Live Like You Were...

5486 Views 38 Replies 17 Participants Last post by MilProGuy, Feb 12, 2018

MilProGuy

Discussion Starter · Feb 3, 2018 (Edited)

Live Like You Were Dying

In the Spring of 2016, I was hospitalized at the VAMC in Memphis for a headache which I had been dealing with for four days. It was finally diagnosed as a migraine, so the doctors put me on a migraine cocktail drip, which alleviated the headache after a couple of days. However, in the process of all the CATSCANS and MRIs, the Radiologist found that I had a sizable aneurysm on my left carotid artery in the cranial region that had, evidently, resulted from an injury caused by the surgeons during the carotid artery surgery they performed on me to remove a blockage on December 5, 2014.

Due to the location of the aneurysm, it is considered to be inoperable. The vascular surgeon said that the risks of opening up my skull to perform the surgery would be greater than to leave the aneurysm alone and take the risk of it rupturing. Of course, if it did rupture, the likelihood of surviving a bleeding stroke on the brain would be minimal; and even if I survived, I'd be severely impaired and handicapped. So, for the past 18 months or so, I have been endeavoring to live each day to its fullest.

Many years ago I made peace with God when I placed my faith in Jesus Christ and accepted His forgiveness of my sins and the promise of eternal life with Him. If I did not have this peace and blessed assurance in my heart and mind, I cannot fathom how I would have handled all this business about the inoperable aneurysm.

This morning, my son, Scott, sent me this beautiful Tim McGraw video as a word of encouragement. It blessed my socks off! Here's hoping the message of his song will be a help and encouragement to whomever will take the time to listen to it.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...1AFC430395DBE113223E1AFC430395DBE11&FORM=VIRE

Reactions: 5

1 - 20 of 39 Posts

Panda

· #2 · Feb 3, 2018

Hang in there MPG! I went thru something very similar back in the summer of 2016. I feel blessed to still be here, but my faith is strong, so I'm not worried about the hereafter.

Wishing you all the best!
Panda..

Reactions: 4

MilProGuy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 3, 2018

Panda said:
Hang in there MPG! I went thru something very similar back in the summer of 2016. I feel blessed to still be here, but my faith is strong, so I'm not worried about the hereafter.

Wishing you all the best!
Panda..

It is a comfort to know I am in the company of one who has trod a similar path.

God bless.

Jake3501

· #4 · Feb 3, 2018

Harry, as we go though this life, some folks never take the time to live it.

I have already been to three funerals this year and had to skip out on a fourth.

I sat in each service knowing two of the people lived good full lives, taking the time to enjoy it as they passed through, and not really knowing a lot about the third person.

I may be a little older than you, I turn 70 in a few months. I think back to how old that used to seem to me, but I don't feel old. .

I would have liked to travel more when the planet was a little safer. Not many big cities I really want to travel to anymore.

I do want to go to Northern Idaho and Montana, Alaska would be a good trip.

A friend of mine died of pancreatic cancer about 6 years ago, had about two months after he was diagnosed. He and his family took a two week fishing expedition to Alaska.

I can't imagine what I'd put on my bucket list if I had 60 days. I have had two friends die from. A heart attack getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Not much notice e. I think that is my preference of a way to go.e

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Reactions: 3

Panda

· #5 · Feb 3, 2018

MilProGuy said:
It is a comfort to know I am in the company of one who has trod a similar path.

God bless.

I'm here for you if you want to vent your concerns or emotions as you move forward. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Panda..

Reactions: 1

silverstring

· #6 · Feb 3, 2018

Nice Video MPG. Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to just not know that our body's clock could stop at any moment due to a diagnosed medical condition. I've got two diagnosed clock stoppers, even though I don't let that slow me down. I kinda wish I didn't know, maybe I would be even more spontaneous. I still like to get a little tipsy when I go out to my friends cabin on a mountain top, play guitars and generally act a fool. Even though last time I passed out for a few seconds when my BP dropped down to the cellar. Hey its all in good fun anyway, if I go - I go, hopefully while testing the latest gun or drinking a bit too much fire water.

