11 years ago I died. Wish me Happy Birthday #2

[wain]

:party: :toast: :woohoo: :applause:

In the ambulance on the way to the emergency room I watched the heart monitor plunge to flat line. :(

Three EMTs zapped me twice to start my second life. :woohoo:

The EMTs? A Jew, an African-American woman and an Hispanic!! :grouphug: Ain't this a grand country we live in?!! :patriot:

So many things I get to do in the bonus round of life. See my kids grow up, have wonderful grandchildren. :) :) :)

My wife gets to put up with me longer!!!:loveya:

Join DU!! :pals:


I get to celebrate two birthdays now.
:party:

I am so lucky.:bounce: :bounce:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

1. What was dying like?

:shrug:

Happy 2nd birthday, by the way!

:party:

[wain]

5. Didn't see flashing lights; nothing memorable

I just felt my heart start to fibrillate, told the EMT my heart was acting "funny", and saw the line on the heart monitor diving to flat line. Didn't really know what was happening.

After about 15 seconds the EMTs got me going again. Wondered how an elephant got on my chest, heard the siren and the ambulance was going a lot faster than it was a minute ago.

About the only enlightenment I got was a firm conviction that I would never smoke again. I haven't. Didn't even have withdrawal symptoms. I was very glad to be around.

Thanks for the birthday wishes!
:)

[henslee]

29. Wow. I had no idea waht this post was about at first. Good for you.

[wain]

36. Thanks for looking, henslee

And thanks again for your good wishes.
:hi:

[Mad_Dem_X]

60. Happy Birthday #2! n/t

[wain]

66. Thanks, Mad_Dem_X

:)

[bigwillq]

2. What happened to you

that you "died"?

[wain]

7. Cardiac arrest.

Smoking, no exercise and bad diet, but other than that it wasn't my fault! :rofl:

I just got through with a turkey dinner, plenty of gravy, mashed potatoes with a generous portion of butter, etc. Later, I knew something was not right, so I went outside to have a couple of cigarettes to calm my nerves!! :dunce:

I finally crossed the line of denial (at just about the last minute possible) and called 911.

The rest is history!
:)

[bigwillq]

33. Well then, Happy Birthday No. 2!

:toast: :bounce:

[wain]

37. Thanks, bigwillg. I remember your welcoming me to DU

Thanks again for that and for the birthday wishes

:toast:

[miss_american_pie]

3. Happy Second Chance Day!

:woohoo:

[wain]

9. Thanks! I Making the most of it.

I have completely changed my lifestyle.

Stopped smoking. Gone vegan. Do lots of running.

I feel so much better than I have for many years.

I know how fortunate I am and try to act accordingly!

:)

[In_The_Wind]

4. Happy Birthday, wain!

Welcome back for a while longer.

[wain]

10. Thanks Joan_Alpern!

I am very positive and optimistic.

I plan on being around for a long time and work hard to make it happen.

:)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear wain!

You were one of the lucky ones! I am an RN, and I saw many people zapped...

To no avail......

You not only lived, but you're living well........

You kept all your brain cells!

Happy Happy Birthday #2!

:woohoo: :bounce: :bounce: :woohoo:

[wain]

12. Very much appreciated CaliforniaPeggy

My godchild's husband is an EMT and he said much the same. Very few are defibrillated for a long life. He said the success rate he experienced was less than 10%.

I know how fortunate I am. I got out of denial at the last possible moment when I called 911. My incident occurred 5 minutes from the emergency room and I was all hooked up and ready to go. The white blood counts they look at afterwards were very low. Had bypass a month later and have not looked back.

I run about 5 miles every day. Those days when its hard, I remind myself how good it is to be able to run.

I've gone vegan and I never had any desire to have another cigarette. Gee, and all the time I tried to quit before never worked - but I would not recommend my solution.

I remember the first night in ICU. I was afraid to fall asleep!! I wanted to make sure I was around in the morning!

Thanks again for your kind wishes. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. .............

:hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

8. Happy Second Birthday!

:party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party:

[wain]

16. Thanks, Gormy Cuss

I know how fortunate I am. And two birthdays to celebrate is pretty cool.
:hi:

[Call Me Wesley]

11. Happy 2nd Birthday!

:toast: Not everyone gets a second chance. But I'm really glad to hear you did and that you have changed your habits since then. Sometimes we really need to be kicked hard, I guess?

