I’m ‘The Stented Papa’ – Ross to those who know me. I’m a 38 year old Dad of two beautiful girls, aka ‘The Nips’. Nip#1 is Mia, who just turned 5 and Nip#2 is Baby Elle who is nearly 2. I live in Dublin with my amazing partner of 8 years, Mel – aka ‘The Mrs’ who recently became my wife.
Recently my life changed, big time. In Nov 2015, I was told I’d ‘Multiple signs of Heart Disease in both sides of my heart’. Well…..Fuck, Shit, & Bollox.
Heart Disease runs in my family on my Dad’s side. Dad, all his siblings & his Dad (and I assume others before him) all have/had it. If you add their total number of By-Pass’s together, it would probably be longer than the M50!
I knew it was in the post, but at 37 it came as a big fucking shock if I’m honest. Things got very scary at times, the feelings I was getting in & around my heart and chest area where bloody frightening but on one particular evening I just knew something wasn’t right, so The Mrs brought me to A&E.
After getting checked out and one Angiogram later and I was told, ‘Yeah, you need a good bit of work there Ross, you’ll be staying with us overnight and we’ll see you back here tomorrow for few stents’.
I ended up needing 4 stents which where inserted into my heart during the Angioplasty the next day. It’s also possible I might need a fifth in the not too distance future. Fuck Me.
Let’s be honest here – I am a VERY lucky man to be alive, that is how I feel. I got a warning. Irrespective of age, CVD & CHD (in particular) does not give a flying fuck what age you are. If it’s in your genes, it’s in your genes and that’s that baby. One can only hope they get a warning like I did and not suffer a massive heart attack or stroke or worse, die – young or old.
After a while I went back to work when I was able to – or at least I thought I was able to.
Working with an amazing Irish start up called Pubble, I loved my job and loved working with the team. But no matter how hard I tried, I just could not focus and get myself back into it. My mind was consumed, my drive was gone (I was in sales) & my fire was out and in business development you need those qualities to be in check – there is no hiding place. My thoughts where elsewhere and after a long chat with The Mrs, I decided it was in all our interest for me to stand down. Tough after 5 years, really tough.
But here is the MoneyShot !! I get to spend quality time with my girls – be a role model, watch them (literally) grown in front of my eyes, teach them ‘stuff’ & let them teach me ‘stuff’ and most of all, have some serious fun. And that my friends, is what being a parent is all about.
So join me here on my journey as a new SAHD (Stay at Home Dad) as I blog (& vlog) the shit out of everything we get up to. So if you like what you read (or if you don’t), leave your comments & opinions, retweet & re-share my posts (please!), follow me and connect. Cheers.
Hi Ross,
You are blessed to have such beautiful daughters, amazing life partner and overall a great family. Having a loving family is sometimes the best antidote to ailments like heart diseases and you have made a great decision by slowing down, stay at home, be with your angels and blog.
John Gatesby would luv you to read…VASOVAGAL SYNCOPE AND CHRONIC VAGAL EXCESS
Well thank you very much John for taking the time to read my blog and comment, much appreciated! Cheers, Ross
Wish, sounds terrifying but I’m glad there is a silver lining for you . I’m sure the kids will keep you busy and on your toes.
# fartglitter
Thanks very much. Hopefully on the other side now and can plan for the future with confidence. Thanks for reading & leaving a comment, your linky #fartglitter is my first ever linky! Regards, Ross
Hi Ross, I enjoyed the read. Sorry to hear but your new life sounds great I bet Pubble are missing you ☹️
Hey Linda, many thanks for the comment, great to hear from you. Hope you are enjoying Jaipur! Well they say when one door closes, another one opens and that’s what has happened (albeit not the plan at the time). Life is funny. Without a doubt I miss Pubble but being a full time SAHD doesn’t allow you much time to chill and think!! It’s the busiest but best job I’ve ever had. #Imlovinit 🙂
Loving it so far Ross & Mel!
Hope you’re feeling a bit better? This whole SAHD thing seems to really suit you!
