I had some health issues crop up the past few weeks and it had me really concerned. I was getting chest pain and loss of energy at work. I had another issue at the end of the Order of the Arrow event that I was working. At camp they were teaching wilderness First aid and I asked the Dr teaching the course to check my blood pressure. The Dr is a flight surgeon with F.A.A, she listened to my heartbeat for several minutes and commented that I have an irregular, irregular heartbeat. I remembered my dad going in for a heart scan and being told that he had 5 blockages and if he had a heart attack, he would be D.R.T. Well as people whom know me in meatspace know that I am real heavy, I carry it well and I am in good shape, especially for being as large as I am. I had already scheduled an appointment with the heart people to make sure that I was "ok" before I start ramping up my activities. Last thing I want to do is stroke out on a treadmill.....You can't go to Valhalla that way, the other vikings will mock you. I have had concerns about the health issues. I went to the Dr Monday morning about the pain and they wanted to admit me to the hospital for 24 hours to run tests and I refused...Remember I work at night and I wanted to go home to sleep. I told the Dr I have 3 reasons why I don't want to go to the hospital...crappy food, crappy bed and I would be disturbed all the time." The Dr agreed and then had me hooked up to a 24 hour heart monitor which was uncomfortable. I then returned the items on Tuesday. I had a stress test, echo and nuclear test scheduled on Wednesday. Well I finished the test Wednesday afternoon. I then had a Dr appointment today to hear the results. I was of 2 minds, part of me wanted him to find something to explain the pain and other issues, part of me hoped that it was in my mind and that I am OK. Well the results are as follows......According to the test, my heart is in real good shape, it works as it should, there was no blockages shown, the blood flows as it should. I was told that I need to slack off the caffeine. I tend to have more problems on Sunday night when I am trying to roll back to my work schedule so I drink a lot of coffee. Dang...the stuff I gotta do.
On a different note during all this, I had planned to meet
Jim and Mac at the original ChicFila in Hapeville....the Chicfila that started it all. Jim is know as the author, traveler of renown, and tellers of good tales and he is good people. Mac who is a good friend of mine who is a frequent commenter on Jims blog and on mine, I shoot at Mac's place a lot, I find it relaxing..Recoil therapy is a good thing. It was a good lunch, with good friends and nobody can ask for anything more. This is one of the benefits of my having my little corner of the internet, I meet and associate with people that I would never meet otherwise, I consider myself fortunate in this regard.
Glad you got good news that was better than the minor bad news part. The theobromine in a good cup of hot chocolate (made with real unsweetened cocoa powder, hot water and sugar or sweetener) will complement the caffeine in coffee to provide a slower alertness ramp up and down possibly reducing your need for as much caffeine. Perhaps read up to see if it might help. It has a longer half-life, so you may need to time when you drink it ( or eat a couple of squares of Lindt 85% dark chocolate bar-- about $2.50 a bar at WalMart) so you can sleep the next morning.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're OK, my friend.
ReplyDeleteRest well and stay healthy. Over the years, I've held an overnight schedule from time time. But I tended to crash hard if I tried to maintain one a year or more. Sounds like you're taking proper steps to keep trouble a bay. Recently had a former neighbor who had some health concerns, went to the doc, scheduled tests for the following week, but who died in his sleep on the weekend before tests were scheduled. Guy was in his mid-40s. Great guy, nice family, daughter still in high school... So sad to see him pass so young. We all need to be proactive when our body sends signals.
ReplyDeleteRest well and stay healthy. Over the years, I've held an overnight schedule from time time. But I tended to crash hard if I tried to maintain one a year or more. Sounds like you're taking proper steps to keep trouble a bay. Recently had a former neighbor who had some health concerns, went to the doc, scheduled tests for the following week, but who died in his sleep on the weekend before tests were scheduled. Guy was in his mid-40s. Great guy, nice family, daughter still in high school... So sad to see him pass so young. We all need to be proactive when our body sends signals.
ReplyDeleteGlad it wasn't what you thought, but you DO need to be careful. We'll be having more lunches!
ReplyDeleteDude, glad your tests came out alright. Now for the scolding...if the doc says hospital for tests...DO IT. Gah. Men. So stubborn. Nice you got to see Mac and Jim. Jim looks a tad big happier now that he is retired.
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