My Winter Tune-up - Page 3

Ernie Neal · 01-19-2017, 08:32 AM

Hello fellow racers (especially of age). My name is Ernie Neal a long-time Superstock racer from Columbus, Indiana.

I am writing this because I have some recuperating time as I just had open heart surgery January 11, 2017. Thought I would tell others of my experience, so you guys can think about it and tell your friends of my signs.

I have been working hard 2016 to complete a 1991 Corvette build for SS/I. I also have been working on another engine combination, with some builds still in the works. These engines will drop me to a lower classification hp/lbs. in my current Cavalier GT/C ride to GT/J (now GT/N). I am telling you all of this because I had been going at it pretty hard for a 68 year old. I knew I was tired a lot, but didn’t slow me down a whole lot either. At the PRI this year, walking around all day I just couldn’t up with my sons and Dave Tincher, especially on the way to hooters. I am never slow going there.

Now with me feeling fatigued, that is what they called it. I was feeling pressure (tightness) in my upper chest all the way around my upper extremity. I could set down for 5 minutes and was ready to go again. I knew about chest pain and pain/numbness down the arm and inattention as heartache symptoms. I had fireman friend run a 12 lead EKG, but showed nothing. I went to my family doctor for my annual refills and told her. Her reply was “you’ve just earned yourself a stress test”. The echo-cardiogram showed my heart was having to work extra hard. They were observing with an ultrasound after my treadmill. I have not had a heart attack and my heart had not suffered any damage. January 3, 2017 I went to the CATH lab to find out I have hardening of the arteries. So on January 11, 2017 I went back for the open heart. Well they fixed 5 of those things from a piece they removed from right leg. I think I had to have 5 because I have 5 speeds in my car (ha-ha). They said I was a good candidate, for I’m a non-smoker, non-drinker, not obese, and somewhat in shape for an old guy.

I had a 4 day stay in ICU and now on slow recovery. It will be 3 weeks before I can drive and 8 before the sternum is healed. Man I have a lot of crap to get done in the off season. My son, David and David Tincher will be helping me get rolling in the early season. My children have been so helpful during my unscheduled winter tune-up.
Want to thank all the racing family already wishing a quick recovery.

Ernie Neal
SS534

01-19-2017, 08:32 AM	#1
Ernie Neal Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Columbus, Indiana Posts: 530 Likes: 169 Liked 326 Times in 78 Posts	My Winter Tune-up Hello fellow racers (especially of age). My name is Ernie Neal a long-time Superstock racer from Columbus, Indiana. I am writing this because I have some recuperating time as I just had open heart surgery January 11, 2017. Thought I would tell others of my experience, so you guys can think about it and tell your friends of my signs. I have been working hard 2016 to complete a 1991 Corvette build for SS/I. I also have been working on another engine combination, with some builds still in the works. These engines will drop me to a lower classification hp/lbs. in my current Cavalier GT/C ride to GT/J (now GT/N). I am telling you all of this because I had been going at it pretty hard for a 68 year old. I knew I was tired a lot, but didn’t slow me down a whole lot either. At the PRI this year, walking around all day I just couldn’t up with my sons and Dave Tincher, especially on the way to hooters. I am never slow going there. Now with me feeling fatigued, that is what they called it. I was feeling pressure (tightness) in my upper chest all the way around my upper extremity. I could set down for 5 minutes and was ready to go again. I knew about chest pain and pain/numbness down the arm and inattention as heartache symptoms. I had fireman friend run a 12 lead EKG, but showed nothing. I went to my family doctor for my annual refills and told her. Her reply was “you’ve just earned yourself a stress test”. The echo-cardiogram showed my heart was having to work extra hard. They were observing with an ultrasound after my treadmill. I have not had a heart attack and my heart had not suffered any damage. January 3, 2017 I went to the CATH lab to find out I have hardening of the arteries. So on January 11, 2017 I went back for the open heart. Well they fixed 5 of those things from a piece they removed from right leg. I think I had to have 5 because I have 5 speeds in my car (ha-ha). They said I was a good candidate, for I’m a non-smoker, non-drinker, not obese, and somewhat in shape for an old guy. I had a 4 day stay in ICU and now on slow recovery. It will be 3 weeks before I can drive and 8 before the sternum is healed. Man I have a lot of crap to get done in the off season. My son, David and David Tincher will be helping me get rolling in the early season. My children have been so helpful during my unscheduled winter tune-up. Want to thank all the racing family already wishing a quick recovery. Ernie Neal SS534 Last edited by Ernie Neal; 01-19-2017 at 08:57 PM. Reason: typo correction