Foo - Almost lost my dad on Saturday night.

So it's about 11:30 pm and my phone rings. I see that it's my mom calling so I know it's not gonna be a good call. She tells me that something is wrong with my dad and to come over right away. She tells me that she has already called 911.

So I run upstairs to change and fly out the door. My heart was beating like a madman. I was so nervous. I started asking God to please not let anything bad happen to my dad.

I arrive at the house a few minutes later and I notice that a fire truck is parked outside. I run in and I find him hooked up to some machine and an oxygen mask over his face. So my mom tells me that he started having pain in his left arm and he was having trouble breathing. So she asked him if she should call 911, knowing that my dad is very hard headed, and of course he agreed so she knew it was serious. So the fire fighters tell me, my mom and my brother that he has an irregular heart beat and they want to take him to the hospital to run some tests. A few moments later an ambulance pulls up, and a paramedic gets his chart and as he's walking through the front door, he tells the fire fighters "this guy's having a heart attack".

So they quickly put him on one of those beds with wheels and take him to the ambulance. My mom goes along with him. As my brother and I are waiting to leave I notice that my mom, who is sitting in the front of the ambulance, covers her face and starts walking to the back of the ambulance. I couldn't see much more because the lights went out and the ambulance took off. So me and my brother chased them to the hospital.

When we got there my brother went in to see him because they only allowed 2 visitors per person. A few minutes later he came out and I went in. Right away I see that there is quite a commotion in his room. The doctor tells me that they have to operate on him right away, that his arteries are clogged and this is what led to the heart attack. A massive heart attack according to the doctor. So I sign some papers and they rush him right out of the room and take him to surgery. As me and my mom follow them she tells me that while he was in the ambulance his heart stopped, and they had to resuscitate him. They tell us to wait that the procedure should only take about an hour.

So about an hour later the doctor comes out and tells us that everything went well, that he was recovering, and that they would later have to go back and do the other 2 arteries. They got the worst one first because it was life threatening.

So once he woke up we went to see him and it was amazing how well he looked. He wasn't even aware of what had happened to him, much less the gravity of the situation. He looked at his arm and asked me why there was a hole in it, and I told him that's where they went through his artery to get the clog out. He couldn't believe it. Later the doctor told us that during the operation his heart had stopped two more times.

So now it's Wednesday and he's doing much better. I spent the evening with him last night and he was in good spirits. He is now starting to realize how much this is going to affect his life and how he's been given a second chance. He's always been a very active person. He's 62 but he works in construction, goes to the gym, and he even plays racquetball in a league. So he never could have imagined this would happen to him. However his cholesterol levels were through the roof. In spite of all his exercise he's always had a weakness for ice cream. In fact his last meal was a bowl of cereal with ice cream, followed by an ice cream shake.

So I just needed to share that with you all. It's been really intense but I'm just glad he's doing better.

He was lucky...so was your family :) .

We're just beginning to power back up, but I'll send some positive energy to your family.

East Hill

...he's always had a weakness for ice cream. In fact his last meal was a bowl of cereal with ice cream, followed by an ice cream shake...

Glad he's doing ok now.

On the icecream front either buy low sugar frozen yoghurt or an icecream maker and make your own frozen yoghurt. I can highly recommend frozen yoghurt made with no refined sugar (or honey or molasses), pulped/liquidised fruit and homemade plain yoghurt. Tastes awesome, is really low fat and you know exactly what's in it unlike some of the crap from hagen dazs, Baskin Robbins and Ben & Jerry's these days.

glad your father is doing better,hope all turns out well

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the good vibes.

Glad to hear your dad's OK, Velocity- that was a close call. This kind of thing can happen even to the most active people (e.g., Jim Fixx). All the best for his speedy recovery, and a successful change in diet!

Went through much the same thing with my dad, just not quite as intense. He was having pains, got to doctors on his own, and they told him he was on the verge of having a heart attack due to clogged arteries. Operated within hours and put in stints.

Could not imagine what it felt like to see your dad like that Velocity. Sounds like it is going to turn out okay now. Will keep you and your family in my thoughts.

