April 30,2005 
In 1998 (I think) I was at home in a great deal of pain from what became a
major heart attack. Please be advised- for those who don't know already know- that
denial is the first sign of a heart attack. I was in denial, no doubt. 
 
After a loud fight with my girlfreind, I drove to the local emergency room (they
knew me well) where they put me in a cardiac bay. I remember the fight with my
girlfreind (sort of) driving to the ER (sort of), and a needle entering my arm (very
well). All of this happened very, very quickly. The ER was minutes fom the apartment
(like 3).  The ER personnel got me back with difficulty, and I was sent for heart
sugery instantly.  
 
After the surgery I was put in a CCU (cardiac care unit) and vented. While in the
CCU I was put on norcueron to parylize me. Somehow, while coming off the drug, I
pulled the vent tube out (with my tounge, I'm told. My brain swelled and the rest is
history.  
 
I went through neuro rehab, then had to have the surgery re-done when the same
artery closed again worse than the first time. It was caught in time (barely) and a
stent was placed to keep the artery open. 
 
Today I have short-term memory loss and get very confused in some really innopertune
times. 1/3 of my heart is dead but I'm grateful to be alive, especially considering
the timing of everything. 


 Email  Bill "bc"



April 7, 2005

I had sort of the double-whammy - at birth I had Rh-factor blood
incompatability which caused a kind of war between blood types. That incompatability
caused diffuse damage throughout the cerebral cortex resulting in learning
difficulites, espcially in math. I did graduate HS, spent some time in the army, and
ended up as a nurse. I worked well in that job until I had a heart attack (the heck
with dates). During the code (or after- another ambiguity- y-all no about those,
right) I lost 02 by disconnecting my trach tube (don't ask how, I wasn't there).
That loss of oxygen caused another injury pretty much like the first one. Go figure.
Anyway, I'm back now, and if anyone out there has been through anoxia, please let me
now. It's lonely out here.

Email  Bill "bc"