Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

This has so much WTF written all over it that it is hard to comprehend.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

Roe isn’t about choice, it’s about freedom.

Accused of treason; bitches about the ratings. I am in awe.

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

This fight is for everything.

If you tweet it in all caps, that makes it true!

Come on, media. you have one job. start doing it.

We still have time to mess this up!

Republicans do not pay their debts.

Putting aside our relentless self-interest because the moral imperative is crystal clear.

I was promised a recession.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

The GOP couldn’t organize an orgy in a whorehouse with a fist full of 50s.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

It may be funny to you motherfucker, but it’s not funny to me.

Take your GOP plan out of the witness protection program.

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

I like you, you’re my kind of trouble.

I did not have this on my fuck 2022 bingo card.

Tick tock motherfuckers!

White supremacy is terrorism.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Think Happy Thoughts

Think Happy Thoughts

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My best friend had a mild heart attack on Friday and didn’t know it and being Cole like (just a flesh wound), ignored it and didn’t go to the doctor until yesterday. He had a catheterization today and is having a quadruple bypass sometime in the near future, so I’m not a praying person but I do believe in thinking happy thoughts, so I’m calling in a chit here folks and asking for your help. He is religious so for those of you so inclined, give it your best shot.

Reader Interactions

58Comments

  3. 3.

    Brachiator

    I can really relate to this.

    Fortunately, bypass surgery is almost routine these days.

    Happy thoughts, indeed.

  4. 4.

    Carnacki

    Happy thoughts and positive vibes for your friend.

    BTW, how does one know a mild heart attack happened? I’m asking for a friend with acid reflux and a bad left rotator cuff with constant pain in the left shoulder as the default setting, high stress and high blood pressure and was 50/50 on whether he was having one, but is of a mind set he could just walk it off.

  7. 7.

    Elie

    It is very jarring to encounter your mortality and your fragility on this earth. I just had a little scare myself on an abnormal ECG that is turning out ok, but I have had other scares. It definitely changes you and the loved ones around you. My prayers and good thoughts are with your friend not only for his safety, but his successful and vigorous recovery to resume a happy life..

  12. 12.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Happy thoughts and healing vibes to your friend for sure, John. I had a quadruple bypass almost 15 years ago. My heart was thrilled to start getting oxygen again, and so will your friend’s. And the cath is pretty straightforward — actually kind of interesting to watch on the tv monitor. (Worst thing about that procedure is that the operating room is kept down around meat-locker temperatures.)

  13. 13.

    gbear

    Goood thoughts to your friend.

    I had a mild heart attack about 12 years ago and acted kind of like your friend. I realized something wasn’t right while I was driving to work (I felt like I swallowed a golf ball) so I called my doctor when I got to work and they told me to go to the hospital. I decided I didn’t want to leave my car at work, so I drove home while someone from the office followed me (and expected to see me roll off into the ditch).
    When I got home I went in the house to put out extra food for the cats and I called the doctor again to let them know I’d changed insurance (their reply: GO TO THE HOSPITAL!!). My coworker drove me to the ER where I checked in at the ER front desk and the clerk told me to go sit down (they assume that walk-ins aren’t a priority). About a half minute later an ER team ran into the waiting area and hauled my ass back to a gurney and I finally realized this was a big deal.

    I wound up with one stent that fixed the damaged area, and when I was examined a year later we found that there was no permanent damage. I hope it goes well for your friend.

  14. 14.

    Betty Cracker

    @Carnacki: You sound as stubborn as my dad, who once allowed his appendix to burst because he was sure the excruciating agony in his gut was nothing; it almost killed him. I can sympathize with the impulse to avoid putting oneself at the mercy of the medical-industrial complex, but for dog’s sake man, get yourself to the doctor!

  15. 15.

    Cacti

    Best wishes to your friend.

    If it makes you feel any better, my grandmother made it through quadruple bypass at age 76 with zero complications.

    It’s amazing what cardiologists can do.

  19. 19.

    WereBear

    Glad it was mild, glad he’s finally getting it seen to, and glad that he’s still in a position to do something about it!

    As a practical matter, the best program I know is Track Your Plaque with Cardiologist Dr. William Davis.

  21. 21.

    Mnemosyne

    Yikes! It was a scare like that that put my friend’s husband on a vegan diet — his father died of a massive heart attack in his early 50s, so the doctors decided major lifestyle changes were in order when T had a scare. Hopefully all will be well.

  22. 22.

    Prescott Cactus

    Chit called in, but you still have a handful left.

    Peace and good healing to your friend.

    If you don’t mind me asking what were the signs he had and what made him see the Doc yesterday. We learn from others miscues. . .

  27. 27.

    Princess (now General) Leia

    No need to call in a chit- this space you’ve created has more than earned some extra prayers for you both. May good doctoring bring healing and peace.

