A Heart-to-Heart with GigaOM Readers

Happy New Year. As you may have noticed, my byline hasn’t been up on the site for a few days. That’s because the holidays weren’t exactly my most jolly.

I had a heart attack on Dec. 28. I was able to walk into the hospital for treatment that night and have been recovering here ever since. With the support of my family and my team, I am on the road to a full recovery. I am going to be OK.

Katie and Liz and the rest of the team will be posting updates on my progress on the site. I’ll be back and writing again as soon as possible.

Now living a healthier life isn’t just one of my New Year’s resolutions, it’s doctor’s orders. Friends and family have purged my apartment of smokes, scotch and all my favorite fatty foods — I am even going to be drinking decaf. I won’t be refashioning my avatar’s stogie with a celery stick, but I will be taking better care of my health.

I hope you do, too.

Best wishes,
Om

An important note from Managing Editor Carolyn Pritchard: If anyone wants to send get-well messages to Om, please do so in the comments section of this post – we will make sure he sees each and every one of them. If you have story ideas or tips you want to pass on for the site, please send them via email to info at gigaom dot com. Please check the site for the most up-to-date info. on his progress. Thanks to everyone for their support and understanding.

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Om Malik

Om Malik is a San Francisco based writer, photographer and investor. More....

1,108 thoughts on “A Heart-to-Heart with GigaOM Readers”

  1. Best wishes for a much improved New Year. 🙂

    Your site has been invaluable to anyone wanting to keep up with the consequences of the new networks.

    Thanks…and good wishes.

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  10. Om…

    Glad to hear you are okay. I was surprised to find out that I had high blood pressure this past year and have jumped into a exercise and diet program to combat it.

    Take your time recovering. Your family and friends are the most important things in the world. I’ll be praying for a swift recovery.

    Sean

  23. Your other doctor is ready to visit as soon as we are back. Both Helene and I are as concerned as anyone and are there for anything you may need.

    Here’s to a speedy recovery, and we’re on the team to ENFORCE your resolutions.

    Touch the smokes I break your fingers…Helene says she’ll break more than that.

    Get well my brother,

    Andy

  27. Om,
    Very glad to read that you are recovering after a heart attack, I hope you get well soon.
    Take care and wishes for a speedy recovery.
    Dimitris.

  28. Pingback: A Heart-to-Heart, from Om « FoundRead
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  34. Om
    Ariana, Clément and myself are thinking of you. We are relieve to learn you are on the road to full recovery my friend. Take good care of yourself. Until later, peace + love. [a]

  38. m, that’s terrible news, but thankfully you’re still with us. Take care of that ticker and stick around for a while…we’ll be waiting for that firt Android phone review that only Om can bring. Rest up and get well!

  41. Great to hear the prognosis is good! Scary to hear you had to go through that. Feel better soon, and doing without the crud will be easier than you think.

  42. Om,

    Your periodic gruff exterior (perhaps about to get gruffer short term from absence of caffeine?) can’t hide the fact that you’re one of the “good guys” in the industry.

    All of us here at the Agency wish you a speedy recovery.

    Take care,

    Lou

  46. The first 50-90 days of being in your normal routine without the coffee, cigars, and booze are the hardest. After that, you’ll just enjoy having more energy and sleeping better. Glad you’re OK; take it easy!

  51. As one reader who thoroughly appreciates your plentiful wit, I am thankful to learn you are recovering and wish you well in your efforts to improve your health. The lifestyle changes likely won’t be easy, but I suspect you have the strength and support you need to get through this challenge triumphantly. All the best to you Om!

  56. Best of Luck! South Asians like us suffer miserably at the hands of saturated fats in American fare. Lack of adaptation to this high cholesterol diet makes for dangerous grubbin’! Anyway, take care of yourself and here’s wishing you a speedy recovery!

  67. We’re so glad to hear that you are recovering and we wish you all the best in 2008. You are truly a special and valued voice in the IT industry and a class-act as a human being. Let us know if we can do anything to help.

