A birthday to remember -- for a lifetime

  • Published
  • By Maj. Dean Stuller
  • Air Force Personnel Center squadron section commander
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Many people seem to believe 40th birthdays are a big event in life, but prior to turning 40, I thought it just another birthday. Those thoughts changed recently, because my 40th will be the one birthday I will never forget.

Prior to turning 40, I thought of it as one of those rare opportunities for me to disengage, indulge in some cake and ice cream (a very rare event for me -- ask anyone I work with) and accept in humble appreciation gifts from my wife and children.

In the days preceding July 23, my 40th birthday, I really hadn't spent very much time reflecting on past birthdays. However, when I did look back, most birthdays weren't exciting or emotional, just appreciated and enjoyed. Little did I know what was around the corner.

I stayed up late July 22 to watch a movie with my wife. About 1:30 a.m., as we headed for bed, I began to experience a significant pain in my chest which quickly intensified. After just seconds, the pain radiated down the back of my arm sending me to my knees.

I have a very high tolerance for pain and even though my wife knows this she knew the pain was more than I could handle and asked if she should call 911. However, being a stubborn man, I told her not to because I was sure it would pass.

When the pain reached my hand and I began having difficulty breathing, I asked for some aspirin. My wife didn't ask again. She called 911. I wanted to argue but was in no shape to do so. I had made it into the bedroom, fallen and couldn't get up.

When EMS arrived they quickly took steps to get my heart under control and then hurriedly transferred me to Wilford Hall Medical Center at nearby Lackland Air Force Base. Upon arrival, the professionals in the emergency room immediately started evaluating my condition and administering treatment.

They weren't sure I was having a heart attack because I didn't fit the profile. I had good blood pressure, I'm healthy, active and relatively young, and there is no history of cardiac disease in my family.

Though the pain had diminished, the "nitro" they administered didn't seem to have the impact on my heart they expected. A short time later, the cardiologists determined I was having a heart attack.

They rushed me into the cardiac catheter lab, found the offending artery, performed angioplasty and implanted a stent re-establishing good blood flow. Upon further testing, nuclear medicine determined the damage was minimal. Medical technology in the hands of professionals truly can and does work wonders!

But you know, there are a few lessons to learn here. First of all, don't hesitate to call 911 -- a delay could cost your life! Also, remember fitness is about more than simply passing your next fitness test -- it is a principle factor in determining your health and your longevity. The chief of cardiac interns at Wilford Hall said my current fitness level probably saved my life. Though always physically active, I find it interesting I spent the last six months engaged in rigorous cardio training in an effort to do well on my fitness test. Little did I know I was also preparing for a heart attack. Thank you, Air Force.

And lastly, there is always much for which we should be thankful. In addition to thanking the Air Force for making me do the right thing, I owe a great debt of gratitude to the team of dedicated and exceedingly professional medical experts at Wilford Hall for the care they provided: the nursing staff on the ward that took good care of me post-op; the cardiac intensive care staff who took care of me immediately before and after the catheter work; and most certainly, the bevy of cardiac interns and their chief who did a great job getting things under control and resolved before my ticker decided to quit ticking. Most importantly I am thankful for my wife who was quick to respond to my needs and took the right actions even if her stubborn husband delayed her.

Since returning to work, I have reflected on what we do here at the Air Force Personnel Center to put the right people in the right place at the right time to execute their mission. On my 40th birthday, I benefited personally from the successful accomplishment of AFPC's mission when the experts at Wilford Hall accomplished their's. I'll enjoy that for the rest of my life.