I apologize for keeping everyone in the dark over the past week, but I felt it necessary so I could give you the best information I have.
But, before I begin, I just have to say that I greatly appreciate all the kind comments that were attached to the last post. They were a wonderful counterpoint to an article I read while laying in the emergency room’s hospital bed (for 12 hours). The article stated that men are losing close-male friendships at a greater pace than ever before. So, as each of you added comments, I was a warmly reminded at just how many friends I have, even if we have never seen each other face-to-face.
So, why was I in the ER? The most important reason was to determine whether I was having either a stroke or a heart attack, as I was feeling some numbness along my face, arms, and hands, along with some light chest tension (there is also family history with both strokes and heart issues). Moreover, my ability to control my blood pressure had subsided, meaning when I laid down to rest, it was still high. All this had been preceded by several days of feeling odd.
The initial tests in the ER indicated that I was not having a heart attack (that was a plus), but the EKG suggested I might have had one a few days before. Skipping over most of the drudgery and boredom that consumed my visit, eventually the next day they had me perform a stress test.
For those unfamiliar with it, imagine a very large ipod strapped to your side, affixed with multiple cables, along with body-hair-wrenching stickers attached to various parts of your body. Then, you climb on a tread mill and fast-walk it (in my head I thought I would be sprinting on it) as the heart tech raises the treadmill’s incline mode.
By the end of the stress test, I didn’t care what the results were: I felt great. It was the best I had felt in a couple weeks; I finally felt normal again. After that, I returned to my room and, while waiting for the results of the test, fell asleep.
Several hours later, I awoke to the nurse telling me I was going home. I guess the results were good enough that the doc didn’t bother to explain them to me. Besides, I had an appointment scheduled for July 1st with my new primary care provider, so I figured he would delve into the results with me.
At home I put myself on bedrest. I felt that if anything was a principal cause of all this, it was EXHAUSTION. So, that meant No eWillys, no computering (though I have been using my phone), and no physical labor for the near future. I am taking a long needed break from life, as best I can.
While waiting for the July 1st appointment to arrive, I also started some blood pressure medication. Unfortunately, that seems to have some side effects, but I can’t tell if it is the BP meds or some other issue causing them. After this third day of taking the meds (and feeling wierd), the first request I planned to make to my new doc was to remove me from the new med so I can establish a baseline of blood pressure and health. I need to know if there are lingering effects from this “Exhaustion” or if there was another factor that is causing some of the issues.
On positive side, my new doc explained to me that he felt I did not have a heart attack. Though he and I may have some debate over the state of my cholesterol (don’t get me started on that topic) and my blood pressure, overall he didn’t seem to have any worries about my health.
And, if you have any wonder as to why I was exhausted, not only had I been working my butt off for 4.5 months (getting the house ready to sell, packing, prepping the new house, then making changes to the new house), but I also stopped exercising (lack of time) and eating more poorly. Add to that, another cancer diagnosis for Ann’s mom (and the general friction we have with her). Then, there’s my own mother’s recent stroke(s) and the need to get her in a better situation, and the result is that I may have become overwhelmed by it all.
So, the plan of action is to get some rest (meaning keep ewillys on Hiatus for longer), start exercising again, start carefully tracking my blood pressure to establish a baseline, and do a sleep study. Hopefully, all this reset’s me back to my ol’ self.
Perhaps in another week or so I can add another report. Until then, I am doing my best to take care of myself.
Best wishes and again, sorry to worry you all (I have certainly been worried) and hopefully all this will work itself out just fine.
– Dave
Dave,
Well that’s good news, glad to hear it. Take time as long as needed, EWillys can wait, and we will. Peace & well Being.
The most important thing for you is to be healthy. All of us on eWillys will be here anxiously waiting your return of course, but I’m sure I’m not alone in this sentiment…. dont hurry back if it means losing progress of caring for yourself
When you do return you’ll have a legion of people to welcome you back. Best wishes from NY
Thanks for the update.
Suggest you find a cool spot and read some of the wonderful items you have collected over the years. That could and should take weeks.
All the best!
Good news Dave… sometimes self care is the hardest, but often most important.
I hope you are on the mend and feeling better each day.
Pete
Hi Dave,
That’s great news. Please rest up, take care of yourself, and do what you need to do. The Willys community is community first, and Willys second. We are all human; that’s what matters. As others have said: we are all rooting for you and will be here when you return – however and whenever that may be.
