Stentiki thanks you for your thoughts and prayers! - Updated 8/1 4:15 a.m. - General Tiki

S stentiki Member Huntington Beach Joined: Jun 24, 2002 Posts: 892	S stentiki Posted posted on Wed, Aug 3, 2005 6:47 PM Hey gang, Just wanted to let you know that I'm back home again and recuperating. Each day I continue to improve and grow stronger with your positive thoughts and the support of my friends and family. I composed this message yesterday and it took a lot out of me, so please forgive the brief preamble. This is the complete story in my own words if you are interested. In addition, I have some happier/funnier anecdotes I experienced under hallucinagenic drugs in the hospital involving Tikis. I'll share that later and be in touch. Many mahalos once again to all of you for keeping the Aloha Spirit going. Your friend, Arty August 2, 2005 Dear Friends, First, let me say thank you for your thoughts and prayers and please forgive the generic nature of this message. At this time it is still difficult to tell this story over and over again, so I hope you will feel free to pass this message onto all others concerned so they might understand what happened to me. I am still having a tough time processing it all as is Tina and those who are close to me. I know there has been a lot of talk about my situation and some of you may be hearing this for the first time, so I wanted to set the record straight. Here are the details of my ordeal but I must warn you, this a long and detailed message. While vacationing in Baja, Mexico with my wife Tina and 3 other family members, I suffered a heart attack. It was Sunday, July 10 around 3 am when I collapsed. If it were not for the good sense, quick action, and love of my wife Tina, Chrissy and Jon, I would never made it out of Mexico. I was taken by ambulance to a run down Red Cross facility in Rosarito where I was evaluated by an inexperienced staff paraprofessionals. At first they did not believe I was having a heart attack (they thought it was too much spicy food!) until we explained to them that I had a history of heart trouble and showed them the nitro glycerin I had been taking since the attack (as advised by my doctor over the phone). After what seemed like an eternity, it was determined that my EKG was abnormal and they released me to take another ambulance to the border. In one of the roughest rides of my life (literally and figuratively), we finally reached the border around 5:30 am. I was never so happy to be back on American soil! I transferred yet again to another ambulance in San Ysidro and was taken to SHARPS Chula Vista hospital. Fortunately for me, they have one of the best cardiac care units in the country. That evening, the doctors explained that I would undergo an Angioplasty procedure on Monday afternoon. Unfortunately, the procedure failed and I suffered a second major heart attack while on the operating table. My heart stopped for about one minute but due to the incredible competence of my cardiologist and surgeon, they were able to revive me and successfully perform a triple bypass surgery. The surgery involved opening up my chest cavity and harvesting the veins from my left leg to perform the bypass. I was unconscious for 3 days and my prognosis shifted from grim, to slim, to fighting my way back from the darkness. Throughout it all, Tina never left my side. She spent every night at the hospital and talked to me as I laid unconscious and when things looked grim. I could hear her telling me that everything was going to be all right and that a lot of people were praying for me. I believe that this had a major influence on reviving me. We know that I heard her because when I finally awoke, she was repeating things she told while I was unconscious and I replied to her in a whisper, "I know, you already said that!" I think it just goes to show that the prayer, positive energy, faith and love is a powerful thing. More powerful than most of us realize. After a tough few of weeks in the hospital, I was released from Chula Vista, still weak but in good spirits and returned home on Thursday, July 21. While at home I was surprised at how quickly my body seemed to improve. I started with light physical therapy and short walks around the neighborhood. I was feeling stronger everyday and then I had another set-back. On Monday, July 25, I awoke short of breath but not in great pain but given my recent events Tina took no chances and called my doctor immediately. I was taken yet again by ambulance to HOAG Hospital in Newport Beach and after a blood test and EKG, it was determined that I had suffered another mild (if you want to call it that) heart attack. At HOAG they conducted every possible test you could imagine. On Monday, I was injected with a die for Cardio Light (Nuclear Medicine) procedure. This procedure involved taking approximately 1400 images of my heart and conducting a stress test to record the functioning of my heart. On Tuesday, I had an Echocardiogram, another Angiogram and an MRI. On Wednesday and CT scan of my chest and stomach area. On Thursday, I thought I might be coming home but unfortunately I awoke to an irregular heartbeat and racing pulse. It turns out I was suffering from Atriolfibrillation and so they kept me for a few more days until they could control this condition through an IV drip and more drugs. Friday around midnight, I was sent back to nuclear medicine for lung scan to check for blood clots. Saturday morning I had a Sonogram of my legs to check for more blood clots. They finally released me on Saturday afternoon. The reason I tell you this is that I know some of you who live locally tried to or wanted to visit me. And although I was fairly comfortable in my ocean view room (the only positive thing about being at this particular hospital) I was physically and emotionally drained from all the testing and setbacks I experienced during the week. I am sure you know this but I appreciate your understanding. It has been determined that likely cause of this most recent heart attack is due to the damage and stress of the previous heart attacks I suffered. The doctors tell me that the Circumflex bypass graph has already closed but the two remaining graphs are pumping enough blood to my heart. It has also been determined that I have congenital coronary disease, a condition known as Ectasia where the lining of my artery walls is abnormal, making it more likely for someone with this condition be at risk for a heart attack. This is a fairly uncommon condition occurring in about one out of ten heart patients. So although I am now in stable condition and I continue to grow stronger each day, there are no guarantees. The key will be to control my diet and keep my cholesterol as low as possible. And while this condition does concern me, I am determined not to let it bring me down. Each day I thank God for the new day and for giving me another chance at life. I'm home now under the care of Tina for the week. Her boss generously gave her the week off and I am very thankful for that. I continue to feel better and improve every day and each day I grow stronger. I am still confined to limited physical exertion, no driving for another month, and then 3 months of Cardiac Rehab through HOAG. In addition, I am on an ultra healthy diet that Tina prepares for me daily. I swear my wife is an angel sent from Heaven. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful, devoted, and loving partner in life, and this will keep me fighting on. Finally, let me again thank you all for your positive thoughts, prayers, and energy. I hope to be in personal contact with all of you as soon as I am able. Thank you for reading this lengthy message. It was very therapeutic for me to write and I hope it give you some insight as to where I'm at and where I've been. Until then, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Aloha & Mahalo, Arty

Hey gang,

Just wanted to let you know that I'm back home again and recuperating. Each day I continue to improve and grow stronger with your positive thoughts and the support of my friends and family. I composed this message yesterday and it took a lot out of me, so please forgive the brief preamble. This is the complete story in my own words if you are interested. In addition, I have some happier/funnier anecdotes I experienced under hallucinagenic drugs in the hospital involving Tikis. I'll share that later and be in touch. Many mahalos once again to all of you for keeping the Aloha Spirit going.

Your friend,

Arty

August 2, 2005

Dear Friends,

First, let me say thank you for your thoughts and prayers and please forgive the generic nature of this message. At this time it is still difficult to tell this story over and over again, so I hope you will feel free to pass this message onto all others concerned so they might understand what happened to me. I am still having a tough time processing it all as is Tina and those who are close to me. I know there has been a lot of talk about my situation and some of you may be hearing this for the first time, so I wanted to set the record straight. Here are the details of my ordeal but I must warn you, this a long and detailed message.

While vacationing in Baja, Mexico with my wife Tina and 3 other family members, I suffered a heart attack. It was Sunday, July 10 around 3 am when I collapsed. If it were not for the good sense, quick action, and love of my wife Tina, Chrissy and Jon, I would never made it out of Mexico. I was taken by ambulance to a run down Red Cross facility in Rosarito where I was evaluated by an inexperienced staff paraprofessionals. At first they did not believe I was having a heart attack (they thought it was too much spicy food!) until we explained to them that I had a history of heart trouble and showed them the nitro glycerin I had been taking since the attack (as advised by my doctor over the phone). After what seemed like an eternity, it was determined that my EKG was abnormal and they released me to take another ambulance to the border. In one of the roughest rides of my life (literally and figuratively), we finally reached the border around 5:30 am. I was never so happy to be back on American soil!

