My best friend, from work, retired a couple years ago. I called him, recently, to remind him that several friends are getting together for a monthly supper. He didn't answer, so I left a message on his answering machine. Today, I called him and didn't leave a message when he didn't answer. This afternoon, he called and asked me if I'd heard what happened to him? I told him no, and that I had tried to call him this morning. He hadn't realized.
He's the type of guy who keeps active. He's been riding his bike a lot. He does the 50 mile and 30 mile trips. He'd already ridden several this spring. A couple weeks ago, though, hanging out at home, he felt like he was punched in the stomach. He ended up on the floor. He started feeling better, so drove himself to the hospital. He'd suffered a heart attack. He had to have surgery on his clogged arteries, but is, now, out of the hospital and recouperating. He told the doctor he couldn't understand why it happened, since he is so active. The doctor told him that all that exercise probably helped, in the long run, from the attack causing much damage to his heart.
This incident reminds me that it really is important to exercise and watch what we eat. It may not stop the problem, but could help the healing. It also reminds me to remember to call, and visit, the people I treasure most.
Crossposted at It's Morning Somewhere.
I love that post! So well written and Good advice, too.
Posted by: Peacechick Mary | May 23, 2007 at 07:43 AM
OWL, thanks for the reminder. Your friend probably had high LDL cholesterol, which might have been at a level that exercise alone can't reduce. He might have had a hereditary pre-disposition to heart attack too. But yes, his activity level probably saved his life. We all need to take care of ourselves.
Posted by: Diva Jood | May 23, 2007 at 09:22 AM
*sigh* True. But why can't exercising be like eating chocolate?
Posted by: The Fat Lady Sings | May 23, 2007 at 09:32 AM
Peacechick Mary - Thank you. I had been thinking about another friend, that I should send her an email... probably for the last month. Today, I received an email from her! That was cool.
Diva Jood - Yes, you're right. He did have high cholesterol, but was on meds to control it. He said they had gotten it under control, so that was another reason he was so surprised.
The Fat Lady Sings - Ain't that the truth?!? I'm sorry for not placing the post in one of the categories. I looked at them and could not figure out which it belonged.
Posted by: oldwhitelady | May 24, 2007 at 10:29 PM
So glad for you that your friend is on the mend. I too am guilty of the tag snafu OWL...you take care too.
Posted by: sumo | May 25, 2007 at 06:11 PM
Sumo - Thank you. Several of us might be guilty of that:)
Posted by: oldwhitelady | May 26, 2007 at 06:08 PM