:hi:

[wain]

15. Thanks, Call Me Wesley

I was doing denial pretty good. All my bad lifestyle habits wouldn't hurt me, probably the other guy, but not me!! Well guess what, I was the other guy!

After a couple more cigarettes to calm my nerves, I ended my denial by calling 911 and not too soon! By the time I quit functioning I was 5 minutes from the hospital, hooked up and all ready to go.

But, I know how fortunate I am and I try to make the best of it by doing the right things. You know, Julia Child was right when she said "no fat, no taste"! But I don't mind and I got a few dishes that are rather favorable.

You're right about the swift kick though. It's nice to be around to learn my lesson the hard way! lesson"!

:hi:

[merh]

14. Happy, Happy 2nd Birthday to You!

:toast:

:bounce: We are the lucky ones, that you are here to share this celebration with us. :hug:

[wain]

17. Why, thanks merth. What a nice thing to say!

Being around to participate and share fellowship in the DU Lounge is a recent happy addition to my life's bonus round.

:pals: :hug:

[merh]

20. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

Hold on tight, its a roller coaster, but well worth the ride. :hug:

[wain]

23. Thanks again. There are many nice people on DU

that make the ride a big smile.
:)

[greatauntoftriplets]

18. Happy birthday!

What a remarkable story to live to tell. I wish you many more.

[wain]

21. Thanks so much, greatauntoftriplets

I am, indeed, very fortunate. Sometimes I wonder why me? when there are so many that deserve a second chance more than me. One of my doctors told me there is a reason why I continue with life. Don't know what that is, but I feel I need to make the most of my gift at least for those not so fortunate.

For a moment I thought you mis-spelled your name, but I quickly figured out the reason. Congratulations! My best to Mom and Dad!

:hug:

[Nikia]

19. Happy #2 birthday

I'm glad that you had a second chance at life are living well.

[wain]

22. Thanks, Nikia

It's real hard to feel sorry for myself! From the moment of my second life I have been upbeat. So I'm doubly lucky as that's not always the case with others.

:hug:

[MaryBear]

24. Woo Hoo, wain! Great way to build your post count!

:wow:

:woohoo:

:beer: Is root beer healthy? (Probably not)

Glad you're around, and a DU'er!

[wain]

30. Thank you MaryBear

Root beer is good. Just beer is good.

I'm enjoying being around the DU Lounge!

:toast:

[salin]

25. happy second birthday!

:bounce:

[wain]

31. Thanks, salin. I appreciate the depth and magnitude of your postings

I look forward to half as much fun as you have been having on DU!
:hi:

[salin]

42. the true joy of DU, for me,

has been the incredible sources of news, analyses of news with others, and being able to see more broadly how stories and issues interconnect - an amazing place that has stretched my intellect. The fun on the side - just a bonus - and generally tempered with some other emotions as well.

Thanks for the comps - and enjoy your second birthday, the eyes that you have to appreciate each day in a way that most of us take forgranted, and keep sharing some of those moments and thoughts with us so that we might gain some insight vicariously. :hi:

[wain]

52. Your absolutely right about DU expanding horizons

There is so much information readily available today that it's impossible to keep up with it all. Not only does participation in DU expose me to varying points of view, but there is an amazing wealth of everyday life information and anecdotes provided by DUers.

What's really good about the Lounge is the people and how supportive everyone is to others we have not met.

:)

[kiteinthewind]

26. Happy Birthday, wain!

:party:

[wain]

32. Thanks, kiteinthewind

I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.

And welcome to DU (if I can say that, being your junior!).

:)

[Whoa_Nelly]

27. You are fortunate indeed!

Happy Birthday, wain!

Glad you're kickin' and on DU! :hug: :loveya:

[wain]

34. Hey! Whoa_Nelly

Thank you for your birthday wishes. :hug:

I'm kickin' and enjoying my new friendships on DU.

Nothing like going back to school in the middle of your life. I did that at 30 and 42. Keeps you young and interesting.



:loveya:

[mdmc]

28. thanks for the post.

peace and low stress...stay good...

