Mitch Cronin Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 There's a lesson here somewhere, I think, but I just can't quite place it yet.... The story goes like this: I'm sitting down with my wife, watching tv, about a half hour after we had dinner alone together (both young'ns were elsewhere)... I get up to let a dog inside and then head to the kitchen to put some dishes away and tidy up a bit, when out of nowhere comes this feeling like someone is squeezing me from front to back!... I think "Krikey, that's a lousy feeling... hey! - is this it?... and no sooner than those thoughts have rattled once around in the vast chasms within my noggin', it hits even harder! It's like someone kneeling on my chest while my back is pinned on someone elses knee... "Call 911" sez me... "What?" sez she. "Call 911!" I said, "I'm not kidding, I think I'm having a heart attack! So she dials but then immediately hangs up... "Do you think I can drive you?" she asks.... "Ya, ok, drive me now." I say... feeling cold sweats and a heavyiness in my chest still... Then the phone rings... It's the folks at 911. They want to know why someone dialed then hung up real quick before anyone could answer (Not sure how they get the call display that quick? Diana said it never rang even once!)... So they talk to Diana while I settle into a hard sweat... soaked I am now, while she's on the phone... soaked with sweat, and vision starting to narrow (I've felt that one before and I know what comes next If I don't lie down quick.) So anyway.... 20 minutes later (no I'm not kidding, it took them 20 minutes... maybe 21) a whole flock of folks come in the door and they get me wired and weirded real quick... after I volunteer to walk out the door they all look a little relieved (by then I was feeling much better) and off I go for my very first ride in the back of an ambulance... bouncing and thrashing for an incredibly long time (too long and I knew it...they didn't know where they were, so of course they didn't know the best route to the hospital).... and eventually we wind up at Markham Stouffville Hospital where Diana has already been waiting for a while (she took the car).... ....So let's see now... we ate about 7:20 or so, the -whateveritwas- happened about 8:00 or so, so they want me to hang in for a blood test to be done at 04:00 -or about 8 hours after, so they can see if my heart was indeed the culprit. It wasn't. .... and here I am back home and should be heading off to work in about 15 minutes ( I'm not goin' though. I've already learnt all the hard lessons about sleep and work. but what a way to get a flippin' day off! ) I don't know what the hell hit me, but it evidently wasn't any heart trouble... so ya can't believe all you hear about how heart troubles come... sometimes it's something else entirely. There was one other time I thought I was having a heart attack, but as I recall it, that wasn't at all like this one... which is a part of what made me think this was real. This hurt a lot, Right in the center of my chest through to my back, I was soaked in sweat (witnessed) and I believed I felt a pain radiating down my left arm....(in hindsight, I must have imagined that)... but it wasn't my heart at all. ..... I reckon by now if it ever is real, I'm not gonna buy it and I'll be a kipper on a cracker before those 20 minutes are done next time. But you know what, it almost doesn't matter that it was a false alarm. As far as I was concerned, it was as real as rain that I was a gonner... I'm having another drink, and I just gave both dogs more breakfast than they ever get... you only live once after all. That could be the lesson I guess? That's a better one than what first occurred to me - never believe you're toast until you really are toast. Anyway, cheers to all of you. Even Hadji Ramjet.... Somehow this drink tastes a little better than any of the others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Glad to hear that you're ok Mitch. Best to be cautious in circumstances like those you experienced. Have a shot of Appletons and enjoy your unexpected day off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Mitch, better safe than sorry. Smart move to go to the hospital. I had a pump failure 9 years ago. Everyones symptoms are different. For me it was pressure through the back and nausea, I ignored it and figured it was something I ate. I woke the next am sick to my stomach and short of breath, went to the DR and was placed on the hospital pronto. Never take a chance, have it looked into, it could be your body giving you a warning shot. Glad to hear it was nothing serious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cargo Agent Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Glad to hear your okay Mitch. Please book an appointment with your family doctor ASAP. These things happen for a reason. Enjoy your Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rattler Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Mitch, there is one common condition that has symptoms like those of a heart attack, I know from experience. I too thought I was having a heart attack but further investigation found I had an esophageal hernia (at 41). Surgery corrected the problem but treatment today is most often only a magic pill a day. A hiatus hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach moves into the thoracic cavity (chest) through an enlarged esophageal hiatus (opening) in the diaphragm. Although often asymptomatic, sufferers complain of chest pain or heartburn with esophageal reflux, aggravated by alcohol, smoking, coffee and highly acidic foods. Discomfort is worse laying down after eating and the diagnosis is often made by special X-Rays (barium swallow). Chest pain from hiatal hernia and/or esophageal spasms may be extremely difficult to distinguish from chest pain of cardiac origin. The symptoms of pain spreading from below the sternum (breastbone) to the neck, jaw, and arms can mimic the symptoms of coronary artery disease. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best to immediately seek medical care to evaluate your problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conehead Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Mitch, I am sure you're going to follow up on this with some more Medical people, right? Over the years, we all pay a lot of taxes to support our health care system. Let's see how much you can get your money's worth back! Glad you're feeling better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hudson Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Mitch; Most people, in denial, wait too long to act. The lesson, (and thank you for posting your experience), is straightforward enough - act when unfamiliar, unhealthy symptoms occur and don't reduce. The corollary to this valuable lesson is, in our healthcare system one is on one's own and so must be one's own strong and vocal advocate from initial symptoms to resolution. My mom almost lost her vision to a virus, waiting too long because she didn't want to "bother the doctor" over Christmas...different generation, different expectations; - no longer appropriate. I am very glad you told your story and am elated you're healthy - the experience is not pleasant I know and carries one, depending upon one's beliefs, towards absolutes - the "sun in one's eyes" is deeply precious. Stay well; - for your family (including the hound), your friends and the airplanes who all need you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Say Again, Over! Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Mitch, I too am glad you're OK. I'll echo what the others are saying 'cause I know sometimes you just don't listen. Follow up with your family Dr. Now if I can just get you to listen about what comes after death, I'll feel even better! Get well, Felix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HHI Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Bending this thread just a little..... When someone is choking, or having chest pains or other discomfort, it's not unusual for them to leave a dinner or gathering to avoid disrupting the event and avoid attracting attention. If you're at a dinner or gathering, and someone suddenly leaves the room without an obvious reason, keep this in mind. People may not ask for help. It's up to us to check if our friends need help. Cheers, Henry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.O. Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Glad you're okay, Mitch. Good on you for raising the red flag at the first sign of trouble. It's a whole lot better to be safe than sorry. Be well my friend. Maybe you need one of us to send you a bottle of Maalox in the mail! Jeff P.S. Hey Rattler: Isn't it a "hiatal hernia"? I think it would only be a hiatus hernia if you were on an extended vacation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Cronin Posted September 7, 2008 Author Share Posted September 7, 2008 You're all too kind. Thanks. If anyone ever wants to write a book on 1001 ways to feel small, I'm sure I can help. For now, I'll just keep repeating the chant I've come to know so well: Owa Tana Siam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 You're all too kind. Thanks. If anyone ever wants to write a book on 1001 ways to feel small, I'm sure I can help. For now, I'll just keep repeating the chant I've come to know so well: Owa Tana Siam Holy Jumping Mitch, why feel small. Gees, you did the wise and prudent thing, if anything hold your head high. If you had ignored it and it was the pump failure, your childrn may have been with out a dad. Kudos for deciding on the hospital route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moon The Loon Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Mitch - glad you're OK. Of a sorts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canus Chinookus Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 i'm going to guess a panic attack for having to do dishes! All kidding aside, glad you're ok dude! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDR Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 I do like happy endings. (Like a Conservative majority. ) Glad your ok Mitch Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IFG Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Mitch ... about those rums you've been offered (or cookies etc) ... you're not just telling us to get on with it while we can, are you? Take care, Everybody, there's nobody out here getting any younger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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