Thank you

fuzzybear · February 08, 2011, 12:48:22 PM

On October 5, 2010 I died. I had a massive heart attack and died for about 2 min. The next day I was put on a plane and sent to Victoria to have 12 stents placed in my heart. Because I live a "reclusive" life style I was treated differently in the hospital than others.
When I was released the day of the procedure, the real fight for my life began. The government wouldn't make arangements for me to get the 2000km back home. So I spent 3 days on a grey dog. when I got back home I was in bad shape.
Over the next few days I got some strength back and was able to sit at the computer. So I first headed to my favorite web site, The forestry forum.
I was very depressed for a while, the meds they gave me were making me sicker than before my heart attack. Then I read a thread by Jim King. I read every day hopeing and praying for his wife. I read every day how much this family of complete strangers came to their aid. It gave me hope.
About a month and a half ago I was in the worst shape of my life. Now I'm only 57, and I was like a 90 yo man. I had so many side effects from the drugs that I wanted to end my life. So I did the next best thing. I quit taking the drugs and changed my life style.
Before the heart attack I was in the best shape of my adult life. But the truth is, no matter how good a shape your in, if you smoke tobacco for 40 years it will kill your heart. I started eating better, I worked out as best a bushman can, I started cutting wood again.
Now I havn't fully recovered but I am on a good path to full recovery. I listen to my heart more, it tells me when I've had enough, and I respect that.
I do not know what the future holds for me, but I live each day as it comes.
I want to say with a heart filled with respect....Thank you.

Thank You Jeff for this forum, It saved my life
Thank you Jim King for being who you are.
Thank you Mrs. King. your strength is inspirational
Thank you Doctorb for giving me hope with doctors again.
Thank you FF members you are the best group of men and woman I have ever had the honor of associating with.
Donovan McGlaughlin (FB)

Buck · February 08, 2011, 12:59:24 PM

Fuzzybear, I havent been there but my father has three times. What you have described is exactly what dad went through. Hang in there man, there is good life after heart attack. My father is living proof. Try eating dessert first sometime and enjoy life. Buck

Warbird · February 08, 2011, 01:01:22 PM

And thank you, Donovan, for sharing. Glad you are back home and on a path to health. The FF sure is a special place.

AvT · February 08, 2011, 01:02:47 PM

wow 12 stents?... thats a lot of hardware. I had one put in on october 15th so I must have had my attack about the same time you did. I didn't die but my doctors were telling me I will if I don't get the work done,, and soon. So after a week or so I gave in. I hope your recovery continues. I'm a little worried about you not taking the meds. I'm pretty sure the antiplatelet one is pretty important for the first year to prevent restinosis (fancy word for plugging off again). I neighbor had to go back after a short time because he wasn't taking it. Anyway,, good luck. 12 stents... amazing

jim king · February 08, 2011, 01:29:05 PM

fuzzybear:

Many of the very things you said are what kept me sane and going during the problem with my wife. I had no idea I was being of help to someone but it is nice to hear that was the case.

I appreciate very much your thought fullness and saying what you have said. Our ordeal is not over yet either but little by little it is getting better.

You best start picking on smaller trees.

Jim and Pat King

Jeff · February 08, 2011, 01:37:39 PM

Just one post like this makes all the effort put into the Forestry Forum over the last decade worthwhile. So no, I thank you fuzzybear.

Magicman · February 08, 2011, 01:58:39 PM

Fuzzybear, Your story is an inspiration and more importantly, maybe a motivation for other members and guest reading it to make a lifestyle change. It's so easy to take another bite, not take that walk, one more sip or puff. I'm sure that your story will help someone today. I want to add my thanks and admiration to you also.

doctorb · February 08, 2011, 02:54:36 PM

Donovan, little in life is better than being appreciated. I agree with Jeff. The thanks go to you.

I don't know why Jim decided to "bare all" during his wife's epic battle this fall, but I am glad he did. I am not sure that I would have had the guts to do that, living with the hour to hour ups and downs of a tragic accident. I even questioned Jeff about whether he thought it was OK for the FF. But Jim said in his post at the time that he hoped others would learn and be helped by it, and he sure was right.

It's so funny, so right when seemingly disconnected puzzle parts fit together so well. Welcome back to the puzzle, fuzzybear. Your story and your tribute made more than my day. Thanks, Doctorb

SwampDonkey · February 08, 2011, 03:44:00 PM

Thanks for coming back for a second chance fuzzybear. ;)

sandhills · February 08, 2011, 03:48:36 PM

Thank you for posting that. That was a very sincere statement and it's folks like you that are the reason I come to this forum when I get on the computer. I hope your road to recovery is a fast one and you get to feeling a little better everyday. I'm also right with you on the rest of the gang here, Jeff, Jim and his wife, Doctorb, etc. etc. I don't think they know just how many lives they touch through all of this, special people doing special things without even trying, it goes beyond just the "members". Get well soon, and thanks again for the post.