  73. Hey buddy, hoping you are up and running soon, come over and say hi in NYC and i’ll treat you to some swedish health food!

    “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” – Gandi

    BTW stop by NYC in fashion week and we can both run for the models, perfect workout!

  78. everyone here has already said it, but i’m shocked and saddened– and yet relieved at least to hear that you are ok and recovering. please let me know anything i can do to help in the mean time! my thoughts are with you

    sarah

  82. Om, glad to hear that you will be okay. Must have been scary. I’m making a mental note to remember your experience the next time I think about pouring a glass of amber liquid or scarfing down a plate of BBQ ribs!

    Get well (very) soon.

  84. Just taking a moment to remind you to always take care my good friend. Glad to hear you’re doing ok and on the mend, but say vigilant and don’t let yourself become complacent. Health is our most important resource to protect.

  89. Om – Feel better. we will say a little prayer for you here where it is a local call. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery & See ya soon.

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  98. None of us want to see a celery stick either! But we do want to keep hearing from a healthy Om for a long, long time to come. Get well soon, buddy! Best wishes for a happy, healthy and successful new year, and many many more new years.

  100. I hope you feel better buddy. Get some rest, do some rehab and get a bike and ride around. It’ll kick your ass at first but then you’ll be dropping weight and put less of a strain on the old ticker.

  101. I went into the hospital Friday night, perhaps same time as you, with dizziness, shortness of breath, and got full thyroid/enzyme workup. Luckily, my prognosis was OK, but it makes me completely empathize with your experience. Good luck and take good care of your health.

  107. Pingback: Om Malik: heartattack, but alive!

  108. Get well soon, Om. Glad to hear you’re recovering and we’ll continue to get your news analysis. Take it easy for now though. No late nights working on stories, ya hear?

    Only decaf now? Ouch. I’m sure you’ll find a way to stay mentally alert and write great articles.

  109. Om,

    Glad to hear that you are doing better now. Also glad to hear that you have gotten rid of a lot of unhealthy stuff. John said it right…you can go down in scale from GigaOm to MegaOm and we will still keep reading your posts! Here’s to a healthier new year for you.

  111. Om,

    That’s shocking news! But you know, it’s not all bran muffins and carrot sticks from this point forward. After being warned by my own doctor about the dangers of high fat food, I began to substitute … hot peppers. It opened up entirely new vistas in eating.

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and stay away from the stogies!

    Alec.

  112. Pingback: Scripting News for 1/3/2008 « Scripting News Annex

  117. I knew this was going to be heavy when I saw the title, and it sure was. Heart disease is serious, but you can live with it, as I’ve found out. I had bypass surgery in 2002, and I’m still here. You can also quit smoking, it’s easy when you have motivation.

    Om, when you’re feeling better let’s go for a walk.

  127. Om,

    We all wish you a speedy recovery. I would humbly ask that your other friends and acquaintances join me in this prayer for healing, called a “Mi Sheberach”

    May the One who blessed our ancestors, Sarah and Abraham, Rebecca and Isaac, Leah, Rachel and Jacob bless Om Mailk along with all of the ill among us. Grant insight to those who bring healing, courage and faith to those who are sick, love and strength to us and to all who love them. God, let your spirit rest upon all who are ill and comfort them. May they and we soon know a time of complete healing, a healing of the body and a healing of the spirit and let us say: Amen.

  128. Om – wish you a speedy recovery – if you are still in NYC and I can do anything for you – please do not hesitate to give me a call or email.

  129. Hey Om, you must have a strong will to “walk into the hospital for treatment that night” did you remember to pop in a Bayer Aspirin when you started feeling it or something. Best of luck of your recovery and hope to read more of your articles soon.

    Cesar

  130. I’d just like to say that Om is the best boss I’ve ever had (and that includes my mom). Let’s just say he stuck with me even after my own extended stay in a hospital (not to mention the illness that precluded it).