Well done, Emma x
Hey Emma, delighted you are enjoying it! Yeah, I’m feeling great now thankfully and that’s an amazing feeling if Im honest. Being a SAHD is surpassing all thoughts / ideas I had in my head prior to doing it. It’s dynamite! Thanks for the comment, cheers, Ross.
Heh Ross,
Really good to talk to you today. We’ll miss you out in this world but the REAL world is where you are, looking after your kids.
If it wasn’t for the facts that brought this about I’d envy you!
Speak again next week
Hey Stefan, thanks for calling, sorry if was so short! Really nice comment Stefan, appreciate it. I really do miss Pubble and all that went with it but if I’m very honest, right now, I’m playing the cards that I’ve been given and I’m just so comfortable in that. It is an amazing experience spending so much time with my girls and in the future, when I look back on it, I will be so happy. Turning a negative into a serious positive I think they call it!! Looking forward to chatting soon. Thanks, Ross.
Well written Ross, good luck on your journey.
Hi ya Sandra, Hope all is good with you and your gang! Thanks a million, really glad you liked it, thanks for reading & leaving a comment, Ross.
Fab Ross! Very serious topic but I literally laughed out loud reading this…. Love a bit of real language . There’s quare dodgy tickers in my dads side too. Sadly we lost him young with no warning but the rest of his siblings got signs and treatment and they are running about with a batter of stents and all in their 50’s and 60’s going strong. Looking forward to reading more
Thanks Cara! Serious topic is correct and as it runs in your Dads side also, you know all about it. So sad to hear you lost him at a young age. I guess the flip side is it prompted the others to get the finger out and do something about it. Horrible that it took something bad to happen for the reaction to happen. I’ll tell you, if my blogs made you laugh out loud then I am a happy blogger 🙂 I’m delighted you found them funny. Thanks for subscribing, really appreciate it. Chat soon, Ross.
Great work papa bear!
Thanks Mamabear !!!!
Ross, u never cease to amaze me… x
Where is the Like button on this? I seriously need to add a Like button …. Thanks Bex, absolutely brilliant comment. Smiling now.
Loving this Ross fair play!!! Niall can swap notes with ya now!!!
Best of luck & keep them coming!!!
Absolutely Mary, yeah, I briefly spoke with Niall about this at the wedding but didn’t get to finish it! Tell him to email me all his tricks! (ross@thestentedpapa.com please :-)) Thanks a mill for the comment, I’m working on the next post now! Chat soon!
Life is for living and enjoying ,it’s great to see you have turned ,what could be a negative into a very happy positive!Best wishes to you and your family .
Hi Eileen, That’s it. The glass is (more than) half full. Mindset change as well as, well pretty much everything!! But what a change. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, really appreciate it. Thanks, Ross.
This is brilliant Ross- I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching all the videos and reading your posts! I love how you’ve turned the situation around – your attitude is amazing. Looking forward to the next update X
Thanks Tanya, I’m delighted you’ve enjoyed them. Ya gotta play the cards you’ve been given (at whatever stage in life) and that’s what I’m doing, but doing it with a vengeance. Plenty more posts to follow soon, just need to grow a few more arms, legs and add more hours to each day and I’m sorted !!!!! Really hope all is good with you and life is good. Thanks for subscribing too 🙂 !!!
Jayzis Ross sorry to hear about your health scare. Wishing you the very best with the blog and everything else
Hi ya Kathryn, how are you? I’m doing good now thanks, just have to be a good boy and be sensible! Thanks very much for your message, really cool thing to do. Chat soon, Ross.
Good on you Ross!
Best of luck with everything.
Enjoy the precious time with your girls .
Paddy C, how are ya my man? Great to hear from you! Agh I’m enjoying every second of it, seeing massive changes in them both every day, its class & nuts at the same time. Hope all your gang are doing great. Thanks for the comment & like on FB. Take care Paddy, chat soon!
Great story, sorry to hear your news but lovely outcome to spend precious time with your girls n big decision at the time I’m sure.
