Re: trust

On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 12:51:54 +0000 (UTC), [email hidden] (Chris

Malcolm) said:

Get a heart rate monitor. Get a blood pressure monitor. Notice how
your heart feels, exercise cautionusly at first. Trust will come.

Chris, the general subject of your post isn't one that applies to me
(thankfully!) but enjoyed (if that's the right word??) your post and
found it very informative. N1!

SteveO

NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

[email hidden] said...

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[email hidden] writes:

Somehow I managed to miss the original post...

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I have not been here for a while, I had a heart attack four weeks ago.

<Stunned> I'm really sorry to hear that, and hope you're on the
road to recovery now. It must have been very frightening for
you.

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A big hangover from the heart attack is trust, or a lack of it.
Now my heart has let me down I am waiting for the next failure
even tho the doc says I will be fine).

I know that feeling. About 20 years ago I had a major epileptic
fit that left me wondering if I was safe to be on my own. Every
time I passed railings and caught sight of them out of the corner
of my eye I wondered if the frequency of things flashing past
would trigger another seizure; every time I went along a leafy
lane in summer with the sun poking through the trees giving the
illusion of flashing lights I wondered, and feared... It was a
while before my confidence returned, but return it did, and I
have medication that ensures my continued safety. I also have a
full driving licence: it was a major turning point for me when I
received that, because I'd been getting used to having to go to
the doctor every three years to renew it - and that was after
having to relinquish it completely for a while. What I'm trying
to say is that your fears seem to me to be completely normal and
rational; however you should trust your doctors and learn to
trust yourself again. Take it easy; take it slowly, one day at a
time - but do take it. Make changes to your way of life if you
have to, but remember that you are alive and recovery is only a
matter of time. You *will* get there, I promise, and I hope I
speak for all your friends here when I say that we will be with
you every step of the way.

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Exercise will improve (or maintain) the capacity of your
cardiovascular system and reduce the risk of further attacks. If you
start sitting around and losing fitness you'll increase your risk.

This is true. There are cardiac rehabilitation exercise classes
available at most (I think) centres across the UK now, led by
specially trained and qualified instructors. The fact that
you've been fit up to now and led an outdoor life will stand you
in good stead; if you enrol for one of these classes you will not
only be able to see for yourself just how much you can take; you
will will also be able to look at the other members of the class
and probably realise that compared with some of them you really
have very little to worry about :-)

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I usually walk alone but am not happy with that idea anymore but
is it fair to saddle a walking partner/group with the responsibility
that would arise if I had a heart attack on a mountain?

If that partner understands and cares - yes, of course it is.
After all, no one's going to come with you unless they care, are
they, so if someone agrees to do so he or she is accepting the
element of risk and responsibility. Do remember as well that
things can and do happen to everyone when we're out in the hills
- you're quite possibly just as likely to fall and twist an ankle
as you are to have another heart attack, and very few people
would refuse to accompany a walker in case of that happening...

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Take some aspirin with you and whatever else is advised as immediate
interim treatment. And are you really a higher risk than some fat
forty year old who's just decided to lose some of the flab by walking
up a hill for the first time in twenty years?

I think you need to be a bit more selfish about this. If you have a
heart attack up a hill it might spoil the walk for others. But you
might die. I think that's a bit more important than spoiling someone
else's walk.

Agreed.

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Is it time to find another leisure pursuit?

No. Not unless you want to, that is... I hear knitting can be
fun

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Or is there a walking club for the damaged...

Here, you can't start giving up just like that you know!

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Get a heart rate monitor. Get a blood pressure monitor. Notice how
your heart feels, exercise cautionusly at first. Trust will come. My
heart feels better when I take more exercise.

Sounds like good advice...

Take care and be well. You'll be fine, but you need to give it
time because the psychological effects of trauma like this are
hard to predict. Just take each day as it comes and recover your
fitness slowly and gradually - and yes, I'd come with you if you
asked me to, but I expect I'd slow you down :-)
--
"The day Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck is probably
the day that they start making vacuum cleaners."
--Doc in alt.privacy

Fran said:

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[email hidden] writes:

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Somehow I managed to miss the original post...

Me too.

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I have not been here for a while, I had a heart attack four weeks ago.

I hope you're feeling very much better now. Take things one small step
at a time: your confidence will return in time.

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

[email hidden] said...

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Hi Fran

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<Stunned>

Me too, although I am getting used to the idea.
It was all so quick
Heart attack Monday, surgery Wednesday, home Friday morning
a real whirlwind.

Good grief!

[confidence]

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but return it did,

I'm glad to hear it :-)

Yours will as well, just give it time.

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and recovery is only a
matter of time. You *will* get there, I promise, and I hope I
speak for all your friends here when I say that we will be with
you every step of the way.

Thanks, I was being a bit of a wuss when I first posted
and feeling sorry for myself but things are improving.

