Catchin' Up

[Guest guest]

Hope this finds everyone doing well.... Glad to see all the familiar

names are still posting... our prayers continue to work. Eh? Sorry

for not taking part in the for a while... I do read

everything... even though my postings are limited. Very busy as work.

My new " Part Time " job is keeping me busy F/T! Hate it when I get

called in on Thursdays... and keep missing the ZapChat. I am going to

start inviting guests to the session again. Everyone loved past

events when we had the sleep doc, a druggist, that disability lawyer

and other specialists join us to take question.

Got some time off last Wednesday... and had my ICD checked: BORING!

No zaps, no unsustained runs of anthing dangerous, not even 1% pacing!

Our hurricane coverage meant lots of extra work. I held up pretty

well... even while battling a flu bug. Hope no ZapFolks had to put up

with storm strength winds, rising water, or power/phone outages.

Those are rough enough on NonRoos. Add in a propensity for

arrhythmias.. and it's just no fun at all.

Working again is a REAL JOY! The folks at WFLA-TV/8 are among the

best I've ever worked with... just good people who are very

professional and dedicated to serving the public needs.

THE NEWS CENTER where I work is an AWESOME facility... my (newsroom)

office is beautiful.. on second floor overlooking the river in

downtown Tampa. The view from our 4th floor terrace is spectacular:

Downtown skyscrapers to the north and east (across the river)... Tampa

Bay to the south... our parking garage to the SW (with the helipad for

Eagle-8 on the top of 4th floor)... a cathedral to the west, and the

University of Tampa to the NW... plus you can see Tampa International

and the (NFL) stadium in the NW distance.

And the station has ALL the latest hi-tech whistles and bells... that

lets the journalists do what they do best... without worrying about

mechanical limitations. Check out our coverage partner's website:

www.TBO.com (the web wing of WFLA-TV and the Tampa Tribune) and you

might see some of the stories I have worked on.

I am so happy to have improved (since the career ending 1994 MI) so

much to be able to return to my craft. If I had one wish... it would

be that all Zapper readers could overcome the health challenges as I

have. As my heart doc said 9-years ago... just keep hanging on....

because each tick of the clock brings us new medical advances. All we

have to do is survive long enough, until the scientists find a way to

deal with our specific issues... whether it's V-Tach, V-Fib, A-Fib,

low EF, or a host (or combination) of other maladies.

Finally: Now that I'm getting settled into a work routine... I am

going to try to return to regular updates on the Zapper. I may not be

able to track the defib related news as we once did... but I am hoping

to be able to provide a system for readers to do that with one

click... through a GOOGLE-NEWS search engine.

And I really want to be able to start offering a monthly cover story

again. Those were the hallmark of our programs here... giving people

things to consider as they dealt with their own chronic health issues

and provided fuel for discussion on the Zapper BBS, Zaplist, and

ZapChats. And that seems to have always lead to our best service to

our readers: A free exchange among ZapFolks who had their own

personal experiences on which to draw and share... giving others

insights they might not otherwise find.

I welcome contributions (literary... not monetary) to gather as many

relevant stories as possible. If you have a (1st person preferably)

tale to share... please send it to me... with pictures, if possible.

As we say in the news biz: " E-mail 'em... if you got 'em! "

Another area we want to refresh is the list of ZapGroups. If you

belong to a local support group... check to see if your meeting is

listed on the http://www.zaplife.org/zap6.htm page. If not... send me

the days, times, and places you gather... and include a name/# for a

contact person if possible. I would love to add it to our list.

One note... between my schedule and heavy email load... please do not

be offended if you write and it takes a long time for me to respond.

Again... hope ya'll are doing well. And thanks to all of you for

making ZapLife.org programs the premier web service for people with

ICD implants, their families, and care givers.

Keep on tickin'and stay well!

Duffey

[Guest guest]

Happy Birthday Jon; Big milestone. 60 should be fantastic, if my experiences still prove that every decade i go in is better than the other one before. I am still in line for the 50's. I still have three years. All my life i realized that life gets even better as it goes on, So my friend I hope sixties bring you zapless, healthy and wealthy life and I hope the technology gets better so that you don't have to worry about your ticker at all. Regards TURKJon Duffey <duffey@...> wrote: Sorry for being out of touch for several days. What a week... this has been. Plus, many of you long time Zap~Folks know I ALWAYS get really freaky and anxious as my birthday nears - grandpa passed on my 16th and dad died on my 32nd. Faced many other family traumas on August 4th, too, over the years.Finished editing and reformatting Dr. Edlund's new book, Designed To Last... then met a deadline to ship the manuscript to the format conversion service so we can start selling it as an eBook next week! Then, I was up all night Thursday... editing a video for Sheri to use at important Tampa Electric conference. Much more... but the clencher included a trip the Tampa General ER. Woke up Wednesday