On another note, I’m working in Boston scientific so nice to hear ‘patient’ stories (whether you got Boston stents or not).
Enjoy your beautiful girls and we’ll enjoy your blogs!!! Tina
Hey Murph, how are ya? It’s definitely been a game changer that’s for sure but it’s had an amazing outcome, our girls are dynamite. That’s gas, I’m pretty sure (99.99999% sure) the stents are from Boston Scientific! Jayzus, they are absolutely tiny, aren’t they? If ya think about it, our arteries are the size of a string of spaghetti, and the ballon & stent go inside the arterie before being blown up – it’s unbelievable. Please tell your work buddies I’m a big fan of Boston Scientific! Hope your family is flying. Great to hear from you, take care, Ross.
Great aspect on life fair play and definitely enjoy your little ladies xx
Really like this comment Emma, thanks a million. Enjoying every second with them. Cheers, Ross.
Wishing you all the best ross,beautiful girls 😉
Hi Emmma, thanks a million! All is going great (so far!!) so long may that continue!. I’m literally typing this message with Elle hanging out of my arm – who says men can’t multi-task ha?! Thanks again, Ross.
Hi Ross,
Sorry to hear about the ticker. No better man to look on the positive side. Hope you are on the mend. Great blog!
Wesley
Hey Wesley, How are ya doing man? Hope all is good with you. Yep, the glass is full and that’s the only way to look at this. I’m still here! Glad you like the blog. I’m aiming to keep it fresh and light hearted (where possible anyway!). Really appreciate the comment, chat soon, Ross.
Hey Ross
So so proud of you! Taking a very difficult situation, sharing it and quite honestly, being an inspiration to us all.
Looking forward to reading.. xxxxxx
Thanks Sandy, yeah my plan is to be as honest about what happens as possible. If’s its a good buzz/story, happy days I’ll write about it, if’s it shit or I haven’t a breeze about something, it’ll still be covered. Life is that way sometimes and my blog is an extension of that. If you want to subscribe, you’ll get an email when I post anything new. Easy peasy! Hope all is good with you & your little beauty. Speaks soon. Ross
Wow Ross, what a big shock is right, sounds like you made the best decision and how beautiful you get to see the girls grow up every minute of every day. As you said busy as all hell, haha but worth it. Looking forward to reading more. Thank god your all good now xxxxxxx
Hey Missa, Wow, getting messages from the other side of the world, class!!! I’ll be going viral next hehe! Yep, big shock, ain’t gonna lie and giving up a 5 year project was tough but it’s just been the best move, even my blood pressure has dropped big time. Spending time with the girls just rocks my world. I’ve loads more to write about, getting the time to do it is the problem! Yep, all good now thankfully! Hope your bunch are keeping you & Michael busy also. Thanks a million for taking the time to comment, really appreciate it. Chat soon 🙂
Hi Ross. Just spent the last hour watching your videos and reading your blog! Love it! Your girls are just gorgeous. Must get Gavin to have a look. All the best
Hi ya Deireen, how are you keeping? That’s absolutely class, I’m smiling here! Really glad you liked them. Well, the gaff is still standing even with The Missus gone so I did alright! Yeah, I think they are gorgeous too but I’m seriously biased haha. Hope you Gavin & the kids are flying. Thanks a million for the comment and for spending an hour reading & watching – 5 star visitor!!!
Fair play to your Ross , life is for living and what great memories your giving your girls, onwards and upwards enjoy your girls xx and hears to your future xx
Hey Ashleen! How are ya? You’ve hit the nail on the head. It’s as much about enjoying every minute right now as well as having something cool for them to look back on in years to come. Love it. Thanks a million, hope all is great with you.
Wow!! Fair Play Ross! Enjoy your girls and have lots of fun! 😉 xxx
Hey Marina, How are you? Yeah, I’m loving it, spending quality time with my girls is the best job in the world! Really busy but it’s quality. Thanks for reading & for your comment. Chat soon, Ross.