A serious message from Mookie

[Mookie]

I wasn't here on Monday, since I was in the emergency room and then the hospital. (No not the veterinarian!) I went into the ER at 4 am with terrible pain in my ribs and upper back. I knew it wasn't my heart. They just knew it was. So I had an EKG - no pain - and it was suspicious - and my BP was up. (they gave me nitro and aspirin - which didn't help a bit - but then the Morphine was just great!)

Well, all of you know the Mookie is a little excitable. But getting to the point, they admitted me. Then they discussed me with a cardiologist - he decided to do a heart catheterization. This is the point of all this - I had one done - it is a very simple procedure, doesn't hurt, took about 15-20 min and the hardest part was afterward - the lying with your leg outstretched for 3 hours. Don't bend da leg.....

The heart is completely clear - no abnomalities! They should go maybe a little higher and between the ears. But I was good to go home and come to work today.

My roommate was an older lady - they wanted her to take the same test - she was scared out of her gourd. She said she would do a stress test, but not one of those tests. She had too much family with her and was too upset for me to talk to her, but I would like to tell all of you - it is a snap to have done. If you do have or suspect you may have any kind of heart trouble, the cardiologist said this is the gold standard - (frankly I think it would be easier to do this than a stress test)

And the Mookie - she was having back spasms!

But good to know and to let you all know - you can't get rid of me that easy!

So if your doctor sez to to have heart catheterization - don't panic - it is a snap! And while he is in there, he can look for the chocolate cake!

Now, since this has to be about trains - Yep I was there on Sunday and I am so excited - I told you I was excitable - the old engineer is going with me this weekend! Just he and I to watch together. [:I]

Jen

[JoeKoh]

Mookie
You were probably having back problems from bending over and seeing how many yellow thingies an engine had[8D]We are glad your ok and back in action.
stay safe
Joe and Matt

[tree68]

Had same procedure a couple of years ago, only they went in though the arm. Watched the whole thing on the monitors - very fascinating since I'm an advanced EMT and could read the EKG...

Second to Mookies comments - the cath is easier than the stress test. Maybe a little scarier, but easier. I also passed with flying colors.

On the other hand, never dismiss the possibility of heart disease, especially if you have the risk factors. My 'favorite' symptom of a heart attack is denial.

[CShaveRR]

I thought things were kind of quiet yesterday!

Welcome back, Sis! And if there's any further recuperation to be done, do so obediently. I had a stress test prescribed for me earlier this year and came through that OK. I think I would have balked at what you had, at least before reading your post.

Have a great week...and weekend!

Bro Carl (on his weekend now).

[dharmon]

MlaM,

Glad to see your okay. Chocolate cake is often the best medicine I hear.

[Modelcar]

.....Jen, glad you demonstrated you were ok....And I would go for Chocolate ice cream as it would melt and leave no evidence. Familiar with some of the Cardiologist's work as the wife went through open heart surgery more than a decade ago and she's doing rather well. Sometimes walks 6 miles a day.

We now wish you good health and no more scares....

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

I thought things were kind of quiet yesterday!

Welcome back, Sis! And if there's any further recuperation to be done, do so obediently. I had a stress test prescribed for me earlier this year and came through that OK. I think I would have balked at what you had, at least before reading your post.

Have a great week...and weekend!

Bro Carl (on his weekend now).

That was the whole point of this posting - to let people know what I have found out - the surgeons nowdays are so careful not to hurt you - since you are a very expensive Aviator or Explorer in their driveway. So most procedures are pretty pain free and can put your mind at ease! But now that we figured out it was only back spasms - tell Mom to send money for insurance co-pay! Mook will have to take her show on the road to pay for this little experiment!

And no - I am not taking pictures to share at the family reunion of my surgery site!

Sis Jen

[Anonymous]

Glad to hear you are O.K. Mookie. What would we do without your little bits of frivolity you throw in from time to time. Keep well.

[Anonymous]

I was thinkin' things were pretty dreary here yesterday. I thought you said you were taking vacation...must have been this week, I thought...you sure weren't here. Now we know the rest of the story. That'll teach you...spasming your back! And at your age! ;^)

[chemung]

GLAD YOU ARE OK!! My first one went bad,artery did not seal up,so needed emergency repair job.The next two went well,using the left side.Take care!!

