He told me that I would be lucky to be able to walk from home to the coffee shop, about 1/8 mile, without experiencing "severe discomfort". Let alone ride a bike for 30 miles. I didn't get to this point overnight. A little over a year ago I had to stop driving because I was passing out. My heart wasn't pumping enough blood to my brain. A year ago November I had my 3rd heart attack. It was bad. The doctor said it was only a matter of time and family flew in from all over the country to say goodbye. I was in the hospital for months. When I got out I started walking where I needed to go instead of asking for rides. I like my independence. It was really hard at first, just walking the quarter mile to the grocery store would take an hour. But, I kept at it and it got easier. Within 3 months I was walking the 2 miles to the mall in about 75 minutes. It kept improving from there. Then I started going to the gym, then I got a bike. A far cry from the recommended bed rest. My cardiologist said if I wasn't dead by 40 I'd probably be in a nursing home. My goal is to prove him wrong.

If I had started taking care of myself 10 years ago I wouldn't be like this now. I ignored my doctors and didn't take my medication when I was supposed to. I smoked 4 packs of cigarettes a day, lived on fast food, used drugs, drank, all the stuff you're not supposed to do. It was denial, pure and simple. I was young and invincible living the rock 'n roll lifestyle. My first heart attack at 24 was relatively mild, I bounced out of the hospital in a few weeks. I got clean for a while but I slid right back into what I was doing before. My second one at 27 really opened my eyes, it was real touch and go for a while. After that I quit drinking for good and stayed clean for a year. This last one I had got me to kick the drugs for good and I completely changed my living environment, my friends, and habits. Things have gotten a lot better. What can I say, I was really stupid for a long time.

There are times where I think "why me" and I get down about everything. Then I think "freedom isn't free" and I think about the countless men and woman who have made far greater sacrifices. It's all good and I have no regrets. I've made my peace with God, mended relationships with my family, live life the best I can, and most importantly I haven't given up.

Don't ever give up. If you're out of ammo, then fix bayonets.

Hey treadtread,