ZAPPER/Update July 28, 2000

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http://www.ZapLife.org/update2.htm

ZapUpdate

July 22ND 2000

Greetings Everyone!

In case anyone doubts the Zapper BBS is frequently a source of inspiration, I want to share a posting here on our front page with you by one of our regular ZAP•Chatters, Joe Baum. Joe was recently profiled in the Philadelphia newspaper: Cancer survivor relishes bike ride - although his picture in the original article is no longer available there. So let's show you the one from the Zapper•Gallery along with his posting. Regular readers may remember Joe's article that we featured in March Pedaling for Good Health in which he discussed his future plans to take part in the 100km American Cancer Society's 28th Annual Bike-a-thon. Well, he took part in the July 16th event and it turned out to be more of an adventure than he expected as he explained in his message:

Got my first zapp Sunday morning.

For those who don't know me, or heard of me, my name is Joe, better known as JCB. I received the gift of life (aka ICD) in December, 1999. For all this time I dreaded the moment of being shocked. I lived in fear, not bad, but fear nonetheless. I read, and re-read, and shared the stories you recipients wrote about being zapped.

Sunday was my turn. Being a long distance biker, I participate in the annual American Cancer Society Bike-A-Thons. (Yes, I am inflicted with cancer also. Life's rough, but you deal and live with it). The ride starts at the base of the lin Bridge in Philadelphia, and ends at Mays Landing, NJ, a distance of about 70 miles.

We, cancer survivors, get to lead the pack of about 3000 other riders. This time we were asked to paddle to the top hump of the bridge for a group picture. As I peddled I felt something was wrong, and attributed it to just being tired and waking up at 5am.

After the pictures were taken and we started the ride, with thousands of riders on our tails coming up FAST, I just passed the base of the bridge. Suddenly blackness came in front of my eyes. I was hit by a jolt of lightning, and immediately woke up. The whole episode lasted no more than a second, or a second and a half. Incredible as it sounds, I was still riding. It did not knock me off the bike. I guess the momentum of the bike just kept taking me along.

I knew what happened, and immediately pulled over, dismounted the bike, and laid down on the grass waiting for the possible second zap, which didn't occur after 5 minutes. I then just got back on the bike, and went on my merry way.

Oh, I did do much thanks to my creator, spoke to him/her (for you politically correct individuals LOL), and to myself quite a bit. But, I completed the ride, called the doc first thing Monnday morning. She called back. I spoke to her and said I am not worst off for what happened, and to continue living.

No need to check the ICD. I didn't fall. Just blacked out, and continued riding while out!!!! Believe it or not. That's all, people. Let's hear from you.

PS. I am going in for knee surgery Thursday - torn cartlidge, aka torn maniscus. Wouldn't miss the ride for anything, so surgery was posponed for AFTER the ride. Also, am having left knee replaced NEXT year. Bad case of arthritis. Will decide whether before or after the ride. What's more important, knee or bicycling? LOL

Hope to get some feedback from you all. I treasure it. ~ JCB

--- Addendum after BBS posting ---

I like to thank everyone for your kind words, encouragement, and support on my participation with the American Cancer Society Bike-A-Thon. The ride was an experience!!!!! A shocking experience. LOL In more ways than one.

The next ride is the MS ride. It's only 77 miles, one way. I don't believe I will do both ways. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with the MS ride, it is a Century Ride stretching 150 miles. Anything over 100km, not miles, is considered a century ride. Thus, 150 miles is approximately 240km). So.......77 miles is about 123km. That should be fun. As long as the ICD does not fire, and the weather is good. Wish me good traveling. Should anyone like to support me on this ride, please, contact me at Abbshelanu@....

And now... a moment to catch your breath.

A reminder to all our readers who are professional care givers: Please take part in the survey being conducted by one of our frequent contributors, Maneesh Shrivastav. If your career brings you into contact with pacemakers and/or pacemaker users, in any way... please: CLICK HERE and take a few minutes to take part in this important research.

For most of our readers who live with a life saving device inside them, please take a moment to write down this URL... http://www.ZapLife.org/pacemakersurvey.html. Give it to all the professionals with whom you have contact... and ask them to take part in this survey.

Maneesh will share the results with us after the first of the year.

That's all for now. Stay well!

Duffey,

Zapper Publisher