Went through that with my Mom a couple of years ago, and it's not fun! Good thoughts flowing in your direction as well as your Parent's direction.

My dad's had two heart attacks, neither as major as your dad's through. Great to hear he pulled through and is going to be alright. I worry about my dad's continued love affair with ice cream too. Way too much for a man with two attacks in his history let alone the diabetes. Stay on him if he tries to go back to his old ways.

Thank you all. And believe me Cuda, my family and I will be a constant presence to make sure he keeps going in the correct ways. I think he's truly learned his lesson.

Thank you all. And believe me Cuda, my family and I will be a constant presence to make sure he keeps going in the correct ways. I think he's truly learned his lesson.

And now that you know there is a family history, you will alter your diet too, right? And see your doctor about a blood test.

I'm glad to hear that he is feeling better. Are they going to wait until the angioplasty before Cardiac rehab?

There are some fat-free ice creams that aren't too bad. They typically add more sweetness so that the loss of fat isn't too noticeable.

Feel free to PM me about diet/meds/rehab, etc.

WOW! I'm glad everything was caught in time! Here's a guick recovery!

I am so glad everything turned out okay. I remember when we had to rush my Mom to the ER. Your Dad and the whole family are in my prayers!

Glad he's doing better. I went through something very similar about 2 years ago. I got the call from my brother that my dad was "in surgery" at that moment. His was only a mild heart attack through (also from clogs).

My dad is not so active as yours...he seemed interested in getting in to biking, but so far its 2 years later and it seems to be all talk.

I'm sure glad I came here to share. You all have been great. I will pass on the positive vibes to my dad.

Sending hugs, warm thoughts and prayers.

Whew - close call! Hope he continues to heal up!!

Glad all is well.
Like Jeff, my father has recently had stints (and a pacemaker) installed.
Keeping him on the right foods is a herculean task at best, the man loves him some pigs feet.

Glad to hear he's got another chance. Make certain you get his blood pressure checked too and controlled if it is too high. Heart attacks are quick and obvious and unforgiving. Strokes are quiet and sneaky and irreversible and equally deadly in a more spirit draining way.

Hope you and Dad have many more years (and bike rides) together.

Well today he will be going in for surgery again. Not sure yet of the time, but when I hear he's out I'll give you all an update. Thank you all once again for the well wishes. And Happy Valentines Day to you all.

Happy Valentines day, keeping him in my thoughts and prayers.

Not sure if he would remember me from Miami West Park but if he does give him my regards.

Dude, take care of the old man. And make sure he knows how much he means to you every day. That's all I'm sayin'...

Thank goodness for modern medicine. Hope all remains well.

Happy Valentines day, keeping him in my thoughts and prayers.

Not sure if he would remember me from Miami West Park but if he does give him my regards.

Of course he remembers you. He often asks if I still keep in touch with you. I will send along your well wishes. I just spoke to him a little while ago. He wishes the surgery would be earlier, he's starving. But he's very positive. So thanks for the well wishes and prayers.

Well today he will be going in for surgery again. Not sure yet of the time, but when I hear he's out I'll give you all an update. Thank you all once again for the well wishes. And Happy Valentines Day to you all.


The best Valentine for you would be for him to enjoy life for another fifty or sixty years.

So, Foo energy to your whole family :) .

East Hill

I'm glad he's OK, V. That kind of thing is awful for the whole family.

Thanks Crank. Just spoke to my sister and they are waiting for my dad to be taken to surgery. She told me he's feeling good and very positive. Keep those good vibes comin.

Of course he remembers you. He often asks if I still keep in touch with you. I will send along your well wishes. I just spoke to him a little while ago. He wishes the surgery would be earlier, he's starving. But he's very positive. So thanks for the well wishes and prayers.

Wow--crazy couple of days for you, Velo! Very glad to hear your dad is doing okay. The fact that he's hungry is probably a very good sign. Hopefully he'll take take a liking to nonfat sorbet!

I hope all goes well with your dad's surgery and he recovers quickly!

