Last Wednesday morning, I received a text from my best friend Talmage Boston. That’s not unusual. Most of my mornings start with a text from Talmage. This one was different: “I’ve had a heart attack!”
My heart jumped. No! Thank G-d, Talmage made it to the hospital in time and he survived. He was very lucky (and blessed). All of us who love Talmage are very lucky and blessed.
The day before, Talmage was feeling some pressure in his chest. It wasn’t a screaming pain. He was able to ignore it enough to go out to dinner. But the discomfort kept him awake through the night. At 7:00 a.m., he texted his concierge doctor. Talmage was due for a check-up the following day, but the doctor told him not to wait. The doctor told him to head straight to the emergency room, now! Talmage drove himself to the ER. [In retrospect, consider dialing 9-1-1 instead. A friend of mine told me of her 52-year-old uncle who died while driving himself to the ER.]
The first test was an EKG, which looked fine. However, blood work showed a highly elevated troponin level, signaling heart damage. A catheter exam revealed a 98% blockage in one vein, and a 100% blockage in the “widow maker” artery. The cardiologist inserted two stents, opening up the blockage and restoring a healthy flow of blood. The type of heart attack he had is called an NSTEMI, which cannot be detected by an EKG exam. It requires a full heart testing. Gratefully, the medical team caught it just in time and saved Talmage’s life.
I am aware that advances in technology provide us now with more sophisticated tests such as a CCTA with AI (Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography) that can identify both calcified and non-calcified plaque. Traditional calcium scoring only shows hardened plaque. I’m no medical expert, but I’m hearing enough about this upgraded testing to make me a believer. The chair of my TIGER 21 group is also a believer. He credits a CT Angiogram with saving his life. We need to be proactive and detect blockage before it kills us.
Talmage was walking around with blockage and had no idea till a symptom finally presented. And note that the symptom wasn’t some extreme pain. But it was enough of a feeling of pressure to know that something wasn’t right. Don’t ignore the signs. In Talmage’s words: “It may turn out to be a false alarm or it may be a life or death warning signal. When in doubt, do not delay. Go to the emergency room and get fully tested.”
By the grace of G-d, Talmage dodged a bullet. Our Canoe Brother Bill Parrish summed it up. “This is a reminder to all of us to pay attention to symptoms like this and take them seriously. It is also a reminder of what a blessing it is to be alive and a reminder to make the most of the days we have.”
Bill’s daughter is a nurse. She added an important point, especially to all the macho guys out there. Per Bill, “As a nurse, she sees too many patients – especially men – who do not call the doctor or go to the ER when they should. It seems to be a male ego thing. Many men wait until it is too late.” I’m listening. I hope you are too.
Talmage is now home and, in the words of Chicago’s 1973 hit, “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day.” Laurie and I went to see Claire and Talmage and had the best visit ever. I kept thinking that visits like that almost never could have happened again. I savored every moment, feeling enormous gratitude for the bond I share with my best friend.
G-d spared Talmage for a reason. Talmage’s text captures the significance of his brush with death: “Every morning I pray that God will give me the power to fulfill my human potential. That’s all any of us can do. Glad He’s given me the opportunity to keep on going, not knowing what the future holds, but believing He has a plan for my life.” I believe that too, and predict that the powerful legacy Talmage is creating will now be even richer and more meaningful.
Marvin E. Blum
Marvin Blum is grateful that his best friend Talmage Boston (left) got to the hospital in time and survived a heart attack. When in doubt, get to the ER fast!