The Reason Lashbear Disappeared

[lashbear]

Inspired by the comments about overweight folks on the Riding Crop thread, I thought that now was a good time to tell you all why I disappeared for so long.

On the 15th of May this year, I had a Heart Attack at work (or as they said, an Acute Myocardial Infarction).

I love that word. Infarction. It sounds rude.

My Right Coronary Artery was completely blocked, and I thought I was having really bad heartburn - it felt like hot coals under my chest. luckily the first aid officer at work recognised the other symptoms (grey colour, sweating etc) and called the ambulance.

I had symptoms for a couple days beforehand - everytime I had to walk uphill etc I would get this "Heartburn" but rest would usually fix it.

At the hospital they diagnosed me, and sent me by ambulance to the Royal North Shore hospital in North Sydney, where they put a long (5-6 foot) catheter into my groin and guided it to my heart, where they performed a balloon angioplasty to open the blockage and then inserted a Stent (a little wire cage to hold the artery open in future). I was recuperated, and sent home.

After a 6 week period without work, and no sick leave left (*Ouch* can you spell "Rent Deficiency") I returned to work.

My doctor has told me that I need to go to the gym, and they have put me on a weight-loss and cardio rehab programme whereby I go to the gym 4-5 times a week, alternating cardio and weights, and (surprise, surprise) I am actually losing weight.

I have given up Corn Dogs.

I'm not exercising because I am unhappy with my weight, or anyone elses perception of me - but rather that, if I don't lose weight, I am going to die. Pure and simple. Lose weight or die of another (possibly fatal this time) heart attack.

The only reason that I didn't die from the first one was that I had given up smoking in 2000 - If I had still been a smoker, then *Poof* Game Over.

I just wanted to let you all know, because I care a real lot about my "Disney Family" and reading the threads about weight issues, then Ally losing her beloved Sweet-Pea made me realise that I don't want to lose any of my dear friends, much as you all might have lost me, had fate had not been as kind.

Therefore, after my Russian-Roulette-Like encounter with Mortality, I would like to offer the following plea from the bottom of my heart:

[Preachy Mode]Please, try to be as kind to your body as you can, try to move more each day, watch what you eat (especially Saturated Fat & Cholesterol), and quit those smokes !! I have lost 2.5 Kilos (about 5 1/2 pounds) of body fat since starting at the gym in October. My clothes are loose and I'm feeling so much better. (And the Gym has become really Fun - I look forward to it now)[/Preachy Mode]

I give the above advice with all the love I have - Cherish your friends on this and other boards, because you never know how long you really have with them.

....Now the next thread to start is the "Healthy Eating" thread. :D

Love to all of you,
Robert.

[CoasterMatt]

Wow, Lashbear - it's great to hear that you're taking care of yourself. The LoT certainly isn't the same without your presence...

[SacTown Chronic]

My doctor has told me that I need to go to the gym, and they have put me on a weight-loss and cardio rehab programme whereby I go to the gym 4-5 times a week, alternating cardio and weights,
Testify!

[€uroMeinke]

Damn! How horrificly scary, and how overjoyed I am right now that you kind of just casually popped back into the boards. I am glad to hear you are doing better as an antipodal meet must one day occure, and you (and that Poppins woman) must be there.

[Kevy Baby]

Religious defecation! *

I'll be honest: that post scared the crap out of me. I am SO glad to hear that you are okay (if you die, I swear that I will never speak to you again!). That was an eye opening experience.

Thank you for sharing and I am glad to hear that you will be okay (and that you are taking the steps to get better).







* Holy crap!

[Gemini Cricket]

:eek:

[innerSpaceman]

Wow, Rob. I'm so glad you're still with us, and trust you will be for a good, long time. I'm also glad you're taking good care of yourself now that you've had the bejeebus scared out of you.

Well, use this opportunity to love life anew. Enjoy the rest of your days with vigor and verve, smell all the roses, and feel the love, baby!

[BarTopDancer]

ZOINKS!

