How long have you had high blood pressure?
So I’ve moved from the bedroom to the living room - with a lot of help - after waking up and realising I’d had a stroke, and we’re waiting for the ambulance to arrive. My wife asked me if I was doing OK.
I told her I’d like a cigarette. She reminded me that we don’t smoke in the house and that I would have to go outside to smoke. Which she knew I couldn’t do.
Now let’s be honest here - what kind of dumbass wants to smoke a cigarette straight after a stroke? Answer - one who probably wouldn’t be here now if he’d had one.
The paramedics arrived and took my blood pressure (amongst doing many other things). It was off the scale.
“How long have you had high blood pressure” I was asked.
I had no idea. So I answered in the way that only a smarty pants can - “About half an hour I think”.
Somehow, I don’t think so. I’d had it for quite a while.
High blood pressure is a silent killer. It could have killed me but fortunately it didn’t.
Make sure it doesn’t kill you.
Do you need the bathroom honey?
Do you remember what you were doing at 4:30 am on May 16th 2004? You were probably sleeping.
I remember it vividly. I had a vague recollection of my wife asking me if I needed the bathroom, but it didn’t really sink in because I was staring at my right arm and wondering why it wouldn’t move. I was telling myself ‘of course it will move’ but it didn’t. It just sat there looking at me. In fact it wasn’t even looking at me, it was just there. It didn’t seem like it was a part of me at all.
So I thought I’d better get up. That’s when I realised that I couldn’t move my leg either. I knew I had a serious problem.
I told my wife that something was seriously wrong. Or at least that’s what I tried to do. The words didn’t come out properly.
Now I’m not a doctor and I don’t play one on TV, but I knew what had happened.
At the ripe old age of 49 I’d suffered a stroke.
And I was most definitely NOT happy!
Health and Happiness
Over on Dr Mani’s blog he is talking about how to be happy, and there is absolutely no doubt that health and happiness are related. Being unhappy is definitely bad for your health, it can lead to all kinds of serious health issues including depression and at the worst suicide.
One way to stay happy is by adopting a positive mental attitude, or PMA. Being miserable only makes matters worse, which is why we have the saying ‘misery loves company’.
Have you ever been to the cancer department of a hospital? You might expect people there to be depressed, but they aren’t. They are cheerful and optimistic because they know that being happy and focusing on the positives is the best way to fight illness.
Don’t worry. Be Happy!
Heart Kids Blogathon
Tomorrow - Saturday September 15th - I shall be taking part in a blogging marathon to not only help spread awareness of Congenital Heart Defects, but also to raise money to enable my friend Dr Mani Sivasubramanian to perform life saving surgery on kids affected with CHD.
Dr Mani is a Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon who every year holds a Heart Kids Blogathon (this year will be the fifth) where he blogs for 24 hours non stop to raise funds and awareness for Congenital Heart Defects. I and others around the world willl be blogging for 4 hours to help raise awareness.
You can learn more about Dr Mani and why he is so passionate Congenital Heart Defects by visiting this day for hearts page.
And you’ll learn more about me and the dramatic event that caused me to completely change my lifestyle and start living a healthy lifestyle if you drop by here tomorrow 
Lettuce Wrapped Fish and Vegetables
Ingredients:
6 large lettuce
1 medium carrot, shredded
1 small zucchini, shredded
1 1/2 pounds fresh or frozen (thawed) fish fillets, cut into 6 serving pieces
1 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions:
Wilt lettuce leaves. Placing in hot water for 1 minute can do this. You will see the lettuce leaves start to droop. Be sure to drain the leaves well after removing from water. Place lettuce leaves flat. Take a small portion (enough to cover lettuce leaf) of vegetables and place in single layer in leaf leaving edges clear. Place a piece of fish on top of the vegetables. Add marjoram, salt and pepper taste. Put a small portion of butter on top. Fold leaf around vegetables and fish. Place in a large baking dish seam side down. Continue until all ingredients are used. Cover dish with aluminum foil. Place in a preheated 400 degree oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes.