Life is fickle

Huntindave McCann

Huntindave McCann

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Hi guys and gals,
I wasn't even sure just how to title this thread. Just kind of sitting here in a daze. The thing is, I just received a phone call letting me know my friend and across the street neighbor, passed away last night from a heart attack. He's a few years younger than me and we shared several similar interests. It's going to be strange looking out my front window, and not seeing him working away, in his extensive woodworking shop. He retired a couple years ago and 1st thing he did was a major remodel to his home by adding a nicely sized space for woodworking.
Apparently he had just the slightest indication there might be an issue. Nothing that had affected his daily activities. Guess he went to bed only to later wake up a bit later, feeling some chest pain. Then collapsed to the floor as he was attempting to get out of bed. Medics were unable to revive him.

Give your wife and kids and extra hug and kiss. You never know if it might be the last one.
 
Dave, so sorry to hear this, please accept my condolences.
You are right, life is fickle, and fleeting.
Makes it all the more important to keep focused on the people and things that bring you love and happiness.
 
Huntindave McCann said:
Hi guys and gals,
I wasn't even sure just how to title this thread. Just kind of sitting here in a daze. The thing is, I just received a phone call letting me know my friend and across the street neighbor, passed away last night from a heart attack. He's a few years younger than me and we shared several similar interests. It's going to be strange looking out my front window, and not seeing him working away, in his extensive woodworking shop. He retired a couple years ago and 1st thing he did was a major remodel to his home by adding a nicely sized space for woodworking.
Apparently he had just the slightest indication there might be an issue. Nothing that had affected his daily activities. Guess he went to bed only to later wake up a bit later, feeling some chest pain. Then collapsed to the floor as he was attempting to get out of bed. Medics were unable to revive him.

Give your wife and kids and extra hug and kiss. You never know if it might be the last one.
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Yes it is. I work damn hard to live my life to the fullest.
 
Dave,

I'm very sorry to read this as it is much to common. I say this as I suffered that type of MI the first time. My odds of survival were slim. The warning signs were there for a longtime but I did not pay attention to them (the list is long but should be read) most seem not to be major. We tend to think "I'm just getting old". No it's yer body telling you your heart is in trouble so its sends the pain to other areas of the body. After the first MI I was given reams of info about what happened and why. I read all of it, as I was told what was ahead.

What was ahead was the 2nd MI (not as major) that happened while deer hunting 2016, and a 1mile walk back to my vehicle. Then to the hospital for another stent. Again much Thanking God and good doctors for my life. What ya learn is one day your here and then one day you are not. Prepare for that and take care. Faith, family and friends appreciated every day.

When folks ask me, how are you? "I woke up today."


Best regards
Vince
 
Huntindave McCann said:
Hi guys and gals,
I wasn't even sure just how to title this thread. Just kind of sitting here in a daze. The thing is, I just received a phone call letting me know my friend and across the street neighbor, passed away last night from a heart attack. He's a few years younger than me and we shared several similar interests. It's going to be strange looking out my front window, and not seeing him working away, in his extensive woodworking shop. He retired a couple years ago and 1st thing he did was a major remodel to his home by adding a nicely sized space for woodworking.
Apparently he had just the slightest indication there might be an issue. Nothing that had affected his daily activities. Guess he went to bed only to later wake up a bit later, feeling some chest pain. Then collapsed to the floor as he was attempting to get out of bed. Medics were unable to revive him.

Give your wife and kids and extra hug and kiss. You never know if it might be the last one.
Click to expand...
Sorry to read this Dave and the loss of your friend. I've had a few go the same way this year and it's a hard awakening. It's been on my mind as I'll turn 69 on the 21st. I'll then be one year and a couple of days older than when my dad died.
 
I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend Dave. Sometimes it is difficult to know when to go see the dr. Especially if you have gone and they say "eh just a panic attack" or "nothing wrong with your heart".
 
Sorry for your loss Dave. Having just had a Heart Bypass procedure myself Sept. 5th I can Attest to your sentiments of never knowing when it will be the last you see of loved ones. Dwelled on that quite a bit leading up to my operation. I was fortunate that a emergency room visit for something unrelated required a stress test and blockages were discovered. The heart is an amazing muscle. Treat it kindly.
 
Dave

That's a hurtful reminder we don't know when our time is up. Sounds like your friend did at least get a few years of retirement to pursue his hobbies before his time ended. Mortality has been on my mind a bit lately. Michelle's mom is back in the hospital after nearly dying from a blood infection several months ago. Her white blood cell count has bottomed out again and she can't fight infections so they've put her on chemo drugs. I fear the worst could happen anytime. On top of that my parents are really getting up there. Mom is 82 and dad 88. They spent the summer working with an attorney setting up a trust. Not a fun exercise but when they are gone it will make things so much easier for myself and my brothers. I'll urge anyone who it 70+ to get your will updated and talk to an attorney about what is best for your assets and family and what options you have. You don't want to leave behind a mess for your spouse and/or kids to figure out.
 