[wain]

35. Thanks. mdmc

Happiness for what I have. A little stress to be alive.

Although I been told my motto is "why just do it when you can over do it!". I try to keep that under control.

:hi:

[mdmc]

58. peace wain peace

:kick:

[Shine]

38. I am very interested in your story, wain. Congrats on Round #2!

:toast:

Do you feel a greater sense of Purpose in your Life? Are you less afraid of Death now? How has this experience changed you, spiritually, if at all? I'm curious....

[wain]

39. Well, those are very interesting questions, Shine

Not all of life has changed, but some of my outlooks on life are different. Many keywords are popping in and out of my head right now. So, let me just mention a few.

I remember vividly deciding in ER that I would approach this life crisis with optimism, positiveness, cheerfulness and a sense of humor. This was a very deliberate and conscious decision. I did not want to appear weak and as a has-been to others in my life.

I knew immediately how very fortunate I was to still be alive and that I was going to physically make the most of the gift given to me. I changed my life style of smoking, poor eating habits and no exercise to a non-smoker, vegan, exercise nut. Eleven years later it's still the same. Although, on holidays I will enjoy a meat dish. Otherwise, it's strictly a non-fat, non-dairy diet. Quitting smoking was fascinating. I had tried to stop a few times before, but there was always the desire. Once I quit for seven years, but went back. Since life has restarted I have had absolutely not one iota of desire to smoke. It was like turning off a switch. Really psychological.

I tell myself I'm not afraid to die as I've already done that once. Knowing that I'm in the bonus round, and that I had caused my own demise, I really don't think about it much. Life is to be lived, not worrying about the end of it.

At one time I had an over-achieving, type A++ personality. Very goal and career objective driven. I went a long way in my career, very fast. All that crashed and burned 20 years ago. I've rebuilt a new career since then, less of a type A, but still goal and objective oriented. After being born again, I cannot get the same emotional feeling to achieving. That's not to say I don't achieve, but I just don't want or need the same rewards and recognition.

I'll stop here by saying that I'm calmer, more tolerant, less judgmental. Less intense. I enjoy the people aspect of my job at all levels more than before because I don't have to prove anything to anyone.

Really appreciate your interest. Hope I haven't been overly self-centered. Good to hear from you again; you kindly welcomed me to DU a while ago.

:hug:

[Shine]

40. "Life is to be lived, not worrying about the end of it."

Wise words, indeed, my friend. Thanks for your very interesting and thoughtful response post. I loved reading about how you consider yourself to be calmer, more tolerant, less judgemental and not needing to prove anything to anyone.

In short, you have been gifted by the recognition that we are human BE-ings, not human DO-ings....That shift in consciousness is profound.

Bright blessings to you...
:hug:

[skygazer]

41. Happy second birthday

My best friend had his heart attack a few months after turning 40 - steady diet of alcohol, tobacco, bacon and fried foods pretty much did it (I don't believe he actually died, though).

That was 16 years ago. Since then, he's given up smoking, drinks in moderation, eats healthy, has gotten married and has two kids. His doctor tells him you can't even tell that he ever had the heart attack - he's in the best shape of his life.

Congratulations. Sometimes we need a wake-up call, don't we? :party:

[wain]

51. Thanks, skygazer. I'm glad to hear your best friend is well.

Sorry to say, I recognize most of your friend's previous bad life style habits. Yes, unfortunately, some of us have to learn the hard way. What's sad is that many never get that second chance to learn. Even some who have had the wake-up call don't learn, but go back to their old ways.

I am very happy to hear what your best friend's doctor had to say. My doctor is the same way. He says I'm his poster-boy patient! Glad to be that!

I appreciate your kind thoughts. And, if you see you friend, tell him there's another one like him out there and that I wish him continued good health and fullness of life.
:)

[KitchenWitch]

43. Wow, what a neat thing!

:hi:

Happy birthday #2!

[wain]

46. Thanks, KitchenWitch

I have enjoyed reading your posts. You certainly are having fun in the DU lounge.

I appreciate your birthday wishes. I don't recommend going the route I did, but at least I'm still on the road!

:hi:

[khashka]

44. Happy second birthday!

And may you have many more.


Of coure you know what this means? You are officially a toddler and get to drive everyone crazy! The terrible twos....

