Yesterday, I read and watched breaking news stories that Mississippi State University Football Coach Mike Leach (below), 61, had suffered a massive heart attack and was in critical condition.
While my prayers are extended to Coach Leach and his family, their sad news is rather triggering to me because today is the 10th anniversary of what I thought was my own heart attack.
During the Fall of 2012, I was super busy as I juggled my family time with work on what I used to call the “courthouse chittlin’ circuit” up and down Florida’s I-10 and I-75; I launched a public affairs show, Generation NeXt, that Fall, and my travel schedule included zipping across the nation to speak about hazing prevention based upon my past work on the 2006 Kappa Hazing case, and the 2011 Robert Champion manslaughter hazing case in Tallahassee and Orlando, respectively. Suffice it to say that I was exhausted, a fact that left me susceptible to a very rough bout with the flu in early December of 2012.
Hobbs and friends circa 2012
As I settled in to watch TV 10 years ago this evening, I noticed that I was having difficulty breathing, which was soon followed by chest pain and a tingling sensation down my left arm. Now, I had read and heard enough stories to know that such were symptoms of a heart attack, so after I texted my physician, Dr. Edwardo Williams, he texted back in all caps: “TAKE AN ASPIRIN AND GET TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM!
Well, I made it to the ER and for the first time in my life, I was administered morphine. After a number of tests, the doctors determined that I hadn’t suffered a heart attack—but that I was experiencing an allergic reaction to the Cipro penicillin that had been prescribed to combat my flu symptoms.
While I was admitted and remained in the hospital for only three days, my body went haywire for the next six weeks; I couldn't sleep at ALL! I couldn't eat anything but broth and broccoli, and even that would come back up several times per day! I lost about 70 lbs. (trust, I eventually found those pounds again 😆, but at the time, my misery was NO laughing matter).
Thinking back on my experiences 10 years ago, the following recollections still stand out:
1. Eating is Fundamental: When I couldn't eat for six weeks, what really hurt was that it was the Christmas season, meaning, all of the smells of my favorite dishes of the season like my mother's standing rib roast, ham, turkey, dressing, collards, macaroni and cheese, and Sweet Potato Pie, were lost on me as all that I could digest was chicken broth and broccoli. I wanted to cry every time that the microwave was cut on because I couldn't get any of my favorite foods to stay down, and if there is a Hell below, I imagine that the punishment includes smelling your favorite dishes—but being unable to enjoy them 😆.
2. Idle time, Idle Mind: When insomnia hits, and I mean the real insomnia where you cannot fall into a deep unconciousness for weeks, your mind really will play tricks on you late at night. I quickly realized that a. Despite having a billion channels, nothing worth watching is on TV that time of morning; B. Social media is dead in the wee small hours of the morning, too, because the majority of your friends and followers are soundly asleep 😆. Those several weeks of insomnia and late night wide awake solitude found me actually pondering "well, if I die, then I would be in a deep sleep." Mind you, I was not suicidal, but when several weeks go by without eating or sleeping properly, the brain produces some wild thoughts that ordinarily would never enter active contemplation. Thank God, indeed, for family and friends who kept me sane and hopeful.
3. On a lighter note, those morphine shots felt really damn good! I remember thinking at the ER that I could finally understand why folks abuse opiates, like the Fentanyl that had already killed music legend Michael Jackson and four years after my hospital visit, would kill music legend Prince, because opium literally takes ALL the pain away. Fortunately for me, I do not have a predilection for drug addiction, although I do fight an addiction to sugar and treats that causes me to work hard to moderate my indulgences 😆.
While certain aspects of today’s blog are a downer, particularly regarding Coach Mike Leach and the pains/fears I suffered a decade ago, here’s hoping that those who read this piece will:
1. Recognize the signs of heart attacks and/or strokes—and get help if you find yourself or a loved one feeling ill…
2.Enjoy your time here on Earth and love on those kin and friends who love on you— because it all ends—and can end—in the blink of an eye!
Lest we forget…
Finally, a photo of the best looking guy on an internet public affairs show in 2012.
Thank you for the transparency. Your words always resonate, whether personally or professionally. I am happy to read your reflections and will continue to send you well wishes in health and all things.