Rob.. not even sure what to say... Wow!

I think you have given motivation to a lot of people. We're so into "it doesn't happen to me" and then it happens to someone you love.

I'm so glad you're ok. And like Kevy, if you die I swear I will NEVER talk to you again!

[tracilicious]

Wow, lashie. When you disappeared I thought that maybe you had gone to another board, or didn't like us anymore or something. I wish it had been one of those. I'm so glad you are ok. I think you are right to point out that there are real health issues to being overweight. I know when I was thinner I had more energy, could walk farther without getting tired, etc. Plus, eating well will make you feel better instantly, even before the pounds start coming off. Welcome back! Don't you owe us Japan pics?

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Oh, Rob, I'm so glad you're OK! And I'm so glad you chose to tell us the reason for your absence.

I support you in your quest for health. This is the same reason I seek a healthy diet and regular body-in-motion. I may like the curvy, but I do really wish to be healthy-curvy. I went vegetarian this year, in part, because I knew it would bring down my cholesterol. You start that healthy eating thread, and I'll be in it.

[wendybeth]

Wow! You said you would explain, and you did. I hereby relieve you from all planned abuse I was going to heap on you for being away for so long, and instead give you a really big hug!

(((((((((((((((((((Rob)))))))))))))))))))))))

[Not Afraid]

WOW!

Just WOW!

I had though of a lot of reasons for your absense but this wasn't one of them.

I'm so happy you are back and grateful you are alive! You mean so much to me and I'd miss it so much if I couldn't hear that silly Aussie accent over my cell phone.

I love you my dear and I'm very glad you're back with us.

Lisa

[Prudence]

Yikes!

Way to go on the gym! I know I love my treadmill. I never would have imagined that would be the type of exercise that I was able to stick with. I haven't used my asthma inhaler since May, and that was after 4 days of doing WDW in commando mode!

Keep it up and enormous hugs and yay that you're still here!

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Lashbear had a heart attack... what the (in)farc(tion)!?!

Dude! I'm glad to hear you're doing well. We all expect to see you posting here regularly between visits to the gym. :)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Wow, I'm so glad we have you back. My father had his second heart attack but he seems to have gotten the message only partially. I wish you strength to stick with your healthy life choices! To think we almost lost you, and we'd never know it. Love ya!

[dsnylndmom]

So glad that you are okay!! {{{{HUGS}}}}

[lashbear]

.....an antipodal meet must one day occur, and you (and that Poppins woman) must be there.

Haven't you heard ? We're never seen in the same room together ! ;)

[lashbear]

And big thank you's, hugs & kisses to everyone for the love and support. Our global community is what keeps us strong, and I promise that I WILL have that meet with you all one day.





....and if I'm real good, I might even be able to split a corn dog 4 ways, but they can keep the chips. :D

[tracilicious]

And now there will be more than just me posting late at night! Can you still be a Bear after you are thin? Are we going to have to start calling you just plain Lash?

This may be a bit morbid, but do you think that maybe you could ask LashStoat to drop us a line in case you are ever killed by a rogue kangaroo or something? If you ever disappear on us again, we're going to have to organize a walkabout to find out what happened to you.

[lashbear]

Oh, Bears come in all shapes and sizes, and besides there can only be one lashstoat - and I will get him to keep you all informed if I ever go the way of the dingo :eek:


I'm working on the Japan Page now - but there's a limited amount of pics resized - only about 300 or so. That'll have to do for now. :rolleyes: IT should be up by tomorrow night.

Hugs

[mistyisjafo]

Holy cow!!! That's just plain crazy. Well I'm glad your back on the mend. Personallly, I really want to lose weight and I go back and forth on the effort so starting a Healthy Eating thread here wouldn't hurt. I'll be on just to read what you have to offer.

[Scrooge McSam]

Nothing like problems with the ticker to get your attention in a big huge kingsized way. Last April 1st's hoopla got mine.

It's great to see that positive Lashbear attitude. You'll need it. Those small steps you're taking will add up to some big life changes.