:)

Khash.

[wain]

47. Hi khashka. Thanks for your kind wishes.

Actually it's my eleventh 2nd birthday. One way I stay young is to not act my age! My friends tell me that's not hard for me to do - it's good to have friends.

I have enjoyed being in the DU lounge since I recently joined and I have seen many of your posts. I look forward to seeing you again.

:)

[khashka]

67. My philosopy:

There is no point in being an adult if you can't be childish!


Khash.

[wain]

74. Khash. Your philosophy make me think of Roy Campanella

Roy Campanella was a great catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers. As a kid I remember him saying that to play baseball you have to have a lot of little boy in you. I have always thought that to be great wisdom for life in general.

I've kept an old newspaper photo of Campanella that showed two pictures of him. One walking away from home plate, dejected, as the Yankees won the World Series again. The other photo was a picture of the happy kid racing out to the pitcher's mound to celebrate with Johnny Podres their beating the Yankees in the World Series.
:)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

45. Happy Rebirthday!

Glad you're here to share with us. :toast:

[wain]

48. Hi GoddessOfGuinness. I recognize you by your avatar!

Thanks so much for your kind wishes and thoughts. Being here to participate with good people such as yourself adds to the fullness of life. I look forward to seeing you often in the DU Lounge.

:)

[Starbucks Anarchist]

49. Happy second birthday!

[wain]

53. Thanks, Starbucks Anarchist. You're up very early (or late)

I appreciate your kind wish for a happy birthday. I'm really enjoying my new-found home in the DU Lounge!

:)

[Starbucks Anarchist]

54. Up late.

I go to work in the late afternoon.

Hope you like the Lounge.

:hi:

[SeattleGirl]

50. Happy birthday!

It's wonderful you are still here!

[wain]

55. Hi SeattleGirl. Thanks for your kind thoughts

Love the Spring flowers on your Journal.

Hope all is calm on the home front with the Sheriff's department and the staked out neighbors.

Gee, you're either up really early or really late.

Thanks again for saying such a nice thing.
:)

[wain]

56. Forgot to say I hope your Mom is doing well

:hug:

[rbnyc]

57. Ever seen Bliss? Australian film made in the 80s?

It's about a guy who has a heart attack and dies, and then everything is different.

[wain]

63. Hi, rbnyc

I never heard of this movie. Here's a review I found online. Doesn't sound like me. I have never felt better and am very much enjoying life, and intend to do so for many more years!

I'll try to rent the movie "Bliss" and take a look.

:)

_____________________________________________

A man dies from a heart attack and is bought back to life. He is however convinced he is in hell. Feeling confused and scared by the strangeness of his family and the world around him, he starts to have a breakdown. It seems his only salvation lies in the arms of a prostitute, but can you find love in hell?

This is a truly beautiful movie, at times scary, at times befuddling. Like the world Harry Bliss lives in, like the world we live in.

[rbnyc]

65. It's worth a watch.

The revelation is quite slow, but very compelling. I really love this flick.

[underpants]

59. A Jew, an African-American woman and an Hispanic EMT walk into a bar

:bounce:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

[wain]

61. Thanks, underpants

Was it a Brazillian bar???!

Very nice of you to wish me a happy birthday.

:)

[Deep13]

62. Fuck you, death!

We're going to keep you waiting for awhile.

[wain]

64. er, I'd try not to taunt death's door

But, I do look forward to many, many years more.
:)

[Crazy Guggenheim]

68. Congrats!!

[wain]

70. Thank you, Sir Crazy

I would have missed all the fun at DU had I not made it back.
:hi:

[MissB]

69. Happy Birthday!

:party:

[wain]

71. missb, thanks for your wishes

So glad I'm here on DU.
:hi:

[peacebuzzard]

72. Happy Birthday!!!

I rarely come to the lounge, but saw your post and story. Amazing.
Glad to have you around.
Come to the Vegan and vegetarian group one day.
We have a small group celebrating alternative life style.

[wain]

73. Thanks, peacebuzzard

I greatly appreciate your birthday greeting.

And thanks for letting me know about the vegan and vegetarian group. I will certainly be visiting. Glad your visited the Lounge and got a chance to see my post.

:hi: