My Friend Has a Close Call

About 15 of us celebrated my friend Newell's 70th birthday at Rosa's Italian Ristorante in Visalia last night.  I taught with Newell in the College of the Sequoias Social Science Divison until he retired about 6 years ago.  My wife and I have kept up with Newell and Mary Ann, since we belong to a group that goes to the Tulare County Symphony.  They have some nine concerts a year and the group gets together for dinner on symphony nights.

Last month Newell and Mary Ann didn't show up.  We're lucky to still have Newell with us.  As it turned out, he had a heart attack that day.  He had ignored some signs that we all ought to keep in mind.  He has always kept himself in good shape, walking, running and going to the gym.  But he hadn't had a physical in a long time, about 10 years since his last stress test.  He counsels to keep up with those regular checkups.  And the month before he had been experiencing a lot of tightness in his chest when exercising.  It was really hard to catch his breath after levels of exertion that were usually well within his comfort level.  But he shrugged it off.

So he was out walking the dog and just collapsed into a ditch beside the road.  Here's another tip he passes along: when you go out exercising don't forget to bring your cell phone!  When he came to he didn't have his and had to walk back home.  He drove himself over to his doctor's office, and when the doc learned what had happened and examined Newell he personally drove him right over to the ER for emergency treatment.  As it turned out three stents were needed to reopen coronary arteries that were up to 98% blocked!

So yes, keep up those good diet and exercise habits.  But while you're at it, don't forget to schedule an annual physical, pay attention to changes in your body and feelings, and carry your phone with you wherever you go.  Hopefully we'll enjoy Newell's company for many years to come.  But he knows he was lucky this time and wants his friends to learn from his experience.  I hope I can keep his advice in mind and that readers will also take it "to heart!"