Reactions: 3

ozzy

· #7 · Feb 3, 2018

I almost checked out a few week ago, what a wake up call.

Reactions: 2

TrucksNCoffee

· #8 · Feb 3, 2018

I'm in a neighboring valley, Harry, where the shadow is named melanoma. I've completed two infusion treatments that have triggered my body's immune system to attack this cancer. After 18 months it seems to be working. But, the shadow is still there, and always will be throughout the rest of this life. The grace of God, whom I have known all of my life, has more than sustained me during these past few years.

I'm going to retire this coming April from 32 years of working 45 to 55 hours a week. I want to have more time to spend with my wife and our two grandchildren, go shooting more often with my oldest son, and visit my youngest son who lives out of state. That these are priorities has always been a given, but some things sharpen one's focus to make the most out of the years we have remaining.

Thank you for sharing your story and giving us a chance to pray with and for you, and to share our own stories. God bless you, as I know He always has.

Reactions: 5

darbo

· #9 · Feb 3, 2018

I don't have any words of wisdom for you Harry. I think the song covers it.

Reactions: 1

jonrjen

· #10 · Feb 3, 2018

I just returned from a Memorial Service for my wives uncle. He gave 27 years to the USAF, another 17 to BCBS while at this same time earned a degree in phycology. Also along the way was a realtor for a few years after serving his country. He also found the time to father and raise 8 children.

He was also a man who believed in his faith strongly.

This man lived life to it's fullest, gave of himself freely, and had is priorities set right. I only wish that I had taken the time to get to know him better when that was possible.

It was mentioned during the service today that while he was in the hospital a photo was taken. It was not until after his passing that it was noticed that he had the most peaceful look upon his face with a smile all knowing of what was to come.

I agree with the live your life to the fullest, but also take the time to spend part of your life learning from the life of others.

The Tim McGraw song has been a personal favorite since it came out, as has "Why me Lord".

Thank you for sharing your story, it came on a most appropriate time and day for me.

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Reactions: 2

Jake3501

· #11 · Feb 4, 2018

My favorite Cowboy's Prayer in a song.

Reactions: 3

NativeTexan

· #12 · Feb 4, 2018

Harry, you are in my prayers. I fear strokes, blood clot deseases, as I have a condition called "thrombocytosis". They can't tell me how I got this mess, just that there is no absolute cure, just a drug that controls the thrombocyte count. Without that drug, I wouldn't likely last a few weeks. Hopefully, WITH it, I'll have a normal long life, but I do have numbness in my lower legs and feet which is concerning to me. Since I got on medicare and got this United Healthcare "replacement" policy, I've been going to the clinic. I got my prescriptions now no charge mailed to me in 3 month supplies, no longer have to buy 'em out of pocket which was expensive and I wasn't taking a big enough dose which is, I'm sure, my lower leg problem. Anyway, there are dugs like Plavix for that, too, and I'll get some to see if I can clear that up, finally.

If it ain't one thing, it's another. I pray you'll get through this.

Reactions: 1

MilProGuy

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 4, 2018

Jake3501 said:
Harry, as we go though this life, some folks never take the time to live it.

I have already been to three funerals this year and had to skip out on a fourth.

I sat in each service knowing two of the people lived good full lives, taking the time to enjoy it as they passed through, and not really knowing a lot about the third person.

I may be a little older than you, I turn 70 in a few months. I think back to how old that used to seem to me, but I don't feel old. .

I would have liked to travel more when the planet was a little safer. Not many big cities I really want to travel to anymore.

I do want to go to Northern Idaho and Montana, Alaska would be a good trip.

A friend of mine died of pancreatic cancer about 6 years ago, had about two months after he was diagnosed. He and his family took a two week fishing expedition to Alaska.

I can't imagine what I'd put on my bucket list if I had 60 days. I have had two friends die from. A heart attack getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Not much notice e. I think that is my preference of a way to go.e

Thank you for a very nice posting to this thread.