Good news Dave. Take care of yourself.
Very happy to know you are well.
Best wishes.
Very nice to see that you got good news. I’m glad you’re able to take time and take care of yourself, and Ann, and your family. Definitely top priorities.
All the best wishes from Ohio, Dave. Sometimes we have to pull off the road (of everyday life) for some “maintenance….”
BIG DAVE — THIS IS GREAT NEWS — YOU HAVE A HEART — YOU KNOW I DONT HAVE ONE !! — I HAVENT BEEN TO A DOCTOR SINCE 1991 WHEN I BROKE MY LEG ON THE STRATOVOLCANO ( DRUNK CLIMBING , 3AM XMAS MORNING ) JAJAJAJAJA ~ !! — OK , ENOUGH OF THAT — TAKE A BREAK , I’LL DO THE WILLYS WORK WHILE YOU PLAY — GET WELL !! — SINCERELY , VERNON
Rest up and take it easy for awhile. You need it and deserve it. Like you said your life has neen nonstop for awhile. Take your time and relax and enjoy your new place and make sure to watch your new sunsets in the evening 😁
Good news Dave. Chill out and all will be good.
I’ve been in that ER. EKGs, enzymes, ultrasounds, stress tests, admitted, etc. etc . It can be… “introspective”. Don’t overthink it, but don’t ignore it. Take the time. Get it right 😉
MB
Good luck and good rest. Will be keeping you in mind.
Good news Dave! We all need to recharge our health batteries from time to time. Health and family come first and after those are in good order our hobbies will still be there waiting on us. Take care, Don
BIG DAVE — I’M NOT A DOCTOR BUT , MAYBE YOU HAD A HEAT STROKE ? — ITS 115 HERE IN ****VILLE , AND ITS PROBABLY THE SAME WHERE YOU ARE ? — DID YOUR DOCTOR FACTOR IN THE HEAT ?? — JUST A THOUGHT — GET WELL — MANANA ~
Dave,
Glad to read that nothing major going on… rest the best you can.
The “3B” guy from New York state..
Gary K.
That’s great to hear. Keep putting yourself first for a while until you’ve got this figured out. Everything else can wait.
This a great news, rest up, we will be standing by.
Take your time and get better! Thanks for all you do for us Willys nuts out here. We will still be here, our jeeps are at least 50 years old, we can wait a while.
Gooing to control it for all.d news Dave, is that you are adjusting to your NEW LIFE. You and ANN have really been pushing it for a while, and LIFE CHANGES can play a toll on us, especially like yours from some many different sources. Get well, and enjoy your new environment, and try to enjoy LIFE instead of trying to ‘control’ it. Like with all Willys, as we age some upgrades may be in our future. Prayers to you from South Florida.
Good to hear you are on the mend!
Dave, this is Mark the water pump guy here in Phoenix, I refused to control my blood pressure for years , but last fall I callasped at work with a mild stroke, was hospitalized and now am on blood pressure medication. Yes there are some side effects, sometimes I feel dizzy and just plane odd. The way I get around that is taking meds right before I go to bed ( I guess it’s not going to matter if I’m dizzy in my sleep) good luck to you and your R&R
Dave,
Glad you are feeling better and got some good news about your health. Take as long of a Hyades as you need! We’ll look up flatties the old fashion way, looking them up our self 🙂
Great News ! Slow down – you have done a ton of work over the last couple months.
With the recent heat wave you’re having there in the Pacific northwest, I’d suggest you keep your “exercise” to the air conditioned house!
Just what everyone was hoping to hear! Take is easy and rest as long as needed. There’s still many more Jeepin’ adventures down the pike for all of us!
Thank you for the update, Dave. Take all the time you need. All the best from Holland.
Dave, so happy to hear that you are feeling better and that some restoration time should get you running smooth again! You’ve sure had some rough road to travel the last several months. Glad that you listened to what your body was telling you and got to the ER. Wise that you are taking time to focus on rest. Very best wishes from your fans around the world!
So glad to hear! Time to turn the Air Conditioning to 72F, and relax!
It’s refreshing to hear you are well. Stress is a killer. Take care bud.
Very good news! Do what you feel is best for you. And only you know what is best. Preserve your health. God Bless
Been busy myself. Only found out about your health issues yesterday. Glad to hear you’re on the upswing/mend. Take care of yourself!!
