Re: Re: Hello from new list member

[Guest guest]

Hello to newcomer Jean. I'm glad to hear you are physically active. I too

like to hike and do outdoor things and have run three marathons since

receiving my defib in january of '97. This is the first time I've shared on

htis site although i've been reading other's messages for about a year. Are

there any other runners or hikers out there among us?

Best wishes,

Bill Motts

[Guest guest]

Hi Bill.

I used to be a runner,but after my first MI the doctor's told me that

was a no,no. I can walk and did that until my second MI. Since having the

AICD installed, I am not able yet to do much at all. Walk around the yard.

I'm amazed that you are so active. Have you been zapped when you exercise?

How old are you (if you don't mind)? I'm 53 but I don't think my doctors

will okay this much exercise ,yet. I'm glad that you can and wish you the

best. God bless, Teacherzap in Ohio.

Re: Re: Hello from new list member

> Hello to newcomer Jean. I'm glad to hear you are physically active. I too

> like to hike and do outdoor things and have run three marathons since

> receiving my defib in january of '97. This is the first time I've shared

on

> htis site although i've been reading other's messages for about a year.

Are

> there any other runners or hikers out there among us?

> Best wishes,

> Bill Motts

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, my name is . I'm new to the list.

Arden, I'm sorry to hear you have to curtail your exercise. I'm an avid

runner and that is what has kept me sane, and I know that if you enjoy

exercise that it can be difficult, doing without it.

I suffered SCD last September and was told that it was caused by an MI,

but there was no obvisous heart damage, but my artieries were severely

clogged. I did have to have a quintuple bypass and an ICD implanted.

According to the docs, I am alive today becasue of my exercise habits.

The clogged arteries and all were, according to the Docs, caused by

heredity and past bad habits, (I used to smoke 35 years ago and used to

be very overweight, normal weight for 13 years now). The docs were kind

of amazed that I had no symtoms and that I was even able to walk let

alone run, given my arteries were in such bad shape.

I am 52 years old and even though I went through alot, back in

September, I feel " very lucky " to be basically back to my old self now.

I am exercising, (running, lifting weights, and other stuff), almost

like I did before my event, (I now run 6 miles a day and have gotten up

to an occasional 10 miles. I run fairly slow but fast enough for my own

satisfaction). Some small restrictions, but really not much. I have

started to train for the NY Marathon, but dojn't push myself like I used

to. Don't know if I will actually run it this year, (I do have some

fears about attempting it), but it is fun just thinking about it and

training for it. I was going to run it last year, but then I got a

little side tracked, you might say. I really don't want to sound like I

am bragging, but I do want to let people know that having a serious

cardiac event does not necessarily mean that you have to completely

change your life. Each of our problems are differenet and some of us

our lucky enough to get back to a fairly normal lifestyle.

I have not been zapped yet and hope I never will, but have had to have

the ICD adjusted several times, because my heart rate gets fairly high

when I exercise.

I hope that you can get back to some level of activity. Being active

has done alot for my recovery, both mentally and physically. It has

relieved many of the fears I had when I first suffered the event.

I know that I am not out of the woods yet and that anything can happen,

but at least for now my life seems like its back on track. I know that

each of us has our own individual situations, some more serious than

others. I only hope that as many as possible can recover to the extent

I have.

" Arden R. Peck " wrote:

>

> Hi Bill:

> I used to be a runner,but after my first MI the doctor's told me that

> was a no,no. I can walk and did that until my second MI. Since having the

> AICD installed, I am not able yet to do much at all. Walk around the yard.

> I'm amazed that you are so active. Have you been zapped when you exercise?

> How old are you (if you don't mind)? I'm 53 but I don't think my doctors

> will okay this much exercise ,yet. I'm glad that you can and wish you the

> best. God bless, Teacherzap in Ohio.

> Re: Re: Hello from new list member

>

> > Hello to newcomer Jean. I'm glad to hear you are physically active. I too

> > like to hike and do outdoor things and have run three marathons since

> > receiving my defib in january of '97. This is the first time I've shared

> on

> > htis site although i've been reading other's messages for about a year.

> Are

> > there any other runners or hikers out there among us?

> > Best wishes,

> > Bill Motts

> >

> > Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> > http://www.ZapLife.org

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I am also active. I would go nuts if i could not be active. i was on Atenelol

for a while and had problems with fatigue and breathlessness, which made it hard

to do the things i like. I camp and hike and sail and canoe. I also do some

biking (mostly pleasure-type with my 9 year old. I don't run anymore (shin

splints), but i do play racquetball. I also do some weight training, but am

careful and keep it reasonable. I'm on my 3rd defibrillator (since 1992 - I do

have the patches sewn on my heart, but got new wiring on my last implant which

was in my chest). For several years after my iplant I played softball (until my

team disbanded), then I coached my son's baseball team.

I have found that different people can do different things with icd's depending

on their condition. My heart problems are limited to infrequent episodes of VF

when for no apparent reason my heart rate goes from around 70 to around 300.

Since the icd will take care of that and there is little else I can do, i try to

carry on (as my first cardiologist said, buy radial tires and green bananas) as

i would otherwise. since my initial cardiac arrest, my husband and i have bought

a new house, bought new bikes, bought a new vehicle and acquired a sailboat. I

also have started doing volunteer work on disasters with the american Red Cross.

This in addition to working full-time and raising our rugrat son. You have to

live like there's a future. When i get zapped, it still gives me pause, partly

because I know that 4 separate times I had arrhythmias that would have killed me

if i didn't have an icd. I also have had unnecessary shocks, which is

disconcerting to say the least. But you have !

to figure out what you can toler

ate and go for it. It's been more than nine years now, but the first year was

the worst.

I have been fortunate to have a supportive husband, an understanding boss who is

also a friend and other supports. Many people know about my icd (I alternate

between not wanting to tell people for fear they'll think I'm an invalid and

wanting to share so people will have a better understanding), and at first,

people acted like i was on my deathbed. Now mostly people take their lead from

me. i don't act or feel sick, so they don't seem to see me that way. I am lucky

however, to not have some of the medical problems that others with icds have,

that affect their ability to be so independent. Actually, my husband says I'm

just too damn ornery to put up with acting sick. And when people treat it

strangely, i just make jokes (my version of lemonade): I always was offbeat,

being friends with me is a shocking experience, I have no sense of rhythm, I

wanted to join the " Beat " movement but couldn't get it right, life with me is an

electrifying experience, you might as well get a charge !

out of it, etc., etc. There are

a million of them and feel free to use any of these. My husband has a few

sexually oriented ones as well (though i've never been shocked during sex) and

if you use tour imagination a little, i'm sure you can come up with some of

those also.

Anyway, to the new recent new folks (the teacher and jean and others) welcome,

keep talking and keep your sense of humor. It gets better.

Fran in minnesota

[Guest guest]

I am also active. I would go nuts if i could not be active. i was on Atenelol

for a while and had problems with fatigue and breathlessness, which made it hard

to do the things i like. I camp and hike and sail and canoe. I also do some

biking (mostly pleasure-type with my 9 year old. I don't run anymore (shin

splints), but i do play racquetball. I also do some weight training, but am

careful and keep it reasonable. I'm on my 3rd defibrillator (since 1992 - I do

have the patches sewn on my heart, but got new wiring on my last implant which

was in my chest). For several years after my iplant I played softball (until my

team disbanded), then I coached my son's baseball team.

I have found that different people can do different things with icd's depending

on their condition. My heart problems are limited to infrequent episodes of VF

when for no apparent reason my heart rate goes from around 70 to around 300.

Since the icd will take care of that and there is little else I can do, i try to

carry on (as my first cardiologist said, buy radial tires and green bananas) as

i would otherwise. since my initial cardiac arrest, my husband and i have bought

a new house, bought new bikes, bought a new vehicle and acquired a sailboat. I

also have started doing volunteer work on disasters with the american Red Cross.

This in addition to working full-time and raising our rugrat son. You have to

live like there's a future. When i get zapped, it still gives me pause, partly

because I know that 4 separate times I had arrhythmias that would have killed me

if i didn't have an icd. I also have had unnecessary shocks, which is

disconcerting to say the least. But you have !

to figure out what you can toler

ate and go for it. It's been more than nine years now, but the first year was

the worst.

I have been fortunate to have a supportive husband, an understanding boss who is

also a friend and other supports. Many people know about my icd (I alternate

between not wanting to tell people for fear they'll think I'm an invalid and

wanting to share so people will have a better understanding), and at first,

people acted like i was on my deathbed. Now mostly people take their lead from

me. i don't act or feel sick, so they don't seem to see me that way. I am lucky

however, to not have some of the medical problems that others with icds have,

that affect their ability to be so independent. Actually, my husband says I'm

just too damn ornery to put up with acting sick. And when people treat it

strangely, i just make jokes (my version of lemonade): I always was offbeat,

being friends with me is a shocking experience, I have no sense of rhythm, I

wanted to join the " Beat " movement but couldn't get it right, life with me is an

electrifying experience, you might as well get a charge !

out of it, etc., etc. There are

a million of them and feel free to use any of these. My husband has a few

sexually oriented ones as well (though i've never been shocked during sex) and

if you use tour imagination a little, i'm sure you can come up with some of

those also.

Anyway, to the new recent new folks (the teacher and jean and others) welcome,

keep talking and keep your sense of humor. It gets better.

Fran in minnesota

[Guest guest]

Fran, I am not new to the list but your e-mail motivated me. I am so glad

to here about all that you are able to do and the fact that you are still

active. I am glad that your husband and host of friends are supportive and

there for you.

You have a great attitude and I wish you could bottle it and I would be the

first to by several bottles.

I used to work full time, have three kids to run after and with. Did the

full route of PTA. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. My children all 4 1/2 years

apart were into three sports each, the band, the choir and acting. I ran the

concession stands all through their high school years as the President of

fund raising for Music Boosters. We bought an old house which we totally

redid inside and out. I sew all daughter clothes and made costumes and

formulas for her and others. I cross stitched, camped, vacationed. Scuba

dived, did meals on wheels. gardened, canned and in generally was a very

driven person. I have had health problems since I was a 4 years old. Spent

more time in the hospital than I have on vacations in my life time.

When I doctor told me I couldn't I did and I kept on doing. Anyone who every

tried to stop me I just pushed them out of my way. My husband had a job that

kept him out of town a great deal so I was often a single parent. I even

made them (demanded them) to let me out of the Cleveland Clinic to see my

daughter catch on her softball team in the suburban playoffs and again when

she made all state. I went to the game with wires and bottles of iv and two

nurses but I went.

My first implant was in 1990 and I am on my forth unit. Two failed

completely and I was recalled. I hate being shocked it knocks me back to

square one each time.

My children are all grown and gone now. My youngest is 26. She had been

married two years and they told me I wouldn't live long enough to see her

walk down the aisle but it was a glorious moment for me. I am know awaiting

the arrival of my first grandchild in late November.

Unlike you I have hit a brick wall. I am 56 and very tired. I still try to

be spunky and gutsy but I have lost it somewhere and I think that bothers me

more than anything else. On top of all else I am menopausal and that ain't

helping.

I hate not being allowed to drive and go to the mall or grocery alone and on

my own. I have tried and paid a high prices. I know there are still lots to

do and things to see I just need to find the strength to gather the courage

to go again. I am tired. I see a shrink and I love my doctors although I

hate the things they tell me. I still sew but I have forgotten alot and I

have lots of trouble remembering things. I still try to garden and I still

bake bred on rare occassions. I still have family dinners every couple of

weeks or so and I still have two major holidays. They take there toll.

And I guess maybe you just gave me a shot in the arm.

Thanks

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Sharon-

If what i said helped, I'm glad. I realize that i am very fortunate in a lot of

ways in that I can live my life mostly my way.

Hang in there.

Fran from Minnesota

[Guest guest]

Merhaba to you too Mike Hiranuma!

nice to hear from you. let us know when you get settled from your move so we can chat more often.Good Luck and Good Heart.TURK

Re: Re: Hello from new list member

Hi Arden and , nice to meet you on the list.Merhaba, TURK.I've missed a lot of messages during a move from Fullerton, CA to Long Beach, CA. It was refreshing and encouraging to catch up.It looks like the only thing keeping me from being listed for a heart transplant is a colonoscopy. I'll be seeing a GI doctor next month and the final hurdle will be jumped.Meanwhile, I am thoroughly enjoying living in Long Beach. We're five minutes from the marina and the cool fresh air encourages a lot of walking. Because of my ejection fraction, I can't do a lot of exertional activities but walking is still okay and necessary for physical (and mental) health.Moving was very stressful and wiped me out for a few days. The hardest part was watching my wife do most of the work of packing and unpacking. She directed the movers but we still have to do a lot of stuff ourselves. My library corner is still stacked with boxes. At least the computer is now connected and operational. I really missed reading the .Heads up to everyone and prayers for improving health.MikePlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org