Californian Looking to take The Camino

[Shadovick]

Hey everyone, good morning, good evening or what have you. My name is Vick I'm from California and I'm 21 years old. I'm young and was looking for somewhere to visit, somewhere to get away to from all the hustle and bustle of California and stumbled upon the Camino De Santiago.

The reason for all of this is that in the coming months I will most likely be having an open heart surgery. I was born with a congenital heart defect and sadly the time for surgery is now. Staying on the positive side though, I figured the temporary hold on school, work, and everything else will serve as my chance to go out and see the world.

That said, I've come a long way in my journey towards good health. Once upon a time I weighed over 226kg. After being diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure on top of the Aortic Stenosis I was born with I was in a bad way. I decided in those moments that I was going to change my life. I stopped overeating, analyzed my diet and did my best to lose weight. Fast forward about a year and a half and I'm almost at 115kg. In the following year I plan to lose at least another 20kg, in addition, I want to walk the Camino Frances next year in March.

The purpose for this trip is about more than just seeing the world however, lately I've found myself in a bit of an existential crisis. In the lowest of lows I've contemplated suicide, considered the ramifications of just walking into the ocean and letting it's vast, relentless waters consume me. However, in speaking to those that truly care about me I was given some words of wisdom that I won't soon forget. My friend Barak spoke to me and said

"Life by default is meaningless, we live, we grow and we find purpose and meaning"

This changed my view on life radically, it's given me a new outlook. It's given me the impetus to carry on and make this trip. In the pursuit of knowledge, I've decided to come here, peruse the threads, and talk to all of you people about this trip.

I look forward to getting to know some of you and planning my way to Santiago de Compostela

-Vick

 

[skilsaw]

A lot of 21 year olds can "Just do it". The Camino, I mean.
You will be a special case.

Keep going on your diet. Introduce exercise to your routine. Walking outdoors is great as is cycling for cardio. I don't run. At age 57, my knees are giving up.

Read the many threads in the forum to learn more about the Camino. And google the "Confraternity of St. James" that will keep you going for a while.

Share your plans with your doctor. Schedule your surgery and set a date for your Camino.

Then you will be ready to "Just do it".

Buen Camino,
David, Victoria, Canada.

 

[camino-david]

Dear Shadovick,
I feel compelled to write to you as in 2008 I had open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve due to a congenital defect, just as you are about to undergo. I also had a total hip joint replacement in 2005. In 2010 I walked from St Jean to Finisterre (but bussing between Burgos and Leon), so I walked just over 700 kms in 42 days. Last year I walked from Somport to Santiago, just over 900 kms in 50 days. I am also 80 years old. I am very fit because I enjoy feeling physically good and also because of the need to exercise to keep my heart strong.
I am putting this on the Forum, not because I am anything special but to inspire others who have doubts about their ability. On the my first Camino I met a man who travelled from Munich to Santiago in his wheelchair which made me feel very humble.
I am also sending you a peronal memo with more details.
Buen Camino. David

 

[Shadovick]

A lot of 21 year olds can "Just do it". The Camino, I mean.
You will be a special case.

Keep going on your diet. Introduce exercise to your routine. Walking outdoors is great as is cycling for cardio. I don't run. At age 57, my knees are giving up.

Read the many threads in the forum to learn more about the Camino. And google the "Confraternity of St. James" that will keep you going for a while.

Share your plans with your doctor. Schedule your surgery and set a date for your Camino.

Then you will be ready to "Just do it".

Buen Camino,
David, Victoria, Canada.

David, I completely understand where you're coming from. My plans are still very much just that, plans but it's become personal to me and I WILL walk the Camino some time in 2013. As it stands I walk 4 miles a day, as well as do other forms of light cardio, I think in some small ways I've already been preparing for the Camino.

I also am interested in reading through these forums, I don't doubt that this will be a valuable research - especially when apparently so many members have completed the journey.

I appreciate your input, thanks so much. Be easy my man

-Vick

 

[Shadovick]

Dear Shadovick,
I feel compelled to write to you as in 2008 I had open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve due to a congenital defect, just as you are about to undergo. I also had a total hip joint replacement in 2005. In 2010 I walked from St Jean to Finisterre (but bussing between Burgos and Leon), so I walked just over 700 kms in 42 days. Last year I walked from Somport to Santiago, just over 900 kms in 50 days. I am also 80 years old. I am very fit because I enjoy feeling physically good and also because of the need to exercise to keep my heart strong.
I am putting this on the Forum, not because I am anything special but to inspire others who have doubts about their ability. On the my first Camino I met a man who travelled from Munich to Santiago in his wheelchair which made me feel very humble.
I am also sending you a peronal memo with more details.
Buen Camino. David

That's pretty amazing man, I knew I'd find some inspiration here but that's something else. I understand what you're saying about not feeling special. I feel like a lot of people always comment on my weight loss and I think well - I've done a lot, but it's not so hard when doctors tell you "If you don't lose weight you WILL die"

I'll be reading your memo in just a minute, thanks for the response and good to know open heart surgery isn't the end of things.

-Vick