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Nothing to compare to that but my daughter's reaction to my own near miss: "Not dead then? Well that's a good thing!" put things into perspective.Hi all,
Just wanted to share my pain!
My wife and me had planned on walking the Portuguese Camino in May this year but fate has intervened . . .
On 12 December, whilst on a treadmill in a gym on a cruise ship in the Carribean, I suffered a cardiac arrest.
After 4 defibrillator shocks, great Medicare on the ship and an unscheduled 10 day stop in a Martinique hospital, we eventually made it back to the uk.I have since had an internal defibrillator/pacemaker fitted and am currently resting up at home.
This is my second treadmill-related cardiac arrest (time to take the hint?). I had a triple heart bypass after my first arrest (it was buy one get two free! )My wife is understandably worried about my heightened risk-level and is concerned about me exercising in the future.
I think I will avoid exercise that raises my pulse level too high but want to continue doing Caminos (it's like a drug!). In fact, the thought of never doing another one is devastating.
I would live to hear from anyone who has walked a camino with a similar health history.
Failing that, any words if encouragement would be most welcome
Anyway, time for a coffee and to watch some Camino-related YouTube! . . . .
I knew someone would pick up on the 'coffee' detail! Thanks for the responseNothing to compare to that but my daughter's reaction to my own near miss: "Not dead then? Well that's a good thing!" put things into perspective.
I now haunt this Forum and walk virtual Caminos on Google Earth contemplating a return to full walking fitness.
Here's hoping things go well for you from here on.
PS - are you sure you should be drinking coffee?
Made me smile! But there is some considered advice lurking in there!Hi Frank - glad you survived again! I have to side with your wife ... what is this over-exercise addiction you have? ... with your heart history it is a very thin line between fit and dead - but you know that.
(first - don't take any advice on here Frank, your consultant is your guru! listen to what she/he says!)
So, treat this and all other replies as fun .. but listen to your consultant!!!
that said, here my two-penneth .. I have no knowledge of those with heart problem histories on Camino, sorry, but it seems to me that it depends upon how you walk a Camino ... if you are healthy at home and your consultant is happy for you to go and you go relaxed, slow, take it easy, and just eat up those few miles a day over pleasant time then sounds ok to me
but .. judging by your use of treadmills until death and then being brought back and then doing that treadmill thing again, I don't think that this is how you undertake Caminos ... time for a change here? as part of constant recovery you might find it benefical to take up meditation and tai-chi rather than stay with your compelling addiction - but that is very much up to you.
Frank - people die on Camino - and that is ok, everyone has to die somewhere ... if you do go again then perhaps you should do it with the assumption that it could be a one way ticket. Sort your affairs at home, write the will, say goodbye to your wife and family - carry on you a laminated card with blood group and next of kin details in Spanish as well as English and maybe in a waterproof pouch an apology and a 50€ note for the person who finds you, so that they can have a good drink afterwards.
Just be aware that with your known medical condition you may be unable to buy a travel insurance that will fly your body home - will you leave enough money for your wife to be able to do that without stress or harm?
So - with that all in order and the blessings of your consultant, and tender farewell to your wife, sure, why not go on Camino - if you live you will have had a wonderful time, if you die, well, we all have to die - and it is fairly obvious that you are not afraid of death ... otherwise you would modify your exercise activity -
Buen Camino
oh - and Frank - give up coffee!!!
As for the coffee issue, I was told to give up coffee and just drink very weak tea after my bypass. This lasted about 4 years then I was told to drink say 2 cups of coffee per day and lots of tea because of the high levels of antioxidants. I'll go back to the old adage, everything in moderation including moderation itself.
Hi all,
Just wanted to share my pain!
My wife and me had planned on walking the Portuguese Camino in May this year but fate has intervened . . .
On 12 December, whilst on a treadmill in a gym on a cruise ship in the Carribean, I suffered a cardiac arrest.
After 4 defibrillator shocks, great Medicare on the ship and an unscheduled 10 day stop in a Martinique hospital, we eventually made it back to the uk.I have since had an internal defibrillator/pacemaker fitted and am currently resting up at home.
This is my second treadmill-related cardiac arrest (time to take the hint?). I had a triple heart bypass after my first arrest (it was buy one get two free! )My wife is understandably worried about my heightened risk-level and is concerned about me exercising in the future.
I think I will avoid exercise that raises my pulse level too high but want to continue doing Caminos (it's like a drug!). In fact, the thought of never doing another one is devastating.
I would live to hear from anyone who has walked a camino with a similar health history.
Failing that, any words if encouragement would be most welcome
Anyway, time for a coffee and to watch some Camino-related YouTube! . . . .
There are sections that would take hours not minutes for EMT to respond and get you to a hospital. Avoid those sections. Half the fun is sitting in front of a bar in the afternoon, with fellow pilgrims is planning the next day. I never met a pilgrim that questioned another's motivation, although after a few glasses of wine it might get loud. In my case we had a lady that was limited by health issues. She would ride the bus on some sections. She became our advanced scout. It was joyous to arrive into a town with her waiting for us.Hi all,
Just wanted to share my pain!
My wife and me had planned on walking the Portuguese Camino in May this year but fate has intervened . . .
On 12 December, whilst on a treadmill in a gym on a cruise ship in the Carribean, I suffered a cardiac arrest.
After 4 defibrillator shocks, great Medicare on the ship and an unscheduled 10 day stop in a Martinique hospital, we eventually made it back to the uk.I have since had an internal defibrillator/pacemaker fitted and am currently resting up at home.
This is my second treadmill-related cardiac arrest (time to take the hint?). I had a triple heart bypass after my first arrest (it was buy one get two free! )My wife is understandably worried about my heightened risk-level and is concerned about me exercising in the future.
I think I will avoid exercise that raises my pulse level too high but want to continue doing Caminos (it's like a drug!). In fact, the thought of never doing another one is devastating.
I would live to hear from anyone who has walked a camino with a similar health history.
Failing that, any words if encouragement would be most welcome
Anyway, time for a coffee and to watch some Camino-related YouTube! . . . .
You badass!I did manage to finish before full on cardiac arrest
Hi Frank
I took the Frances pilgrimage in 2018 at age 69, and continued on to Muxía and Fisterre. No problems except for a break in Léon because of tendinitis. Roll on to mid-2019, and I found myself in hospital in Brisbane having 2 stents installed.
Could be, Annie. Though we are quite plentiful.I have Halls in my line.
Just sayin' maybe we're cousins! lol!
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