Thanks, Guys.

Buckwheat · July 26, 2004 11:06AM

First, I would like to thank all of you for your caring, concern, and prayers. It was great to know that there were so many that were suppporting me. Just to let you know what happened, I awoke at about 3:30 AM Friday morning with chest pressure, neck and arm pain, and a pulse rate of 40. I knew right away what was happening, and had been having some exertional discomfort for the previous 2 days.

As many of you know, I was traveling with my 82 year old dad. I awoke him, and told him that he had to take me to the hospital. Being in a strange city, I looked in the yellow pages to see if there was a hospital nearby that specialized in heart care. While my dad was getting dressed, the pain worsened considerably, and I realized that it would be ridiculous to try and find the hospital on our own, even with the GPS we had in our rental car.

So I walked to the lobby and had the desk clerk call an ambulance. Meanwhile, the pain was now excrutiating, and I lied down on a sofa in the lobby awaiting the ambulance. (No, I didn't drive to the hospital as has been reported. I couldn't even open my eyes at that point.) The ambulance crew was great, gave me nitroglycering, aspirin, adn an IV, and they took me to the nearest heart hospital about 3 miles away. My BP in the ambulance was 250/170!

The ER at Westshore Hospital was wonderful. The ER doc, a lady 4 months pregnant, was waiting when I arrived, and immediately gave me blood thinners, more nitro, morphine, and I'm not sure what else. When she looked at the EKG, she said, "wow, you're having a good one". The cath lab people were called in immmediately, and the cardiologist came right in, and I was in the cath lab by 4:30 AM. They did baloon angioplasty, and put two stints in one of my coronary arteries. I immediately felt no pain, and haven't had any since. Because they were able to open the artery so quickly, there was very little damage done, and I am expecting a full recovery, although with a radical change in lifestyle.

Saturday, a bunch of the guys, including gosoxbosox, King Kellogg, Griffins, Putty, and RustyWillie, came to visit. What a treat that was. We had all been at the Indians game the night before. Griffins brought his 1909? world explorer cards that he had found at the show. They are beautiful! I arrived home in Richmond late last night, and am doing well, thogh a little weak. Also, I have to take a whole pharmacy full of medicine for the rest of my life. Quite a change, since I wasn't on anything before this.

Thanks again to everyone for your support. You are a great bunch of guys. I will respond to another thread to share my more exciting moments at the show.

Rob

AlanAllen · July 26, 2004 11:11AM

That's great news! I didn't get a chance to meet you at the show, but maybe next year, good as new

.

Joe

ironranger · July 26, 2004 11:11AM

Rob, very glad you are doing well. Take care of yourself!

Tipem · July 26, 2004 11:15AM

Rob,

I am glad to hear that you are doing well.Patrick and I had to get on the road and we said a prayer for you. Read my other post for a laugh.

Vic

SDSportsFan · July 26, 2004 11:15AM

Rob,

It's great to see you back so quickly

Hang in there and take it easy!

Steve

Buccaneer · July 26, 2004 11:16AM

I'm just a reader at these forums but your adventure touched me (as well as can relate somewhat - having had to go to ER in a strange city and taking a pharmacy full of prescriptions). Please take good care of yourself because I got my eyes on some of your 61s.

Stone193 · July 26, 2004 11:20AM

Rob
All my best...good to hear from you!
Mike

acowa · July 26, 2004 11:24AM

Rob,

That's fantastic news. Glad that you are doing better.

Regards,

Alan

Vargha · July 26, 2004 11:24AM

Very cool! Thanks for the update and best wishes on your recovery.

Virtualizard · July 26, 2004 11:31AM

Rob,

I'm very happy to hear that you're doing well. My father went through this several years ago and he's been doing fine ever since the angioplasty. I think that you were actually in the right place at the right time for a quick "repair"!

Although we've never met and don't really share collecting interests (I do collect the '60 Topps set, though), I hope to see you next year in Chicago. I'm making it a priority on my schedule for next summer - I won't let work interfere again!

Best wishes!

JEB.

MorrellMan · July 26, 2004 11:47AM

Rob
As I was reading your story, I first thought, gee - any morphine left over? But what you've been through, come out of on the other side and your open candor in telling us has touched me deeply. God bless you man - I hope I meet you soon, if not in Chicago, then for sure in Anaheim. I pray for your continued recovery.

