Player Down, Almost Seat Open

Playing in poker tournaments, we often hear the phrase "player down".  A player has lost their remaining chips and is eliminated from the game.  In cash games, we hear "seat open", meaning a player has either decided to cash in their remaining chips or has gone broke.  Either way, they are vacating their seat at the game and leaving.  So, last Friday, I came very close to being that player down or seat open in the big poker game of life.

I was just hanging out, my usual routine in the morning, coffee, more coffee, breakfast, playing on the computer.  I had gone to bed early the night before, commenting that I felt "unusually tired".  So, when I felt a squeezing pressure in my chest and some numbness and pain in my arm it was alarming. I needed gas in my car and debated driving to Kaiser Urgent Care, about 15 minutes away.  Finally decided not a good idea, so called my son-in-law to see if he would be available.  He was, and 20 minutes later we headed to Bellevue.  I checked in at the front desk, where they asked about my symptoms.  When they heard chest pain, I was immediately taken to an exam room and hooked up to an EKG.  After discussions with the nurse and a "normal" reading I was sent back to the waiting room.  At least an hour later was invited back to the exam room and met with the doctor.  She had blood drawn and another EKG.  An hour after that, they got my 2nd blood work done, then things started happening.  A cardiac doctor was consulted, given my results and suddenly 3 or 4 people came in and started transferring me to a gurney.  I was whisked to pre-op, and prepped for an operation.  I signed paperwork (undoubtedly releasing the hospital from any liability) to authorize possible surgery.  Informed that I had suffered a heart attack, the plan was to do angiogram and angioplasty either through my groin or arm.  They then took me into the O.R. where the team had assembled after an emergency call to their homes.  They were super quick and it was over in no time. I was awake the entire time, and felt zero pain.  They discovered 100% blockage in one artery, 97% in a 2nd, and 67% in the 3rd.  Two stents were placed, and I may have to return soon for the 3rd one.

Recovery was easy.  The ICU nurses were kind and efficient, got little sleep that night due to constant blood drawing, pressure testing, constant machine beeping, etc.  My wife slept on a small sofa in the room.  A couple of cardiac doctors checked in on me, discussed it all, and assured me of early release. Was cleared to go on Sunday for Monday release which happened around noon.  Really glad to be gone from the hospital and the hook up to monitors, IV hookups in both arms, hospital food, and being easily the wellest person on the floor. My biggest downside was buying all the drugs needed as I had foolishly opted out of part D drug options due to never taking any medication ever.  One drug was $320 for a 30 day supply.  The doctor and I discussed it, and after that a much cheaper generic will be o.k.  Joking with him, told him how I got the "Dr. Phil" poker nickname and commented that I was also a "card-iolist".  Also got to tell him a poker joke.  A doctor was home when he got a call from some colleagues inviting him to a poker game that night.  When he told his wife he had to go out on an emergency medical call, she asked him if it was serious.  "Yes, very serious" he replied, "there are already 4 other doctors there."

So, looks like my poker days will be shortened.  I plan on eating better, exercising more, and not doing such long term sitting at the tables.  They do say sitting is the new smoking and I will have to give up being a chain smoker.