Rossage down!

Tom the Bomb said:
Salmon tacos with salsa. Good chit. yes You are lucky Rossage. Biking probably saved your life. You probably would have had a HA 5 years ago and not servived. A very good friend of mine at 70 had shortness of breath and chest pain during his workouts then had to stop and rest walking up his driveway the next day. He went in and he had triple by pass surgery. They told him because of his fitness it saved his life. He has a great diet. His artery problems were hereditary, oh well. My bet is you will be even stronger when you get at it again. You are gonna have better blood flow and more oxygen to the muscles. That’s a scary thought ! Rossage stronger!
love you Ross baby you got this!

For all who read this. San Antonio Hospital in Upland has a special deal they offer for health and wellness. You can get a calcium scoring test for 100.00! Normally 5-600. It will tell you the condition of you arteries. As Ross can attest we cannot tell what is brewing inside until we get a symptom or get tested so go get f$&king tested it could save you life!!!!!
Haul the mail baby!
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Oh yeah! Word of wisdom from @Tom the Bomb. I have seen the positive changes he has made and I will definitely be checking in with the Sensei about diet questions.
Love you too buddy!
 
Walleye said:
Rossage, never ridden with you, but hope to one day -you're definitely a legend on this site! Your story reminds me of my BFF's -ridden with him for years, 5 months ago we were scouting offshoot trails on the BLT (Laguna Mtns in SD), and he's popping Tums like crazy for heartburn. I gave him the Rule #5 treatment, like any good friend should, and badda-bing, the next day he got a dual-stent procedure (Dr. told him he'd dodged a 'widowmaker' attack). He's back riding fine now, and you will, too! Does make me wonder, how much HTFU 'til rigor mortis sets in?
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I thought is was heartburn or food poisoning too. My thoughts changed when I was able to isolate where my pain was(behind my shoulder blade) and my left arm started to go numb.
First thing they gave me at the ER was a Maalox and lidocaine drink. Kind of covers both bases.

I asked the Doc what would happen if I didn't have the procedure. He said the same words, "widowmaker". The next time would statistically be my last.
 
Damn Ross. Well, like you told me a number of times a few months ago, that could have been so much worse. Glad you caught it and are getting the major tune up. I've had a number of people who got heart/artery related procedures say that they feel much better and stronger after. But the Energizer Bunny ought to turn the dial down to "mere mortal" level for awhile. Positive thoughts for successful procedure and quick recovery.
 
rossage said:
The Doctor came last night after all. He explained everything, and answered my questions. Turn out he is the same Doctor who took care of a blocked artery in my MIL's leg.
Covid test is negative, so I should have the procedure later today. If all goes well I may be home by late evening or early tomorrow.

Laying in a hospital bed gives a guy a lot of time for reflection so for two days, I've been.... reflecting...
I was raised in the smoking culture of the middle Sixties. Both my parents, most of my relatives, and my brother and sister smoked cigarettes for as long as I remember. Both my parents died from COPD, my brother from colon cancer, and my sister has had a quintuple bypass, and strokes and still smokes. I remember flying in commercial airliners with "smoking" sections. Like sitting in a can of tobacco smoke.
I'm sure that didn't help.
I was always active at a high level. Running, football, bikes. I was always on the move. I was diagnosed with an enlarged heart at 19. They said it was like having a big V-8 under the hood.
That V-8 liked to redline, like @Mikie , and seeing my HR over 200 for extended periods of time was not uncommon. Even now, when riding and someone says they're over 150, I'm over 180.
Formula 1 on the tach, Detroit steel under the hood, something had to give.
I have also lived in LA since the late 80s. The air quality, used to be different levels of chunky, every day. The brown smog hung low and breathing vehicle exhaust as a bike messenger made me look like a coalminer when I got home.
Our lungs used to burn from the ozone and particulates. Kind of like this fire smoke.
But all that is just thought on the past. I really place the blame on myself and my diet. I love to eat. And eat tasty food. Cheeseburgers, tacos, ice cream, pizza, oh yeah, and an occasional salad.
Pigs and cows are wonder animals that turn veggies into meat, right?
So, at 56, I am five years under the median age for this procedure. I'm just trying to flatten the curve! I always thought I would just explode and it would be over, so I didn't think about living with the consequences. Now I get to.
They told me half the people don't survive their first heart attack. They also said that most people in my condition don't walk into the ER, they come in on a gurney. So I'm planning on walking out of here soon. Into a new day, a new chance to change and grow and hold my wife's hand.
Thanks for all the support and well wishes and offers of lupine spong baths!
Lather up Wolfie @DangerDirtyD , daddy's coming home!
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:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
@rossage did you have semi regular physicals? I think lot's of guys are not good at this. This would really help in trying to prevent health issues. When I see guys post these triple burgers with extra cheese, I hope that's not a common meal!!
Just because we get out on the trails doesn't mean you can eat what you want, whenever you want. FWIW :thumbsup:
 
