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Question (Aug 4, 2011 at 6:02am)
Aug. 4, 2011 at 6:02am
Hi Joe,rnrnI am in shape, exercise regularly and believed that my diet was clearly one of moderation. In spite of that, I have had angina and other CVD symptoms for most of the past seven years. rnrnThe first two cardiologists I went to (several years apart) ran nuclear stress tests and offered that because I could easily do the 12 minutes on the tread mill, I was o.k. rnrnWith time my symptoms became worse and I finally met a doctor that didn't believe the results from my latest stress test, he said that although you performed as well as could be expected on the stress test, I need to test you further. rnrnAs it turns out, I had 100% blockage in the left main, 95% in the right and 70% in the LAD. Days later (July 19, 11) I had CABG x 3 only two days after my 46th birthday. rnrnI want to tell you that finding your books and website have given me, my wife and our five children a peace of mind that I did not know was possible. What little I knew of CVD and bypass surgery was summed up in what I believed was a death sentence for me. I did not think it possible that someone would live more than 10 years after CABG let alone 30+ years.rnrnI plan on studying your books as if my life depends on them and making the life style changes necessary that may also allow me to live to grow old with my wife and be here to see my future grandchildren born.rnrnThank you for your tremendous inspiration and your fantastic example of what still may be possible for so many facing the problems on the road less traveled. rnrnI wish you the very best and I hope that you will continue to reach new milestones on your journey so that those of us looking will see what we may also achieve.rnrnMichael Garofalo
Posted in Questions by Anonymous
Comments (1)
Michael, thank you for one of the nicest notes I've received in the more than 25 years I've been writing and speaking. I truly hope that my books will be of great help to you.
I remember the feeling of sheer terror as I received the diagnosis (95% blockage of the left main) and headed to bypass surgery. What if I didn't survive? What if I did survive but was impaired? Who would care for my family?
My wife was instrumental after the surgery in getting me to avoid thinking about the "what if's" and instead to focus on what I could do. That's when I made a committment to living healthier. I couldn't change my genetic makeup, but I could change (improve) the way that I live.
I have 3 pieces of advice for you. First, just as I said, focus your actions on healthy habits, not the disease. Next, take it one day at a time. Healthy lifestyle changes are evolutionary, not revolutionary. And finally, keep a positive attitude. It is the key to making everything else work.
Best of luck to you and your family, Michael.
1 | Left by Anon | Aug. 5, 2011 at 4:52pm