The helicopter landed on the roof of the hospital and I got to experience the brand new cardiac floor in a way that I never imagined, as a patient.
When I was rolled into the hospital my family was already there (they live in Canton) and I later found out that the whole team of surgeons and nurses was waiting for my chopper to land. Before I knew it I was laying on a table looking up at multiple giant plasma tv’s with all my vitals and a three dimensional image of my heart on it. The physician and his team took blood and prepared me for a heart catheterization. They determined I had no blockages and did not require surgery, angioplasty or stents.
Relief. I was going to be ok.
What was not a relief that it was quite a bit of time before they could give me a diagnosis. It turns out that I was given a diagnosis of pericarditis. I had not had a heart attack.
Pericarditis is a condition where the sack of tissue around the heart is inflamed. That caused the heart to rub against the walls of the cavity and the root of my symptoms. It can be fatal. I got to the hospital in time. It can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection or other random causes. The puzzling thing is that I had not had any illness recently. I guess I was one of those “lucky” people that have the unknown cause, probably viral.
It was a frustrating time. A time when you come to the realization that you are no longer invincible. How often do you say “I can handle it?” It can happen to you, when you least expect it. It took me a month to recover and a lot of rest before the feeling of fatigue was gone. I still had occasional bouts of chest pain or palpitations for about two months after the event. In the end, I have recovered well and the experience has been a profound stimulus to change my habits and ensure I stick around for my family.
I hope I have been able to paint you a picture of this experience. It was scary and humbling. Since I don’t really know the exact cause of my pericarditis, I have chosen to make several changes to live healthier to address the possible causes. It has also made me realize many things. There is no nobility in working 60 to 80 hour weeks at the expense of your family or your health. If you don’t stop and take time to enjoy life, there is no reason to live it. Ferris Bueller anyone?
So what have I done as a result of this experience? I have taken a much closer look and the foods I eat and drink. I have focused on exercise and having a plan not only to improve myself professionally but also for more quality time with my family. I have also gotten my estate planning in order so that if a dreadful event does occur, my family will be cared for.
Please share with me any experience that you have had that has had a profound effect on how you live your life every day.
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