Here is my story (I don't want the spotlight, just hoping it will help you keep everything in perspective)...


Back in 2016 at the age of 48 I had an angioplasty , and ended up with a stent in my main artery because of 70% blockage.
After a few weeks of doing close to nothing I got back on my bike, and in 2019 I completed the BC Bike Race.

Every situation is unique, but the recovery is similar. Listen to your doctor, and don't let fear take over.
You should change your diet if you can, but my cardiologist told me that the main cause of artery blockage is pool genetic.
I'll probably take statin for the rest of my life (unless they come up with something better).
I plan to keep on riding my bikes for as long as I find it interesting.
Now a days I ride with HRM and I keep my HR under 160. Other then that I don't spend time thinking about my heart (while riding).

Good Luck.
 
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HBkites said:
Here is my story (I don't want the spotlight, just hoping it will help you keep everything in perspective)...


Back in 2016 at the age of 48 I had an angioplasty , and ended up with a stent in my main artery because of 70% blockage.
After a few weeks of doing close to nothing I got back on my bike, and in 2019 I completed the BC Bike Race.

Every situation is unique, but the recovery is similar. Listen to your doctor, and don't let fear take over.
You should change your diet if you can, but my cardiologist told me that the main cause of artery blockage is pool genetic.
I'll probably take statin for the rest of my life (unless they come up with something better).
I plan to keep on riding my bikes for as long as I find it interesting.
Now a days I ride with HRM and I keep my HR under 160. Other then that I don't spend time thinking about my heart (while riding).

Good Luck.
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This is what I want to hear! So glad you had a good outcome. I hope mine is as good.
As a matter of fact, this it sports fans. I'm going in soon.
See you on the other side.
:thumbsup:
 
Wow! Good luck my friend! FWIW both of my parents have had them (stents), as has my cousin. My dad is 87 and still walks 3 miles per day...

Hoping to hear good outcomes shortly!

HBkites said:
I'll probably take statin for the rest of my life (unless they come up with something better).
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Lipitor didn't work well for me, but Crestor is a miracle drug. I just had blood work done two weeks ago, and my total cholesterol was 133. That is within the context that I have never really managed my diet, and could easily lose ten pounds and not miss it.
 
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Everyone.....grab a whole sh*t ton of quarters......

