I retired February 1.

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

I'll try to be brief:

Original plan was to retire 5/1/2008 (turned 59 1/11/08). Went to hospital 2/27 for angioplasty, had to have 5 bypasses 3/3, and the a stroke 3/7. Ended up in hospital 7.5 weeks, coded once, and in a coma for a few days. Came home late April with a walker and feeding tube. I can now drive, eat, drink, & walk pretty good. Returned to work end of November, took January for vacation, and retired 2/1/09 after 41.5 years at Caterpillar. I still have some balance problems, so not motorcycle riding and a bit slower on thinking than I used to be. Although disappointed with my limitations, I feel darn lucky to have suffered a stroke and still have the capabilities I have. And the BEST wife in the world.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

Congratulations on bringing yourself to this point. It sounds like you've worked very hard to get yourself healthy. Enjoy your retirement. I hope it will be long, happy, and healthy.

Sue

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

Congrat's

Congrat's on your retirement. I have been retired almost 4 years and love it.

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

You have had a tough year. I wish you health and happiness in your retirement!

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

I think you really deserve to retire. I hope it is a happy and healthy one for you. Sounds like you beat the odds. Congratulations.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I normally would say great enjoy life now have a Cigar but I will leave the Cigar part out Just enjoy life.

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

WOW - what a rough ride you've had! So glad you are mostly healed up.

Congratulations on your retirement - may it be nothing but smoooooth sailing from here on out!

[pranas Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pranas]

Enjoy your retirement!

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Congratulations!!! Wishing you a very happy, healthy, and fun filled retirement!!! Enjoy!!!

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

Congratulations on your recovery. I'm sure it took a lot of hard work on your part. May you have a wonderful retirement!

[jackio Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close jackio]

Wow! Congratulations first on your great recovery; I'm sure you wowed them at PT, OT, etc. Second, congrats on your retirement - 41.5 years, what an accomplishment. Third, congratulations on choosing such a terrific wife. I wish you both many years of happiness.

[tennisWalt Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tennisWalt]

Someone Was Watching Over Me.

You story really hit home with me. First of all my birthday is February 1st. Second, what happen to you could have happen to me. On December 10, 2007 I walked into the hospital knowing there was something wrong with me. Just walking into the hospital 50 yards cause pressure on the chest and shortness of breath. I have been playing tennis for over 40 years and never had any problem with tightness in the chest or shortness of breath. In fact I was always able to out last many players younger than myself in most tennis matches. I was playing tennis on vacation at the Beach Club at St. Augustine at the end of Nov. 2007 when it happen to me. I really knew I had to have it check out. And I should have done it right then. Instead I went home but didn’t make an appointment with my Doctor. I should have done so. On Dec. 1 we had a snow storm and I went outside to snow blow the snow from the drive way. Well, in less than 5 minutes I had a tightness in the chest and shortness of breath again. I should have gone to the ER. But I didn’t do so. But I did call my cardiologist the next day and he set up a stress test on Dec. 10th. I failed the test big time. Within 45 minutes I was having an angioplasty done. I had 3 arteries better than 98% blocked. The Cardiologist was able to do 3 stents. And so far, everything is fine. I have been playing tennis and riding my bike without any problems.

The point of telling you this is I really was very, very lucky I did not have a heart attack. I think I was within 24 hours of having one So please, if you have any shortness of breath call your cardiologist as soon as it happens. Don’t think you are just out of shape. My daughter-in-law is a Cardiac nurse. She said that the reason I didn’t have a heart attack was that I was taking an aspirin a day and playing tennis 3 to 5 times a week. So ask your doctor if a aspirin a day is right for you and get out and walk 30 minutes 3 or more times a day.

Congratulations on your recovery!

Walt

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

I'll try to be brief:

Original plan was to retire 5/1/2008 (turned 59 1/11/08). Went to hospital 2/27 for angioplasty, had to have 5 bypasses 3/3, and the a stroke 3/7. Ended up in hospital 7.5 weeks, coded once, and in a coma for a few days. Came home late April with a walker and feeding tube. I can now drive, eat, drink, & walk pretty good. Returned to work end of November, took January for vacation, and retired 2/1/09 after 41.5 years at Caterpillar. I still have some balance problems, so not motorcycle riding and a bit slower on thinking than I used to be. Although disappointed with my limitations, I feel darn lucky to have suffered a stroke and still have the capabilities I have. And the BEST wife in the world.

You are a very lucky man to have recovered so fast but you must have worked hard at it. I hope you'll have a long and healthy retirement after 41.5 years at one job. Wishing you many happy vacations to beautiful places with your dear wife.