finding out you have a hart defect in your thirties

[mikehouk]

i am 39 i have had atleast 3 hart atacks . and i'm pretty sure i had a small hart atack 2 weeks ago . but couldn't aford to take off work . i have worked heavy construction my whole life . i am uneducated and i have been convicted of narcotic ,possesion . so am a felon . my doctor recomended me to change my profession . i can see the wisdom in his sugestion . as my hart only seems to get worse . i have people and animals that depend on me , but no one that i can depend on . i can't suport myself or my animals by working at mcdonalds ! and i have no one to suport me if i was to try to get an education . my doctor is kinda vaig , and doesn't give me much help on the problem . he only says i should change my carer . but , i never had a carer only a livlyhood . i worry about that if i kill myself trying to suport myself , my wife , my dogs and my lazy brother . who will take care of them ! i don't except charity . this ofcourse couses more stress and angina . and i would like to live atleast 20 more years . but heavy labor is all i know . i fear that if i dont change my profession i wont live alot longer . which is fine by me . i am ok with death . but, what about the people and things i care for and about ? i can not leave yet . my wife has never realy had a job , and couldn't earn a normal living  . but she is an artist and does help out .
   all of these problems just seem to get worse , and add to my medical woes . what should i do ?

[Alisonj29]

mammo said it all very well. I am so sorry for what you are going through. You need to take care of you. You need to tell your doctor that changing careers is not something you can do easily and that he needs to help you manage your health. Please please keep in touch and let us know how you are. My father too had heart problems at a young age so this really hits home  for me.

[mammo]

I am so sorry to hear all of this, I'm sure you feel there is no way out!  Being a convicted felon makes it easier said than done to change careers.  Eliminating stress in your life can help, and I would start with your lazy brother, I know this is hard but he needs to stand on his own two feet and stop being a burden on his sick brother!  Can you request a less labor intensive position with your company?  You've done this type of work long enough that maybe you could get into a supervisory position, worth asking about.  I don't want anything to happen to you, but your wife and children would get SS benefits and they would be okay....I just don't want this worry weighing on you. NEVER hesitate to accept help, if anyone deserves it you do!  Don't let pride stop you from having an easier life so you can be around longer!  I'm sure I'm of no help and I hope others will have some suggestions for you. You're far too young to be enduring this, and I hope you find a way to get something that is easier for you to do.  Try not to worry so much, it's not helping you. Look into resources for you and your family, and make your brother get a job and contribute.  My heart goes out to you and I do wish you all the best.