Sorry Ty, I Can Blog, Too!

Well, watching Ty Murray dance actually gave me a heart attack.

In case you haven't noticed, it's been a pretty unusual two weeks for me. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have a heart attack, and it's very confusing why I had one before many of my fried-food-eating friends.

But life has moved on and we are coping here in the Rasmussen house.

Both of my stent procedures were successful and my health just gets better every day. I started at a cardiac rehab center on Monday and I should start jogging a bit on Friday. I am walking very briskly and my heart rate is low and I barely get out of breath.

In a sense, I'm better off than I was three weeks ago.

The reality of getting tired easily, not feeling well and just needing to be patient was a little tough for me. I thought I should just be able to take off and run three miles with no worries, but it just doesn't work that way. Because I was in such great shape I should recover quickly.

It was a little confusing and, yes, most of you are right--it shouldn't have happened to me.

Even the doctors said that they just can't explain some heart attacks. I have no family history, I'm in great physical condition (exhibit A: calves!) and my cholesterol wasn't even high.

But I will now fill you fans in on what I think was a big contributor.

I just haven't handled stress and anxiety very well the last couple years. I know my job looks like a very random, crazy and easy thing, but I put tons of pressure on myself out in the arena every night. Even worse, I stress over the business side of things, the future, my kids, the travel, sleep, money...get the idea?

I've been advised by my doctor that I better change the way I do things a little bit.

So if I don't happen to be at a challenger event somewhere that you've seen me before, sorry. And if you are one of those people producing an event and I tell you I can't be there, don't tell me I HAVE to go--because I don't.

If I seem to express my opinion about things a little more I'm just letting it out instead of bottling it up as stress (good excuse).

For instance, I cannot express with words what it means that many of you have contributed to my hospital that saved me that day. I want good to come out of this.

Most of the comments under the website article were awesome, but I didn't anticipate some people using it as their little place to express their opinion about rural health care.

Sorry I live in the "boonies," but that doesn't mean someone's life who lives in a city is more valuable. Next time you're eating a steak or loaf of bread, remember, it came from someone who lives out in the sticks (and they probably have made a couple trips to the local ER sometime in their life).

Whew, that feels good.

Speaking of trips to the ER, is it me or are there some huge wusses on Dancing With the Stars?

I need to call Ty and ask him if it just drives him crazy when someone pulls a hammy and has to ride in the dang ambulance! Holy crap, grow a pair and just catch a lift to the clinic!

It's kind of funny, really.

I will say Ty is doing great on the show that I never, ever watched before this year. Don't tell anyone, but I even voted. I told him he would dance better if he shaved his legs and tanned a bit, but no dice.

Ty left me a very sincere long voice mail the day of my episode, and I appreciate it very much. He's a good friend and if I told you the message I would have to beep out 2/3 of it.

So here's what I'm shooting for.

The weekend of April 17 is the Billings PBR, and I want to be there. I'm going to have to ease into things and be very careful to avoid injury out in the arena because of the meds I'm on, but I want to come back in front of Montana fans.

The support from you PBR fans has been a bit overwhelming.

Like our crew on the road, the fans of the PBR are a big family and I realize now what all of you mean to my family and me. There are some real ups and downs emotionally involved during all this, and you have helped me deal with it.

For now, I get to watch my daughter at the State Gymnastics Meet this weekend and even go to a wedding next week. These are things I usually miss so I'm going to stop and smell those roses while I can.

Well, all the years joking about boneless chicken and baked salmon...guess what's on my menu, a lot now?

Laugh Always, Flint.