Ready to Save a Life? - Marion General Hospital

In my early 30s I felt invincible.I smoked heavily and didn’thave a primary care physician.I didn’t take my healthseriously. Even though blood workshowed I had high cholesterol, itwas easy to ignore.All that changed in an instant.I remember it well. It wasJanuary 1997, and I was only36 years old. My wife, Robin, andI had just returned home from afamily get-together where one ofmy favorite meals, ham and beanswith onions, was served.At home, I felt slightly nauseated,but this time was different.There was something that didn’tfeel right in the middle of my backMyHeartAttackIgnoring my body’swarning signsnearly cost me mylife. Don’t make thesame mistakeBy Randy Deffenbaugh4vim & vigor • spring 2010