Healthy Eating after a heart attack

Post by **Big Boy** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 1:44 pm

Sargeant wrote:

now i am a simple guy i take car to garage cos it aint working top hole.
1st charge is exploratory to find out whats wrong.????? baht
2nd charge is to fix what he says is wrong ??????baht

Simple or not, you missed out the first stage ie you go along to the garage, explain what you think is wrong, and the mechanic will give you his best guess (right or wrong) what he thinks the problem might be. Usually at that stage, he gives you several possible causes, and what the cost of fixing each will be. Only then, when you're sure he's not trying to rip you off do you tell him to go ahead with the exploratory work, knowing what the costs of various fixes will be.

You seem to be missing this vital stage. From what you are writing, you would prefer to see what people say on this board, and surf the net to make your own diagnosis.

I've already told that my Father (another ex-serviceman who thought he knew best) kept putting off that angiogram, because he didn't think he was as bad as he was (and he wasn't coughing up 5 kilos of soot every morning either). He died 4 years ago, but should still be with us.

Forget the cost - get your arse along to that angiogram now. Mrs S would surely rather have a bit of debt around her, and her husband by her side. You're a long time dead, and you won't be comforting anybody 6 feet below the local rice crop.

You seem to be working on the fact that because you pay your taxes, the NHS will deal with you on your return to the UK - yes they will, but in their time, not yours. If you die while your waiting, they'll have no remorse, you'll just be one more person off their long waiting list.

No apologies for saying it as it is - you need to be aware of your own stupidity, and the extreme risk you are putting yourself and your family at by being so damned stubborn. At least they've planned a nice party for you when you die (and with your attitude, it is when not if)

Post by **cockneyrebel** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:41 pm

Sarge, I wouldn't bank on getting a doctor over here (UK)

It depends where you live/arrive; I came back from Thailand after living there for 7 months a couple of years ago and went to stay at my mums. I developed a severe chest infection that required antibiotics which I couldn't get over the counter and when I went to my mum's surgery to register they told me I had to wait 6 months or pay as a private patient.

They even told me I'd have to prove I was a UK citizen, my passport was not sufficient proof. I had a stand-up row with the practice manager and was absolutely fuming. I served 24 years in the RAF, (and paid tax on my pension whilst in LOS because as you know MoD pensions are taxed at source regardless if you live out of the country) and have never asked for nor received a penny from the state.

I didn't get anywhere in that surgery but fortunately managed to see a doctor in another surgery in another part of the town, where I was slightly economical with the truth about my immediate past....lesson learnt!!

I hope your sister can sort it out for you if you do have to come back and you get better soon.

Post by **DawnHRD** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:15 am

I know I'm not your favourite person, Sarge, but I'd just like to add to what BB & cockneyrebel have said about waiting times in the UK.

When Mum got breast cancer for the second time, she got people who lived in various different health authorities (my Gran, my aunt, my sister, mum's boyfriend) to find out about waiting times in the UK for treatment. The quickest time she got to see a specialist was 6 weeks. This is after being diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer for the second time! 6 weeks to see a specialist! No estimate was given of when any treatment might be started.

She asked her doctors in Bumrungrad if it could wait that long & was told "no way". She had a mastectomy, chemo & radiotherapy in Bumrungrad. It was extremely expensive (but not as much as HK was the 1st time she got it) & that's the main reason we have no money now, but she's alive! And well! (touch wood)

You need to get this done asap; whether that means getting it done here or getting on a plane tomorrow & joining that UK waiting list is up to you. But don't sit here waiting for the ideal time, as that UK waiting list isn't getting shorter for you, until you're on it.

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:14 pm

Let me explain it is NOT that i DO NOT WANT to go and have it done

I DO NOT HAVE THE CASH

The only way i can borrow it is for Mrs Sarge to borrow it at 5% PER MONTH the loan is waiting but i have said it in spades

.........................................NO WAY JOSE

That leaves the uk and the NHS and my sister and she is still collating information and accumilating FACTs not rumour or innuendo

Many thanks for your concerns they are appreciated but i can only spend what is in MY wallet not mrs Sarges miss sarge or master sarges futures
It is what i call being responsible
i have taken every bit of advice still no fags or beer i am eating fruit and salads and cutting out all the nice stuff the doc put on the banned list now if that dont work and i dont win the lottery and the UK is a no go (as mrs sarge said when asked what happens to thais answer they die.full stop)then at least my UNLIKELY EVENT will be a good one its been well organised you are all invited by the way

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:49 pm

Sarge,

You've already explained to us on this forum that you get free flights back to the UK through your former life with BA. Why not get yourself back to the UK for a few weeks, and get yourself on that waiting list? Then if you prefer, you can return to life in Thailand until your name gets near the top.

The NHS is great once you get to the top of that list, but virtually non-existent until you get there.

My father got to the top of that list 3 times, and made his excuses. When he went on the 4th time it was too late to cure him.

