.
I have one little piece of advice for everyone: leave the office for lunch. If you eat lunch at the office, you still have to deal with the phone ringing and co-workers bothering you. If you can, leave the office so you have a break from all that.
-
Daniel,
You are so right. I would also add that the lunch break should be shared with friends (or friends in the making) and a good laugh should be had by all.
Laughing is a fantastic medicine in itself. If anyone cares to take the time to read this well written article they will realise just how important it is to our wellbeing.
Laughter is Good for You!- The Benefits of Laughter Therapy
Mike
Advertisement