DanG · February 08, 2011, 03:50:17 PM

I too want to thank you for sharing your wonderful story, and congratulate you for telling it so well. I feel like a piker with only one li'l ol' stent! :D :D I do want to encourage you to explore alternatives to the meds that you were having reactions to. I've had two bad reactions to meds in the recent past, and both were readily identified and replaced with other drugs. Don't try to go it alone! Get to a good Cardiologist and seek out a suitable medication regimen.

doctorb · February 08, 2011, 04:06:39 PM

WOW! Stent envy! :D :D

Texas Ranger · February 08, 2011, 04:14:18 PM

Doc, only on the FF. 8)

ely · February 08, 2011, 04:35:35 PM

glad you are here too FB, hang in there.

that just goes to show that how you act and what you say on the WWW, may have very different meanings to different folks depending on what they are dealing with in life.

this thread makes me feel very good about my family here.

PC-Urban-Sawyer · February 08, 2011, 04:45:06 PM

Donovan,

I didn't have to go to death's doorway but it seemed awful close to that when I woke from my colon cancer surgery in Sep of 2007 and found that breathing was a lot harder than it should have been and that the 3 - 4 packs per day of Viceroys were probably to blame. I put them down and never went back. It wasn't easy but most days gradually got better. Now, after more than three years, I still occassionaly miss them but I feel a whole lot better.

I will remember you in my prayers and believe the Lord will bless you and give you the strength and wisdom to do the right things needed to make the rest of your life better (and longer)...

In the meantime, remember...

Be Careful!

Herb

Raider Bill · February 08, 2011, 04:46:04 PM

I'm glad you have pulled through too! I've got you on my list of stops when I bike it to the Arctic Circle and would hate to get there to find nobody home. :D :D :D

pasbuild · February 08, 2011, 04:48:49 PM

Its been a few months since my heart attack (Three stents) I didn't see a doctor until I couldn't walk down to the end of the drive without having to rest so I was in the worst shape of my life :

however I now go to the gym every day, I eat healthy, I quite smoking and I'm losing the extra weight that I put on when I quite smoking. The damage is done so you have to work on making what is left the best it can be, I'm sure that when you get over the hump and you can see and feel how much better your life is living a HEALTHY life style you will embrace it.
As avt said its very important that you take the proper meds, work with your doctor to get that straightened out.

fuzzybear · February 08, 2011, 04:49:59 PM

Thank you everyone.
It has been a hard few months but I am 1000% better than I was 2 months ago.
I did a lot of research on alternatives to the drugs I was taking before I stopped. What really helped me in my decision was talking to an 88yo man who was given the same drugs and decided quality of life was better than length. He had his heart attack at 80 and is still out running around.
I have always been a bushman and took pretty good care of myself except for a very bad smoking habit. For almost all of my life I smoked hand rolled tobacco. My poison was to the point of 3-4 packs a day. The funny thing is I had actually quit smoking the day before the heart attack.
I was very fortunate on my trip home from the hospital. I had encountered a lot of Angels on that trip. These were ordinary people who saw I was in trouble and helped me. They will always be in my mind and prayers.
Like I said earlier, I was to the point of putting the barrel in my mouth and pulling the trigger. My wife and children were watching me suffer and I couldn't take it any more. I decided if relief didn't come I would make it.
With this wonderful tool we have, the internet, I was able to find the answers I needed after LONG hours reading everything I could on the subject. I was able to find my path and what worked for me.
2 months ago I couldn't play with my children, and it hurt us all. Today by grace, I play with my children. I had no future, now I look forward to the future.
What I hope out of all this is that people understand, if it happens to you it's not the end. Don't give up, there is always an alternative. I'm living proof that it can happen.
FB

pasbuild · February 08, 2011, 04:55:54 PM

The one time in my life that I typed to fast :D
good to hear your on board 8)

RavioliKid · February 08, 2011, 05:03:09 PM

FuzzyBear,

I don't get over to FF that much any more, but I saw the link to this thread on Facebook.

I'm so glad to hear that you are doing so much better! But, I have to say that I am APPAULED that you were released from the hospital without a plan to get you home other than by bus. I know Canadians are tough, but that is unbelievable!

Keep up with the life improvement and keep on living! smiley_clapping