Sayhey, it is still Wednesday here, I must admit but it's Thursday on the east coast and you know I am sort of on eastern time as I watched the Sox game on ESPN tonight against Tampa Bay (we won and are in 1st again!) with the DH in his hospital room as this is the night before open heart surgery . Only under extreme circumstances would I hijack the daily from Vista but I hope y'all will give us a good thought or prayer today. We went to Steamboat Springs this past weekend and I ran the marathon while DH ran the 10K. I finished; he didn't. In fact, he died, but the incredible response of the very special Steamboat folks saved his life. Just before the finish, he collapsed. The race announcer, Rob Powers, cried out to the EMTs, who sprinted in and were administering CPR within seconds. His heart had stopped. They got it going again. Meanwhile, Rob called the ER--happens his wife was the ER attending, so she got notice of what was on the way even before the dispatch call in to her. At the ER, he was stabilized, then airlifted to Ft. Collins. The next day, an angiogram showed significant vessel blockage, even though his heart is normal and strong. By way of background, he'd run a 10K here at the end of April, and then May 4 at Ft. Collins. In addition, he has biked for years, and completed a century ride not too long ago. I haven't noticed any symptoms, and I have heart disease in my family, so I think I would have noticed. (Not to meniton I this very morning cross-examined him [and I'm a public defender] as to whether he'd been hiding symptoms and he swears not.) That is what is so striking. He sees his doctor regularly and his cholesterol is within ok limits, a little high blood pressure, but takes some medication for that and has always checked out well at exams. [Not the right place for a rant on why our health care system is not more preventative, but you have to wonder. DH. said the angiogram was less bothersome than a colonoscopy, so why don't we do those regularly on folks over 50, or at least, over 50 with a family history?] He is scheduled for bypass surgery tomorrow. We are actually very grateful about the unfolding of events. He has a family history (his mom, who is 85, had a bypass some time ago) and in his youth, smoked and ate a lot of pizza, etc. While he's been following a healthier lifestyle for a while, 'the damage was done,' I guess is a cliche that works here. Given the silent nature of this disease, it is entirely possible DH could have collapsed while out on our bike path a training run with no one around, while biking down Spearfish Canyon, or shoveling snow. While the stress of the race, and the altitude might have combined to force the issue at Steamboat, all we can say is "Thank God." In our view, running saved his life. I am so sorry for the extra work we caused the staff and volunteers, but I hope and trust they will share in our view that they very clearly saved a life. If this had not happened as it did, at a race with such a committed and talented core of people around to respond, DH might well have collapsed and died somewhere in the immediate future. I believe, and he does too, that is quite possibly what would have happened. Truly, we are at a loss in trying to think of how to convey to the race officials and the town people (every single person we encountered unfailingly gave of themselves to help us) how deeply we are indebted to them. His surgeon has completed the Hawaii Ironman a few times, and the Tevis Endurance race (Western States for horsemen) and promises DH will be jogging in 6 weeks and running better than before in a matter of months. Thanks for reading, and for any goodwill, karma, or prayers you can send our way. Most appreciatively, A

Oh Aamos! Way to see the glass as half-full, but I totally agree with you - it could hardly have happened at a better place, with all those trained medical people on hand. This serves as a reminder that just because we think we are healthy doesn't mean we don't need to take precautions. Sending prayers for your DH (and for you) with hopes for a speedy recovery.

{{{{Aamos}}}} Prayers for you and DH are happening now and will continue. Eliz

Most definitely this needs to be placed in our thoughts and prayers today. We are praying for YOU Aamos and for your DH. About the only better place to have had your DH collapse would have been at the entrance to a hospital and even then, they might have wanted to try to process the paperwork first. Thank you for giving us this story in detail as it is a great reminder to all of us to be checked for all areas of medical fitness. I am a firm believer that our lives are in the hands of God. None of us will exit this life any sooner than the time of Divine appointment. Obviously this was not your DH's time yet. Again, our thoughts and prayers will be with all concerned during this medical procedure that once was considered more dangerous but that is done routinely today. Have a great day everyone. There are many of you busy in your lives today with new jobs (Yeah! Wildchild), soccer trips (Erika), graduation (deez4boys), PT (Dave59), parades/funerals/graduations/good byes (Mariposai), camping (Eliz), travel (CNYrunner) and of course wife/nurse (Aamos). Wherever your feet may take you today .........be safe.......enjoy the experience.....search for what your purpose for today is in that experience. Joey

wow Aamos - you and your DH will be in my prayers today -- and yes - another reason to give thanks for a well organized race with well trained volunteers - He definitely works in amazing ways!! ((aamos and dh))

I'll be thinking of you Aamos & your DH. Hope the surgery goes smoothly. Hugs and good vibes coming your way!

Amy- These days cardiac surgery is better than ever and you are so right that he is a very lucky man...my thoughts will be with you both today-{{aamos and DH}} if you have questions that I can help with, please let me know Dale *(I've done over a thousand angiograms and despite the fact it might seem like the disease is very predictable, it is not always so. Doing invasive procedures is frought with risk, so there are many other ways to assess risk-ie stress tests etc...So, doing cardiac caths on everyone over 50 is simply not the way to go. Checking in with your doctor periodically is-especially if you do have risk factors for CAD or new/worrisome symptoms like exercise induced chest discomfort or significant breathlessness.)

Aamos, Wow. I'm so sorry you both had to encounter this, but so thrilled by your attitude. What an uplifting story you wrote to start the daily -- thank you! I will be hoping and praying for a super-smooth transition back to normal for you and your husband in the coming weeks.

About the only better place to have had your DH collapse would have been at the entrance to a hospital and even then, they might have wanted to try to process the paperwork first.

Vista, I spit my coffee out on this one. No running for me until tonight. Between storms, I hope to get in another tree. Two in, one to go. It wouldn't take so long, 'cept I have to keep hauling away all the sand I dig out and man, wet sand is HEAVY! Good runs to all today. I'll be runnig mine thinking of Mr Aamos.