morning, feeling goofy (NO, Bill and Turk... Goofy did not file a complaint! about feeling him) and took B/P. It was pretty high, so I called heart doc.. and they suggested checking into hospital. I did, but tests revealed nothing. So came home, and resumed work. Wife, probably accurately, thinks it was just nerves about reaching the one year to 60 milestone.So thrilled Stacie is doing better. One day at a time. Just a note of what kind of person we have among us: Nearly every email update she sent me over this painful and nasty experience... she was not first concerned about herself. Her first thought was to ask how I was doing.Happy to see several offering insight about traveling to newer members of our family. A dozen years ago, after my first Zap... I became fearful of getting too far from quick

access to medical help. The message that I adopted and now preach: Our ICD implants are meant to let us lead a more normal life... NOT to restrict us. THEY are our built in EMS crews. They are the treatment, should we have a potentially lethal arrhythmia. If prone to inappropriate "therapies" (not uncommon until the settings are properly adjusted - tuned to perform for each of us individually) - talk to your doctor about getting instruction to use a special magnet to power down your implant, if you are gett5ing repeated zaps but are certain you are not having VT or VF.Let your ICD expand your horizons... not shorten the distance to how far you can see, explore, LIVE!Glad to see so many folks taking part in the Zap~Chat... Thursdays at 8PM EDT. Here's a direct link to get into that program: http://www.zaplife.org/chat.html No special software needed... just type in the name you want to use and click the CONNECT button. FYI... feel free to use that service at other times... if you want to set up a new Zap~Chat time.... or use for it online family/friend reunions! Sheri has insisted I take a break... so we leave Monday for a few days around the Biltmore Mansion with her parents, who have always wanted to see it. Yes Becca... I will wave for you at people along the roads as we pass through South Carolina, and yell, "Becca misses you!"Stay well...~Duff

Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Answers - Check it out.

[Guest guest]

have fun on your trip and yappy baarthday from me and sean ! stacire,24Jon Duffey <duffey@...> wrote: Sorry for being out of touch for several days. What a week... this has been. Plus, many of you long time Zap~Folks know I ALWAYS get really freaky and anxious as my birthday nears - grandpa passed on my 16th

and dad died on my 32nd. Faced many other family traumas on August 4th, too, over the years.Finished editing and reformatting Dr. Edlund's new book, Designed To Last... then met a deadline to ship the manuscript to the format conversion service so we can start selling it as an eBook next week! Then, I was up all night Thursday... editing a video for Sheri to use at important Tampa Electric conference. Much more... but the clencher included a trip the Tampa General ER. Woke up Wednesday morning, feeling goofy (NO, Bill and Turk... Goofy did not file a complaint! about feeling him) and took B/P. It was pretty high, so I called heart doc.. and they suggested checking into hospital. I did, but tests revealed nothing. So came home, and resumed work. Wife, probably accurately, thinks it was just nerves about

reaching the one year to 60 milestone.So thrilled Stacie is doing better. One day at a time. Just a note of what kind of person we have among us: Nearly every email update she sent me over this painful and nasty experience... she was not first concerned about herself. Her first thought was to ask how I was doing.Happy to see several offering insight about traveling to newer members of our family. A dozen years ago, after my first Zap... I became fearful of getting too far from quick access to medical help. The message that I adopte! d and no w preach: Our ICD implants are meant to let us lead a more normal life... NOT to restrict us. THEY are our built in EMS crews. They are the treatment, should we have a potentially lethal arrhythmia. If prone to inappropriate "therapies" (not uncommon until the settings are properly adjusted - tuned

to perform for each of us individually) - talk to your doctor about getting instruction to use a special magnet to power down your implant, if you are gett5ing repeated zaps but are certain you are not having VT or VF.Let your ICD expand your horizons... not shorten the distance to how far you can see, explore, LIVE!Glad to see so many folks taking part in the Zap~Chat... Thursdays at 8PM EDT. Here's a direct link to get into that program: http://www.zaplife.org/chat.html No special software needed... just type in the name you want to use and click the CONNECT button. FYI... feel free to use that service at other times... if you want to set up a new Zap~Chat time.... or use for it online family/friend reunions! Sheri has insisted I take a break... so we leave Monday for a few days around the Biltmore Mansion with her parents, who have always wanted to see it. Yes Becca... I will wave for you at people along the roads as we pass through South Carolina, and yell, "Becca misses you!"Stay well...~Duff

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: " Jon Duffey "

> I don't enter that 60 decade

> for another 366 days (we are

> coming into a leap year)!

