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A serious message from Mookie

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A serious message from Mookie
Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 6:50 AM
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

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 7:08 AM
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

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 7:20 AM
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.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 9:22 AM
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).

Carl

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Posted by dharmon on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 9:59 AM
MlaM,

Glad to see your okay. Chocolate cake is often the best medicine I hear.
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Posted by Modelcar on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 11:51 AM
.....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....

Quentin

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Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 12:40 PM
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

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 2:26 PM
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.
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 3:19 PM
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! ;^)
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Posted by chemung on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 7:17 PM
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!!
A travling man AF&AM
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 7:18 PM
Mook, you better take care of yourself there girl. Glad to hear that you are OK. Keep us posted.
Ken
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Posted by Willy2 on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 7:21 PM
Hi Mookie: I am very glad to see you back in the forum, and at least in humor senses back to your old self!

Willy

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Posted by Mikeygaw on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 7:50 PM
Mookie, do you have any relatives in the Philadelphia area? I have a teacher that looks a lot like you, only younger.
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Posted by sooblue on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 9:10 PM
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
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 1:20 AM
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. [;)]
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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 6:00 AM
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

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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 6:04 AM
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!

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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 6:12 AM
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!

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Posted by edblysard on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 7:27 AM
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

23 17 46 11

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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 8:17 AM
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

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Posted by wabash1 on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 9:05 AM
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?
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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 10:08 AM
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

Carl

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Posted by zardoz on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 10:57 AM
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!!!
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 11:45 AM
ED [8D]

I had noticed you were "laying low" now we know why. Glad you are up and among the living. [:)]
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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 12:45 PM
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

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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 12:48 PM
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

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Posted by brilondon on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 5:25 PM
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.
Stay safe, support your local hobby group Stop, Look, and listen The key to living is to wake up. you don't wake up you are probably dead.
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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, October 23, 2003 6:01 AM
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

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Posted by Kathi Kube on Thursday, October 23, 2003 8:28 AM
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
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Posted by locomutt on Friday, October 24, 2003 7:44 AM
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

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

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