    So get better, man! I miss you already.

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  147. Om, I was saddened to hear this news. It is just a reminder that we need to appreciate each new day of our life with joy and take utmost care to make it last. From the famous Stanford graduation speech from Steve Jobs, we must make the best use of the time we have now. Like all good things, it will end. I wish to see a more healthy, fit and prolific Om soon. Speedy recovery.

  148. Wishing you all the best Om. And — on a side note — happy to recommend a fabulous nutritionist who has helped my husband and me break our bad food habits over the past year in a reasonable, sensible way. My hub has lost 90 lbs and I’m down 50.

    Michelle @ footnoted

  156. Om, nothing is worth giving up your health for. I am glad you got a wake up call that left you healing and thinking, because your life will be richer and better now. So glad to hear you will be okay, and must remind you that you come from a rich meditative tradition and you shouldn’t try so hard to be “American.” We have all the heart attacks.
    Namaste and much love
    Francine

  159. First comment in German here:

    Gute Besserung wünsche ich!

    As another commneter is saying we´re here and will read again, when you come back.
    So, take all the time necessary to recover.

    Wishing the best,
    Torsten

  164. Om, I’m glad you’re going to be OK. But I cannot believe you’re going offline cold turkey. Don’t worry. Someone will slip you a blackberry and you’ll squeeze in posts from the treadmill.

    All the best.

  166. Om, You know what, it is a club you just joined. The life changing type. I joined in 2002. Now doing Triathlon this year as a result. No-one knows how it feels nor how it felt. I wish you well and a offer a skype line should you want to ever discuss. It helped me 🙂

  183. Pingback: Consort Partners » Om Malik has our heart

  187. As I say regularly to you in IMs, I miss you every day, my friend. Get well fast. We need you.

    And if I catch you posting before you get entirely better I’ll personally come there and take your MacBook away. Seriously.

    Paul K.

  191. Whoa… this just hit me like a ton of bricks. Take it easy, take care of yourself, and when you’re back on your feet we can get some steamed fish and veggies.

    So glad you’re ok… be well my friend.

    jason

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  210. Hello Om,

    Good to know you’re OK.

    I went through a similar (but less serious) trial a year and a half ago, and I’ve since readjusted (lost 20Kg) and vastly improved my condition by dint of walking a lot more every day (besides all the rest that you’ll probably hear a hundred times over the next few weeks).

    Be patient. Relax. Enjoy the company of your family right now, and prepare to start enjoying all sorts of different stuff as you begin to get out, exercise and change all sorts of little things about your daily habits.

    It always turns out for the best, believe me.

  216. From a reader whose own unexpected hospitalization (followed by an urgent bypass) was 7+ years ago – let me offer anecdotal evidence that there can be good life after these events. Once over the initial hump I’ve been as (or more) active / productive / happy as ever — and I wish and predict the same for you!

  221. Om,

    Please do what you need to do to take care of yourself, even if it means taking more time off from blogging and attending events. Your readers and friends will all be here when you come back. Rest up and be well.

    Cathryn/Creative Sage(tm)

  222. Hi Om;

    Hope you recover fully and pls pls stay away from all the amoke and scotch. 🙂
    And you better start walking and getting to MegaOm from GigaOm as someone said up there in comments.

    Walk & Exercise Karo!

    Here is to a speedy recovery!

    Ravneet

  233. Om, I’m a lurker who never comments but I’ll de-lurk for this: Here’s to a healthy 2008 and your quick recovery.

    (P.S. I quit caffeine this summer and am surprised to say that I don’t think you’ll regret it at all, given the fine decaf lattes available ’round here.)

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  238. Om, I am sure I speak for everyone who reads this site when I say: We love ya. Seriously. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. And please do blog about the changes you make in your lifestyle — they may help the rest of us as well.

  240. Om,

    So sorry to hear about the heart attack – but so glad that you’re ok. All the best to you – love and prayers on your speedy recovery. May 2008 be just the first in many many new years that you continue to spend with us.

