The Reason Lashbear Disappeared

lashbear · 12-02-2005, 07:35 PM

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.

Love to all of you,
Robert.

CoasterMatt · 12-02-2005, 07:47 PM

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 · 12-02-2005, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lashbear

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 · 12-02-2005, 08:03 PM

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 · 12-02-2005, 08:10 PM

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 · 12-02-2005, 08:17 PM

innerSpaceman · 12-02-2005, 08:19 PM

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 · 12-02-2005, 08:20 PM

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 · 12-02-2005, 08:49 PM

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 · 12-02-2005, 09:03 PM

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.

12-02-2005, 07:35 PM	#1
lashbear SwishBuckling Bear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In Isolation :) Posts: 6,597	The Reason Lashbear Disappeared 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. Love to all of you, Robert. __________________ *I Heart* my Husband - I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in isolation with.**
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12-02-2005, 07:47 PM	#2
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	Wow, Lashbear - it's great to hear that you're taking care of yourself. The LoT certainly isn't the same without your presence... __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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12-02-2005, 08:03 PM	#4
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	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. __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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12-02-2005, 08:10 PM	#5
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	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! __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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12-02-2005, 08:17 PM	#6
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244
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12-02-2005, 08:19 PM	#7
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	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!
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12-02-2005, 08:20 PM	#8
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	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! __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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12-02-2005, 08:49 PM	#9
tracilicious avatar transition Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in-between Posts: 2,487	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? __________________ And now Harry, let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure! - Albus Dumbledore
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12-02-2005, 09:03 PM	#10
LSPoorEeyorick scribblin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in the moment Posts: 3,872	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.
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