I transferred yet again to another ambulance in San Ysidro and was taken to SHARPS Chula Vista hospital. Fortunately for me, they have one of the best cardiac care units in the country. That evening, the doctors explained that I would undergo an Angioplasty procedure on Monday afternoon. Unfortunately, the procedure failed and I suffered a second major heart attack while on the operating table. My heart stopped for about one minute but due to the incredible competence of my cardiologist and surgeon, they were able to revive me and successfully perform a triple bypass surgery. The surgery involved opening up my chest cavity and harvesting the veins from my left leg to perform the bypass. I was unconscious for 3 days and my prognosis shifted from grim, to slim, to fighting my way back from the darkness.

Throughout it all, Tina never left my side. She spent every night at the hospital and talked to me as I laid unconscious and when things looked grim. I could hear her telling me that everything was going to be all right and that a lot of people were praying for me. I believe that this had a major influence on reviving me. We know that I heard her because when I finally awoke, she was repeating things she told while I was unconscious and I replied to her in a whisper, "I know, you already said that!" I think it just goes to show that the prayer, positive energy, faith and love is a powerful thing. More powerful than most of us realize.

After a tough few of weeks in the hospital, I was released from Chula Vista, still weak but in good spirits and returned home on Thursday, July 21. While at home I was surprised at how quickly my body seemed to improve. I started with light physical therapy and short walks around the neighborhood. I was feeling stronger everyday and then I had another set-back.

On Monday, July 25, I awoke short of breath but not in great pain but given my recent events Tina took no chances and called my doctor immediately. I was taken yet again by ambulance to HOAG Hospital in Newport Beach and after a blood test and EKG, it was determined that I had suffered another mild (if you want to call it that) heart attack. At HOAG they conducted every possible test you could imagine.

On Monday, I was injected with a die for Cardio Light (Nuclear Medicine) procedure. This procedure involved taking approximately 1400 images of my heart and conducting a stress test to record the functioning of my heart.

On Tuesday, I had an Echocardiogram, another Angiogram and an MRI.

On Wednesday and CT scan of my chest and stomach area.

On Thursday, I thought I might be coming home but unfortunately I awoke to an irregular heartbeat and racing pulse. It turns out I was suffering from Atriolfibrillation and so they kept me for a few more days until they could control this condition through an IV drip and more drugs.

Friday around midnight, I was sent back to nuclear medicine for lung scan to check for blood clots.

Saturday morning I had a Sonogram of my legs to check for more blood clots.

They finally released me on Saturday afternoon.

The reason I tell you this is that I know some of you who live locally tried to or wanted to visit me. And although I was fairly comfortable in my ocean view room (the only positive thing about being at this particular hospital) I was physically and emotionally drained from all the testing and setbacks I experienced during the week. I am sure you know this but I appreciate your understanding.

It has been determined that likely cause of this most recent heart attack is due to the damage and stress of the previous heart attacks I suffered. The doctors tell me that the Circumflex bypass graph has already closed but the two remaining graphs are pumping enough blood to my heart. It has also been determined that I have congenital coronary disease, a condition known as Ectasia where the lining of my artery walls is abnormal, making it more likely for someone with this condition be at risk for a heart attack. This is a fairly uncommon condition occurring in about one out of ten heart patients. So although I am now in stable condition and I continue to grow stronger each day, there are no guarantees. The key will be to control my diet and keep my cholesterol as low as possible. And while this condition does concern me, I am determined not to let it bring me down. Each day I thank God for the new day and for giving me another chance at life.

I'm home now under the care of Tina for the week. Her boss generously gave her the week off and I am very thankful for that. I continue to feel better and improve every day and each day I grow stronger. I am still confined to limited physical exertion, no driving for another month, and then 3 months of Cardiac Rehab through HOAG. In addition, I am on an ultra healthy diet that Tina prepares for me daily. I swear my wife is an angel sent from Heaven. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful, devoted, and loving partner in life, and this will keep me fighting on.

Finally, let me again thank you all for your positive thoughts, prayers, and energy. I hope to be in personal contact with all of you as soon as I am able. Thank you for reading this lengthy message. It was very therapeutic for me to write and I hope it give you some insight as to where I'm at and where I've been.

Until then, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Aloha & Mahalo,

Arty

Post #177135 by stentiki on Wed, Aug 3, 2005 6:47 PM