M
Maureen
Just read this story in our local paper (copy below). Des is from my home town and certainly seems to have struck it lucky in Texas. Unfortunately in this country you cannot just book yourself in for tests such as heart scans etc. You would have to see your GP and then be referred to a Consultant/Hospital. As Des had not had any symptoms he would probably never have gone to his GP (until it was too late?)....Are there many clinics in the U.S where you can walk in and get tests? On a trip to New York earlier this year I was amazed to see a place advertising "stand up MRIs" ..can you really go in and have an MRI without a referral...and if so how much do they cost?
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DES SMYTH was enjoying the sunshine on the west coast of America this week following a life-saving heart operation in Texas.
?I feel I am the luckiest man alive,? proclaimed the 53-year-old golfer after his spur of the moment decision to go for a check up last Thursday revealed he needed emergency surgery.
Within hours the Mornington native was on the operating table having two stents inserted in a coronary artery.
When contacted by the Drogheda Independent Smyth, who has won twice on the Champions Tour this season, was back on the practice green in Sonoma, California, and hoping to play in the last event of the season, the Charles Schwab Cup which starts this Thursday.
Des has had to make crucial decisions on the golf course throughout a glorious golfing career.
However, the Irish Ryder Cup vice-captain made the most important one ever when he decided to avail of the offer of a complete medical after finding a pamphlet in his locker ? and it probably saved his life.
?A lot of good people have gone before me and there must be someone up there looking after me,? said a relieved Des.
?I play golf six days a week and usually play in a pro-am every Thursday before a tournament, however for some reason I didn?t play in this one. I?ve often thought of going for a check up but kept putting it off. When I saw the pamphlet in my locker I thought to myself why not now??
?After getting the results of the scan the doctor told me: ?This could be the luckiest day of your life?. He explained that a blockage in an artery kills most people in the western world.
?I asked him could I play the next two tournaments and then go home and have the operation in Ireland and he told me it would be very risky if I did that.
?The well-known international runner Noel Carroll had a similar problem when he died suddenly a number of years back.?
Wife Vicki was in Texas with him and following the 90 minute procedure where surgeons went in through the major arteries in Smyth?s groin he was allowed to leave hospital the following day.
?I feel very fortunate. There were no symptoms, no pain, nothing. I work out at the gym on a regular basis and felt as fit as ever I was.
?Apart from a little soreness I feel fine now. One doctor told me that I was so lucky I should have gone to Las Vegas ? I would have hit the jackpot.?
With no permanent damage Smyth doesn?t envisage any problems regarding the Ryder Cup and is hoping to play a few events on the European Tour next year.
******************************************************
DES SMYTH was enjoying the sunshine on the west coast of America this week following a life-saving heart operation in Texas.
?I feel I am the luckiest man alive,? proclaimed the 53-year-old golfer after his spur of the moment decision to go for a check up last Thursday revealed he needed emergency surgery.
Within hours the Mornington native was on the operating table having two stents inserted in a coronary artery.
When contacted by the Drogheda Independent Smyth, who has won twice on the Champions Tour this season, was back on the practice green in Sonoma, California, and hoping to play in the last event of the season, the Charles Schwab Cup which starts this Thursday.
Des has had to make crucial decisions on the golf course throughout a glorious golfing career.
However, the Irish Ryder Cup vice-captain made the most important one ever when he decided to avail of the offer of a complete medical after finding a pamphlet in his locker ? and it probably saved his life.
?A lot of good people have gone before me and there must be someone up there looking after me,? said a relieved Des.
?I play golf six days a week and usually play in a pro-am every Thursday before a tournament, however for some reason I didn?t play in this one. I?ve often thought of going for a check up but kept putting it off. When I saw the pamphlet in my locker I thought to myself why not now??
?After getting the results of the scan the doctor told me: ?This could be the luckiest day of your life?. He explained that a blockage in an artery kills most people in the western world.
?I asked him could I play the next two tournaments and then go home and have the operation in Ireland and he told me it would be very risky if I did that.
?The well-known international runner Noel Carroll had a similar problem when he died suddenly a number of years back.?
Wife Vicki was in Texas with him and following the 90 minute procedure where surgeons went in through the major arteries in Smyth?s groin he was allowed to leave hospital the following day.
?I feel very fortunate. There were no symptoms, no pain, nothing. I work out at the gym on a regular basis and felt as fit as ever I was.
?Apart from a little soreness I feel fine now. One doctor told me that I was so lucky I should have gone to Las Vegas ? I would have hit the jackpot.?
With no permanent damage Smyth doesn?t envisage any problems regarding the Ryder Cup and is hoping to play a few events on the European Tour next year.
Wonder if he had the same surgeon that I did...now, wouldn't that be something! Pleased we could accommodate your Irish friends..! And I bet they sent him off with a new ten gallon hat and a pair of Tony Lama's..!