And if I could add one thing to that list of valuable advice you've given: WATCH THE STRESS! Learn how to deal with it or it will deal with you in ways you won't want to accept.

Much love your way, Lashbear! Here's hoping the worst is behind you and that you continue along for many years happy and healthy.

[Snowflake]

Lashbear, thanks for posting and I am exceedingly pleased to be able to say, it's so nice to meet you!

I wish you well on your journey to continued health and may I also say your posting has helped inspire me to aspire to better health. Any thread of better eating I will gladly participate in!

Donna

[Ghoulish Delight]

Oh, Bears come in all shapes and sizes, and besides there can only be one lashstoat - and I will get him to keep you all informed if I ever go the way of the dingo :eek: Can't your Life-Alert bracelet (or Aussie equivalent) be programmed to post a message on message boards around the internet should you fall and not be able to get up? ;)

SOOOO happy to hear you've come through, hopefully stronger and wiser than ever.

Wishing you love, luck, and health.

[MouseWife]

lashbear~Thank you for posting what happened. Who'd a thunk it?

I am so very proud of you, you prove how smart you are, by realizing that this was a warning and that you are doing what the doctor said to do. A lot of people don't and then we lose them too soon.

Take care of yourself, don't let anyone sway you, and delicious food is just that, delicious food. It doesn't keep us alive or make us smarter. It is just a fun experience. As you lose weight you will find a lot more fun experiences that are also healthy and you won't miss the food so much.

That is what I've done, I'd rather take a hike than go sit down and eat a gigantic calorie meal. Really. What is tough is the delicious coffee drinks that have a lot of calories. :blush:

Lots of bear hugs,

MouseWife

[Kevy Baby]

To think we almost lost you, and we'd never know it.I was thinking the same thing! Too weird to think about :O
Can you still be a Bear after you are thin? Are we going to have to start calling you just plain Lash?Lash Twink?

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Lashotter?

[lashbear]

SM: Otter than most, I'd say :p
KB: Not Twinkie, I don't have enough cream filling.....

[SzczerbiakManiac]

SM: Otter than most, I'd say :pThat's a given. ;)KB: Not Twinkie, I don't have enough cream filling.....That can be arranged.... :evil:

[Scrooge McSam]

Oooooo Behave!

[wendybeth]

Lashious?

[lashbear]

lashscivious.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Wow, I'm a late-comer to this thread (heads out of the gutter, people)!

Rob, I'm so glad that you are ok and feeling better. It is really nice to have you back with us. I wish you all the success in the world with your health goals and a very long and happy life. Hope we continue to see more of you, as well!

Much love,
Eric and Matthew

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Wow, I'm a late-comer to this thread (heads out of the gutter, people)!

Rob, I'm so glad that you are ok and feeling better. It is really nice to have you back with us. I wish you all the success in the world with your health goals and a very long and happy life. Hope we continue to see more of you, as well!

Much love,
Eric and Matthew

[SzczerbiakManiac]

(heads out of the gutter, people)Is that even possible...?

[lashbear]

Is that even possible...?

with stilts, yes.


:blush:

[Matterhorn Fan]

Wow. Glad you're still with us and even gladder that you're getting healthier.

I'll be in your healthy eating thread...I'm bringing my edamame, carrot, onion, and bell pepper stir-fry.

[Ponine]

lashscivious.
Thats my Lashbear..... to a T . ;)

I'm so glad you are still here with us honey!
I missed you, and am so thankfull to have you for a friend.

I will send happy work out vibes.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Finally had the time to read this thread, welcome back!

Gotta love those wake-up calls.

[MickeyD]

Lashbear! {{{HUGS}}} I'm so sorry to hear about your MI, but I'm so glad you're ok! Keep up the good work with the working out. And thanks for the reminder to all of us to be as kind to our bodies as possible.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

I am so glad that you are okay and getting better. Happy healing heart, buddy. Take care of yourself. "Infraction" does sound rude! You had a rude attack!