Muddyboots
Well-Known Member
OK I bet I have your attention! Yes I had one in 2005 but I thought it would be worth while to talk about what actually happened which may be information that may save you or someone you know. I was talking to a fellow poster on another MI site and the subject came up and I thought I should recall it here on LRH as something that us "more mature" hunters may be at risk without knowing so.
My little story and I hope it is worthwhile for someone:
"September 2005, I was in Arkansas for a week on business and didn't feel very well. Nothing special but not right. Came home on 30th and went out bow hunting on opening day Sat. the 1st. Carried tree stand in 3/4 mile into swamp, killed doe. Told son and he said stay in tree a nice buck is coming to you. I watched the buck for short while and he never really gave me the perfect shot at 42 yards so I passed. It was opening day so I thought I had lots of time. My son saw me struggled a bit just field dressing her out and offered to drag her out for me. Not shooting the buck probably saved my life as well as my son dragging the doe out for me. Sunday came around and still didn't feel right. Went to Doc on Monday and ran some tests and all was well or so I thought. Monday evening I was in pole barn and didn't feel right again. Went to ER since I felt there was definitely wrong and could not shake that feeling "something bad is going to happen" or the sense of "impending doom". I felt like someone was behind me with a baseball bat ready to clobber me! They ran some tests and came back and told me they would have a room ready for me in 20 minutes in cardio vascular unit. Could have knocked me down with feather! Seems I had heart attack in preceding week. No chest or arm pains at all. BP runs 115/75 with 55 at rest pulse so go figure. I stated such to Doc and he said "ever hear of someone dying in their sleep?" OK that got my attention FAST!
I had an Angiogram, 5 arteries 90%+ blocked so got 5 stents and back in business in 3 weeks after PT. Released by cardiologist to hunt and climbed same tree 3 weeks after stents and was there to see my son arrow a terrific 8 pt'er, his first really big buck with bow. Life makes you think what is important in these times. Why am I telling you this story? I am here today due my own will to find out why I didn't feel right. So close to losing it all if I didn't listen to that little voice we all have that tells you when something isn't quite right. Don't assume all is OK if a Doc sends you home. If you don't feel right keep after it until you close it out. Don't be macho over this stuff. Do something about it. I recently lost a good friend who didn't listen to that little voice. You can't lose even if you are wrong. Take care guys and listen to that little voice. It may save your life. BTW - the Heart Association states the "impending doom" is a feeling that pending heart attack victims have reported consistently.
Safe hunting and long life."
Since I wrote this, my former optometrist was at a large family Thanksgiving dinner and he told me he had the awful feeling of dread and impending doom and mentally recalled my story. Stood up at table and said he was going to ER. They tried to change his mind but he didn't. He dragged his wife there and they ran the tests based upon the red flags he told them about as "feeling of dread". They came back with same story, "we have a bed for you in cardio lab"! He got 3 stents and was told he was on cusp of the "big one" and may not have made it. He listened to that little voice as well.
So I hope IF you ever have that "little voice" telling you something is not quite right, chase it down like a coyote on your land. My cardiologist tells me to keep hunting, it is apparently good for your health!
Safe Hunting to ALL!
My little story and I hope it is worthwhile for someone:
"September 2005, I was in Arkansas for a week on business and didn't feel very well. Nothing special but not right. Came home on 30th and went out bow hunting on opening day Sat. the 1st. Carried tree stand in 3/4 mile into swamp, killed doe. Told son and he said stay in tree a nice buck is coming to you. I watched the buck for short while and he never really gave me the perfect shot at 42 yards so I passed. It was opening day so I thought I had lots of time. My son saw me struggled a bit just field dressing her out and offered to drag her out for me. Not shooting the buck probably saved my life as well as my son dragging the doe out for me. Sunday came around and still didn't feel right. Went to Doc on Monday and ran some tests and all was well or so I thought. Monday evening I was in pole barn and didn't feel right again. Went to ER since I felt there was definitely wrong and could not shake that feeling "something bad is going to happen" or the sense of "impending doom". I felt like someone was behind me with a baseball bat ready to clobber me! They ran some tests and came back and told me they would have a room ready for me in 20 minutes in cardio vascular unit. Could have knocked me down with feather! Seems I had heart attack in preceding week. No chest or arm pains at all. BP runs 115/75 with 55 at rest pulse so go figure. I stated such to Doc and he said "ever hear of someone dying in their sleep?" OK that got my attention FAST!
I had an Angiogram, 5 arteries 90%+ blocked so got 5 stents and back in business in 3 weeks after PT. Released by cardiologist to hunt and climbed same tree 3 weeks after stents and was there to see my son arrow a terrific 8 pt'er, his first really big buck with bow. Life makes you think what is important in these times. Why am I telling you this story? I am here today due my own will to find out why I didn't feel right. So close to losing it all if I didn't listen to that little voice we all have that tells you when something isn't quite right. Don't assume all is OK if a Doc sends you home. If you don't feel right keep after it until you close it out. Don't be macho over this stuff. Do something about it. I recently lost a good friend who didn't listen to that little voice. You can't lose even if you are wrong. Take care guys and listen to that little voice. It may save your life. BTW - the Heart Association states the "impending doom" is a feeling that pending heart attack victims have reported consistently.
Safe hunting and long life."
Since I wrote this, my former optometrist was at a large family Thanksgiving dinner and he told me he had the awful feeling of dread and impending doom and mentally recalled my story. Stood up at table and said he was going to ER. They tried to change his mind but he didn't. He dragged his wife there and they ran the tests based upon the red flags he told them about as "feeling of dread". They came back with same story, "we have a bed for you in cardio lab"! He got 3 stents and was told he was on cusp of the "big one" and may not have made it. He listened to that little voice as well.
So I hope IF you ever have that "little voice" telling you something is not quite right, chase it down like a coyote on your land. My cardiologist tells me to keep hunting, it is apparently good for your health!
Safe Hunting to ALL!