  28. 28.

    Mark

    I’m 58. Hadn’t been to the Dr. for years. Was having trouble with my ears so I went. I knew it wasn’t going to be sunshine and lollipops. They found an irregular heart beat. I’m now on Warfarin and Metoprolol. Not exactly sure what the cause of the irregular heart beat is yet, I have an appointment with a cardiologist soon.

  30. 30.

    phein55

    Happy thoughts are good. Letting go is better. Just let it go, someone else will take care of it for the next few weeks.

    Had the quadruple CABG (“cabbage”) on Veteran’s Day two years ago. Here are some tips for your friend:

    1. The older you get, the less your chest will hurt where they wire you back together. The absence of pain can be dangerous. Don’t ignore the warnings against raising yourself up with your arms, or raising your hands above your head, or clutching that pillow to your chest when you cough or sneeze (or laugh). A friend’s 75-yr old father did just that, and ended up ripping the wires right out of his sternum.

    2. Whoever takes care of your medical insurance and billing: Make sure your insurance company pays for the anaesthesiologist, radiologist, emergency room bills, and pathologist, if any. If you do get some absurd bill from a doctor you’ve never heard of, it’s probably one of these. Don’t worry. These are often contracted out, but you have no choice who the hospital uses, so your insurance company should pay their fees.

    3. When you start re-hab, go ahead and take it slow at first. If you’re under 50, don’t worry about the olds making you look bad: They literally cannot feel the pains in their chest.

    4. Since everything tastes like crap for a while anyway, why not look at adding raw vegetables to your diet now? You will in the next few years, one way or another, so why not do it now? Blend them, and add lots of ice.

    5. From now on, if you have to go to the emergency room for any reason, say: I’m a cardiac patient, and I have this pain . . . It’s amazing how fast they can see you.

    Good luck to your friend.

  31. 31.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    Happy thoughts for your friend, that he has a speedy and complete recovery.

    (Provided free of chit (wtf?) redemption, btw.)

  35. 35.

    cmorenc

    A couple of years ago, a long-time good friend (John) and I went on a skiing junket to Utah in early February, and while skiing Alta, we boot-climbed the 50 vertical ft hill into the in-bounds back-country “Catherine’s Area”. Fast-forward to early June, and one morning my friend’s wife calls me to inform me that John had suffered a heart attack and was in the hospital having bypass surgery. THE SCARY PART is that a few weeks later, John told me that while doing the boot-climb into Catherine’s area, he had felt similar pains in his chest and shortness of breath that he did the day he had his heart attack (while walking 18 holes playing golf). John is a physically fit person, and at the time we were skiing, attributed the pains to exertion and thin air at 10k+ feet elevation. Had his actual attack happened after we’d gone out on the traverse to Catherine’s bowl, it would have taken me at least 10 minutes to ski down to the lift and contact ski patrol to rescue him – the cell phone I had at the time was unreliably flaky in cold weather and was unusable that afternoon. We might have got lucky had someone else timely happened along with a cell phone – it’s a popular back-country area – but maybe not. I don’t recall anyone else being out there during our run down.

  36. 36.

    Villago Delenda Est

    I have boxed up some happy thoughts and have sent them via USPS to your friend.

    I expect they will not arrive by Friday, but certainly by the middle of next week.

  39. 39.

    CaseyL

    Happy thoughts of healing without complications sent to your friend. Bypass surgery can be an amazing rejuvenator, so I hope for the best for him.

    I’m getting to the age of realizing how fragile the body has become. Not so much the initial injury part, but the much-longer-time-to-heal part. No more flying down the trails for me: now it ‘s careful steps and making sure I’ve brought the hiking poles along. All my cohort are getting there, too, and I now understand the thing about how when old(er) people get together they mostly talk about medical issues.

  40. 40.

    wvblueguy

    @Carnacki: Tell your friend to see a cardiologist.

    I just went through a similar health issue as John’s friend. I was lucky in that I had a warning signs including shortness of breath and wheezing. Went to the local ER and spent most of the day there where they ran all kinds of tests. They came back with and told me it was caused by congestive heart failure. Treated me with steroids and antibiotics and told me see my cardiologist. I did that. After some more tests he sent me back to the hospital for a catheritization. I was told immediately that there was no choice but to go to the nearest hospital of choice for bypass surgery. I picked one and went that afternoon. When the surgery was completed a few days later I was told that that I had a quadruple bypass. I also learned that I had experienced a silent heart attack that I was unaware of. Not worth fooling around… I was very fortunate that it went well and am now recovering. Did rehab at a nearby facility for two weeks and at home. I feel better than ever for a 74 year old and am fortunate that I had the warning I did. All this took place at the end of October and in November. Bypass surgery is a lifestyle changer. Exercise and a proper diet are in place for me and will be for the rest off my life,

    I was fortunate to have have both Part A and B Medicare and a supplemental insurance policy. It also didn’t hurt that I am a Vietnam Veteran and have the VA behind me as well. I hope that John’s friend has a good insurance policy in place.

