Thanks for asking. Well, I'm still around, mores the pity, some would say...it was a year ago August 1 that I came home from the hospital with a vastly changed life. What put me in the hospital was Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tac); most people don't wake up from that. I now have an implanted defibrillator to prevent V-Tac from knocking me out again.
In some ways I'm better off than OhioTC18; in some ways not. He's going through one heck of a lot of pain and suffering right now, but in the long run, he'll end up better. I have the same things, blocked arteries and all that, but in my case, I also have severe heart damage that eliminates any chance of open heart surgery like Jerry just had. My heart has about 17% function (they call it "ejection fraction"); normal is in the 60's, a transplant is called for at 14.
It will never get any better. Damage to the heart muscle cannot be repaired nor will it "grow back" or get stronger. When it's damaged, it's dead. Since they can't do any surgersy, my arteries will also not get any better. They're 90% blocked; they'll pretty much stay that way.
What I have to do is prevent things from getting any worse. I was a smoker; obviously, I gave that up completely. I watch my diet very closely. One of the greatest dangers for me is fluid build-up; I watch my sodium intake and take a couple of different water pills. I take Crestor for the cholesterol and watch the cholesterol levels of what I eat. I'm trying to keep my weight down, but I don't get as much exercise, and that makes it tough. I take a beta blocker cardiac medicine, Coreg, which seems to be letting me get stronger. I was taking an ACE inhibitor, Lisiniprol, but it was making me cough, and they took me off that and doubled my Coreg.
A year ago, I couldn't drive; I couldn't walk across the house without getting dizzy; the defibrillator went off twice in a week (THAT's scary; it's like the paddles on TV, but nobody yells "clear!"). But, I've been pacing myself. A few months ago, I started walking through Walmart again, instead of taking the electric cart. I can drive all day, and I can use my tractor all day as long as I take some fairly long breaks. The FEL has become my best friend; I use it to lift, to move, to carry, I've gotten expert at picking up all kinds of things without climbing out of the seat.
I still have to remind folks to walk at my pace. If I take it easy, I can walk several blocks. We're thinking about taking a cruise; a few months ago I thought the only way I'd do that is in awheelchair. I did get a trailer to go with the new RV we're getting, so I can take my golf cart with me. I've figured out there's room in there for a couple of 49cc scooters, also.
The neat thing about all this is that I have a much easier time justifying all the toys than they rest of you guys. The tractor and FEL became invaluable, I just got a post hole digger for it and will be getting even more implements for it; the golf cart is neat; the scooters will be a blast; etc. etc.
We still have my Mother-in-law; she turned 101 last August. She's still physically better than anyone in the family; no health problems and no prescription meds. She is nearly blind, and her demential is more and more obvious. She's wheel-chair bound ever since she broke her ankle and her bones were too brittle to pin it. She was a shrew in her "normal" life and she is a mean old lady who knows how to push everyone's buttons. Fortunately, we also now have a full-time caregiver who will work flexible hours; mostly days, but some evenings, and she'll stay here 24/7 when we need to get away.
The hurricanes were/are no fun. But, we fared better this year than last, mainly because everthing was new after last year, and stood up to the winds better. We also got power back in 4 days instead of the 14 we were out last year, and because we switched from cable, we had satellite tv and phone-based internet the whole time (running on a generator). Last year, Betsy had to bring in all the porch furniture, etc. herself. This year, I was able to help a little, especially running the extension cords, etc.
So, there you are. More detail than anyone wanted. But, I wanted to make it clear that I'm thrilled to be alive. Things are looking up every day. I no longer compare myself to the guy from last July; that guy is dead. But, I'm a whole lot better now than the guy from last August, and I'm grateful. Realistically, my heart is working harder than most to keep me alive, and it isn't going to last. My life expectancy is less than it would otherwise be. There was a 30% chance that I would die the first year. The longer I go, because there can be no improvement, the more the odds are against me. I accept that, and I accept the fact that I'm somewhat limited. I still have a lot to be thankful for. Life is good.
), and you also seem very well aware of your physical abilities and limitations. You are going through this at what my grandfather mentioned is the 10 years of additional medical advancement from when he began having serious heart issues. In other words, it seems as if you are going through what he did 10 years ago, except with the benefit of medical technology being 10 years advanced. If that makes any sense, you "know" what is going on with your own body as well as any physician, and you will know when. Your statement about all of your plans tells me that the "when" is no time soon. That is great to hear. Here is to your continued quality of life you now still have with the wish for many years yet to come. 
