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Dad's heart attack (update)
12 years ago
Okay.... As I said before, Dad had a heart attack, his RCA, a major artery, was blocked.
He got to the hospital very quickly, as he was curling at the time. Curling, as in, that sport that Americans think is weird. Anyway, he's the youngest in the senior league, so his friends immediately recognized the symptoms and he was rushed to the hospital. According to Dad, it was like one of those old 80s Hospital Drama shows, with like 8 people crowded around him doing stuff and speaking loudly. Of course, thankfully nobody has had to straddle him and pound on his chest.
The nurse says he'll have to be in the hospital for a couple days, to allow the wire they stuck him with to heal up, since they gave him a very strong blood thinner, and they don't want him to accidentally cause internal bleeding. Apparently within a day he will feel "just fine," and think he's well enough to go home, but they have to keep him there, just to keep an eye on him. You know, just in case.
It's times like this that I'm glad I live in Canada, because we'd probably be spending upwards of $5000 a day if we were in the states. You know how the medical mafia is.
But yeah. The doctor said this is absolutely NOT a cause to panic, and that we certainly shouldn't be giving him his "last rites" or anything, although Dad's going to have to be a bit more careful from now on, given his high blood pressure.
...
...
He exercises for like, HOURS a day, refereeing basketball games. Running all over the place, he's the ideal weight for his height, why the fuck is *HE* having a heart attack?
Ugh.
Also, thanks to all who wished me well in my previous journal. :(
He got to the hospital very quickly, as he was curling at the time. Curling, as in, that sport that Americans think is weird. Anyway, he's the youngest in the senior league, so his friends immediately recognized the symptoms and he was rushed to the hospital. According to Dad, it was like one of those old 80s Hospital Drama shows, with like 8 people crowded around him doing stuff and speaking loudly. Of course, thankfully nobody has had to straddle him and pound on his chest.
The nurse says he'll have to be in the hospital for a couple days, to allow the wire they stuck him with to heal up, since they gave him a very strong blood thinner, and they don't want him to accidentally cause internal bleeding. Apparently within a day he will feel "just fine," and think he's well enough to go home, but they have to keep him there, just to keep an eye on him. You know, just in case.
It's times like this that I'm glad I live in Canada, because we'd probably be spending upwards of $5000 a day if we were in the states. You know how the medical mafia is.
But yeah. The doctor said this is absolutely NOT a cause to panic, and that we certainly shouldn't be giving him his "last rites" or anything, although Dad's going to have to be a bit more careful from now on, given his high blood pressure.
...
...
He exercises for like, HOURS a day, refereeing basketball games. Running all over the place, he's the ideal weight for his height, why the fuck is *HE* having a heart attack?
Ugh.
Also, thanks to all who wished me well in my previous journal. :(
Hypertension.
Very pleased to hear such good overall news.
*blocks you from his page, spreads rumors about you on "artist beware," and all that fun stuff!* >:C
He's got my best wishes!!!
Also, yay basketball and especially yay curling :)
Seriously, though, healthy living doesn't completely prevent stuff like this from happening, just reduces the risks. Your dad's risk of this happening was probably (just throwing out random numbers) 64000:1 where a less healthy person might be 20000:1. The fact that he was also healthy before also means that he'll be recovering more quickly and completely, so don't worry. He'll be fine.
It really spooked us but it sounds like your dad picked it up early and in good time so less damage was done :) Totally get what you mean about costs too (UK here)
Give your dad best wishes from all of us
want a checkup in the states? 100 bucks from a normal doctor unless you have insurance (25 for me with it) and its 80 bucks just to get my teeth cleaned at the dentist.
as for the potential 5K a day. you are correct in that assumption. our Hospitals screw you up the ass with a cactus financially if you dont have insurance.
people are just butt hurt because it would undermine the big money some companies get and because people would have to pay more taxes.
as someone who gets money returned to them each year so far, i dont care. if it gives me something beneficial, let the government take a bit more out of my paycheck
Welp. Now I have to go on a 30 minute rant about what a WHOOOOORE you are. You know. Since you want BIRTH CONTROL.
(You know what I'm referencing, right?)
.... Please get off my white couch.
The main reason Medical Coverage is so extreme is how much they charge, sure you pay for the doctors, but imagine paying upwards of a hundred dollars for needles or over 400 for an X-Ray. These prices are over-inflated because when you have insurance, you're getting a deal, when the real fact is you still end up paying for the overhead and giving them a chunk of profit.
When I was in my accident the ambulance ride over and my time in the hospital I told them time an again "I don't have insurance, I can't afford this" and their response "How much is your life worth?" and I decided it's worth a lot, screw it, I'll get the medical care, I'm just not paying for it. I currently owe upwards of 8,000$ in Medical bills, I've had to go to the hospital in an ambulance about 4 times, know how much the ambulance ride was? Roughly 1100$ each time. My medical bills are in collections now and what I'll probably end up doing is changing my phone number, and when I feel like paying it off, I'll pay off like a thousand bucks over the course of two years, just because at the point in time when I'm willing to pay it off they'll take whatever they can get from me.
Point is. In America the people that are supposed to care the most about you, your healthcare system, is as determined as possibly to fuck you in the ass.. Oh and they love going ass to mouth so better prepare for that.
At least your dad will be alright, tell him to take a damn break every few days. You can have the perfect build and work out plan yet still overwork yourself before you notice anything is wrong.
Shit happens :c A heart attack can have many causes. I just really hope he is gonna be ok again soon! :3
On a side note yes the American medical system is... well yeah...
Oh and Curling is a weird Sport! Right up there with Cricket!
Do they know what exactly caused it in the first place?
From what I have read, you are going through so much. It is admirable that you are staying strong in times like this.
Not at all.
But this isn't like a "death's door" situation. He was rushed there quickly, and they strongly implied that he'll make a full recovery if he does what the doctors say.
Because curling is awesome, and one of my favorite things to watch on the Winter Olympics. I say this as an American, BTW.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Enter.....e1-789425.aspx
This would be a good time for you to get yourself checked out as well.
BTW As I've already had double bypass surgery, I can tell you it costs a lot more than $5000/day for emergency cardiac care in the states .
Wishing you all the best, and good health to your father. *hugs*
I'm sorry to hear about your dad, I'm glad he's getting good care and he got to the hospital fast.
Some people just have a genetic propensity for cholesterol and/or high blood pressure.
I hope you're recovering from the fright O.O
Life's still a crapshoot, but if the hypertension or other heart issues are a problem in your family, it's something you should become aware and conscious of.
Glad he'll be okay though. Take care of him and help him take care of himself.
Also, your dad's a curler!? AWESOME! :D