From: denis Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:35 PM To: chin-ning chu Subject: aloha Chin-ning,I had my first heart attack on Sunday. Interesting experience, to say the least, my meditation and spiritual training served me well. I was calm and at peace despite the pain, i was ready to die if it was my time, not resigned, not giving up but at peace. I used my mantras to keep me calm and I had a deep understanding of what was going on.
I was "lucky" that people were around to help me, the attack began in my favorite restaurant near my house, I had my emergency medicine in my car and didn't say a word to anyone there (the owners are my friends) because i didn't feel like talking, I got to my car which was some distance from restaurant because it was hard to find parking. When I got to my car i took the medicine and then wondered what to do, i drove home even though i knew it was probably not very safe.
When i got home my landlady was at my house because i'm having it painted, i laid down on the floor and then knew i needed to go to the hospital, using body language I got my landlady to understand and she called the ambulance. She and her husband were very kind and helped me into the ambulance and my land ladies husband went to the hospital with me. I was taken to Keelung hospital and wasn't there for long before Amigo and Joanne showed up (landlady called them). By the time i reached the hospital the pain was pretty intense but i was not afraid, I think staying as calm as possible helped me and made it easier on those around me.
Keelung hospital is not a good hospital and i really wanted to talk with my doctor and transfer hospitals, with Joanne and Amigo's help i was able to communicate (very limited English at Keelung Hospital). Joanne rode with me in the ambulance to Taipei and her and Amigo didn't go home until almost 4:00 am, by then i was inthe ICU and in good hands, I kept telling them to go home because it was a work day the next day but they just said it's OK they want to stay.
I had angioplasty the very next evening, a stent was inserted to help keep artery open. I had only one artery blocked so i didn't need bypass surgery. i was very popular at the hospital as my spirits were high, i was friendly to everyone and never complained or was troublesome, all the nurses would come hang out in my room and we would laugh and talk as they practiced their English. The hospital (Cheng Hsin Hospital) treated me really well (VIP treatment) and i was happy I had not stayed at Keelung Hospital.
My Dr. preformed the procedure, I spent my second night in the Intensive Care Unit and the next day was sent to the regular hospital ward, and again i was lucky because i got a room to myself even though it was designed for 2 patients. I believe my Dr. really helped me because he is important there and he and I have become friends. Joanne came to the hospital every day (Joanne had some days off and she spent them all with me).Amigo would come after work and then they would go home. I spent one night in the ward and then after getting out of bed and showering and dressing in street clothes my Doctor agreed that I could go home.Again Joanne was with me and we went to my place and she waited there for Amigo to come pick her up after work. They were incredible, even Claudia and her children (plus husband) came to visit me the second day at hospital from Taichung because that day (Monday) Joanne had to work (it is really a busy day for her and she didn't have much sleep at all since Amigo and her were at the hospital with me until after 3:00 am). Before my procedure the hospital wanted some one to be there for me as risk was still high for me at that time (some people after heart attack die during the procedure), so Claudia came with her kids to be there for me (she only had a few days left of maternity leave and again I was lucky that she had a day off to come). All my anger seemed to die with the heart attack and it felt great and i could feel a real change in myself, like a second chance to do a better job. When we traveled home (taxi-bus-taxi) I could feel the irritation of noise and too many people and it bothered me some, but I Will continue trying to be more calm and accepting. I rested on Thursday and am in my office for the first time since Sunday (it's early Friday morning). Prepared things so that I could sit down and bathe (Japanese style) so can be more attentive to hygiene, asked Amigo to discuss with landlady how water pressure could be improved so i can get cleaner. I lost some weight in hospital and will continue. Dr. said it is OK to begin work on Monday (school starts Sept. 17) and can begin exercising in a couple of weeks. Prognosis for recovery quite high, Dr. says 20-30 years, but who really knows? All I can say is thank Buddha for Joanne and Amigo! Joanne asked me if I wanted them to call you but I said it might just worry you. But you are the first one I emailed, next will be friends and brother and sis. So my journey will continue and i will try to use this gift in the best way possible love denis
