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Home > My Dad, Again

My Dad, Again

July 11th, 2009 at 06:49 pm

Well, my dad had a heart attack.

It's a long story but he is doing amazingly well.

We have no history of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke for that matter, in my family. On the contrary, particularly my dad's side of the family - they tend to live into their 100s with no health problems.

So, I think in every way shape and form we have been entirely unprepared for all of this. He is not even 60!

Life tends to be funny that way. I spend so much time worrying about my mom and sister's mortality, as they both have serious health and mental issues. & here is the rock of the family, facing so many unfamiliar (to us) medical problems. That's life!

I know in the heat of the moment my dad said "maybe I should retire." I know he is thinking maybe he won't live to 100 like he always expected. I am trying to talk them into moving closer to us. They could sell their home and buy one for a fraction of the selling price, closer to us. They probably have the means to retire now, if they move.

One thing at a time I guess, but I am putting that bug in their ear.

I am not very worried about my dad today. He is doing really well and trying to bust out of the hospital. The problem with him is getting him to slow down. Maybe this will get him to slow down a bit. (Up until yesterday he has been arguing that he wants to go back to work - though he is clearly not ready). On the flip side, I think now that they have cleaned out his artery, he hasn't felt this good in a long time. We may have to tie him down or something. Wink

His heart couldn't have been more healthy - they checked it thoroughly after his stroke, etc. But he does have buildup in his arteries, etc., not diagnosed until yesterday. They are optimistic his heart is still very healthy since he got to the hospital and was treated so quickly. As active and healthy as he tends to be, he has atrocious eating habits. Funny enough, the stroke has really affected his eating habits for the better (affected some part of the brain relating to taste, etc.). It's good because he needs to really work on that.

Anyway, with all this mess, pleased to report he is doing well.

11 Responses to “My Dad, Again”

  1. lizajane Says:
    1247336324

    Oh my goodness! Glad he is doing okay. We tend to think that if we're active and appear to be healthy, we can eat whatever we want (purely speaking from my experience here, but it sounds like your dad was thinking the same way). I hope he takes good care and slows down a little until he's really ready physically.

  2. six Says:
    1247339195

    Monkey Mama, I am sorry to hear about that! I hope he agrees to move closer to you!

  3. Mrs Says:
    1247341036


    I just wanted to share with you my family's situation. My grandma is 89 and very frail. She took care of my grandfather who recently passed. She had a heart attack while in the hospital for a different non-serious medical issue. This was five years ago.

    I worried that she would pre-decease my grandfather. Her parents lived to be 96 and 99. She is on medication for her heart and sees her cardiologist every four months.

    I panicked because she wasn't home two days in a row when I called (not the same time). I called my uncle who lives in the area (about an hour away). He happened to be at a class about ten miles away. He stopped in and she had just gotten home. She had gone out to the lunch and the mall with one of her other neighbor's and then because the weather was so nice in southern California they were sitting outside.

    So this may just be a wake up call for him. Happy thoughts for a quick recovery for him!

  4. Ima saver Says:
    1247345999

    Glad he is doing well, now!

  5. whitestripe Says:
    1247351124

    oh i am so sorry, i wish you guys all the best. think positive!

  6. gamecock43 Says:
    1247363991

    That is tough. Very very tough and I am sure you and your family are stronger because of it.

  7. baselle Says:
    1247365176

    My thoughts are with you. Our grandma supposedly had the health problems, yet she lived the longest - 96.

  8. Analise Says:
    1247410718

    So sorry to hear about your dad, but it's good to hear he is on the mend. I hope he considers retirement and moving closer to you. Retirement, as I have discovered, is really about having more flexibility in your life. You can still work if you want, as much as you want, and where you want, but you can also travel and enjoy your family even more.

  9. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1247436782

    I'm sorry to hear that your dad had a heart attack on top of the stroke. Here's hoping for a quick recovery and that your parents will move closer to you.

  10. Broken Arrow Says:
    1247487872

    For what it is, I'm glad that your father is in good health!

  11. zetta Says:
    1247492156

    My FIL had a heart attack about 11 years ago. It was a huge wake-up call for him and he completely changed his diet and exercise habits, and took up a hobby to help him de-stress. From what you've told us of your dad, I suspect he's similar to my FIL in that once he realizes there is a problem and decides to do something about it, he'll be very disciplined about implementing the lifestyle changes. FIL had a stent put in his artery, and was told that often they have to be replaced within 5 years due to re-clogging. Due to the changes he made, 11 years later his stent is still as clean as a whistle.

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