@rossage climb on in.....we will take turns trying to get that clot out.....

prize_cube_60_double_feature__01955.1597589962.jpg
 
I am back! So they took me in for an angiogram. This is where they go in and inject a dye and look for clots and damage.
They found one, big clot. But it is already mostly open. They gave me a bunch of drugs to try and dissolve the clot. If it dissolves, great. If it is still there tomorrow, they will try to remove it with suction. If that doesn't work, they will place a stent.
This is amazing stuff. I was awake and watching the whole time, while they explained each step.
I saw my heart and arteries, the clot, all ona screen next to my head while a surgical nurse gave the play by play.
I must remain prone, can't move my right leg until the procedure tomorrow am.
I take all this as good news. Best is no stent, but il will have to wait and see in the morning. Worst case would have been open heart surgery-yikes!
It's gonna be a long night.
 
rossage said:
I am back! So they took me in for an angiogram. This is where they go in and inject a dye and look for clots and damage.
They found one, big clot. But it is already mostly open. They gave me a bunch of drugs to try and dissolve the clot. If it dissolves, great. If it is still there tomorrow, they will try to remove it with suction. If that doesn't work, they will place a stent.
This is amazing stuff. I was awake and watching the whole time, while they explained each step.
I saw my heart and arteries, the clot, all ona screen next to my head while a surgical nurse gave the play by play.
I must remain prone, can't move my right leg until the procedure tomorrow am.
I take all this as good news. Best is no stent, but il will have to wait and see in the morning. Worst case would have been open heart surgery-yikes!
It's gonna be a long night.
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I like the trend of the news. Thanks for keeping us updated!
 
rossage said:
I am back! So they took me in for an angiogram. This is where they go in and inject a dye and look for clots and damage.
They found one, big clot. But it is already mostly open. They gave me a bunch of drugs to try and dissolve the clot. If it dissolves, great. If it is still there tomorrow, they will try to remove it with suction. If that doesn't work, they will place a stent.
This is amazing stuff. I was awake and watching the whole time, while they explained each step.
I saw my heart and arteries, the clot, all ona screen next to my head while a surgical nurse gave the play by play.
I must remain prone, can't move my right leg until the procedure tomorrow am.
I take all this as good news. Best is no stent, but il will have to wait and see in the morning. Worst case would have been open heart surgery-yikes!
It's gonna be a long night.
Click to expand...
Heparin drip - the clot cure. Ask me how I know.

As a result of recurring clots, I've been on blood thinners for 23 years. They say I am not at risk as long as I don't do anything where I could knock my head or get cuts or bruises. I continued ski racing, playing ice hockey, surfing and mt biking. Perhaps I'm on borrowed time. I don't know if I am a good example @rossage, but life on blood thinners is just another calculated risk.

So glad to hear of your potentially positive outcome today. :thumbsup: :)
 
rossage said:
I am back! So they took me in for an angiogram. This is where they go in and inject a dye and look for clots and damage.
They found one, big clot. But it is already mostly open. They gave me a bunch of drugs to try and dissolve the clot. If it dissolves, great. If it is still there tomorrow, they will try to remove it with suction. If that doesn't work, they will place a stent.
This is amazing stuff. I was awake and watching the whole time, while they explained each step.
I saw my heart and arteries, the clot, all ona screen next to my head while a surgical nurse gave the play by play.
I must remain prone, can't move my right leg until the procedure tomorrow am.
I take all this as good news. Best is no stent, but il will have to wait and see in the morning. Worst case would have been open heart surgery-yikes!
It's gonna be a long night.
Click to expand...
Crazy stuff and it sounds like good news to me. Ross you have been amazing thru this process and certainly opened the eyes of quite a few of us. Awake and watching as they did it just blows my mind. Certainly sounds like you’re in great hands.
 
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herzalot said:
Heparin drip - the clot cure. Ask me how I know.

As a result of recurring clots, I've been on blood thinners for 23 years. They say I am not at risk as long as I don't do anything where I could knock my head or get cuts or bruises. I continued ski racing, playing ice hockey, surfing and mt biking. Perhaps I'm on borrowed time. I don't know if I am a good example @rossage, but life on blood thinners is just another calculated risk.

So glad to hear of your potentially positive outcome today. :thumbsup: :)
Click to expand...

The heparin drip was the first drug they used. I'm on an over night drip of something stronger that starts with an "I" I can't read it from my current position. Maybe some else knows, @scan ?
 
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