Hi everyone, I don't post here much, but visit frequently, and have learned a lot about canoeing, paddling efficiency, canoe design, canoe building, and camping. Also, I have learned a lot about the North American continent and the tripping realities and styles in the different parts of this vast land mass. I thought that I would share about my recent heart incident as I am recovering. The doctors told me that there is a 5% survival rate for what I went through, and an even lower number for those who come out physically and mentally "normal" (my word, not theirs), so I am grateful for being here. Apparently, my heart came out with a "low normal" rate of function. (That means full bore once I get the green light to stress my body again).
I hope this doesn't upset anyone, it is just reality, and I thought that I would let you good folks who so generously share your knowledge know.
This is a copy of an email that I sent to family and friends once I returned home from the ICU, with a few pics from former trips. (It is slightly edited.)
Check out the song, it is worth it.
I will plagiarize Robin: I would rather be tripping !!!!!!!!!!!
Hello everyone,
This is LF_tripper, and I just want to thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and visits.
No one was more surprised than me to find myself going through a heart failure and all that went with that episode. I and the doctors have more questions than answers about what triggered the fibrillation that caused my heart to stop circulating blood necessary for life - in the early hours of that Monday morning, October 26, 1015. My wife somehow noticed my breathing distress, called 911, and heroically followed the directions of the operator, and performed CPR for over 20 minutes until the paramedics arrived. They shocked my heart back to a rhythm that pumps properly, and took me to the ICU at Concordia hospital where the staff made sure I pulled through. Apparently, I was less than fully cooperative, but they did their jobs anyway.
This is where I am from a medical perspective:
My cognitive functions have returned to about normal.
I had a 40-50-% blockage in one coronary artery only, and the doctor installed a stent “because I was there anyway”. This blockage would not have caused the deadly heart rhythm.
I have had an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) installed in my chest, which will keep a record of my heart rhythm and administer a shock or shocks if the heart goes into a dangerous rhythm.
It will take about 3 months to recover from the trauma of the event and the operation, and my driver’s licence is suspended for 6 months.
I am feeling better today and was able to sleep most of the night.
Anyway, the intention of this email was to thank you for being there. I think art can say more than words, so here is a song for you. There is a message in this song for you from me. “I Searched for You” by Martyn Joseph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIVA5_k6rfo&feature=youtu.be
And of course, pictures.
With gratitude and love,
LF_tripper
I hope this doesn't upset anyone, it is just reality, and I thought that I would let you good folks who so generously share your knowledge know.
This is a copy of an email that I sent to family and friends once I returned home from the ICU, with a few pics from former trips. (It is slightly edited.)
Check out the song, it is worth it.
I will plagiarize Robin: I would rather be tripping !!!!!!!!!!!
Hello everyone,
This is LF_tripper, and I just want to thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and visits.
No one was more surprised than me to find myself going through a heart failure and all that went with that episode. I and the doctors have more questions than answers about what triggered the fibrillation that caused my heart to stop circulating blood necessary for life - in the early hours of that Monday morning, October 26, 1015. My wife somehow noticed my breathing distress, called 911, and heroically followed the directions of the operator, and performed CPR for over 20 minutes until the paramedics arrived. They shocked my heart back to a rhythm that pumps properly, and took me to the ICU at Concordia hospital where the staff made sure I pulled through. Apparently, I was less than fully cooperative, but they did their jobs anyway.
This is where I am from a medical perspective:
My cognitive functions have returned to about normal.
I had a 40-50-% blockage in one coronary artery only, and the doctor installed a stent “because I was there anyway”. This blockage would not have caused the deadly heart rhythm.
I have had an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) installed in my chest, which will keep a record of my heart rhythm and administer a shock or shocks if the heart goes into a dangerous rhythm.
It will take about 3 months to recover from the trauma of the event and the operation, and my driver’s licence is suspended for 6 months.
I am feeling better today and was able to sleep most of the night.
Anyway, the intention of this email was to thank you for being there. I think art can say more than words, so here is a song for you. There is a message in this song for you from me. “I Searched for You” by Martyn Joseph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIVA5_k6rfo&feature=youtu.be
And of course, pictures.
With gratitude and love,
LF_tripper