...all best to your dad for the speediest of recoveries! Thank god he's got a great family.

Awesome news Velocity. We lost my dad past from a massive heart attack a few years back. No warning and no signs. No saying good bye. No saying we love you........
I just started crying...shi*...It has been 5 years and I still cry when I think about not saying good bye.

Awesome news Velocity. We lost my dad past from a massive heart attack a few years back. No warning and no signs. No saying good bye. No saying we love you........
I just started crying...

((hugs)) :(

((hugs)) :(

thanks.....I am sitting here with tears rolling. Not sure why but thank you Velocity for making me think of him

thanks.....I am sitting here with tears rolling. Not sure why but thank you Velocity for making me think of him

It's a good thing to remind people every once in a while that being nice to people when they're alive is better than being nice to them when they're dead.

Don't forget to tell your loved ones that you do love them. Even if you don't actually say so, make sure they know from your actions....

It's hard to lose someone the way you did....very hard.

East Hill

I am so glad you're dad is doing better.

Ages ago, I worked in a gym and knew most of the members. We had this one member, Igor. He was amazing. He wrestled bears in the circus, was an officer in the KGB, was a martial artist (Judo) was on a couple of covers on Black Belt magazine, was in a few movies and had bit parts (he was in Clint Eastwood's Firefox). He loved his vodka and his Cuban cigars. He also loved to play racquetball.

He came in one day and played 4 straight games of racquetball. He was playing hookie from the office that day. He came down from the courts and set up another game with another member. Not two minutes later the other member came running down telling us that Igor passed out and fell down on the court. We tried CPR for seven or eight minutes. The paramedics finally arrived. They tried to defib him three or four times over 10 minutes before even moving him into the ambulance.

His son had just shown up and saw me outside and came over to see what was going on. It was the toughest thing to tell him that his dad was in the ambulance. Oleg must been 225 lbs. and 6'2" all muscle, he was a nose tackle for CSUN football team. I was 5'7" and maybe 150 lbs. He was going to smash me into the nothing because I was lying to him. It was tough. He ended up punching and denting the ambulance (which really to PO'd the paramedics).

I remember taking him to the ER where he proceeded to go crazy because no one would tell him anything (because no one knew anyting). Security was called. He finally calmed down when his dad's business partner showed up a few minutes after we did.

Doctors said he was dead before he hit the ground. He was a great guy, I really miss him to this day...its been about 15 years...

I dunno, I guess I just wanted to share that story with you.



Top of the Morning to you, Igor. You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. I still miss you.

It's a good thing to remind people every once in a while that being nice to people when they're alive is better than being nice to them when they're dead.

Don't forget to tell your loved ones that you do love them. Even if you don't actually say so, make sure they know from your actions....

It's hard to lose someone the way you did....very hard.

East Hill

What she said.

My dad had a heart attack last Sunday, the funeral is this Saturday. Make sure he knows you love him - mine did, and I'm thankful for that.

What she said.

My dad had a heart attack last Sunday, the funeral is this Saturday. Make sure he knows you love him - mine did, and I'm thankful for that.
I'm sorry to hear of your loss bossman, but somehow I knew you had a good Dad and treated him well. ;)

My dad had a heart attack last Sunday, the funeral is this Saturday. Make sure he knows you love him - mine did, and I'm thankful for that.

Sorry to hear that. :(

Strong guy, and great work by the paramedics and hospital staff, truly amazing his heart stopped so many times.

Sorry to hear that bigbossman - Velocity, good to hear your Dad made it. A hint on ice cream. I love cold things that taste good, like icecream. What we do is have fruit smoothies frozen. Just blend up fruits add some sugar (or juice) to taste and put in little plastic bags. I like to put a little milk with them (leche agria is my favorite - sort of like yogurt or buttermilk but not as strong).

Careful, these things are really good and you don't need the fat in them - but they will add weight.

What kind of surgery were they doing? It sounds like he needs Bypass Heart Surgery, but they'd do that all at the same time.

