Smooth Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Hi guys, No one probably remembers me, but I posted here a little (just getting into it) in 2007. Well, 2007 was a rough year for me and i really have to cut this story down to avoid boring all and sundry but please please bare with me! I was diagnosed with Long QT syndrome (a heart condition, aka 'sudden death syndrome' in the USA) in 1998 at 16 years of age. After experiencing terrible episodes in which I was clinically dead 12 times and revived by members of the public twice in 2 years I decided to have a cardiac implant (defibrulator) two days after finishing high school in 2000 to hopefully avoid some of these episodes. All was well for the first nine months after surgery. I was an aspiring professional golfer (+2 Handicap) and also throwing in a college degree in Business, some part time work and the company of willing females. Life was good! By the end of 2001 my health deteriorated rapidly with no explination. Golf was impossible, uni seemed a waste of time and I took up a job to support myself while continuing the downward spiral. Strangely the worse my health got, my career continued to lift until October 2007 as the downward spiral continued after much medical advice and treatment. I'm 6'5'' tall and weighed 52kg (110lb approx) in the emergency room of the Gold Coast hospital. I had reached the point I couldn't continue pushing on day to day, my body had simply reached its lowest point and could carry me no further. After seeing many specialists over a period of days, undergoing countless tests and theories they all came up with no explination. In desperation I broke up wth my girlfriend of three years (dead weight), took leave from work and flew to Melbourne to see yet another specialist. After even more tests I was told that at my falling weight and run down state, I probably had 3-6 months to live at 24 years of age. In the car heading back to the hotel I unashamedly cried the entire journey. By this time it was 8pm and I headed to the executive lounge to contemplate how I would tell my family I was dying and to an extent how to come to terms with it myself. Six to eight single malts and a room service meal later I decided to unpack a cigar I brought along. A Partagas SDC3 from the Czar. Heading out into the streets of melbourne at 1am I fired it up and just walked, no care for my personal safety or the fact I had more tests at 8am. With tears in my eyes I wandered pondering my fate... About 30 minutes into a magnificent cigar clarity dawned upon me... I had people around me who loved me, I had been a good man for my 24 years and I will do my best to fight on against adversity... If it was my time, i was willing to do my best along the way. 45 minutes in cigar 3/4 done sitting on some grass across from the old Windsor Hotel, Victorian Parliament and my Hotel under a palm tree... More clarity came. What if the implant, which has and is there to save my life is actually slowly killing me? I didnt sleep much that night, but awoke the next morning with the desire to live and the clarity I might have solved the issues. Correct on both counts, since having the strength of the device turned down (reduction in radiation from elec current), taking minerals to counteract the metals in the device my life has completely turned around for the best. I have slowly put on weight (65kg at the moment) share my life and home here in Albion QLD with an amazing woman who is the light of my life, continued building my career and am generally feeling on the improve. That cigar both changed and saved my life. The nations best medical minds had never considered my system was so sensitive, but with the relaxation of that cigar on my walk the code was cracked. I am writing this because we all go through adverse times in our lives and a majority of the time all we need is some inspiration and clarity to get us through. I hope by sharing my story I could give a glimmer of hope to those amongst us here at FOH who may be facing tough times... Life will go on, the bad will pass and the people we love is all that need matter. I had waited until I felt I had won the battle before smoking another cigar... I am proud to say I reached that moment three months ago! But have just plucked up the courage to share the story Special thanks to all at Czars, the relaxation and clarity of thought a good cigar provides saved my life. So in turn I thank you for that cigar, that moment. And will drop in sometime to say so in person. Also to all on this forum, reading your passion while I was recovering was truly inspirational and motivated me to no end to get to that point where I allowed myself to enjoy a beautiful cigar once more.... Cheers, Smooth. PS: For all those who may be thinking I shouldnt have been smoking with a health issue, my ECG's were better when I was smoking than when I wasnt. The experts put it down to a form of meditation/ relaxation gained while enjoying a cigar...
