Finally, got all the results from all my testing.

[Grumpy]

Finally finished with all the testing yesterday morning. The doctor informed me this morning, that I did have an acute stroke, of the blood vessel that supplies blood to the left eye and optic nerve. Thank fully no surgery is needed, they are using (thrombolytic therapy) that amounts to large doses of clot busting drugs. My vision is almost normal again, still have small flares of light in the corner of my sight, but it is going away. I still have a way to go, changing my life style, stopped smoking 4 days ago, and haven't killed any one yet. Started an exercise program, and a new diet. It sucks, but beats taking a dirt nap.
The great news, Doc gave me to OK to ride again. I will still have weekly blood workups for a month or so, just because of the strong drugs.

[ChromeDome]

Great News!

[musclehead]

I hear when you stop smoking you start taking hostages  after about a week 

that is good news your good to ride 

[bigfish_Oh]

great to hear, good luck

[Daniel Meyer]

Keep at it!

[Dubsvalk]

Being able to continue riding is worth making a few changes for!  Take care of yourself!
Dubs

[Novavalker]

Great news. 
Loose weight & quit smoking = riding the Valkyrie
Smart move.

[Duffy]

Good news Grumpy! 

Good luck with not smoking.

[bigguy]

Great news Grumpy. Quit smoking 4 days ago huh. Will you be changing your handle from Grumpy to homicidal maniac? 

[sugerbear]

careful with the bruising

don't rush it. a crash with that stuff in ya ain't a good thing.

heal fast

[Kylenav]

Great news Grumpy!  Relieved to hear that you'll be better off than ya were before this incident.  Guess I should hang up the ol' smokes as well...  

[Black Dog]

Good to hear ya don't need to be cut...  Listen to the Doc, and take it easy 'till yer feelin' 100% 

Black Dog

[Devl]

Great news Grumpy   Lifestyle changes are hard to do but hang in there...sounds like you have the right attitude going.  Your right...dirt naps don't sound much like fun!!  Ride safe and Take Care!!

[Grumpy]

Great news Grumpy. Quit smoking 4 days ago huh. Will you be changing your handle from Grumpy to homicidal maniac? 

Could be  , actually it is going better than I thought it would, trying to stay occupied to take my mind off of it.

[Karen]

Great news, Grumpy, glad it left a small footprint and that you can ride again. The nicotine withdrawal goes for about 5 days, but the physical habits last longer. I drove around holding something in my hand, because I was so used to holding a cigarette, for a long time. You'll feel better soon, it's a lot to deal with all at once, but the way forward is pretty clear. Good luck, I'll be rooting for you!

[Grumpy]

Great news, Grumpy, glad it left a small footprint and that you can ride again. The nicotine withdrawal goes for about 5 days, but the physical habits last longer. I drove around holding something in my hand, because I was so used to holding a cigarette, for a long time. You'll feel better soon, it's a lot to deal with all at once, but the way forward is pretty clear. Good luck, I'll be rooting for you!

Thank you, quitting this time seems a lot easier , but as close as I came to some serious problems, did not take much effort to quit. Neurosurgeon told me another vein, close to the one had the clot, could have had some serious problems. bad part, the testing I had last week bought some one a new caddy, Mri of the brain, sonograms of my neck, and heart, several blood work ups. Scary, I got the price on the MRI, it was $3800 for just that. Thank god for insurance.

[highcountry]

That is great news, Grumpy!  Heal quick and get back on the road to enjoy this beautiful fall weather.

[YoungPUP]

Glad to hear the good news! Take the smoking a day at a time, we're all here to help ya!!!

[Mike in AR]

One thing that helped me with the not smoking was to change my habits. Instead of "lighting one up" after a meal, I would take a little walk until the "urge" passed. It is the little things, the ones you don't normally pay attention to, that can trip you up. Just by changing them gradually, it can make it a lot easier on the quitting. Hang in there, and good luck. It's been 3yrs, 8mos. for me. There are a bunch of us on here that have quit, so help and encouragement are just a computer click away.

[old2soon]

Grumpy-if i can go from 4+ packs a day(ya you read it right over 4 packs a DAY) To nothing-well you can too. But i will tell you this-ya gotta want it and i know my Lord and Savior helped me through it. Good news bro-keep at it. Like anything good in this life-it WON'T come easy!! Keep workin at it-we are here for you!! RIDE SAFE.

[rmrc51]

Great news Grumpy!!! 

[Paxton]

When I quit smoking, having a flavored tooth pick hanging off my lip would take my mind off the cigarettes. Great for long-distance driving as well.
Drinking lots of water helps a lot too.

In another vein... I turned 62 a few weeks ago. One of the b-day cards read:"The best thing about getting old is that it does not last that long..."
The wife did not appreciated... err... she's older than me!

Well... life is for the living and it goes on. Be well; be good. ride Safe.

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
John Lennon

[rodeo1]

when i quit smoking the dr. had just informed me i had throat cancer and was a stage 4A paitent, told me i would probably die in 4 to 6 weeks without immediate care. after a radical neck disection to remove all my lympth nodes, and 39 radiation treatments, i am back among the living (thank God almighty for inventing the VA hospital)

there was very little withdrawal, seems like not dying makes it go away faster. once a few weeks went by and i starterd to actualy smell normally, i started being able to smell other people who smoke, just going through the front door of wal mart became a smelly, stinking experience. i was embarassed to think i was doing that to other people (and didn't care) i felt like i needed to go around and apologize to everyone i knew

you couldn't hold me down and force another cigarette on me.

[Grumpy]

when i quit smoking the dr. had just informed me i had throat cancer and was a stage 4A paitent, told me i would probably die in 4 to 6 weeks without immediate care. after a radical neck disection to remove all my lympth nodes, and 39 radiation treatments, i am back among the living (thank God almighty for inventing the VA hospital)

there was very little withdrawal, seems like not dying makes it go away faster. once a few weeks went by and i starterd to actualy smell normally, i started being able to smell other people who smoke, just going through the front door of wal mart became a smelly, stinking experience. i was embarassed to think i was doing that to other people (and didn't care) i felt like i needed to go around and apologize to everyone i knew

you couldn't hold me down and force another cigarette on me.

I am having a fairly easy time, been about 5 days now, I still think about smoking. But I can control the urge, I have quit a couple times before, thought the wife was ,going to divorce me I became a real A#$hole. This time is totally different, as you say, the doctor put the fear of god in me, basically if you want to live, quit. Or just keep on till the next stroke kills you.

[old2soon]

rodeo1. 10-4 on picking up on folks who smoke AFTER we quit. Mama still smokes. It being the reason we take my car when we go out. Her 91 caddy smells like an ashtray. My 94 olds on the other hand has NEVER been smoked in. I don't care what a car dealer uses to TRY to get that smell out-it's there always. Grumpy-you'll notice this when you get better and get quit of nicotine. RIDE SAFE.

[Grumpy]

rodeo1. 10-4 on picking up on folks who smoke AFTER we quit. Mama still smokes. It being the reason we take my car when we go out. Her 91 caddy smells like an ashtray. My 94 olds on the other hand has NEVER been smoked in. I don't care what a car dealer uses to TRY to get that smell out-it's there always. Grumpy-you'll notice this when you get better and get quit of nicotine. RIDE SAFE.

I have had it opposite, my wife quit 19 years ago, so I could not smoke in the house, her car etc. Limited to my truck and the shop. probably have to fumigate the truck to get rid of the smell.