So...I Finally Had A Heart Attack...

[chefcraig]

No joke, and I hope this serves as a cautionary tale.

Anyone that knows me off the boards or merely via private conversations knows my health has been in steady decline after contracting Hepatitis a few years ago. I was often weak and listless. Things really began to snowball around 18 months ago, when I rapidly lost over 50 pounds (I'm now a size 28. Try finding pants or jeans in that adult size). This has resulted in my catching of just about every cold that comes around. (School just started up, so my work place has resumed it's true nature as a bacteria factory.)

Over last weekend, I felt more out of sorts than normal, well, normal for me. Suddenly my chest became constricted, and it felt like someone was performing open heart massage on me with a potato peeler, which was fitting when I went down like a sack of potatoes.

Without going into a lot of fairly pedestrian details about health care, I'm now feeling much better, and am getting some help for my dietary needs.

No, I haven't "found" God (why do people always say that after a jarring experience or committing some ghastly crime? You'd get the impression God would have found them first, ya know?) here all of a sudden. I'm still a miserable fuckhead, and always will be.

But I have learned that look, this is all on me, and me alone. Anyone that has misspent the past 35 years inhaling, drinking, shooting, swallowing and generally abusing anything they could get their hands on (as well as abusing people and friendships along the way) outright DESERVES whatever comes to them, and I'm certainly no exception. If you treat yourself and others like crap, you are obligated to get equal or more in return. That's just simple karma at work.

I just hope someone reading this takes stock of their life, if even for a moment. If you realize you are on a path toward utter shit-headacy, you can always make a slight turn here and there. Besides, it will save you the embarrassment of forcing others to call 911 or have paramedics cut up you favorite shirt.

Live and learn, boys and girls. And moderation in just about (yet not quite) all things.

chef

[DLR Bridge]

You're no miserable fuckhead to me. Hang in there pal (imagine a cute little kitten hanging on a branch for a moment).

[PETE'S BROTHER]

glad you are ok

[vandeleur]

Glad to hear you came thru it , take care mate .

[Zing!]

I always imagined you looking something like Chef from South Park, so this is all news to me. Glad you pulled through, pal.

[Kristy]

If anyone is going to die around here, it will be me.

[SparkieD]

Something told me to drop by here after God knows how long. Shit Dude, I am so glad you pulled through.

BTW, your miserable fuckheadedness is one of your endearing qualities. Hang in there!

[chefcraig]

If anyone is going to die around here, it will be me.

Nah, both you and I far too ironically pessimistic to go out easily. Besides, if the two of us quit drinking or smoking altogether, the next day we'd get flattened while crossing the street, by either a beer truck, a cigarette truck or a combination of both.

[PETE'S BROTHER]

weed truck

[FORD]

I told you drinking that shit beer was gonna get ya!

Seriously... glad to know you made it through this.

[Nickdfresh]

Glad to hear you're okay man. Incidentally, my great grandfather has the distinction and pedigree to have been the first traffic fatality in Buffalo, NY after stepping out in front of a car.

[WACF]

If anyone is going to die around here, it will be me.

You are far to miserable to die...

When things are going good...then you start looking over your shoulder.

[WACF]

Very honest and sincere post...

Nothing like a second chance to see the world differently.

Hope things go in the right direction for you.

[chefcraig]

weed truck

[Coyote]

At least you're still alive 'n' kicking.

[Northern Girl]

Holy shit, it wasn't a Van Halen shirt was it?

[moose]

Glad to hear you are doing better bro!!!

[Hardrock69]

Damn man. Glad you are ok.

[jhale667]

Glad to hear you pulled through, Craig.

[Kristy]

Nah, both you and I far too ironically pessimistic to go out easily. Besides, if the two of us quit drinking or smoking altogether, the next day we'd get flattened while crossing the street, by either a beer truck, a cigarette truck or a combination of both.

I don't smoke - except weed loadsa loadsa weed!

But glad to hear you are doing better

I'll most likely be bludgeoned to death by a metal head or a hippie (or both).

[Coyote]

I don't smoke - except weed loadsa loadsa weed!

But glad to hear you are doing better

I'll most likely be bludgeoned to death by a metal head or a hippie (or both).

Or a Zeppelin fan, most likely...

[Fairwrning]

Glad ya made it..are you home or in the hospital?? I would think they would keep you overnight.

[Fairwrning]

AHHh,,you didnt have it today....misread

[Fairwrning]

dupe.......

[Seshmeister]

Look after yourself Chef I don't want to have to rename any more forums around here...

[Momshell]

Hey chef..sorry to hear what you went through. Glad to hear you're alright. Sometimes it really does take something drastic to wake us up and make us appreciate what we have. Thanks for sharing.

[Halen High]

Take care of yourself Chef. Great to see you are on the road to recovery and a brighter future.

[Angel]

Take care of yourself Chef...and you are far from miserable! <3

[Sweet Irony]

Whoa....well, this is a real eye opener! I dont know as much about you as I should---but Im glad you are doing OK and maybe taking a closer look at what you can do to live a longer miserable shithead life!! TAKE CARE of yourself!!

[katina]

Glad you made it throught. It's never too late to start taking care of yourself.

[TFM_Dale]

Damn man, very sorry to hear this. Very glad to see you are OK. Sending all the wishes, prayers, good karma, voodoo, whatever it is you believe your way. You are far from miserable my friend and I look forward to seeing you around.

[twonabomber]

Glad you're okay!

[Dan]

Damn,All The Best Chefcraig.

[mh5150]

So glad you are ok. At 37 years old I had a massive MI in 2006 . Died twice before they shocked me and brought me back. (Whay I seen while being dead is another story.) Doctors put me to sleep for 7 days and told my family to expect the worst . My priest gave me last rights 3 times. ALL that heartache and pain for my family and I didn't stop using (pain meds)until 2009. Been clean 4-1/2 years now.
Just isn't worth it to beat yourself up along with beating everyone around up .
Life is way to short . Glad you are ok Chef....

[ashstralia]

That which doesn't kill you does make you stronger Craig.. I'm living proof that one can live a fairly hedonistic lifestyle but still retain a modicum of fitness. The keys are exercise and diet. I eat far more veggies than meat, drink far more water than beer or soda, walk every day, and sleep as often as is practical.

At 46, I'm much fitter now than I was at 30. All the best mate!

[binnie]

Glad to hear that you're OK, Chef.

What a really shitty time you've been going through......

[tojoro]

Well, thank goodness you came out alright through this, Chef...not my business, but, is there any surgery in your future, or was the damage minimal?
(In my book, there is nothing "minimal" about a heart attack.)
Just glad it was you who started this thread...
Be well, Sir!
~T.

[Seshmeister]

That which doesn't kill you does make you stronger Craig...

I've always thought that was kind of a dumb saying...

[Von Halen]

I'll most likely be bludgeoned to death by a metal head or a hippie (or both).

I am going to bludgeon your asshole to death this winter.

[Angel]

I've always thought that was kind of a dumb saying...

You'll understand once you survive teenagers.