Basilone · July 26, 2004 11:51AM

Rob-

Glad to hear you are feeling better. Checking ones pulse while having a heart attack is pretty damn macho.

Best of Luck with your recovery...we are all thinking about you!!

John Basilone

magellan · July 26, 2004 12:06PM

Rob, Glad to know you're back, just take it easy like the Doc's tell you and avoid the stress as much as possible. I went through this 3 years ago and felt fine immediately after they administered the clotbuster in the ER. The angio wasn't done until several days later. Sounds like yours was a little more severe but modern heart disease treatment is fantastic and as long as you listen to the professionals you'll do fine.

Enough lecturing, just get well !

gaspipe26 · July 26, 2004 12:38PM

Rob
Having had a heart attack myself 14 years ago, at the ripe age of 29 and recently diagnosed with diabetes because I did not make that change at that time, I can fully appreciate the lifestyle change that must be made. I'm only at it 6 weeks now and although I'm having some problems with my feet, I do feel slightly better. I've lost 17 lbs and still have 50-60 to go. The first few weeks will be the toughest. They were for me anyway. I want to wish you well and all the best in your nesassary challenge. I know you'll succeed.

Bob

fsjeter · July 26, 2004 12:42PM

I can't say that I've had the pleasure of meeting you but welcome back neverless. I look forward to having the opportunity to do so in the future!

Scott

metalmike20 · July 26, 2004 1:28PM

Rob,
Glad to hear you are doing better!! Take care and good luck with your recovery....I look forward to meeting you in Chicago!

Mike

Scumbi · July 26, 2004 1:42PM

Rob,

Great to hear you are doing well. Gave us all a scare. Rest and heal. We'll all lay off your 61s until you're fully back.

Best,

Scumbi

ctsoxfan · July 26, 2004 1:46PM

Rob - that is quite a story! Amazing that you could recall everything in such detail (like the hospital conversations). Anyway, glad you are feeling better...all the best to you.

purelyPSA · July 26, 2004 2:44PM

And here I thought it was because you found a Mint 9 World Series Game 1 card.

Good to have you back around, and good luck.

FB · July 26, 2004 8:04PM

Wow Rob,

Quite a story - good luck with the change in lifestyle. Does this mean you still like girls?

I had a similar issue a few years ago in a Stamford, CT hotel while at a class.

Only difference was after awakening at 1 am and getting the desk clerk to call an ambulance and being driven to the emergency room and telling them that I thought I was having a heart attack...

They made me fill out all the admissions forms, sit in the waiting room for half an hour and then got me into an ER bed with an EKG.

The up side was that it wasn't a heart attack. The down side was that it was almost 4 hours before the doctor came in - checked me over and found that I had dislocated my shoulder while sleeping! So - he popped it back in and my nightmare ended much better than I expected.

calleocho · July 26, 2004 8:37PM

Rob,

Glad to hear that you are still kicking!

Get better soon and remember to take things easy from now on.

CON40 · July 26, 2004 11:01PM

Rob;
Great news that you are doing better and got home already... I can't imagine how scary it must have been to have a heart attack in a strange place without the comforts of home... thank God your dad was there to soften the blow... get well soon! You gotta hang around because I have not had the pleasure of meeting you yet!

Frank;
A dislocated shoulder in your sleep!!! Man, you must sleep like whirling dervish!!! I feel bad for your wife!!! LOL!

theBobs · July 26, 2004 11:52PM

Best of luck...

Brian

Buckwheat · July 27, 2004 2:52AM

Now Frank--That is a funny story. I hope it wasn't the cardiologist that popped your shoulder back in place.

thegemmintman · July 27, 2004 3:00AM

That must have been very scarey. I'm really happy to hear you doing better Buckwheat!

KING KELLOGG · July 27, 2004 7:15AM

Hey Buck...

Glad to here from 'ya...

Get well soon...

Larry

gemint · July 27, 2004 12:06PM

Glad to hear you're feeling better. Sorry you couldn't join us for the rest of the week. I hope to see you at the show next year.

gfb · July 28, 2004 10:11AM

Rob, that reminds of me of the time i was having a lot of trouble downstairs, I went to the proctologist and in the middle of the exam it hurt so bad i started to cry, thats when he put both hands on my shoulders and told me not to worry, it would be over in a few minutes........

rustywilly · July 28, 2004 10:17AM

Rob,

I'm glad you're doing well. That hospital menu made me hungry

Anyway, take care of yourself.

Mark

Thanks, Guys.

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