KB24 Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Great story and thank you for sharing. Glad to hear your health is on the rise. In times like this, it's always nice to hear stories like yours. Continued improvement and nothing but better days ahead my friend. -Patrick
zuma Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Smooth... that is though stuff mate! Thanks for sharing... I am glad that you pulled through so much hardship... it is amazing how meditation can more often than not give one the tranquility and vision to overcome apparently insurmountable obstacles. IMHO, a truly great way of meditation can be achieved through a burnt sacrifice of fine loved rolled leaves... that's like Zen to me my friend.
laficion Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Hi Smooth, I would like to express how much I appreciated your story, I'm sure as all of the FOH members who will read this . I'm truely touched and moved by your will power to live and love life to the most. If with only a cigar you have done so much, god only knows how far you are capable to move foward in life. With the support of a great family and true friends , life is good and that's all that counts. Thank you, Thank you so much for shareing this with us. Take care and hope to hear from you often on this forum. Tonight, I will smoke a Monte LE 2008 Sublime in your honor with friends here in France.
jeromeroselli Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Smooth, What an incredible story. Thank you so much for sharing and for making my morning enlightening.
aavkk Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 well that is a hell of a story and a great read! I am glad you had the courage to put yourself out there like that. A friend of mine (Eric Compton) actually had a very similar experience to yours. He had a heart transplant when he was 8 and had to give up baseball and take up golf. He went on to become a professional golfer and very recently received a second transplant after 2 more heart attacks. I dont know many people stronger than Eric but I know that he will give it his all to come back and claw his way back through the nationwide tour and back onto the PGA tour. I am a better person for knowing him and wish you both the best of luck moving forward. If you are ever in NYC please dont hesitate to look me up, I will have a great cigar with your name on it.
Hoops Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Life will go on, the bad will pass and the people we love is all that need matter. Thanks for sharing this. Best to you! -Brian (Hoops)
sounddust Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 I always knew the Connie 3 was good but damn... Thanks for sharing an important part of your life with us.
terrantheman Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Wow!!! Best wishes to your continued success!
sinnyc Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 That's a wonderful story. Here's hoping you continue to triumph over adversity! - Tim P.S. I love the fact that the ECG's were better with cigars than without. It's amazing what a beneficial effect being calm (not something I am known for ) can have on the body.
Mr Peales Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 One of the truest laws of nature is that the fittest are destined to thrive. You certainly have what it takes Smooth. Thank you for sharing.
Arrow111 Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 thank you for sharing a such a personal and truly inspirational story. i wish you continued health.
Van55 Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Good tale. Frankly, I would be thanking divine inspiration, rather than a cigar for your revelation. But the Lord works in mysterious ways. I wish you continued good health, a long life, a great career and many, many fine cigars.
jwm8592 Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Harrowing experience Smooth, glad you pulled out and cheers to your continued success & good health.
Morientes50 Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 I salute your courage Some poetry from the Rubaiyat that we all should remember: Ah my beloved, fill the cup that clears Today of past regret and future fears: Tomorrow! -Why, tomorrow I may be Myself with yesterday's seven thousand years Then to the lip of this poor earthen urn I learned, the secret well of life to learn: And lip to lip it murmured--"While you live, Drink!-for once dead you never shall return" Life is not a dress rehearsal, I heard someone say once
toracubed Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Awesome and uplifting story from one courageous person! Smooth!!!!
brian1 Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Hi Smooth, Thank you for sharing, you are a very strong individual. God bless you my friend and may you have much happiness in the future.
Dogwatch Dale Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 What an excellent story Smooth, thanks so much for sharing it!
Wiley Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Wow! Smooth, I'm very glad things are improving for you, and I pray they continue to do so! And thanks for sharing your story!
gacigarman Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 That is one hell of a story. Thanks for sharing and best wishes for continued success and health.
anacostiakat Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 Great story and thanks for sharing. I hope to see you posting more!
Taino Posted March 19, 2009 Posted March 19, 2009 That's the curative power of El Prez giving away cigars!!! I think this is evidence enough to start giving away cigars Rob! I think we've all felt somehow what you feel Smooth and that's a much more powerfull reason than nicotine to be adicts. In many occasions a cigar makes you see the world with different eyes, maybe with better eyes and that's one of the great things about this hobby. I wish you the best and hope we can share stoogie some time.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now