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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Sept 11, 2016 18:08:17 GMT
It is that time again and I am getting ready for our local century, www.tehachapigranfondo.com/ Of course I am doing a much shorter, whimp route. Next year, I may be organizing a vintage ride, in conjunction with the organized practice ride that uses the Fondo routes. It would be fun to have some Viscounts, but I think I am the only forum member in Cali. A small attachment follows.  Cheers Jim |
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Jem
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Post by Jem on Sept 11, 2016 18:20:09 GMT
Has it really been a year since you posted this and I checked this out?! Wow, time flies.
Good luck there Jim, I wish I could join you, it looks great fun (I'd probably be on the wimp route with you)
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Sept 26, 2016 5:30:28 GMT
As some of you may remember, I am a cardiac patient; well it bit me. During the ride, I did not watch my heart rate closely (I am limited to 150 bpm) hit 168 bpm on a climb and my heart suffered a seizure (due to lack of oxygen). When my heart stopped, I did a face plant off of my bike. Since I was in a large event, help was nearby and I was revived (using CPR and an AED) in just a few minutes. Had I been on a normal ride, I would be gone. After a few days in Intensive Care, I am now home feeling pretty good (considering) but am very sore.
Cheers
Jim
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Jem
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Post by Jem on Sept 26, 2016 5:53:49 GMT
Oh my word Jim, that is shocking to hear!
Well, the amount of organised help on hand surely was the saving of you. As you say, if you were out there on your own it might have been different and not worth contemplating.
On behalf of all here, we wish you well and a speedy recovery. I hope you are up and about soon.
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Post by cusqueno on Sept 26, 2016 8:58:08 GMT
Jim,
My best wishes too for a rapid recovery. I hope it hasn't put you off cycling - but perhaps a bit gentler in the future (subject to what your medical advisers recommend)?
I admire your matter-of-fact reporting of this shocking (!) event. I think it would make me a gibbering wreck.
At least it wasn't a death fork ...
John
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Post by triitout on Sept 26, 2016 12:18:12 GMT
Jim,
It's better to be lucky than good, and you were extremely lucky! Glad you're on the road to recovery. Nothing wrong with slow and easy with your HR monitor on you.
Michael
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Sept 26, 2016 13:16:23 GMT
This did not put me of cycling; it will slow me down a bit. I will be back in the saddle as soon as my cardiologist gives the OK.
All the Best
Jim
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robt
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Post by robt on Sept 26, 2016 22:04:11 GMT
Jim, so sorry to hear about your setback. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
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Post by kickstandman on Sept 28, 2016 2:41:12 GMT
Glad you are with us, ORT. I'm sorry this happened.
Do you have a real disciplined diet? I know someone with heart problems, it's been a few years ago but I think they ate a lot of fish and such.
Reading your posts, you come off like the picture of health.
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We had one of those Grand Fondos; but it was a bit of a drive away from here. I wanted to enter it.
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Post by 54roadie on Oct 11, 2016 0:21:00 GMT
Holy cow! My very best wishes on your complete and quick recovery. By now you're likely back on your feet, are you back on the bikes? As Michael said, it's better to be lucky than good. Glad you're still with us.
Frank
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Oct 11, 2016 5:05:08 GMT
To answer a few questions. Yes, I have a disciplined diet; no fettuccine Alfredo for me. With diet, exercise and Lipitor, my last blood test yielded a total cholesterol of 100, with my LDL Cholesterol at 31. If I had taken better care of myself when younger, I might have skipped the entire heart experience. Then again, my family history is working against me.
I will be back on the bike when my cardiologist gives the OK; He says that I "absolutely" will ride again, and soon. Since my heart had stopped (yep, no pulse) I am chained to a portable defibrillator (for a while) which also monitor's my heart and downloads the data to my doctor. In a week and a half, I have the right side of my heart reamed out and maybe a new stent (the left side has been repaired). This should last at least as long as my original heart surgery (8 years ago). Technology has come a long way in 8 years and (since no new tissue has died) I should have a less restricted and better heart than after my first go around.