Thank you for the update!! Glad to hear you are going to be ok. your health is the most important thing always. It’s not hard to over work you’re self,when you have a lot on your plate.
David, maybe you need to manage a website devoted to a less stressful subject than Jeeps, like Hummel figurines or antique teacups. 🤦♂️
Take good care of yourself, hope all goes well for you and your family. Good Luck.
Dave……thanks taking the time to give us all an update. Just a little advice from a really old man (which I guess is not a bad thing !). Men are wired to do “work”……..mostly physical work……and we can kinda judge where we are on the overwork scale by aches, pains, normal signs of exhaustion etc..
We are very often not able to recognize when we are overworked mentally. Being a caregiver or in your case both a caregiver and a caregiver to a caregiver…….can have a cumulative effect on all your systems both mental and physical. Lots of literature and research out there…….it’s OK to ask for help with allen bolts on axles……but it’s also OK to reach out to resources to “get better”.
Take care of YOURSELF !
Take care of your health. Don’t worry about us out here who love your site and follow you regularly. We would rather you come back healthy than not come back at all.
I’ve never posted here before, but being 57 and dealing with BP and Cholesterol issues – and having recently done a move, dealt with more deaths than I care to recall due to Covid, and other issues – I totally get what you are saying. Give yourself a break, reset, and come back healthy.
I just lost a business partner – 57 yrs old – who was a workaholic and just keeled over a few weekends ago. Don’t be that guy. He was a great guy and I would so much have preferred he blew me off on a weekend than die from exhaustion.
I myself unplugged, ate better, slept more, exercised, and took a 2 week vacation and now I feel recharged and ready to do great things.
A loyal reader.
Frederic
Hi Dave
Sure glad to read your doing better! I can sure relate to the too much going on scenario. Try to not let life be overwhelming and just get done what you get done and the rest will get done eventually. That’s how I try to operate. (sometimes it actually works out, LOL)
Take care of yourself and rest up 🙂
Really great news that you are recovering….take your time.
Dave, happy to hear you are feeling better. Thought I would share that I’m on a low blood pressure dose, which generally doesn’t have any noticeable side effects. But once in a while my BP goes pretty low, and that definitely has weird side effects – mostly feeling low energy and kind of deflated (guess that make some sense) and my neck and shoulders feel like I’ve been carrying a heavy backpack for ten miles. It all goes away after a little while when the BP comes back up.
Dave,
So glad to hear that there is a resolvable cause to your issue. I have been through nearly the same situation with similar diagnosis and results. I have backed away from some of the stresses in life and things are much better. You have to take care of yourself first then ease back into the most important parts of your life. Take care of yourself. I will still be checking e-willys everyday even if nothing is posted.
Get well soon.
Glad you’re on the mend! Take all the time you need to get rested and get yourself healthy.
Take care my friend and rest! Been there myself,I have 4 stents. We all appreciate what you do for us. See you on the flip side!
I am glad you are better. I have been logging on to Ewillys daily for several years now and look forward to your return. I take a blood pressure med called Carvedilol, it will kick my ass sometimes so I take it at night, much better. Slow down a little and monitor your pressure at home. We need ya back!
Get well soon!!! I enjoy your work and visit daily!
Dave-
That is actually very good news. The schedule and stress you have been under this year have all come together and told your body it is time to take a break. I find myself having to take a “mental health” day more often than I did before and I find that I feel much better afterwards. This weekend culminated in the finishing of a remodel project at our house and once we got some of the furniture back in place, I vegged out and watched Clint Eastwood movies all day, did a couple of steaks on the grill and had some apple pie and ice cream, watched some fireworks from my back yard that folks living within blocks of us decided to set off. Just what the Dr. ordered for me. Today is a new day and a new month and that’s the way you have to look at it. I have been through all the tests you have had and with the same basic results. You just needed a rest. Now that you have experienced the symptoms, when you feel them coming on again, you just need to take a break. Most everything with eWillys will wait as will some of the projects you have planned for the eWillys International headquarters! Just get better!
Colin
Sending positive waves your way, Dave!
Glad you are feeling better now Dave. Get that well needed rest and wishing you a speedy full recovery!
Mark
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Keep on Jeep’n
So glad to hear Dave!Take all the time you need.