Seems like a dream

Following some of the recent posts, I thought this would maybe give some hope to others. One year ago at the age of 60 I was sat gripping the arm of the sofa, feeling like I was on some sort of weird drug, with a terrible feeling that something was really badly wrong. An Angina attack completely out of the blue following a lifetime of never eating a ready meal and keeping fit. Laying in hospital I was worried sick that my wife would be left with either no husband at all or a much debilitated one, after having been diagnosed with a 96% blockage in my LAD that could have finished me.

Here I am today looking on the face-book page of the local Parkrun and hoping that it will not be cancelled due to flooding.

So it's not all doom and gloom, I am so grateful to all the fantastic people in our NHS that have given me a second chance or life, and also all the BHF staff and the people on here who share all their experiences and thoughts.

There is always hope.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

I really enjoyed your post. Im sure you we’re worried sick at the suddenness unexpectedness etc, but it now reads as a v positive message. So pleased you’ve done so well.... a great message. My history has been rather long and pretty tedious, at times. But the need to always stay positive and work out how you can get the best out of things, is just as true.

[Janma123]

Well done - a lovely positive outcome! 18 months on from HA, quad CABG, followed by a stroke, my hubby is off on his tractor cutting hedges and had a few afternoons on a combine at harvest. He’s 70!

[Bingo88]

WOW. Well done you. lateguitarist. Just goes to show these things can strike the fittest of us. Hope you keep well. Brian

[Raylpa]

Great post Guitar Man. I (almost) mirror your experience, 94% blockage of the LAD at 56 years old. Never smoked, modest/rare alcohol intake, kept fit, however I confess to more than one or two ready meals (-: No more ready meals! no processed food in fact.

2 month on from the ACS and stent I was back walking, biking and, although with a little apprehension, I have flown and cruised the atlantic.

[Ianc2]

Glad to hear you have had your wake up call, listened to it and got active. Great world out there, go get it tiger.

[Khonkaen]

Good post we all need these stories, along with a kick up the jacksy when idleness sets in. What's with this "late guitarist", how late? Thinking about doing this myself, either that or keyboard, I have both sitting around waiting to be played.

[Hidden in reply to Khonkaen]

How late? well, have been wanting to since I was about 17, don't ask me why I started at 58. Mind you, if I had been a rock and roll star I might have been brown bread by now. Absolutely loving the 6 string, especially now I am actually getting somewhere, so pick the ****y thing up and go for it man.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

Friend of my sister is now playing in a pub band at 70! So hope for you yet!

[Khonkaen in reply to Hidden]

Made so many starts, music mad, but patience not my virtue..maybe now? 68 today so about time. Have a really good friend in Thailand who plays well and would teach me for a few beers.

Used to run all the time up, like Forrest Gump until my early 50s when my knees went, now I can walk well but not run at all.

If you want to keep the boiler going (or rather the pump) stop bunging it up with shite, it's not hard if your self preservation system is on auto. I changed everything overnight, found it easy with a little focus.

Be healthy...bonne chance.

[Hidden in reply to Khonkaen]

Yes _ have. Probably did not explain things too well! have cut out meat altogether apart from the very occasional free range chicken, most dairy stuff has also gone, including the butter, cheese, cream and so on. Now on an almost entirely plant based diet, no cakes/crisps or double deckers any more, and never did eat processed crap. As you say it is easy once you have had a massive kick up the proverbial. I had a decent diet anyway but was a sod for the butter and cheese, not convinced about the carbohydrate argument, but don't eat any of the "bad" carbs anyway, or sugary stuff. As you have eluded to, it is now up to us to make the most of our second chance.

Happy birthday anyway, if you have not got the patience now you never will have so just pick it up and get stuck in! I just laugh when it all goes wrong, put it down and have a cuppa ( or beer depending on time of day) and then start over, you will get to love it.

[Khonkaen in reply to Hidden]

Pretty much the same as me I have a big question for Dr. Esselstyn regarding his strict diet, will let you know the amswer.

Don't write me off...I was once seriously mistaken for Mark Knofler when I was in Sweden, they were 100% convinced, used to look like him, he probably has the edge as a guitarist.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Khonkaen]

What no drums? 🥁

[Hidden]

Not sure if I can reply to myself but thanks for all the great comments and likes! This day last year I was now on the main admissions ward (not a great place) of Derby Royal, having had all the usual tests and waiting for an Angiogram, still unsure of the future. What a mad year, but here I am, the Parkrun went ahead and I managed to turn in a steady 27 mins, not bad for a guy with his central heating system bunged up with 61 years of shite! Lets hope the pipes don't clog up any more and the boiler keeps going for another 20 winters