Dave,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Events like that cause a real flood of emotions, memories, and other responses. Hope you are doing ok, or will be.
 
Eric Patterson said:
Dave

That's a hurtful reminder we don't know when our time is up. Sounds like your friend did at least get a few years of retirement to pursue his hobbies before his time ended. Mortality has been on my mind a bit lately. Michelle's mom is back in the hospital after nearly dying from a blood infection several months ago. Her white blood cell count has bottomed out again and she can't fight infections so they've put her on chemo drugs. I fear the worst could happen anytime. On top of that my parents are really getting up there. Mom is 82 and dad 88. They spent the summer working with an attorney setting up a trust. Not a fun exercise but when they are gone it will make things so much easier for myself and my brothers. I'll urge anyone who it 70+ to get your will updated and talk to an attorney about what is best for your assets and family and what options you have. You don't want to leave behind a mess for your spouse and/or kids to figure out.
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I second that. Last parent passed away at end of June and dealing with estate now.

Mortality has been in my thoughts as well and looking to make some changes to make life easier for my heirs.

Rick
 
Thanks everyone,
He was only 60yrs old. His wife is the daughter of one of my high school classmates and about 5 years younger than he was.

Just thinking about it, if I were the leave this earth today, there's going to be a tree stand in the public woods, up for grabs. 😁
 
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Heart Disease has been and still remains the #1 killer. Folks either ignore that or do not realize that cuz we are overwhelmed by so many other ways for our demise. Heart Attacks hurt and I mean way worse than Kidney Stones or anything else. I chewed 3 Ecotrin 325mg. Aspirins as soon as I realized what was happening. Was told that is what saved me until getting to the ER. Do yerself a favor carry 325mg Aspirin with you and always have it available it could help save yer life.

I have lost my father, mother, uncles, aunts, cousins and very many friends to Heart Disease over the course of my 74 years. Ya never get used to it and it always remains with you. Please educate yourself and others about Heart Disease for the sake of your loved ones. Then worry about yer earthly possessions.

News such as Dave's post always gets to me in a very personal way. I cannot help that. That others can be helped and saved from Heart Disease is my hope and prayer.

my 2 cents
 
Vince Pagliaroli said:
Heart Disease has been and still remains the #1 killer. Folks either ignore that or do not realize that cuz we are overwhelmed by so many other ways for our demise. Heart Attacks hurt and I mean way worse than Kidney Stones or anything else. I chewed 3 Ecotrin 325mg. Aspirins as soon as I realized what was happening. Was told that is what saved me until getting to the ER. Do yerself a favor carry 325mg Aspirin with you and always have it available it could help save yer life.

I have lost my father, mother, uncles, aunts, cousins and very many friends to Heart Disease over the course of my 74 years. Ya never get used to it and it always remains with you. Please educate yourself and others about Heart Disease for the sake of your loved ones. Then worry about yer earthly possessions.

News such as Dave's post always gets to me in a very personal way. I cannot help that. That others can be helped and saved from Heart Disease is my hope and prayer.

my 2 cents
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I'm with you, It is important stuff to reinforce all of those things that you can do to keep healthy as you age. Monitoring your cardiovascular health, keeping your weight down and keeping active, eating well, colonscopies, etc... Wish I'd done in my 30s what I'd done for my health in my 50s. I hope I won't be a broken record in my 60s saying I wish I'd taken better care of myself in my 50s.

Folks retiring and dropping dead too young has always gotten to me. I have a grandmother that dropped dead soon after my grandfather retired. They were gearing up for their best life and took one retirement trip before she croaked.

The other thing that gets me is the people that slave away their whole life to manage their consumer dept trying to keep up with the Joneses (Tim Jones, maybe, is worth keeping up with, but not those other Joneses). I'm a lucky bastard, but I also work my ass off to keep myself as lucky as I am. Living frugally so that one can do the really important things with family is under appreciated and under discussed.
 
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Todd,

I agree with you.

Family history and how we lived in our past catches up with us one way or another. My dad died at age 44 from a MI, the same type I had at age 54. I always thought it was in my future when I was younger and it was. Working hard & playing hard on the front end of ones life is not very healthful on the back end of ones life. IF one makes it that long. I did the stress tests in my 40's and all the other things that you wrote that we should do but the heart attack was always in the back of my mind. I was as ready for it as a person can be. That I've reached the age of 74 amazes me and I'm Thankful everyday of my bonus lifetime.

Your last sentence is a gem and oh so very important especially in this hyper paced lifestyle of todays world. Living simply/frugally as best as one can is a lifestyle that works for many. I hope it works for you and I truly mean that.

Best regards
Vince
 
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