AGES & STAGES
by Mocco Wollert
WHO doesn’t like a surprise? Before Christmas, I had a totally unexpected surprise – but it wasn’t of the good variety. That day, I went with a group of friends to our usual Sunday lunch at our favourite club. All was well. I felt as healthy and “normal” as usual. As I walked towards the exit after lunch, my teeth suddenly felt funny. I thought it had to be those new dentures, a damned nuisance. After I got home, I removed the annoying dentures but my teeth were still bothering me. Something was definitely wrong – but what?
Suddenly, from somewhere deep in my memory, I remembered an e-mail I had received many years ago. It mentioned something about more women dying of heart attacks than men. Their signs of heart trouble could be very different and were often ignored – but surely not anything as silly as some discomfort in your teeth. The word “jaws” had not yet entered my mind. I rang my granddaughter who is a heart specialist and after I told her about those annoying teeth I asked, “what do you think?” Her answer was swift: ‘I think you should be in hospital right now; I am calling an ambulance.” I felt silly being carted off in an ambulance just because I had sore teeth. I was sure I could have driven myself to hospital, and that I would probably be laughed at for seeking attention for aching teeth. I underwent tests in the emergency department and then the doctor came into the cubicle where I was waiting and said, “you have had a heart attack.” I was stunned, then I laughed at him. Impossible. I am very healthy, not overweight, exercise five days a week, seldom eat red meat (because I don’t like it), stay away from sugary cakes and biscuits (because of weight watching),
and my cholesterol and blood pressure are normal. Honestly, how could I possibly have had a heart attack? But there it was. The angiogram the next day found a small blood clot in one of the arteries leading to my heart. I had dodged a bullet. Had that clot travelled to my brain, I would not be writing this column or any other for that matter. I am now on blood-thinning medication and hopefully will be my normal self again soon. I am sharing this intensely personal experience with readers to send out a warning beacon. Many people I have talked to, have told me that they have never heard of teeth or jaws hurting, as a sign of heart trouble. Most thought either chest pain or pain down the left arm might signal a heart attack. Whoever sent me that e-mail about hurting jaws as a sign of heart trouble, I thank you. It might just have saved my life. Apart from “unease” in your jaws, there a few other symptoms, such as pain between your shoulder blades. I suggest not taking my word for it – after all I am not a doctor – but speak about it to your GP. May your heartbeat be steady and your teeth free of pain.
by Cheryl Lockwood
“YOU can get paid for taking surveys online,” a friend said. Earning dollars in my spare time just by answering a few questions sounded like easy money. I was in! Before you could say “ka-ching!” I was staring at the computer screen, reading terms and conditions, signing up and creating passwords for survey companies. Apparently, my opinion was important and even sought after. So they said. I chose five to start with and decided I would try them for a month and review the situation. Most of these sites work with payment via a points system, which can then be
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10 YOUR TIME MAGAZINE / February 2022
10.indd 2
Brisbane
2/02/2022 12:45:43 PM
