Hemisteve
Sr. Member
- #1
Thread Owner
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.
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
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.
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