Duff:

I hate to spoil your youngster-gloating, but, now that you have completed

fifty-nine years, you have indeed entered your sixtieth year on Earth.

Hopefully you will have another sixty to lord over us.

Happy Birthday.

From California where the only reason I'll stop teasing Jon is that Martha

keeps telling me to get off my duff.

Bill

[Guest guest]

Thanks Duff, for the remembrance and you will like Asheville. ville, too, which is not too far from Asheville, is fun and a pretty little town. If you go to the Grove Park Inn, maybe you will get the shivers from the ghost(s). Personally, I don't like staying there (high cost of money) but everybody else does. But you might already know all this. Biltmore wine ain't bad, but cannot remember which is better, the red or the white. Have a wonderful trip! Becca homesick for carolina where it is just as hot as it is here...Jon Duffey <duffey@...> wrote: Sorry for being out of touch for several days. What a week... this has been. Plus, many of you long time Zap~Folks know I ALWAYS get really freaky and anxious as my birthday nears - grandpa passed on my 16th and dad died on my 32nd. Faced many other family traumas on August 4th, too, over the years.Finished editing and reformatting Dr. Edlund's new book, Designed To Last... then met a deadline to ship the manuscript to the format conversion service so we can start selling it as an eBook next week! Then, I was up all night Thursday...

editing a video for Sheri to use at important Tampa Electric conference. Much more... but the clencher included a trip the Tampa General ER. Woke up Wednesday morning, feeling goofy (NO, Bill and Turk... Goofy did not file a complaint! about feeling him) and took B/P. It was pretty high, so I called heart doc.. and they suggested checking into hospital. I did, but tests revealed nothing. So came home, and resumed work. Wife, probably accurately, thinks it was just nerves about reaching the one year to 60 milestone.So thrilled Stacie is doing better. One day at a time. Just a note of what kind of person we have among us: Nearly every email update she sent me over this painful and nasty experience... she was not first concerned about herself. Her first thought was to ask how I was

doing.Happy to see several offering insight about traveling to newer members of our family. A dozen years ago, after my first Zap... I became fearful of getting too far from quick access to medical help. The message that I adopted and now preach: Our ICD implants are meant to let us lead a more normal life... NOT to restrict us. THEY are our built in EMS crews. They are the treatment, should we have a potentially lethal arrhythmia. If prone to inappropriate "therapies" (not uncommon until the settings are properly adjusted - tuned to perform for each of us individually) - talk to your doctor about getting instruction to use a special magnet to power down your implant, if you are gett5ing repeated zaps but are certain you are not having VT or VF.Let your ICD expand your horizons... not shorten the distance to how far you can

see, explore, LIVE!Glad to see so many folks taking part in the Zap~Chat... Thursdays at 8PM EDT. Here's a direct link to get into that program: http://www.zaplife.org/chat.html No special software needed... just type in the name you want to use and click the CONNECT button. FYI... feel free to use that service at other times... if you want to set up a new Zap~Chat time.... or use for it online family/friend reunions! Sheri has insisted I take a break... so we leave Monday for a few days around the Biltmore Mansion with her parents, who have always wanted to see it. Yes Becca... I will wave for

you at people along the roads as we pass through South Carolina, and yell, "Becca misses you!"Stay well...~Duff

Luggage? GPS? Comic books?

Check out fitting gifts for grads at Search.

[Guest guest]

I love you too Jon, I'm sorry bud, I thought you said you just turned 60, It's great that you're still in your fifties. Regards TURKJon Duffey <duffey@...> wrote: Hey Turk!I love you man... but DON't rush me!I don't enter that 60 decade for another 366 days (we are coming intoa leap year)!Stacie...Tell the ers what you told me about 's effort to give mea gift!Duff

Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Games.

[Guest guest]

Happy B-day Duff! I toured the Biltmore a couple of years ago. I'm told

the admission is now fifty bucks/person!

Dan S

[Guest guest]

Happy Birthday Duff. Have a great little holiday! Glad this BD ended

with no tragedy! Kathy

> Sorry for being out of touch for several days. What a week... this

has

> been. Plus, many of you long time Zap~Folks know I ALWAYS get really

> freaky and anxious as my birthday nears - grandpa passed on my 16th

and

> dad died on my 32nd. Faced many other family traumas on August 4th,

> too, over the years.