So far this year I have been trying to decide which truck I wanted and had finally made up my mind, but couldn't buy until we found a new camper. Camper had to come first as wasn't sure if I needed a SRW or DRW. Was just ready to start making some road trips to look at used and new campers when I got hit with the unexpected.
Woke up on a Monday just not feeling well. Most folks would have figured fatigue or cold onset and probably just gone back to bed. Despite not having any pain or indication of something serious, I had my wife call 911 to take me to the hospital. The hospital agreed something was wrong, but since I didn't have any chest pain, they were not in a hurry and believe they only admitted me to the cardiologist because I figured out I was having a heart attack. They actually held me in ER, without monitors, oxygen, or supervision for 3-1/2 hours.
My cardiologist was making his rounds just after finally being admitted and paid a visit. He figured it was just time to clean out his handiwork (stent) from 14.5 years early. So next day I went under his inspection only to find out there was nothing he could do as everything was to blocked, he couldn't begin to get his tools up my veins. To make matters worse, my heart was so stressed, they couldn't do anything else for 24 hours until after a blood vessel pump worked over night to provide my heart with enough oxygen to recover somewhat.
Next day, went under the knife for a quadruple bypass. Had a few minor bumps recovering in ICU, but the docs jumped on them and quickly brought them under control. After a week, I was released and went home. Kept feeling lightheaded when I stood, but a minor prescription adjustment resolved that issue.
Now, three weeks after the surgery, I'm getting bored at home, walking the block couple times a day, and eager to get back on track getting my new toys. Can't wait until 6 weeks when I can start driving again and soon after that get back to camping, even if it isn't in my new rig. Old Blue and Itty Bitty will have to make a few more trips.
So, just a warning. If you think it could be your heart, don't hesitate, get it checked out. I've had two heart attacks now, neither one had any of the usual signs, I just knew. If I had waited until the next day this time, I probably wouldn't have made it.
For those that are still wondering about the Zipper subject, it is the scar a heart patient gets that runs from just below the neck to near the belly button. My new zipper is just about healed but will be a gentle reminder every time I look in the mirror.
2015 Ram 3500 4x4 Crew Cab SRW 6.4 Hemi LB 3.73 (12.4 hand calc avg mpg after 92,000 miles with camper)
2004 Lance 815 (prev: 2004 FW 35'; 1994 TT 30'; Tents)