[Anonymous]

Mook, you better take care of yourself there girl. Glad to hear that you are OK. Keep us posted.
Ken

[Willy2]

Hi Mookie: I am very glad to see you back in the forum, and at least in humor senses back to your old self!

[Mikeygaw]

Mookie, do you have any relatives in the Philadelphia area? I have a teacher that looks a lot like you, only younger.

[sooblue]

You did the right thing goin into the ER. When in doubt don't take chances.
Glad your OK, but tell me. Why did you have to keep your leg strait for three hours?
Sooblue

[Anonymous]

Mookie [:)]

Glad to hear everything is well.

I spent a night in the horse pital (lol) last January. The next day they did the nuclear medicine thing to me. After that then I had the stress test. During the fourth level I developed a leg cramp and they bearly got it stopped before I couldn't stand up. So they decided to finish it chemically. They injected something into me. Don't know what it was and never want it again. They did this 2 or 3 times. Whatever it was makes you feel like you have to jump up and DO SOMETHING, you don't know what but just gotta do something. The inside rush is very uncomfortable. You fell like running faster the the locomotive, faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Oh sorry, that's superman. But you just feel like you have to do something. I had decided no more. I was ready to hit anyone who tried to give me anymore of it. Wasn't the heart. They said the heart was fine. When the nitro doesn't help that is a very good sign that it is not the heart. The nitro didn't do a thing for me. And they practically starved me to death. They never did find out what the problem was but I haven't had it again.

Now that your bad order is rescinded you have to make up the time. There has been alot of water under the bridge since last Friday afternoon, and some of it a little turbulent. But things are returning to normal. Just the regular stuff like why are GE s such dogs, and EMD build so much better. And of course do we want or need Amtrak. The last debate will continue as long as we have Amtrak. Hopefully that will be a long time. So catch up on your reading and jump back in with all four paws. No catnapping until your caught up. [;)]

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mikeygaw

Mookie, do you have any relatives in the Philadelphia area? I have a teacher that looks a lot like you, only younger.

[:0] YOUNGER!!!!! Never happen!!!!!

No - I am from right here in Lincoln - born, raised and stayed. All relatives are from
Kansas and (shudder) Mizzuri. And if you really got to meet me, there is no one that looks just like the Mookie - they broke the mold! [8D]

Mz Moo

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by sooblue

You did the right thing goin into the ER. When in doubt don't take chances.
Glad your OK, but tell me. Why did you have to keep your leg strait for three hours?
Sooblue

They go thru the Femoral artery to the heart. (now I know where a "groin pull" is located!

Anyway, the artery needs time to clot and seal. So, the left leg can go and do anything, the right leg must stay straight and not cause any wrinkles....you can move it back and forth, just no bending. But the Mook enjoyed all the rides from bed to bed - whee!

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Mookie [:)]

Glad to hear everything is well.

I spent a night in the horse pital (lol) last January. The next day they did the nuclear medicine thing to me. After that then I had the stress test. During the fourth level I developed a leg cramp and they bearly got it stopped before I couldn't stand up. So they decided to finish it chemically. They injected something into me. Don't know what it was and never want it again. They did this 2 or 3 times. Whatever it was makes you feel like you have to jump up and DO SOMETHING, you don't know what but just gotta do something. The inside rush is very uncomfortable. You fell like running faster the the locomotive, faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Oh sorry, that's superman. But you just feel like you have to do something. I had decided no more. I was ready to hit anyone who tried to give me anymore of it. Wasn't the heart. They said the heart was fine. When the nitro doesn't help that is a very good sign that it is not the heart. The nitro didn't do a thing for me. And they practically starved me to death. They never did find out what the problem was but I haven't had it again.

Now that your bad order is rescinded you have to make up the time. There has been alot of water under the bridge since last Friday afternoon, and some of it a little turbulent. But things are returning to normal. Just the regular stuff like why are GE s such dogs, and EMD build so much better. And of course do we want or need Amtrak. The last debate will continue as long as we have Amtrak. Hopefully that will be a long time. So catch up on your reading and jump back in with all four paws. No catnapping until your caught up. [;)]

Jim - I told them from the start that the Mookie is very sensitive - which of course, you all know. I don't do mega doses of anything well. So they were very careful to not give me a lot of anything. They lightly sedate you at the beginning and she only gave me 1/2 of what they normally would. The way I was giggling - that may have even been too much! [:D]

I have had reactions like you had - too much of a good thing!

