<p>Your story made me think of Jim Fixx… same thing: healthy athletic man has severe heart attack. Of course, that was 25 years ago, and he died–and you didn’t, thankfully. ([Legacy</a> of Jim Fixx](<a href=“http://www.halhigdon.com/Articles/Fixx.htm]Legacy”>http://www.halhigdon.com/Articles/Fixx.htm)) But similar family history of severe heart attack at a young age.</p>
<p>I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a smooth recovery. And do let us know about your D’s grad school applications. It seems only a year ago she left for Smith.</p>
<p>OMG mini. Glad to hear that you are okay. That is scary. Thank goodness that you are okay. You certainly sound like the same old mini. Stay away from those nachos.(I know, I know, you don’t eat nachos).</p>
<p>Was the stent passed through the femoral artery, or actually placed IN the femoral artery? From what little I know, a 100% blockage = bypass, as there is nowhere to place the stent. My DH had severe chest pain last October, while travelling abroad, was given nitroglycerin, monitored, and then allowed on a 15 hour flight home!!! He now has a stent, but refused to get it in another country.</p>
<p>Through the femoral artery. I actually have the before and after pictures of the major artery by the heart. Before - there is no blood getting through, and on the other side of the blockage, the artery is barely visible. With the stent, it is back to full view. Apparently (and strangely), from what anyone can tell right now, nothing burst. (which is why one often needs the bypass, not from the blockage, but from the damage caused by the blockage.)</p>
<p>“Fundraising for India from your hospital bed – priceless”</p>
<p>Well, figured if I was gonna die, I might as well be doing something useful. (Not priceless - costs a dime.) ;)</p>
<p>Well mini, it’s good to know that your doctor thinks you should get back to squash. It’s great to see you so enthusiastic about the sport… we always need more players (I play as well).</p>
<p>My comment about stopping was based on the fact that squash has been associated with deadly cardiac arrhythmias in older men. Since that wasn’t your problem, I guess the comment was off based… carry on. ;)</p>
<p>You should try doubles though. Even if you’re more than fit enough for singles (as it appears you are) doubles is a riot.</p>
<p>mini - good to hear that you’re OK. Pretty scary stuff.
I worry about my h since there’s a family history there too. Was there any non-invasive test you could have taken to alert you to trouble? It seems like you were doing everything right!</p>
<p>I had done all the non-invasive tests - stress tests, regular cholesterol screening, etc. </p>
<p>I didn’t choose my parents all that well. </p>
<p>We think (but will never be sure) that the arteries weren’t narrowing (apparently the cardiac surgeon didn’t see any sign of that in the other arteries, or he would have stented them as well), but that build-up of plaque in one place disconnected itself from the side wall and occluded the artery. It could have happened at any time, but the actual process likely took less than 24 hours, and might even have been instantaneous. </p>
<p>Mini, I just want to extend my own feelings of relief and well-wishes - I’m so glad that you are cheery and doing well – and that you got the care you needed so promptly. What a year this has been! I hope that 2008 will prove to be a year of good health for you and Ellen – you guys have run up enough medical bills in 2007 to last for quite a while.</p>
<p>It was at Smith, in fact, that I remember the financial aid person talking about how exceptional circumstances “such as high medical bills” are dealt with directly. Let them know!</p>
<p>Mini…I am glad you survived your experience…and that you are writing short stories about it…</p>
<p>I will share that my dad died (59) playing racquetball…in a tournament…in the middle of a match…no prior problem, symptoms etc etc…59 yrs young… and he just fell to the floor, on his back…his opponent said “hey, get up…you can’t take a break now”…my gut has been that he was already gone when his opponent/friend realized he was on the floor…</p>
<p>I think the thing that is the luckiest part of your story is the SPEED with which you were treated…especially to be undergoing surgery within 30 min? that is most impressive…</p>
<p>I wonder if the heat of the court and the upper arm effort (racquet up most of the time?) is what makes racquetball and squash so potentially deadly? </p>
<p>I don’t think normal stress tests have you with your arms up as much as they do in these games… never play in a remote tournament…always play at a medical university?? Best wishes for lots of enjoyable holiday elevator music!!</p>
<p>Smith did give older D a better financial aid package than our numbers would have indicated since I had gotten a full-time nursing job a few months before I got dx with breast cancer last November. While I was in treatment I was working part-time and we really had no idea what our income would be when we had to file financial aid forms. We talked to a FA officer and wrote a letter and they were very helpful. Next year we will have one D in graduate school and the younger D in college. I am hopeful that we will not have the medical bills in 08 that we have had in 07. We joke that we are trying all parts of the medical system this year. We are hanging in, David even walked on the treadmill (very slowly) at the gym this afternoon.
Ellen</p>
<p>There I was thinking you’d manage to forswear your CC addiction, and was being a model for me to emulate! I’m so glad you are feeling so much better that you can be back on CC, addiction or not. Thanks for sharing your fund-raising tips, also. Some of us may want to follow your example.</p>
<p>Back from the gym. 30 minutes on the treadmill at the remarkable speed of 2.1 mph. Turtle Olympics for me!</p>
<p>As my wife indicated, Smith was (and continues to be) EXTREMELY generous to us. It is almost embarrassing how little we have actually had to pay over the four years. Now the same thing should only happen for my younger one!</p>
<p>“I wonder if the heat of the court and the upper arm effort.”</p>
<p>Court is cool to cold. My doc doesn’t think it has anything to do with squash whatsoever, except that my exercise regimen likely staved things off a couple of years. </p>
<p>“I think the thing that is the luckiest part of your story is the SPEED with which you were treated…especially to be undergoing surgery within 30 min?”</p>
<p>This is indeed critical for reasons I implied earlier. If the blockage stays too long and pressure builds up, the artery will burst, and one goes from stent-land to bypass land, and more permanent damage, at least in theory.</p>
<p>mini - all my best to you and Ellen. Thank God you were with people when the incident occurred, so that someone called 911 so quickly, and you received the care you needed. It’s wonderful that you are actually doing so well that you can take on the treadmill. Hope your recovery continues and you are healthy and playing squash for years to come.</p>
<p>As a famous person around here often says, “Stay the course”.</p>
<p>Yow, mini. How unfortunate that you had a heart attack; how lucky that you were attended to so quickly and your heart had the wisdom to hold off on the V-fib until you were in the hospital. May you and your family have a rest*ful, rejuvenating holiday and many happy years to come.</p>