Larry Poff

“It was a day like any other. I was making breakfast and all of a sudden I broke out into a cold sweat, I felt a burning sensation overcome me chest pain and nausea. But then it subsided. I told my wife not to worry, to go ahead with her plans. A few minutes after she left my left arm started getting numb, so I decided to drive myself to the hospital. I was having a heart attack. My aorta was 95% blocked. They call it the widow-maker. My body was telling me there was something wrong leading up to that day. I felt fatigued all the time and not quite right. You need to listen to your body. Don’t wait. It’s your life. My wife and my daughter, who is a nurse, have been very supportive and the medical team at Osceola Regional was at the foot of the bed every hour running tests and checking up on me. After surgery, your body is changing and adjusting. This is a life-changing experience. That first day when I got home I sat down and realized everything was different. I said to myself, ‘Man, I’m feeling good.’ Now I receive a lot of encouragement from the team in Cardiac Rehab. I’m adjusting my eating habits, I’m exercising and I’m really enjoying my passion for fishing, woodworking and cooking. ”