Frank, i think it goes like this. The Good go young! So i think you,r right for a while, ha,ha.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

My doctor told me that just because you are given a Chevy body at birth doesnt mean that you wont last as long as a Ford if you keep up the maintenance on it,sounded like good advice to me,also helps if you have blue blood running through those veins Carl

As a "patient" you get a heavy duty education about the (multiple) causes of your problem. It turned out (for me at least) that its primarily a hereditary thing - lack of key bio-chemicals so to speak. Not exactly 100% pre-determined, but damn near........at any rate, a whole lot of us are repairable these days. My grandfather passed in 1957 (at age 57) and his death certificate has MY disease listed on it......today they could have fixed him one afternoon. My Dad's been gone two years now and he made it to 85 - so strides have definitely been made.

It came as a shock to me to find that the number one cause of heart disease is the fact that you have a near relative with heart disease - usually a parent, an uncle or aunt, a grandparent ......... I asked the doc how our family survived over the years when faced with such a certain, predictable problem - repair being a relatively new approach - and he said we said we must have some natural ability to suffer the problems and survive or recover. Otherwise, we would have gone by the wayside many generations ago. I think that means we have "symptoms" - and don't just drop over ........

So the survival trait is - find out that your family has a history of problems - and then learn to recognize the symptoms.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Steve, I don't think John ever did smoke, he hasn't in the 10-12 years that I've known him. But he is diabetic and that's probably the biggest contributor. I smoked for 40 years, so I should be the one on that table. Hard to explain how this works, ayy?

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I ended up on the "Angio" table in 1992 - and had to have a couple of blocked passages "stretched". One later closed again and I had it re-done in '93 - and OK since with meds. The stents weren't in use then. My doctor pressed me a bit about the "quit smoking" thing and I managed to shake it - but will still follow a guy with a sweet cigar just for a whiff!!!!! Gives you an understanding of the term "addiction".

The Doc's major contribution (aside from his expertise with a choke cable) was a quip about smoking - "You have recieved a message from God - "Do that again and I'll kill you".

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

I don't understand how they would make you wait John? I waited a couple days from when I started getting the pain and they said never never never wait, I caused damage to my heart by waiting, now if it will ever heal?

I am now on a rabbit food diet and not smoking, I dont know which is worse, giving up all the foods I loved or the cigarretes I loved, but both at the same time is driving me nuts!

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

John God`s Speed Get well soon. I just seen this a few minuites ago. I know the feeling,of the family worried more the the paient. My Gall Balder surgery a couple months ago had ever one worried except me I just wanted out. We got better things to do like racing. See you in Columbus. Harry Hutten

Sorry I didn't see this sooner, We will be praying for you too John. If it makes you feel any better last month my 92 year old boss had a heart attack, had 6 stents put in, spent two weeks in the hospital, was released on a Thursday and was back in the shop on Friday. recovering nicely now. amazing what they can do.

Take care, Tim

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

John, They don't seem to be in much of a rush! Guess they figure you'll be OK till next week. Or else maybe somebody told them you got OBAMACARE!!

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Here's the latest. Got a call through to the surgeon's office, he's on vacation. Go to see him a week from tomorrow for a consultation. Then maybe I'll know when I go under the knife. Enough with the delays. Come on, medical people, let's "git 'er done".

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"