    Best,

    Dave

  244. Om,

    I was completely shocked to hear this news. I’m almost at a loss of words. You’ve never met me, but I feel like I’ve met you. I have followed GigaOM and its accompanying blogs for … what seems like forever. You and your staff have enlightened me and countless others and are always a great source for the latest buzz in the industry.

    Of course, the great news is that you’re still here and you’re recovering. It will be tough, as a number of previous commenters have pointed out, but it’s truly worth it.

    Writing should be the least of your concerns — getting better should be the first. Seriously. Don’t worry about your byline not appearing as often; your readership more than understands.

    I wish you all the best in getting better and look forward to you returning when you’re ready – regardless of how far down the road that may be.

    -Ben

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  252. Please don’t break our hearts Om. Do get well soon. Our best wishes will always be with you. Happy new year.

    You are good at heart and you will have a good life..long one at that. Take care.

    Nag.B

  253. Tons of healing beams, lots of resolve and energy for the lifestyle changes and a question. What do you really want to do with your life? What are you doing to make that come true. Your story is a reminder to ask ourselves the important questions.

    Take Care

    N

  255. Om,

    I read gigaom every day and I noticed your absence and had hoped you were on an exotic island. Instead you were in the ER! I hope you have a speedy recovery.

    Be well. Mark K.

  263. Get well soon Om. We shared Thanksgiving dinner at Josh’s house a few years ago and I have followed your columns and posts almost religiously since then. All your readers are looking forward to doing the same for years to come. Healthy wishes for a speedy recovery!

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  276. Om, get well soon – your feed was my first subscription in my google reader. I continue to look to you for your perspective on the wireless industry and always enjoy the thorough research. This setback will only be remembered as the start of your training for the olympic coverage in 2008!

  282. Om, Julie and I are sending our thoughts and prayers. Get well quick. I’ll contact Mefhil to see if they can start making some leaner meals. If all goes well we’ll have you out doing a 10k run by the end of the year!

  283. Om – Helen and I send you our very best wishes for a speedy recovery.

    Love and happiness trumps crankiness every time, bro’. You get yourself better and later on we’ll all drive you nuts with health tips.

  287. Pretty gutsy (and, BTW, blogger-authentic) to disclose this to your readers. It gives us all an opportunity to support you in this time of healing especially after all of the value you’ve given out for so long to all of us.

    Priority #1 is taking care of yourself and take whatever time you need. Your web assets will continue to thrive since your personal brand and values imprint is the directive force any team would need to keep it headed down the right path.

  288. Om,

    Take some time to read Ray Kurzweil’s Fantastic Voyage. (http://www.fantastic-voyage.net)

    After 20 years…it is the only book that truly connected me with my health and well being. Ray throws in some nano-bots from time to time to keep it interesting. (:

    I also highly recommend Aikido…

    Be well.

    Keith

  291. Just learned of your status via an email from Andy.

    Two years ago I had surgery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) which, fortunately, had been detected before it burst. As far as I’m concerned I’m only here today because of the developments in medical imaging (CT scanners and ultrasound) and treatment over the past decade along with my own doctor’s request for an ultrasound for a non-cardiovascular condition that proved negative. It was a set of circumstances that changed my perspective on life; today I just count every new day as a blessing. (A burst AAA, which gives no external warning signs, provides little chance of survival.)

    Also I have the good fortune to have a son who is not only training to become a cardiologist but also is an accomplished inventor of medical devices for cardiovascular imaging and treatment. (Did they give you a rinspiration treatment?) With today’s medical ecosystem and technology, and given you walked in under your own steam, sounds like your prognosis is pretty good (provided Helene doesn’t have to rap your fingers).

    Over the past two years I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people in this communications technology space. While we have crossed paths mostly in the blogosphere (and only once physically), you have become numero uno in my books for all you do to keep us informed and on our toes.

    Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery; just keep in mind your health comes ahead of your work. We all want you here for the long term. No Blackberries in the hospital!!

