Don't sit on the fence!

[jrarriola]

I wonder how many of you think..."well next year we'll take that big trip". I've been guilty of that for several years now but this year something told me that it was time! So we set out in May and headed to San Diego (where I included some business appointments!) then up to Polson, MT then down to Pagosa Springs, CO, Santa Fe & Ruidoso, NM and then home. After a week at home we left again for Gulf Shores, AL, then headed up to Petoskey, MI with stops at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & NFL Hall of Fame on the way! We were gone about 5 months and had the most incredible trip ever, meeting some amazing people & vowing to go back to several of these places. About 6 days after returning home I had a heart attack & needed to have a quadruple bypass. My Cardiothoracic Surgeon told me before surgery that he knew he could successfully do the bypass but he was not sure if my heart would do what it needed to do as it was only pumping at 10% & needed to be at 35%. I spent 8 days in intensive care & when released to a Cardiac Rehab Facility I was fitted with a LifeVest which is a piece of gear that if I should go into sudden cardiac arrest, it will shock me and restart my heart. I will wear this 24 hours a day for 45 days & at that point if my heart is still not pumping at 35% I will need to have a defibulator implanted. In my quiet hours I think about my family & the things I want to be around to do with them. And I think about all of the great traveling we did this summer & by golly I'm going to make that same 5 month trip again!! So folks, if you are thinking that "next year" might be the time to take the trip I say TAKE IT!!

[stewart33]

Wow Jim! I'm glad you took that trip and had a great time and made some good memories with your loved ones. Thank you for sharing this with us. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Keep us updated when you can and take care buddy!

[Neweller]

Jim, it sounds like you took one heck of a wonderful 5 month trip. Thank you for sharing what you have. This is definitely a wake up call for anyone procrastinating on making that someday trip. A guy works hard, plays hard but sometimes doesn't get to live some of those what could have been memorable moments. Sir, I pray that you get to make many more wonderful trips like the one this year and also that you regain your great health status. It sounds like you are the right track.

[NewellCrazy]

Jim,

Thank you for sharing your story and reminding us all that we should not take life for granted since no one knows what tomorrow brings. I pray that you regain your good health and can travel freely once again and share many more memorable experiences with your family for years to come.

Sean

[Cheri Smith]

Jim we appreciate you sharing with us your health status. We hope you continue to have a good road to recovery and that you'll be well and hitting the road in your coach soon again. When we go in our coach we go for a couple months at a time. We hope to take a trip for as long as 5 months like you did and with your encouraging words to take it you're right. Things like this can happen to anyone at any time. We need to make it happen sooner than later. Spending time with our family is important and I'm glad to hear during your quite time you have taken the time to reflect on what's important.

[speedingsport]

Glad you took that trip, made memories to last and glad you're alive to tell us about it. Wear that lifevest and get better! Maybe we'll cross paths on one of your future trips!

[fulltiming]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you that your heart will regain its 35% level and that your future will offer you many more opportunities to travel. Great to hear that you have started the journeys.

[bigcatwally]

We will be thinking about you during this time. Our prayers will be that your heart will regain strength so that you can continue to make those trips like the one you took. God Bless!

[Charlotte Rosita]

Jim may you continue to be blessed to enjoy life and have many more trips with your family. Keep in touch.

[Retired63]

My wife and I are praying that you have a full recovery and that your heart will pump over 35%.

[prairieschooner]

Jim,
I have to tell you that your story brought a tear to my eye. My Mother is going through some heart issues now and I have to say that I have been amazed at the procedures and care that she has been able to get. I hope that you get as good if not better care and are back on the road soon.
God Bless, I am looking forward to meeting up with you in San Diego when you are ready.