La Mook!

[edblysard]

Now we all know you got back spasms from carrying skeets and mudchicken!!!
Ha Ha..
Just kidding, and skeets and dirtybird know exactly what I mean...
By the way, personal recommondation.
If you havent done so yet, get a flu shot.
Just spent five days flat on my back.
Worst days of my life.
Get the shot.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Now we all know you got back spasms from carrying skeets and mudchicken!!!
Ha Ha..
Just kidding, and skeets and dirtybird know exactly what I mean...
By the way, personal recommondation.
If you havent done so yet, get a flu shot.
Just spent five days flat on my back.
Worst days of my life.
Get the shot.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[:(!] I hate it when you aren't on here. We need your insight on things. So stay in bed, drink chicken soup and don't lift anything heavy - and you know exactly what I mean! Please take care my friend!

Mookie

[wabash1]

Heck the way im working i aint allowed to get sick. glad your back queen unihead. now for the important question did they find the cake?

[CShaveRR]

Can't miss a chance to put a message at the top of a new page!

That thing about allowing blood vessels to heal blew it for me...I rode the bike to and from my stress test, about six miles each way. I think the legs may have bent a little!

Mom says the check's in the mail, but she seems to think you live in Philadelphia!

Take care, Sis!

Carl

[zardoz]

Mookie - Ya gotta stop bending over backwards. [;)]

And the results of your tests confirm what I've said all along: Chocolate is GOOD for you!!!

[Anonymous]

ED [8D]

I had noticed you were "laying low" now we know why. Glad you are up and among the living. [:)]

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wabash1

Heck the way im working i aint allowed to get sick. glad your back queen unihead. now for the important question did they find the cake?

[}:)] No, but the driver found a chicken sandwich, which I promply ate. Sorry big muddy!

Mook

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz

Mookie - Ya gotta stop bending over backwards. [;)]

And the results of your tests confirm what I've said all along: Chocolate is GOOD for you!!!

I agree! Maybe I should send chocolate to poor Ed - let him eat cake!

Mook

[brilondon]

I am glad to here that you are well and that it was not as serious as it could have been. I have a friend who is recovering from a mild cardiac arrest. He said that his family has had a history of heart desease and he was expecting this to happen. Eat healthy and get excercise as your condition allows. I suspect Chocolate cake is probably OK once in a while. I hope that you are out railfaning to relax.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brilondon

I am glad to here that you are well and that it was not as serious as it could have been. I have a friend who is recovering from a mild cardiac arrest. He said that his family has had a history of heart desease and he was expecting this to happen. Eat healthy and get excercise as your condition allows. I suspect Chocolate cake is probably OK once in a while. I hope that you are out railfaning to relax.

Actually, the Mook is pretty laid-back - get that from the old engineer. In our family, heart isn't the problem - we have to watch out for head problems - in more ways than one!

And just between you and me - the Mookie never eats chocolate or cake or desserts. Just don't tell the rest of the forum.

But thank you for your good wishes - and please - if your family or friends are facing this type of situation - tell them if sissy Mookie can go thru it w/o problems, anyone can!

Mookie

[Kathi Kube]

Mookie, darling, anyone who can be on this forum day in and day out (almost), report and question rail-related observations, and reign as queen of this crazy crowd is no sissy. I'm very pleased to hear you're doing fine and had the strength of spirit to go through all this to find out what was causing you pain. (But I'm not surprised you did. You're too wise to ignore warning signs and too spunky not to face them head-on.)

Take care, dear, and thanks for doing what it takes to stick around here a while longer.

Kathi

[locomutt]

Mookie,

Sorry to hear that you have had some medical problams.
please stay well so we can still have some fun.

I really wouldn't know what to do,if I wrote something
in the forum, and didnot get at least a reply from you.

Thanks For Being Mookie, You are Loved by everyone.


locomutt