My boss had virtually the same thing happen to him about two weeks ago. Woke up in the wee hours in the morning with chest pains, got airlifted to the hospital since he was in the middle of a heart attack. Put him straight in for surgery where they performed 5-way bypass heart surgery. Took a vein from his leg and all.

What you've described is something different? Interesting they went in through the arm.

Bypass is a highly invasive procedure where bits of arteries are replaced. Angioplasty is where a special balloon-like device is inserted into the bloodstream and fished carefully to the area of blockage. The device expands to widen the narrowed vessel, then the device is withdrawn.

This is also how stents are delivered.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Taxus_stent_FDA.jpg

I believe they are working on wrist insertions. In my case, they went in through the leg.

What she said.

My dad had a heart attack last Sunday, the funeral is this Saturday. Make sure he knows you love him - mine did, and I'm thankful for that.

My condolences, BBM.

Bypass is a highly invasive procedure where bits of arteries are replaced. Angioplasty is where a special balloon-like device is inserted into the bloodstream and fished carefully to the area of blockage. The device expands to widen the narrowed vessel, then the device is withdrawn.

This is also how stents are delivered.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Taxus_stent_FDA.jpg

I believe they are working on wrist insertions. In my case, they went in through the leg.

This is exactly the procedure my dad had. They went in through his wrist as well. All went well yesterday with the second procedure. I was amazed at how well he looked right after. They didn't even use anesthesia on him. After I got to see him the nurse asked him if he was ok and he told her he was starving. So they brought him a sandwich we he scarfed down. Poor guy hadn't eaten anything in 18 hours. So as they rolled him back to his room he was joking around with us and I could tell he was feeling so much better.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

garysol I'm so sorry for the loss that you suffered. And I'm sorry to bring up the memories. But I know that with those tears also comes some healing. And I'm pretty sure that although you didn't get to say goodbye at that moment, he knew you loved him.

What she said.

My dad had a heart attack last Sunday, the funeral is this Saturday. Make sure he knows you love him - mine did, and I'm thankful for that.

I am really sorry to hear that, bbm. No wonder you have been scarce.

A number of years ago Mr. East Hill's father was in the hospital. I insisted that Jim go down to see his father, to tell his dad that he loved him. We all thought he was going to make it, and would be released in a few days.

His father died two days after Jim saw him.

East Hill

This is exactly the procedure my dad had. They went in through his wrist as well. All went well yesterday with the second procedure. I was amazed at how well he looked right after. They didn't even use anesthesia on him. After I got to see him the nurse asked him if he was ok and he told her he was starving. So they brought him a sandwich we he scarfed down. Poor guy hadn't eaten anything in 18 hours. So as they rolled him back to his room he was joking around with us and I could tell he was feeling so much better.



Glad to hear that your father is better...don't forget to tell him that you love him!

East Hill

That's more good news, Velo! Sounds like some lifestyle modifications are in order for your dad, but they'll be all for the better.

I've got a friend who had two heart attacks about 20 years ago. He did a lot with diet and exercise, is now in his mid-60's and is looking forward to many more healthy decades. Here's hoping your papa has the same experience.

Cheers!

My dad had a heart attack last Sunday, the funeral is this Saturday. Make sure he knows you love him - mine did, and I'm thankful for that.

Condolences. I know exactly how you feel right now.

garysol I'm so sorry for the loss that you suffered. And I'm sorry to bring up the memories. But I know that with those tears also comes some healing. And I'm pretty sure that although you didn't get to say goodbye at that moment, he knew you loved him.


And when I said Thank You I really meant it. The tears felt good. It had been awhile .......

My dad had a heart attack last Sunday, the funeral is this Saturday. Make sure he knows you love him - mine did, and I'm thankful for that.

And I am very sorry for your loss bossman....It is a tough time.

What she said.

My dad had a heart attack last Sunday, the funeral is this Saturday. Make sure he knows you love him - mine did, and I'm thankful for that.

Sorry to hear that John. Lost my dad to stroke a couple years ago. Some day we'll have to introduce them to each other. No rush on that though.