
Home About Us Links Archive Feedback Disclaimer	Patient of the Month January, 2000 Terry A. Stoll Hi, my name is Terry A. Stoll and on February 7th, 1993, I had a heart attack. In March 1993, I underwent triple bypass surgery. Upon my discharge home from the hospital, the first place I went was the AMPM for a pack of cigarettes. Having smoked for 30 years, I wanted a cigarette more than anything. My wife, Christine, was so mad I told her I would try to quit. Instead of quitting, I stopped smoking only in the house. The urge to smoke was overwhelming and I continued to smoke. I attended cardiac rehabilitation classes where I was taught how to improve my diet. Emphasis was also put on how important it was to quit smoking and drinking, cut down on my work hours and begin an exercise program. So, I joined a gym and started exercising 3 times a week. Christine and I changed our eating habits and I reduced my workday to 6 or 7 hours instead of the 12 I was working. Despite these changes, I still continued to smoke and drink. I went through the next few years on a low fat diet and continued to exercise. I lost some weight, my cholesterol levels improved but Dr. Chen was still not happy with my cholesterol. He emphasized to me how important it was to stop smoking. He said that if I had another heart attack I would not survive. My heart was not going to get better - the only hope for it was not to get worse. As more and more time passed, I followed less of Dr. Chen's advice. I figured what good would it do since all the men in my family died early of heart disease? The turning point in my life occurred two years ago when I was awarded full custody of my daughter, Nikki. I returned to the Catholic Church after being away for over twenty-five years. I realized my daughter needed a father and my wife needed a husband - alive. I prayed to God to keep me alive for them as long as possible. I quit smoking and lucky enough, Christine quit with me. One year later I quit drinking. When Dr. Chen told me my heart function had improved I knew God was working miracles in my life. Today, my cholesterol is excellent, I walk 2 to 3 times a week, use a Health Rider and have lost weight. I feel great! Top of Page

Material copyright © 1999-2005 Riverside Cardiology Associates Medical Group Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Riverside Cardiology Associates Medical Group is prohibited.

Patient of the Month

January, 2000

Terry A. Stoll

Patient of the Month Hi, my name is Terry A. Stoll and on February 7th, 1993, I had a heart attack. In March 1993, I underwent triple bypass surgery. Upon my discharge home from the hospital, the first place I went was the AMPM for a pack of cigarettes. Having smoked for 30 years, I wanted a cigarette more than anything. My wife, Christine, was so mad I told her I would try to quit. Instead of quitting, I stopped smoking only in the house. The urge to smoke was overwhelming and I continued to smoke.

I attended cardiac rehabilitation classes where I was taught how to improve my diet. Emphasis was also put on how important it was to quit smoking and drinking, cut down on my work hours and begin an exercise program. So, I joined a gym and started exercising 3 times a week. Christine and I changed our eating habits and I reduced my workday to 6 or 7 hours instead of the 12 I was working. Despite these changes, I still continued to smoke and drink.

I went through the next few years on a low fat diet and continued to exercise. I lost some weight, my cholesterol levels improved but Dr. Chen was still not happy with my cholesterol. He emphasized to me how important it was to stop smoking. He said that if I had another heart attack I would not survive. My heart was not going to get better - the only hope for it was not to get worse. As more and more time passed, I followed less of Dr. Chen's advice. I figured what good would it do since all the men in my family died early of heart disease?

The turning point in my life occurred two years ago when I was awarded full custody of my daughter, Nikki. I returned to the Catholic Church after being away for over twenty-five years. I realized my daughter needed a father and my wife needed a husband - alive. I prayed to God to keep me alive for them as long as possible. I quit smoking and lucky enough, Christine quit with me. One year later I quit drinking. When Dr. Chen told me my heart function had improved I knew God was working miracles in my life. Today, my cholesterol is excellent, I walk 2 to 3 times a week, use a Health Rider and have lost weight. I feel great!

Top of Page

Material copyright © 1999-2005 Riverside Cardiology Associates Medical Group
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Riverside Cardiology Associates Medical Group is prohibited.