My Story: What If......
- By Jimmy Fowlkes
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- 12 Sep, 2019
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Today I Celebrate Life, 14 Years After My Heart Attack
I almost decided not to go to the doctor on Monday morning, September 12, 2005. What if I didn't? I wouldn't be here today! My mom & dad would have outlived two of their children. Less than a year earlier, my only sister, Lynne, lost her battle to cancer. I would have died of a heart attack!
Being a very stubborn 46 year old man, I was ignoring the slight flutters I was having with my heart beat. It had gone on all weekend, but was going away. I felt fine.
After working the graveyard shift as the night manager at a local grocery store with no symptoms any more, I almost went home. But to make my parents and my son happy, I decided to visit my family doctor at 8:30 am. The next thing I know, I'm at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, having an emergency angioplasty!
They saved my life that day!
I was in very good shape before I went to the hospital. As a matter of fact, I had just completed a run around Stone Mountain on Saturday morning. That's 5 miles! Not bad for a 46 year old. On Monday morning, I was told that it had been 48 hours since I had my heart attack! Thus the heart flutters. What if.....
Needless to say, I am very thankful to have reached my 60th birthday a few months ago. If anyone has gone through what I did, you know how I feel. I'm in good health, I've learned how to be patient and deal with stress, and I am more grateful than ever to be here.
What if I had not gone to the doctor that morning 14 years ago. I wouldn't have met my wonderful wife Ellena and her 6 year old son, Joshua, who is about to graduate from high school. I wouldn't be a proud daddy again. My almost 10 year old, Jacob, keeps me young as ever. I have beautiful grandchildren now. I got to celebrate the lives of my mom, dad, and my brother Eddie, who influenced so many people.
That's why I enjoy sharing memories with my friends and family. I feel so blessed!
I'm still here, so I am going to do everything I can to carry on my family tradition. Giving back to the community by sharing my knowledge and passion for the game of baseball.
That's my story....now let's play ball!
Being a very stubborn 46 year old man, I was ignoring the slight flutters I was having with my heart beat. It had gone on all weekend, but was going away. I felt fine.
After working the graveyard shift as the night manager at a local grocery store with no symptoms any more, I almost went home. But to make my parents and my son happy, I decided to visit my family doctor at 8:30 am. The next thing I know, I'm at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, having an emergency angioplasty!
They saved my life that day!
I was in very good shape before I went to the hospital. As a matter of fact, I had just completed a run around Stone Mountain on Saturday morning. That's 5 miles! Not bad for a 46 year old. On Monday morning, I was told that it had been 48 hours since I had my heart attack! Thus the heart flutters. What if.....
Needless to say, I am very thankful to have reached my 60th birthday a few months ago. If anyone has gone through what I did, you know how I feel. I'm in good health, I've learned how to be patient and deal with stress, and I am more grateful than ever to be here.
What if I had not gone to the doctor that morning 14 years ago. I wouldn't have met my wonderful wife Ellena and her 6 year old son, Joshua, who is about to graduate from high school. I wouldn't be a proud daddy again. My almost 10 year old, Jacob, keeps me young as ever. I have beautiful grandchildren now. I got to celebrate the lives of my mom, dad, and my brother Eddie, who influenced so many people.
That's why I enjoy sharing memories with my friends and family. I feel so blessed!
I'm still here, so I am going to do everything I can to carry on my family tradition. Giving back to the community by sharing my knowledge and passion for the game of baseball.
That's my story....now let's play ball!
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