    I have a very strong message of all the so called conservatives looking to eliminate the affordable care act, medicare, medicaid and replace the VA with a voucher system… SCREW YOU. I have experienced first hand how important insurance is for everybody and why our country needs universal health care. I was for it before this episode and am even more so now. Folks shouldn’t have to wait until they are 65 to have medicare,

    I pray that John’s friend will come through all this as well as I have and will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

  42. 42.

    Felanius Kootea

    Healing thoughts to your friend, John.

    @gbear: Whoa. Were you in some form of denial or it just didn’t really feel that bad? Glad it all worked out for you.

  43. 43.

    Brachiator

    I’ve found this to be a useful and non-technical site hosted by a cardiac electrophysiologist discussing cardiology and palliative care issues, Dr John M

    Good summaries of the latest news and thoughts about procedures, care, etc.

    .

  44. 44.

    Shirt

    Best wishes for your friend, John

    For those of you who experience chest pain and are a “toughing it out” kind of idiot the emergency room will provide (almost immediately) Oxygen and Nitroglycerin. If you discomfort fades within minutes you got a cardiovascular issue. If you know someone whose had a bypass done, she/he is probably packing nitro beg one off them. (we do share!) However, if the discomfort doesn’t fade it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.

    I’ve had three bypasses installed in 2001 and recently been stented. The pain of a bypass is well worth paying for regaining your wellbeing and vigor. Stenting is less discomfort than a teeth cleaning and the results are equally great.

  45. 45.

    Mai.naem.mobile

    Positive thoughts for your friend. He may be a little depressed after the surgery which is normal. Some people.I have known come out of this with almost a second lease on life. Also the no driving for x weels after the surgery is so that he doesn’t smack his chest into the steering wheel in an accident and killing himself.

  47. 47.

    WaterGirl

    Good thoughts and prayers for your friend, Cole. How many people can know that there are hundreds/thousands of people sending good thoughts or prayers?

    Note to self: being a friend of John G Cole’s has some unexpected perks! :-)

    Take good care of him; I know you will!

  48. 48.

    Quit Tickling My Taint And Just Stick It In Already

    I’m not a praying person but I do believe in thinking happy thoughts, so I’m calling in a chit here folks and asking for your help.

    Need to recharge that well of positive thoughts, so Thurston, Lily, Rosie, and Steve pics, Cole. And maybe soliciting entries for an end of year post of commenter furkid pics?

    Let the meditation on positive thoughts and a renewed sun and earth begin…

  49. 49.

    grandpa john

    @Shirt: Yep,, I have been stented twice, the second one after having a mild heart attack, Hell, they don’ t even have to put you to sleep, just a local and some sedatives. The biggest pain is laying on your back without moving much with a sandbag laying on your crotch to make sure the plub don;t come out

  52. 52.

    J R in WV

    A friend had a minor heart attack (imagine saying such a thing?!) last spring, and as she got lots of chest X-rays prior to her by-pass surgery, they saw a spot on her lung.

    Lung cancer is very curable IF it is caught early. She had surgery to remove the tumor, and has an excellent prognosis.

    So a heart attack can be a good thing. I hope your friend has a great outcome, and survives for many years of good retirement past his working days.

    Take care!

    JR

  53. 53.

    Miki

    Still weeping, at times inconsolably, at the loss of my BFF/ex-husband/professional colleague in 1999. Widow-maker at the gym, a week before his 51st birthday.

    We don’t get younger.

    Sending positive thoughts, for whatever it’s worth. For both of you.

    That’s what friends do ….

  54. 54.

    Ruckus

    I had a mild HA and didn’t even know it. Probably sometime in 2011 or 2012. The VA told me about it and checked the plumbing to see if I needed a rotor router job or not. Thankfully they didn’t have to do any more except drugs and watching.
    So I can imagine someone not getting checked up if you didn’t even know that’s what happened.
    All that said I hope your friend is OK.

  55. 55.

    Ruckus

    @cmorenc:
    My grandfather died in his mid 40s with a sudden heart attack. One of his daughter’s did as well. Both had congenital heart disease, unknown to them. When I got checked at the VA and they told me I’d had an attack I told them about my relatives. They said if I had congenital heart disease I’d already be dead way before my mid 60s.
    The ticker is a funny thing. Works like nobodies business for years and then one day says fuck it. It might be your diet clogging your pipes, it might be over exercise or not warming up properly, it might be lack of regular exercise, it might be your weight or cholesterol/triglycerides, or it might just be tired. How much of the above can we control?

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