Physical Health & Mental Health

This week our nation has been shocked by the death of 20 children & 6 adults in an elementary school in Connecticut!  The question is "What are we doing about our friends & family that suffer from mental health issues?"

Two years ago, I had open heart by-pass surgery to mend a heart that was in need of repair.  The clogged arteries were by-passed & the blood is passing through my heart as I type my blog!  If you look at me you would not know I had heart surgery, but if I let you peak under my shirt you will notice a 9 inch scar!  But, I am healthy!!!!

People with mental health issues look healthy on the outside!  They have no scars to show you.  But they are sick!  This past week, a young man that was sick took the life of 26 people!  Mental health is something like a virus that spreads to healthy people.  The people that come into contact with a person with mental health issues usually will not die, but this week many children and a few adults came into contact with a person in need of help & they died!  Mental health is not an easy fix!

How should we handle mental health issues?

Is your family touched by a person with mental health issues?

What can be done to help families with loved ones with mental health issues?

     •  Friday a week ago, in an elementary school, children & adults lost their lives to a person with mental help issues!
     •  In our local papers front page, a 20 year old man tortured 3 elder ladies!  He had not shown signs of mental issues before this, but was recently put on medicine for anxiety!
     •  This week at church, an older member showed up in need of money!  He took his brothers car from Ohio, drove to Pennsylvania, and asked our Pastor for help!  He has had a history of mental issues & parents are in their 80's and cannot help!

I could go on!  Our country is worried about a "fiscal cliff"!  Well, we also have a "mental health cliff"

Why?  Here are some thoughts:
     1 - The deterioration of the family!  Children are losing the battle - broken homes, TV raising kids, kids that are un-churched, poor parenting!!!
     2 - Violence - TV is terrible!  Movies are sick!  Video games are graphic!
     3 - How does our country handle mental health issues?

More to come!

Two Years After Open Heart By-Pass Surgery!!!

What an awesome two years!!!  And why?

How about a new grand-daughter!

Two weddings!!!

Going to Packers Games!!

And two AWESOME years with my gorgeous wife!!!

I'm a lucky guy!!!

Over 25,000 Page Views!

One day away from my two year open heart by-pass surgery!  At this point I have some data to share:

Over 25,000 page views

I have had many people visit my site!  Many of these people are family and friends.  While others find my blog by searching the internet for answers!  Here are some of the most viewed posts!

People from all over the world have visited my blog!  Here are the top countries!

This is amazing!!  Russia is #1?  Is this because they are interested in my discussions or are they trying to hack into my computer!!!  Hope they just want to find out more about my heart issues!!

Fantasy Football - Another Way To Love Football

As I have mentioned earlier in my blog, football has been a big part of my live - I played it in high school, I coached high school football, my sons played high school football, and I have traveled to Green Bay many times to see my favorite team play - THE PACKERS!

One other way we love football is - FANTASY FOOTBALL!  I go back to the beginning, when we drafted our team the old fashioned way - by pen & pencil & paper 0 when the draft itself lasted 4-5 hours!  Now everything is on the computer - in fact this year, in my one league I was at a musical dinner theatre with my wife & the computer drafted for me & AND THAT TEAM MADE THE PLAYOFFS!!!!

This week I am in the semi-finals against my buddy Doug - here are the match ups:

My Team                                                     Dougs Team
QB   --  Romo, Tony - Cowboys                 QB  --  Manning, Peyton - Broncos
WR  --  Johnson, Calvin - Lions                  WR  --  Green, AJ  -  Bengals
WR  --  Cobb, Randall - Packers                 WR  --  Bryant, Dez - Cowboys
RB  --  Greene, Shonn - Jets                        RB  --  Foster, Arian - Texans
TE  --  Hernandez, Aaron - Patriots             TE  --  Miller, Heath - Steelers
OP  --  Cruz, Victor - Giants                        OP  --  Forte, Matt - Bears
K    --  Vinatieri, Adam - Colts                     K   --  Tynes, Lawrence, Giants
Def -   Broncos                                             Def -- Bears

Another way to heal a heart & enjoy your favorite sport - BUT here is a coaching tip when watching games - "Do not look at the scores till after the Monday Night Football games!"  This way it is better for your heart & you can enjoy the games!!!

Amlodipine Besylate

Amlodipine Besylate

Why take it?  Here is a detailed answer:

amlodipine besylate (amlō´dipēn bes´lāt),

n brand name: Norvasc;
drug class: calcium channel blocker;
action: inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membrane during cardiac depolarization; produces relaxation of coronary vascular smooth muscle and dilates coronary arteries; decreases SA/AV node conduction;
uses: hypertension as a single agent or in combination with other antihypertensives, chronic stable angina pectoris, vasospastic angina.

Simply, decrease blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

Side effects?

CNS: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, light-headedness, fatigue, weakness, lethargy

CV: peripheral edema, angina, bradycardia, hypotension, palpitations

GI: nausea, abdominal discomfort

Musculoskeletal: muscle cramps, muscle pain or inflammation

Respiratory: shortness of breath, dyspnea, wheezing

Skin: rash, pruritus, urticaria, flushing

Side effects for me?  Maybe fatigue, drowsiness.  At times I feel my normal energy level is not here anymore - but what is normal??  I do not think I have any others.

At my check up in January I will be asking if I need to keep taking this med.

A Packer Win, A Grand Daughter & A Healthy Heart

It is amazing how a few pictures from my son & daughter-in-law can brighten the morning & make me smile!  It also makes the quintuple bypass pump that blood through the body in a way only a beautiful grandchild can do!!  My little girl is sporting her Green Bay Packer PJ's after a big win Sunday!!!!


Another Green Bay Fan Begins!!!  (Or maybe a Steeler Fan - only time will tell!!!!)

Clopidogrel (Brand name: Plavix)

Clopidogrel (Brand name: Plavix)

My first heart medication I will discuss is Clopidogrel - the generic Plavix.

For more information stop at 

Clopidogrel (Brand name: Plavix)

The main reason for taking clopidogrel is to prevent blood clots.  The main side effect while taking this medication is bleeding.  I have noticed when I have a small cut it will take longer to stop bleeding.  I thing most of the other side effects are not an issue - what are they:

I found an article pertaining to the use of aspirin and clopidogrel - here is an interesting quote:

It has been recommended to use aspirin indefinitely and clopidogrel for a minimum of one month to one year following CABG. However, each patient should be evaluated independently. The platelet count will dictate the therapy, as will the survival rate, coronary stent placement, risk of GI bleed, and a history of recent myocardial infarction. Aspirin dosage (81 mg vs. 325 mg) has not been clearly established, so assess each patient separately. — Debra King, PhD, PA (163-4)

Aspirin and clopidogrel after coronary bypass surgery

Clopidogrel may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• excessive tiredness
• headache
• dizziness
• nausea
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• nosebleed

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• hives
• rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness
• black and tarry stools
• red blood in stools
• bloody vomit
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• slow or difficult speech
• weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg
• vision loss
• fever
• shortness of breath
• fast heartbeat
• pale skin
• purple patches or bleeding under the skin
• confusion
• yellowing of the skin or eyes

So, I will continue taking 75 mg per day until my next doctors visit in January!