  294. OM:

    It’s always a shock to hear this kind of thing, and more of a shock when you’re the one going through it. My first run in with heart issues was three years ago, and even though I have bad family history in this area, it was still a surprise when that first abnormal feeling hit. I’m blessed they caught things in time (two arteries were 99 percent blocked, and I have three stents). Now it’s meds, healthier diet (I refuse to give up caffeine), exercise (the dogs make sure), twice yearly trips to the the cardiologist, and annual nuclear stress tests (I don’t mind these, I joke with the staff, they play soothing jazz music, I fall asleep … and there are snacks and juice afterward) It’s all integrated in my life, and I don’t think about it much. (I’m early 40s).

    I wish you all the best. Take your time and have a smooth recovery. Ignore stories about so and so going back to work five days after his heart attack. Patooey. Take it easy for as long as you can.

    Jeff

  299. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and good luck with everything. You’re certainly missed here, but don’t take that as pressure to get back into things before you’re fully recovered.
    Cheers man!

  303. Om,
    Hope you recover well soon. Have a very healthy 2008 and will pray
    for you. Just wanted to let you know that GigaOM is my favorite blog/news site. (Scoble doesn’t match up 🙂 )I read GigaOM every day and also enjoy the GigaOM show. Credit to your team too. (Joyce Kim is very cute)

    Cheers

    • Manas

  306. Fond wishes Om i hope to see a “Fabioesq” figure stutting about in the near future.All the best for the new year i look forward to seeing you on the couch when your ready.

                          Neil

  307. My friend,

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I am glad you are doing well. My treat for a light lunch and decaf coffee to follow for the next time I am in the city:)

    Talk soon,
    Sam

  313. Hope you feel better! As a former smoker, I can promise you that life as a non-smoker is 100000 times better. It’s tough the first couple days then again at the 3 month mark for some reason, but after that.. life improves drastically by the month.

    I hope you have a very fulfilling year!

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  324. Everyone at Internap is wishing you a speedy and complete recovery Om and a healthy New Year! We look forward to enjoying your continued commentary and benefitting from your insights. Best of everything to you Om.

    Jim

  325. Om,
    You have my best wishes for a complete recovery. I hope you take it easy for a while and come back to work refreshed, happy, and healthy.

  329. Pingback: Om-I-Goodness: Get Well Soon! | Kara Swisher | BoomTown | AllThingsD

  332. Om,

    I’ve been reading your material for a while now and I’m convinced that you’re the best tech journalist out there. You provide readers with valuable insight and a healthy dose of dry wit.

    Your heart attack serves as a reminder to us all that life is fragile. Take care of yourself and get well soon.

    Geoff

  335. Om, I’m glad to hear you will recover, and we look forward to your return. Often when life throws a curve ball, it’s a grand opportunity to make substantive and meaningful changes.

    Get well swiftly.

  338. In addition to all of the things your doctor is ordering, Om, you’ve already got what it takes for a full recovery and long and healthy life: a positive outlook and a sense of humor. Looking forward to seeing you ’round the valley real soon. — Brian

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  352. Wow, here’s to getting well soon!

    Take it easy, relax, get some calming music and get plenty of rest.

    Thank you for your outstanding contributions to the tech community. You are one my most valuable and trusted resources. Here’s to a speedy and healthy recovery!

  353. Om

    Horrified to get the news, and glad that you’re recovering. You’re the very best in the world in what we both do, covering today’s Internet and telecom.

    As soon as feel better, I'll be happy to prove to you there are some delicious recipes that are low fat and healthy.

 You know me as a researcher, but probably didn't realize that skill includes medline and similar medical research. It's always best to have great doctors you can trust, but if you're curious or unsure about anything let me go to work and build you a file.

 Get better soon.