Cheers
Jim
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Nov 1, 2016 18:06:39 GMT
I am back in the saddle (almost). My cardiologist gave the okay to resume cycling, but I must wear and carry (for at least two more months) my portable defibrillator. I am trying different methods for carrying it with me, while retaining immediate access to the device. I have ordered several chest packs that may do the job. If curious, you can see what the defibrillator looks like at lifevest.zoll.com/ some of you may even have suggestions. Cheers Jim |
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Post by sprockit on Nov 1, 2016 23:50:52 GMT
Jim,
You're not alone!
Almost precisely one year ago (17th November) whilst cycling to work along a level canal towpath I had some mild chest pain, central, but with pain down to both wrists. I had only ridden one mile of the six. I stopped for a short while until the pain died off, then resumed my commute at a more sedate pace. When I visited the doctor, my ECG showed an abnormality which wasn't a 'barn door' heart attack, with 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th opinions, plus a fax of the readout sent to the local hospital, and it was only other tests which revealed the result of my 'cardiac event'.
The most normal outcome for my 70% blocked artery is to implement a more sedate lifestyle, but with 'cycling' being the buzz-word that every adviser and consultant used, a stent was fitted. I'm on the minimum dose of all the relevant drugs, and should shortly be able to come off the one which prevents my body rejecting the stent, but the others are daily for life.
The cardiac team told me to 'do it, but don't over-do it, and build up the exertion gradually to see what my body is capable of, and that being a muscle, regular 'work outs' will do it good and help keep it in as good a condition as it can be kept.
In the year since my 'cardiac event' I've done climbs I'd never done and would never have dreamed attempting before. I live in the hills in central England, between Manchester and Leeds, and have been able to build up, doing gradually longer and harder rides. The bottom of England's longest continuous climb is only six miles down the road, it's nearly six miles long, not steep but steady, and amazingly, I've found it easier to climb since my heart attack than it was before.
Take the medical advice, keep your heart and other muscles 'in trim', and keep battling on!
PM me if you feel the need to compare notes.
All the best to you and your heart,
Sprockit
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Post by triitout on Nov 2, 2016 0:57:00 GMT
Glad to see you guys are both back in the saddle. It makes sense that getting those arteries reamed and cleaned will return the function and make cycling easier. Jim, I'm sure you were advised on the length of time you'll need the defibrillator. I'm sure your cardiologist discussed an implantable defibrillator if need be for the long haul. They have been a life saver for some in my circle. Just thought I'd throw it out there.
Cheers,
Michael
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Jem
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Post by Jem on Nov 2, 2016 18:54:03 GMT
Jim, good to hear this news.
I was amazed at the compact size of that portable defib!
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Nov 3, 2016 5:21:35 GMT
Jim, good to hear this news. I was amazed at the compact size of that portable defib! It is amazing, but it seems much larger when you must constantly wear it.  Cheers Jim |
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Nov 6, 2016 9:16:38 GMT
I bought a chest pack that nicely contains the defibrillator. On Saturday I did a wonderful (but short) shakedown ride of seven miles. My friend (who gave me CPR during my cardiac arrest) rode with me. My heart felt GREAT! The day was warm and sunny and the fresh warm air was intoxicating. I felt the joy of simply riding. I guess all this sounds hokey, but it was oh so good. Now back to my daily ride and rebuilding my endurance. Did I mention that I enjoyed the ride?  Enjoy Life Jim |
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Post by triitout on Nov 6, 2016 13:25:48 GMT
Nothing hokey about that thought! Makes you appreciate everything more and not taking anything for granted when you've had those wake ups with your health or just life in general. Keep rolling!
Cheers,
Michael
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Jan 12, 2017 5:49:25 GMT
A bit of an update. I no longer need the wearable defibrillator! Today's angiogram shows no need for further work; yippie!
Also, someone in the forum is also a cardiac patient and wanted to compare notes; I cannot find the message so please resend.
All the Best
Jim
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Post by sprockit on Jan 12, 2017 23:16:24 GMT
That was me!
Great to see you're back on your bike, pedalling along without the defibrillator, and enjoying riding again.
Had a 'cardiac event' whilst riding my bike which docs confirmed as a heart attack. Wrote the essay on 1st November above!
Now on all sorts of pills and potions, but take on hills I wouldn't have done before the 'event'!
Ease gently back into riding Jim.
Best wishes,
Sprockit
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