You've got 2 enemys out there - 1. Time; 2. A huge waiting list.

The only way to beat time, is to get there now. The sooner you're on that list, the sooner you're going to get to the top.

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:28 pm

When I finished reading this morning's postings I noticed that I had a PM in my inbox. It was from Sargeant telling me of his cunning plan towards better health. Much more cunning than any of us could probably imagine.

Be assured, he has everything in hand. My last posting was therefore unecessary.

ozuncle · Post by **ozuncle** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:17 pm

Mm. Sounds interesting.

Sarge,
just out of interest how much Baht are you not spending each week on cigs and grog?

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:33 pm

Oz it works out at about 7,000 baht a month however i am going through fruit like crazy
My pension is 70,000 a month mortgage 6000 a month etc but putting my 23 year old daughter back through high schooland then uni aint cheap my 15 year old boy and his school fees aint cheap either it staggers me how the poor familys can do it I will say i dont get any discount for him i pay full whack i am not dirt poor but i aint rolling in it either something like the 15500 i paid for my week in hospital i can take in my stride but twice and then i struggle and its the second time i have been hospitalised this year although the last one was nt so expensive only one day in the ward

Eventually i will be rich as this saving shows itself especially as at least 7500 a month is being saved not playing golf at the moment ie this month cigs booze and golf savings have paid the hospital bill next month yahooooo

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:00 pm

Input required

1 .. salt is a no no what is there that one can use to replace it as scoff is tasting a bit bland

2 .. smoking so much gunge coming of my chest any idea how long that goes on for

3 .. at the moment i am not drinking beer at all but mainly to assist the stop smoking but how much beer can one guzzle per day approx

Post by **PeteC** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:34 pm

sargeant wrote:Input required

1 .. salt is a no no what is there that one can use to replace it as scoff is tasting a bit bland

2 .. smoking so much gunge coming of my chest any idea how long that goes on for

3 .. at the moment i am not drinking beer at all but mainly to assist the stop smoking but how much beer can one guzzle per day approx

1) It's not the salt but the sodium in the salt. Mrs. Sarge should be able to find sodium free salt substitutes in local shops or Tesco. Stay away from dishes with MSG in them as well. The old "chooloht" is bad stuff.

2) I've know people who have had this for months, until your lungs are baby pink again. Your body is purging itself of all the poisons, nicotine as well. Drink gallons of water as it will speed the process.

3) A few glasses of red wine (best) or a few cans of beer a day are not going to hurt, in fact the docs say 1 or 2 drinks a day actually helps your heart. Key is not to get carried away and don't let it tempt you to have a cigarette. Pete

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:09 pm

Cheers pete very usefull especially a glass of beer before bed helps me with the old prostate

what about fish sauce has sodium or not

I take it the gunge is gonna take years then

still its gorra go and its a goin

ozuncle · Post by **ozuncle** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:24 pm

Sarge,
It is about 3 weeks now and I would think that you should not be coughing up muck.
Suggest you see a doc. Could be unrelated.

Agree with Pete re water.

I used to drink a lot of coffee but always liked a smoke with it.

If you are still drinking a lot of tea that might be making you feel like a smoke at the same time.

Maybe have a water occaisionally instead of tea.

Very easy for me to say!!!!!

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:59 pm

Mrs sarge has got me on apple juice grape juice and water

but i have got the rug rats trained i wink they bring me a cuppa PG tips

sorry OZ but no body messes wiv me char

The craving has been negligable for the last week i deliberately go to my local and stay until i start to crave or i go home first i havent run myself out of the bar for craving for a week at least

i am not coughing as much as i was when i was smoking its what is dribbling onto my pillow at night when i am asleep loads of it but getting lighter in colour

Post by **PeteC** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:05 pm

sargeant wrote:Cheers pete very usefull especially a glass of beer before bed helps me with the old prostate

what about fish sauce has sodium or not

I take it the gunge is gonna take years then still its gorra go and its a goin

Fish sauce is nothing but salt, water and smashed up anchovies.

Many Thai's have high blood pressure and heart conditions also. This is why I say a salt substitute should be available here as it is in the west. Fish sauce, I don't know if even possble to make a sodium free brand? I've never seen it. You gotta toss all the sauces sarge, oyster sauce, Sri Racha hot sauce, the lot of them, they are all super high in sodium. Just use fresh or dried chillies, they'll make you forget about the salt.

Pete

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:12 pm

Just a question about my lungs i smoked approx 60/70 fags a day from 15 years of age to the 60 i am now so my lungs /ashtrays must have been pretty damn full when i stopped 5 weeks ago
question 1 any ideas what %age of my lungs were not working
question 2 any ideas what %age of my lungs i will get back/clean up

still not smoking or drinking went to a monks party last night i had to leave after the food was finished and everybody light up the craving was bad but i went home and watched cartoons