  357. Om, I send you all my best wishes for a speedy recovery. While you have a knack for making my job really difficult, I have the utmost respect for you. Thanks for keeping us honest and I’ll eagerly await your next post on Facebook. All the best, Brandee

  362. Hi Om – Sorry to hear about your heart attack but glad to hear you are feeling better and that you have such a positive outlook. Best wishes for a speedy recovery (and thanks for your many contributions to the tech blogosphere – and here’s to many more in the future!)

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  371. Om-

    Your news was very sobering and I’m glad you chose to share it with us. It definitely makes me think about my New Year’s resolutions a bit more seriously as well.

    We met a few weeks back when you interviewed me and Thede Loder from Boxbe.

    Take care of yourself and get well soon.

    Cheers,
    Randy

  372. Hey Om,

    My father had a heart attack last March and although it was a terrifying experience for my entire family, the doctors say that the ultimate impact it will have had on his health is a beneficial one because it has forced him to improve his diet and exercise habits.

    Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger… In that spirit, I’d also be happy to show you some great runs around SF!

    Take care of yourself.

    Reed

  373. Om, glad to hear you’re ok. You’ve come a long way since we worked at Forbes.com in the bad old days of the previous century. As one of your former colleagues and now fans of Gigaom, I am sending you healthy vibes for a full and speedy recovery. Besides, if you don’t, how will Rosario Dawson play you in the next movie?
    –Adam

  374. Pingback: Om Malik will do ANYTHING for Inbound Links « Kevin Burton’s NEW FeedBlog

  383. How scary! But I’m so glad you are going to be ok. Best wishes to you on your recovery and living a more healthy life. It’s not always easy giving up our vices, so best of luck and remember you have a lot of love and support from family, friends, colleagues and all of us readers.

    Sending healing energy your way!
    🙂

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  390. Om, I wish you a speedy recovery! After a look at all the comments from your friends and readers all aroud the world, I am sure you will feel confident about 2008… You are not alone that’s for sure 😉

  393. Judging by the outpouring of comments here, I’d say that your crisis has become a lot of people’s warning. Who would have thought you’d be our “canary in the mine”? Best wishes for a speedy recovery from all of us here.

  401. Get well. I guess I won’t be bumming another Dunhill of you next time we meet. Still miss your hilarious rants at the B 2.0 pitch meetings. I look forward to seeing your posts in my RSS reader again soon. Take good care of yourself.

  415. My advice is to give up work and really kick back. At 41 its not just the diet or stogies but the stress too. My friend had one last june but didn’t make it out to the end of the year after trying to get back to work. God rest Jack, and please don’t put your life on the line.

    x

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  423. Om!

    A big hug from me Om! Very sorry to hear the news. But jump back in with a the new year and I guess some modified habits !

    Best wishes,
    carl

  425. Hi Om,

    Just read Mike’s email and also left you a VM on your mobile. Really glad to hear that you are doing good, our prayers and well wishes with you. If you need a peaceful surrounding in Sacramento my home is available 🙂

    Happy New Year as well and hope to see ya soon.

    Regards,

    Your Punjabi Pra

    Naveed 🙂

  427. Om, my friend,
    Like our pal Dave Winer, I’m in the club of cardiac patients (different malady). It’s a wake-up call, a second-chance, a near-miss. You can expect to get lots of support from your numberless friends online. When you feel tempted to go for that Wendy’s triple with bacon and two cheeses, just let us know and we’ll give you the backing you need. The new, svelt Om will come out on the other end of this. There are running shoes in your future. And you know what? It feels good. In fact, it’s an addiction worse than Quarter Pounders. I am sure you will take this on with the doggedness that you devote to a story or a startup. So I know you’ll be fine. so get walking, then running. And enjoy the turkey burgers.
    jeff

  429. Om, now I almost feel guilty for stealing your nametag at the NewTeeVee conference. Almost.

    Get better and listen to your mom, no more smoking.

