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Well, I'm home now from the swim and I'm more thankful now than I have been in a long, long time.
As you might remember, me, my husband and my dad had all signed up to do the 2 Mile Point to La Pointe Swim in Bayfield, WI on Saturday. My dad did this race last year and we decided to join him this year. It was a great event and my dad had a good swim, cutting about 10 minutes off his time from last year!
However, shortly after finishing the swim my father was having chest pains and was taken off of Madeline Island by ambulance and driven 80 miles to the closest major medical facility. The EMT's determined he was having a heart attack and with their excellent care and the quick work of the doctor placing two stents in his heart he is doing very well.
We are all very lucky that the first responders were so efficient. Right now it looks like his heart has minimal damage and after some R&R he should be able to return to regular activities. In fact, when the doctor came in to check on him Sunday morning he recommend that he swim even harder. It sounds like he will be released from the hospital today. Although first he plans to have a long chat with the cardiac dietitian after his breakfast in the cardiac intensive care unit arrived with white toast and jam made with high fructose corn syrup (a known factor to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease).
He will be taking it easy and recovering at home this week (right Dad?). I know he reads my blog so I'm sure he would appreciate all your well wishes ;)
To read more about about heart attacks such as the signs and symptoms, how to respond in the event of an emergency and what you and your loved ones can do to reduce your risk, visit the American Heart Association website.
12 comments:
So sorry to hear about your Dad, but glad he received excellent and immediate care and is doing well! Here's to a speedy recovery. It is so great you go to do this swim together, barring the unfortunate heart attack. Wishing him well!!
Holy cow! I'm so glad to hear that he's okay (and, um, he also did an awesome job on the swim!). Hope he has a speedy recovery (but also gets enough rest!).
Woah! Scary! Glad that he was taken care of so quickly and that everything is looking up! How did the swim go for you?
That is so scary - I am so glad he is OK. Get well soon Krista's dad!
Larry, I hope that you're doing better! You really should talk to the dietitian about the high fructose corn syrup!
eliza
I'm so glad your dad is ok! I did an internship in cardiac rehabilitation while I was in college- it's amazing what progress has been made and how quickly stents can be placed now! If you have an active lifestyle- (which your dad obviously has, especially with that amazing swim!) your heart can actually create natural bypasses all by itself when arteries get clogged. A lot of times doctors can tell if you're active just by looking at your heart's arteries- pretty amazing!
Wow. I am sending good thoughts his way. You certainly have had your share of drama at OW swim races this year.
I am so glad that your dad is o-kay. I'm even more glad that he had his episode AFTER the swim and not in the water! I am sending positive healing vibes his way!
That must have been so scary for your entire family. Glad to hear that your dad is doing OK.
Hope Dad is feeling better! And congrats to him on the awesome swim.
Glad to hear that your dad is OK! I hope he heals up quickly!
Oh my goodness, I am glad to hear he is going to be ok
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