Whenever I have the occasion to attend a friend or loved one's funeral, it always help me put things in perspective.

BTW. I'll turn 72 in April.

MilProGuy

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 4, 2018

Panda said:
I'm here for you if you want to vent your concerns or emotions as you move forward. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Panda..

Thank you, friend. Don't be surprised if I take you up on this.

MilProGuy

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 4, 2018

silverstring said:
Nice Video MPG. Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to just not know that our body's clock could stop at any moment due to a diagnosed medical condition. I've got two diagnosed clock stoppers, even though I don't let that slow me down. I kinda wish I didn't know, maybe I would be even more spontaneous. I still like to get a little tipsy when I go out to my friends cabin on a mountain top, play guitars and generally act a fool. Even though last time I passed out for a few seconds when my BP dropped down to the cellar. Hey its all in good fun anyway, if I go - I go, hopefully while testing the latest gun or drinking a bit too much fire water.

Sounds to me as if you have a good handle on your two "clock-stoppers" scenarios. :chug::shooter:

Reactions: 1

MilProGuy

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 4, 2018

ozzy said:
I almost checked out a few week ago, what a wake up call.

Oh My! What happened?

ozzy

· #17 · Feb 4, 2018

MilProGuy said:
Oh My! What happened?

I'll post the link so I don't have to re-write it. Scared me to death.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/lounge/367930-i-m-back-close-call.html

Reactions: 1

MilProGuy

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 4, 2018

TrucksNCoffee said:
I'm in a neighboring valley, Harry, where the shadow is named melanoma. I've completed two infusion treatments that have triggered my body's immune system to attack this cancer. After 18 months it seems to be working. But, the shadow is still there, and always will be throughout the rest of this life. The grace of God, whom I have known all of my life, has more than sustained me during these past few years.

I'm going to retire this coming April from 32 years of working 45 to 55 hours a week. I want to have more time to spend with my wife and our two grandchildren, go shooting more often with my oldest son, and visit my youngest son who lives out of state. That these are priorities has always been a given, but some things sharpen one's focus to make the most out of the years we have remaining.

Thank you for sharing your story and giving us a chance to pray with and for you, and to share our own stories. God bless you, as I know He always has.

I had the feeling that others in our TA.Net Family might be dealing with health / emotional issues when I was impressed to start this thread. And even though we are barely into the second page, I have been encouraged and uplifted already.

Thank you for adding your insightful musings to this thread and, in so doing, enriching the subject(s) already being discussed. I worked for 46 years before retiring in the Summer of 2009, and the years I have spent since then have been some of the best years of my life. I am sure you will enjoy your retirement as well.

Reactions: 1

kschilk

· #19 · Feb 4, 2018

:sad: Just got a phone call, a friend died last night. He was out at a bar shootin' pool when he had a heart attack. He was in his mid-60s. Ya' just never know.

Reactions: 2

MilProGuy

Discussion Starter · #20 · Feb 4, 2018

jonrjen said:
I just returned from a Memorial Service for my wives uncle. He gave 27 years to the USAF, another 17 to BCBS while at this same time earned a degree in phycology. Also along the way was a realtor for a few years after serving his country. He also found the time to father and raise 8 children.

He was also a man who believed in his faith strongly.

This man lived life to it's fullest, gave of himself freely, and had is priorities set right. I only wish that I had taken the time to get to know him better when that was possible.

It was mentioned during the service today that while he was in the hospital a photo was taken. It was not until after his passing that it was noticed that he had the most peaceful look upon his face with a smile all knowing of what was to come.

I agree with the live your life to the fullest, but also take the time to spend part of your life learning from the life of others.

The Tim McGraw song has been a personal favorite since it came out, as has "Why me Lord".

Thank you for sharing your story, it came on a most appropriate time and day for me.

Jon,

Your wife's uncle sounds as if he was a "giant among men". There is no telling how many lives he touched in a positive way during his lifetime. You are right, each of us needs to take the time to learn from others.

I am pleased that my story held a special meaning on a special day for you.

Reactions: 1

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