    -Kent

  430. Om, thank goodness you are OK, all the best for a full recovery and a healthy 2008!

    Let’s hope you drag some other techies into health by your example. 🙂

    Snaggy and Nitrozac
    (from the Joy of Tech comic)

  431. Pingback: Om Malik on Mend after Heart Attack | ExecutiveBiz Blog

  433. Om,

    Ive been reading your writing since the Business 2 days. Pretty much from when GigaOm came into existance. I hope you do better soon. The important thing is not to take stress and have a healthy lifestyle .. so relax, stay fit and reduce work hours a bit. Gigaom is a top notch blog and am sure will continue to be since you have a great team in place.

    Wish you a speedy recovery!

  435. Om, Care for yourself and accept the help and support of others.

    You were incredibly supportive of our son, let others return that kind of care.

    Get well.

  438. Dear Om,

    I feel for you, it’s been two weeks that I’m spending one hour per day at the hospital. The reason you may ask ? My father had some kind of heart problem too on the 25 december, we thought it was nothing but then one of his lungs started to fill with water and we had to take him to emergencies. However, he is getting well, but there is a lot of effort to make (he also has diabetes and kidney problems).

    Anyways, I’m just saying that because I know these kind of things are hard to deal with. It can depress you, and bring sadness in your life. I’ll just say that I wish you the best of luck and a very fast recovery and that I can’t wait to see you on the show again !

    Cheers,
    Matthieu. (One of your french readers that is ashamed to post a comment for the first time for such a reason. What can I say ? I’m a Web Worker and I’m mostly working on my personnal Web 2 app and reading WebWorkerDaily 😉

  449. I had a heart attack a year ago right before Christmas at the age of 45. Quite a shock and wake up call. I recovered fast, was home in days, but combined with winter blues made it a difficult start of the year. Now my spirits are up, I’ve more stamina the I’ve had for years, I’m 30 lbs lighter (and 30 to go), I’m exercising at the Berkeley YMCA with a friend 3 days a week, and my blood chemistry and other tests are great. So it will be a tough couple of months coming up, but stick it out and figure out how to make your life-style changes livable, and you’ll be much better soon!

  454. Om,

    Please, please, please listen to your doctor and get well – for the (long) rest of your life.

    I attended a funeral today for one of two close friends, both of whom died last week from heart attacks. One was 60, the other only 53.

    I can’t take anymore of this!! GET WELL!!

  455. Om,
    Glad to hear the long-term looks good and very sorry to hear about the short-term health issues. You and the work you do are so important to many, many folks. Take good care of yourself and get better soon.

  463. I had no idea. Was wondering where you were when the last email exchange about getting together during the holidays stopped abruptly … when you get better, you’re in for a long lecture, buddy.

    love, Sramana

  465. Om, best wishes for a speedy recovery. I have some good news — you don’t have to give up fatty foods (smoking yes, but not fatty foods).

    If you count calories, you can eat whatever you want as long as you don’t exceed your daily limit and don’t reach your limit too early in the day.

    Watch The Biggest Loser, which uses this method, and also check out the National Weight Control Registry. http://www.nwcr.ws

    Learn about caloric density — that’s the holy grail.

    One more thing — one mile of walking at 3 MPH burns 75-100 calories. Even the most out of shape person can easily walk 3 miles. Start there and soon you’ll be walking 15 miles or more at 4 MPH. It’s the best low impact exercise though it does take time when you start racking up crazy distances. After a 12 mile walk you can eat a pint of Ben & Jerrys and it’ll be a wash (this is after you reach your desired weight). 3 hours for the walk, 15 minutes to eat the pint. Oh well.

  468. Om!
    Jeez that’s scary. Guess we’re not 26 anymore 😉 Please rest up and when you’re better I’ll jump on the program with you so we’re assured some balance… the hours you put in is enough to make anyone ill.

    I’m here to do whatever to help. Call me when you’re up to it.
    Donna

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  472. I am very happy to hear that you are on your way to a full recovery. Hearing news like this really makes you want to take a look at how you live your own life. I hope to follow your lead into a healthier lifestyle. Good luck on the road to recovery!

