Bill H.

I was 52 years old in early 2009 and lived like I was 25 -- busy all the time with work and family, and focused on many things other than my health. I was very overweight and out of shape, proudly ate junk food and never exercised -- never really thought about the problems this could eventually lead to. I assumed the good health I’d enjoyed for my life so far, would simply always be there. Then, my left knee started hurting and I was diagnosed with severe arthritis. The doctors suggested knee replacement surgery. During a visit for pre-clearance for the knee surgery, my doctor found things of concern in my EKG, so she advised NOT to do the knee surgery, but instead, get a stress test for my heart. The stress test led to more concerning findings and more tests, including cardiac catheterization. These tests indicated that my main coronary artery was 99% blocked and that I had significant plaque blockages in several other arteries. Although I had no symptoms, other than feeling tired, which I thought was only because of being so busy, they said I needed heart surgery. I became terrified that my 99% blockage could quickly become 100%, so I went on a crash diet the doctor recommended -- low fat, low salt, low everything -- while I awaited the surgery date. When I experienced a tinge of chest pain, we rushed to the emergency room. Even though that turned out to be a false alarm I became even more careful of what I was eating -- it became my “scared sh*tless” diet.nnOn March 31, 2009, I had a quadruple bypass procedure at Morristown Memorial Hospital (NJ)’s Gagnon Heart Center. I was hospitalized for 5 days and out of work 8 weeks. On release, I maintained the “scared sh*tless diet”, and after 6 weeks, went to the hospital’s cardiac rehab center to begin cardio gym exercises. After 52 years, I was finally eating carefully and exercising, and my health was my top, not my last, priority. I began losing weight and started feeling better, more energetic. As of now (January 2010) I’ve lost 80 pounds, dropped many clothes sizes, and joined a gym that my wife and I go to each morning. With the weight loss, the stress on my knee as gone down significantly, so I have been able to defer that surgery for a long while. I was delighted and blessed to be able to have my 53rd birthday, be there for my family, and to look forward to many more because I realize how close I got to having a heart attack. So I’m a survivor of the heart surgery and the scariness the experience provided. I’ve heard people say “live life like you were dying” and I understand how precious each and every day is. But I now feel it’s equally important to “live life like you plan to live longer” because that’s what’s needed to make the right food and exercise choices every day. This body I once ignored is the only one I’ll ever get, and thanks to my doctors and divine grace, I’ve been given a “second chance” to care for it properly. nnBill is an employee of Bayer Healthcare, LLC.

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