Any survivors on here, cardiac arrest, heart attack, cancer....

[Colin_P]

Hello All,

As per the title, are there any survivors of serious illnesses on here ?

Reason being, I'm slow and don't do big distances and would love to 'follow' others of similar ability on Strava to get and provide some encouragement for each other.

Me.

I have suffered several Sudden Cardiac Arrests (SCA's) and am among the lucky 5% to survive one. I now have an ICD (Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator) in my chest looking after me. It has saved my life three times in the year I have had it, the last time was just under a month ago.

I still get out on my bikes but limit the rides to less than an hour and typically do about four off road miles a day in about twenty five minutes. The biggest rides I'm doing are about 11-12 miles in about an hour.

A Cardiac Arrest is different to a Heart Attack in so far as it is caused by dodgy electrics in the heart rather than blocked plumbing. Thankfully my plumbing is fine. Sometimes it is hard to get out there and anxiety, panic and general worry can play is big part.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has faced or is continuing to face serious health issues and how they are getting on.

 

[ColinJ]

Hi Colin.

There are lots of us on CC still riding after near-death experiences. I had one in 2012 after a DVT in my left leg led to a massive pulmonary embolism (blood clot in my chest). I blacked out and face-planted on the floor but eventually managed to come round and crawl to a phone to summon help.

I had a relapse last year and am now on anticoagulants for life.

It has taken me 2 years to get reasonably fit again, and I still have occasional health problems, but things are looking up. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

I don't use Strava, but do log my rides here on MyCyclingLog and put some of the more interesting ones up in the 'Your Ride Today' thread.

Enjoy your cycling!

 

[PK99]

Hello All,

As per the title, are there any survivors of serious illnesses on here ?

.

A little bit different from you...

I had Bacterial Meningitis (Meningococcal B - the VERY nasty one) just before Easter 1983, with wedding planned for July! I came through with no long term physical effects

But..

It rather changed my perspective on life, career and priorities.

 

[Colin_P]

Colin,

Sounds like you have been through the mangle and keep being wrung out by it. It is tough and I know how you feel living with it and knowing that it may come back again. Mine keeps biting me just when I think I'm over it and getting my confidence back, bang another one. It is a curious feeling dropping dead and then thirty seconds later waking up feeling better.

I'm glad you are on the road to recovery and don't get to hung up on the pills you have to take. I take a high dose of beta blockers which limit your maximum heart rate and also reduce the force your heart beats with. Did I mention I was slow

PK99,

Scary stuff and 31 years ago (1983) in terms of medical knowledge back then, something you were lucky to survive. Perspectives do indeed change.


Thank you both for taking the trouble to reply.

 

[slowmotion]

I had a double coronary artery bypass graft two years ago. I had gone in for a routine test and they said" we operate tomorrow !" I was symptom-less before then and it was completely out of the blue, and I still can't quite believe it has happened. I have a few pills to take each day. Nine months ago, I had a final appointment with the cardiologist. I asked how far and how fast I might be allowed to ride the bike. No restrictions at all but "Don't attempt The Tour de France" was his reply. (I would be disqualified by my prescription drug intake anyway ) . I'm still rubbish on my bike but a bit less rubbish than I was aged thirty, and that's a long time ago.
Just ride your bike and enjoy it.

 

[Colin_P]

Slowmotion,

A chap at work had exactly the same, went to the GP without anything untoward, just for a checkup and ended up going straight to hospital and ended up having a quad bypass done.

Glad you are still with us.

 

[Drago]

Malignant melanoma on my shoulder in my 20's. Surgery and radio. An embuggerance but I got off lightly compared to some folk.

 

[Saluki]

Does Bronchial Pneumonia and being on a ventilator count? Late 2002/early 2003. I was quite ill not really expected to live. But I did.

 

[slowmotion]

Slowmotion,

Glad you are still with us.

So am I. The alternative isn't very appealing.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Slowmotion,

Glad you are still with us.

Can we have a Poll please .....

 

[Fab Foodie]

Emergency Stenting after a cardiac episode when I was 42 (9 years ago now). Fortunately no lasting damage. Beta blockers, Statins galore, c'est la vie!

 

[Colin_P]

Thank you all for responding and everything counts !

How are you all on your bikes? Are you as slow as me ?

 

[Drago]

In my mind I kick Wiggos skinny backside on a bike. In reality kids on BMXs have little difficulty chasing me down.

 

[derrick]

A couple of stents fitted a couple of years ago, pills for the rest of my life, but am feeling good,

 

[Saluki]

I ride as far and as often as I want to. However, when I feel a cold coming on or a cough arrives, I take a bit more care. When I was a living donor (Jan 2008) I had the tail end of a cold and the post op being flat on my back caused a lung infection and then it collapsed. I'm a bit more sensible about chest infections nowadays. I've no after effects, so to speak but I've been told to just be sensible.