  473. Pingback: Best Wishes for a Speedy Recovery to Om Malik

  474. Hi Om:

    I hope your recovery is going well. I know that you come back better than ever. I miss your blog posts but please take the time to get better and do no rush it on anyone’s account.

    Shannon

  478. Om-

    We are here for you and thinking of you always. Seems like just a couple of days ago we were all together toasting the upcoming year at GigaOm. Just think, the hardest part of giving up the smokes has already past by…I know you are going to be fine and this is simply a small blip in the road.
    Liann

  480. Om

    Sorry to hear this news but glad to hear that you are on the mend. Am sure the Tandooriloin Paki joints can make heart-friendly versions of your favorite foods.

    Here is to a healthy 2008

    Kamini

  493. Hi Om,

    Really sorry to hear about your heart attack last week – it’s a reminder we all have to watch it. Glad to hear that your better; had hoped to meet you last month at LeWeb3, but didn’t end up crossing paths with you.

    Most important thing is now, to rest and fully recover – and, fortunately, Blogging is something, when you feel up to it, you can do, even in bed.

    Enjoy reading your posts and deep analysis, esp of Telecom …and I want to keep on reading your stuff.

    So, rest well, and you’ll be better soon – and even better than before.

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  502. If you let me know what hospital you are in, I could stop by and talk –
    I’ve been hospitalized, and know how miserable it can be trying to find
    ways to fill time.

    A fully and speedy recovery, my friend. Please let me know if there is
    ANYTHING I can do!

    Jonathan

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  506. Hi Om,

    Sorry to hear about this news. I have been an avid reader for years, and your work has helped inspire my own blog over at http://www.marketing.fm. I am proud to say that I refer your articles to many people and I wish you a speedy road to recovery. Know that you have fans out there who are sending you best wishes.

    ~Eric

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  518. Dear Om,

    Get well soon. I have learned so much from you. We all need you. I have been glued to the office chair myself, transitioning from IT in a big organization to life in the wilds of the Internet. I watched my waste expand in the process. We all have to strike a balance. Yesterday I bought “Perfect Pushup”; its not much but its the kind of exercise you can do between every 5 emails or 200 lines of code. Being a classic yo-yo with my health and weight, I know the secret is calisthenics and diet. Be healthy Om. -Travell

  531. Om, you’ve got enough well wishes, so I’d like to take it one step further by giving you some great eating ideas. Specifically, switch over to a Greek/Mediterranean diet and your taste buds won’t skip a beat as your heart mends. Some of my favourites:

    Breakfast – Greek Toast

    2 slices of multi-grain toast. Spread 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil onto each + a sprinkling of crumbled feta cheese and oregano. You’ll love it and the decaf coffee will go down easier. Better yet, a nice bottle of water.

    OR

    natural yogurt + fresh honey. Filling, healthy and sweet. Honey burns quickly.

    Lunch

    Greek Salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, onions and a couple of olives) + grilled chicken breast. Virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and oregano on the salad (skip the feta if you already had a Greek toast in the morning). Freshly squeezed lemon for the chicken breast.

    Dinner

    Grilled/baked Salmon topped with freshly squeezed lemon. Serve with 1-2 sliced tomatoes topped with olive oil and oregano. 1 glass of red wine.

    Hope you like the menu!

    Regards,
    George

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  537. Get well soon bud,

    But that is what will happen to “fat fucs.” , you blog too much, take a break from the blog and the food, go exercise.

    Exercise thats what its called. Am sad to see the state of you guys in the US, you health (which is your greatest wealth) doesn’t mean a thing to you.

    Exercise, get up from around the computer and off the chair, walk do something fat fuc..

    Exercise, leave the Mcdonalds and the steak and exercise..

    Get a personal trainer and pledge to loose some fat, you fat fuc.

    Get well fat fuc.

    Best wishes

  538. Get well soon. If you ever find yourself in the San Diego area, drop me a line and we can go surfing. Great exercise, and good for the stress level. Peace.