I had 6 months to live and didnt know it!

Hemisteve

Sr. Member
Feb 21, 2008
459
123
N. Nevada
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Hi folks,
I have been here on T/Net for a long time and thought I would share this story with you and maybe save someones life.
First off, I am a burly guy. 6-1, 190 lbs. Been in the construction industry all my life, Shovel snow in the winter and cut and split firewood in the fall. When I can I am out camping, prospecting, rockhounding and dirt fishing.
I hit 52 this year and am used to having small aches and pains.

Back in 2007 I wasnt feeling well. Decided it was time to go see a doc and get a check up. Keep in mind I have been extremely healthy my whole life. After some testing the Doc called me in for a meeting and told me my Cholesterol was 575, not a typo, 575. We dont eat out often and my wife had been on a healthy trend for us and our children for a long time. Long story short, After a small amount of time and a lot of life changing decisions I was able to get my Cholesterol levels down to 120 with diet, Meds, and supplements.

Fast forward to last month. I went in for my yearly physical and all my blood work was great. That day at the Docs office was really busy, So my physical was done by a young kid from UC Davis Interning for a while. He noticed some pulsating in my abdomen and alerted my Doc. He prescribed a sonogram witch showed an anyerism in my belly.

They reffered me to a specialist in Reno who had me get an MRI which showed 4 Anyerisms in my belly and legs. Worst one was 5.6 Cm's. Huge.

My 2 hour surgery last week turned into almost 5. Today is Monday and I am feeling great. Still a little sore from the repairs but I will be out and about by this weekend. The Surgeon told me it was good that I had the surgery so quickly. I was worse off than than the MRI even showed.

This is the part you need to pay attention to.
Had I got my physical from my usual doctor he probably would not have noticed the pulsating. Why? Because my regular Doc has been giving me the same check ups for years now. I have had pulsating in my abdomen for many years and I never thought anything about it. My Doc never said anything during my abdominal exams, so I assumed it was nothing to worry about. :BangHead: Had that kid not been there that day I would have been dead by X-Mas. I would not have known I had a problem until it was too late!

My advice to everyone, young or old, is to get a yearly check up. Talk to your family members and find out how Uncle John, or Grandma Sally died and learn your familys history. Keep a record and find a specialist MD to test you for current or future health problems related to your familys histories. Medical Groups these day are like a drive up window at a hamburger shop. They dont have the time to really give you the care you need. Be aware and know yourself and demand the Doctor that you see fully investigate your concerns. And dont be afraid to get a second opinion.

Happy to still be here!
Carpe Diem
Steve
 

GoGoGopher

Sr. Member
Jun 24, 2011
308
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Syracuse, NY
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Wow!!! That is some story...You had a guardian Angel looking out for you that day for sure...
Glad your still with us and glad you can tell the tail and maybe save someone else...

HH,
 

Iron Patch

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Sep 28, 2007
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I bet that kid went home with his head held high, as he should have! Quite a story.
 

bsloan

Sr. Member
Jul 3, 2010
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Congrats on the recovery Steve. I have one question about the surgery. Did they insert coils in the problem areas? Just wondering, my wife went through the same thing with her kidneys recently.

Glad they found and fixed the problem.

Best of luck,
Bill
 

TerryC

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Jun 26, 2008
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Hey Steve. Your read has a very personal hit. My brother TimC, told me yesterday that he learned that he has one year. He has been fighting prostate cancer for a few years, now, and this time it is probably written in stone. More shots may prolong his time, but he has to stay ahead of the Grim Reaper. Enough of my crying! Sieze the day... the moment, my friend! TTC
 

herb n surf

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Jun 12, 2011
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Makes a person remember we are just passing through .Thanks for sharing a real eye opener.
 

John Silvered

Jr. Member
Apr 18, 2012
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Wow. That is quite a story. Thank goodness for that intern! A new set of eyes is apparently a blessing in every field.

Do take care.
 

gunner45

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May 12, 2012
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Thank you for the story, and thank the Lord He worked it out that you saw the young Doc. I always give thanks to the Lord when there's an answer to prayer, which I'm sure you were praying. I wish the best for you!
 

Steveo

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Jun 12, 2012
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Great story.So glad that it worked out for you in the end.Recover quick and get back to enjoying life.......................
 

Keppy

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Nov 19, 2006
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Good post you might have helped some one out.... Glad to hear it turned out good for you............. Myself i have 2 doctors... and my wife always ask's me why do you have 2 doctors............And i always tell her i just don't trust them at times........ Because sometimes they give me my physical and i wonder what the he!! kind of physical was that ... I might as well as not have took it.........
 

OP
OP
Hemisteve

Hemisteve

Sr. Member
Feb 21, 2008
459
123
N. Nevada
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Goldmaster V/Sat and MXT
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All Treasure Hunting
Hi Bill,
My Doc installed a stint slightly below my kidneys and then down both legs. Picture an upside down "Y". He then had to disconnect and re-graft 2 arteries that feed my pelvis to a safer area.

Hope the wife is OK.

HH
Steve
 

OP
OP
Hemisteve

Hemisteve

Sr. Member
Feb 21, 2008
459
123
N. Nevada
Detector(s) used
Goldmaster V/Sat and MXT
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Hey Steve. Your read has a very personal hit. My brother TimC, told me yesterday that he learned that he has one year. He has been fighting prostate cancer for a few years, now, and this time it is probably written in stone. More shots may prolong his time, but he has to stay ahead of the Grim Reaper. Enough of my crying! Sieze the day... the moment, my friend! TTC

My best to your brother. My wife lost her mother to terminal brain cancer.

HH
Steve
 

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OP
Hemisteve

Hemisteve

Sr. Member
Feb 21, 2008
459
123
N. Nevada
Detector(s) used
Goldmaster V/Sat and MXT
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I bet that kid went home with his head held high, as he should have! Quite a story.

I hope he did. I am going to try and find him. Hopefully he is still around because I want to thank him personally.
HH
Steve
 

OP
OP
Hemisteve

Hemisteve

Sr. Member
Feb 21, 2008
459
123
N. Nevada
Detector(s) used
Goldmaster V/Sat and MXT
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Wow!!! That is some story...You had a guardian Angel looking out for you that day for sure...
Glad your still with us and glad you can tell the tail and maybe save someone else...

HH,

Yes I did!

HH
Steve
 

OP
OP
Hemisteve

Hemisteve

Sr. Member
Feb 21, 2008
459
123
N. Nevada
Detector(s) used
Goldmaster V/Sat and MXT
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Good post you might have helped some one out.... Glad to hear it turned out good for you............. Myself i have 2 doctors... and my wife always ask's me why do you have 2 doctors............And i always tell her i just don't trust them at times........ Because sometimes they give me my physical and i wonder what the he!! kind of physical was that ... I might as well as not have took it.........

Yep,
I couldnt agree more. Everyone has a bad day once in a while.
Thats why I typed up this post. Tell your Doc everything that is going on inside you and dont leave until you are satisfied with the answers that you get. If you are still not convinced, go see another.

HH
Steve
 

S

stefen

Guest
Always have enjoyed a great story with a good ending. You are very fortunate. Had you moved wrong or picked up something heavy, even bent over to tie your shoes...that could have been the fuse to a bomb waiting to go off.

Being that I'm with Kaiser Medical, I have several Doctors, one for diabetes and a second GP...fortunately they practice preventative medicine...annual prostate checkups, blood work every 2 months, bone density checks, x-rays, eye checks, all annually...

Having good medical care is a premium...

Take care
 

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