No you weren't - you were suffering the after-effects of
having been frightened out of your wits by a heart attack.
That's not being a wuss; that's being perfectly normal and
human. I'm glad to hear that things are improving though.

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This is true. There are cardiac rehabilitation exercise classes
available at most (I think) centres across the UK now,

The hospital run an initial rehab course followed by an ongoing
weekly circuit training session and I also qualify for cheap gym
membership apparently.

Whoo!

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If that partner understands and cares - yes, of course it is.
After all, no one's going to come with you unless they care, are
they, so if someone agrees to do so he or she is accepting the
element of risk and responsibility.

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I guess so, I will get fit and look forward to a spring hill trip
as an incentive. I have very rarely walked with a partner in the
past so I will have to learn to be more sociable :-)

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>Or is there a walking club for the damaged...

Here, you can't start giving up just like that you know!

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Nope, you are correct.

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Take care and be well.

Thanks

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You'll be fine, but you need to give it time

I have always been Mr impatient and I am now very aware of every
wasted minute. Life is a finite thing, as I am telling everyone.

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because the psychological effects of trauma like this are
hard to predict.

For sure, my world has been turned upside down and inside out
and nothing seems the same. It's like everyone elses world is the
same as ever for them but mine isn't , I wish I could explain it.

You don't need to explain to some of us :-)

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Just take each day as it comes and recover your
fitness slowly and gradually -

I will

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and yes, I'd come with you if you
asked me to, but I expect I'd slow you down :-)

Kind of you to say so, watch this space.

It's a genuine offer, subject to the limitations of geography.
If you're anywhere near the south Wales area just let me know
and I'll try to arrange to meet up. I expect Bill would be up
for that as well, and possibly Paul.
--
"The day Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck is
probably the day that they start making vacuum cleaners."
--Doc in alt.privacy

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[email hidden] writes:

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I don't know how this leaves me with hill walking, do I want to
be miles from help where mobile phones don't work...

I think your best bet is to plan walks that keep you close to
civilisation for now. There are many good scenic areas where you can
stay on the beaten path not far from a road, but still be partially "in
the wilds" as it were. For example the path from Ogwen cottage up to
Llyn Bochlwyd - easy paved path, surrounded by Tryfan, Glyder Fach and
others. Help not far away if needed, plenty of people around. I'm sure
there must be many places like this where you can "get away from it all"
but still be within easy reach of help if necessary. Flatter walks
would probably be best to start off. It's all about regaining
confidence and gradually getting fitter again.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I usually walk alone but am not happy with that idea anymore but
is it fair to saddle a walking partner/group with the responsibility
that would arise if I had a heart attack on a mountain?

You can saddle me with that responsibility any time you want, I'd be
happy to run for help, I may even try to resist the urge to take photos
on the way! ;-)

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk

Fran said:

[email hidden] said...

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Thanks, I was being a bit of a wuss when I first posted
and feeling sorry for myself but things are improving.

No you weren't - you were suffering the after-effects of
having been frightened out of your wits by a heart attack.
That's not being a wuss; that's being perfectly normal and
human. I'm glad to hear that things are improving though.

Didn't get your original message Mark, but I'm glad to hear of the
improvement.

Quoted message said:

It's a genuine offer, subject to the limitations of geography.
If you're anywhere near the south Wales area just let me know
and I'll try to arrange to meet up. I expect Bill would be up
for that as well, and possibly Paul.

Absolutely!

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk

In article <[email hidden]>, Fran
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

It's a genuine offer, subject to the limitations of geography.
If you're anywhere near the south Wales area just let me know
and I'll try to arrange to meet up. I expect Bill would be up
for that as well, and possibly Paul.

I missed the origin of this bit, but I'm sure Fran is right. Anything to
help if poss.
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk

In article <[email hidden]>, Paul Saunders
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Flatter walks
would probably be best to start off. It's all about regaining
confidence and gradually getting fitter again.

Pencelli to Talybont.......(only joking eh Paul:-) )
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk

W. D. Grey said:

Pencelli to Talybont.......(only joking eh Paul:-) )

Very funny!

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk

Hi Paul

Quoted message said:

It's all about regaining
confidence and gradually getting fitter again.

Yup it's a gradual process.
I have started a rehabilitation programme to get me moving again.
And I am now brave enough to walk the dog in my local wood, where
there is cell phone coverage :-)

Quoted message said:

I think your best bet is to plan walks that keep you close to
civilisation for now. There are many good scenic areas where you can
stay on the beaten path not far from a road, but still be partially
"in
the wilds" as it were. For example the path from Ogwen cottage up to
Llyn Bochlwyd - easy paved path, surrounded by Tryfan, Glyder Fach and
others. Help not far away if needed, plenty of people around. I'm
sure there must be many places like this where you can "get away from
it all" but still be within easy reach of help if necessary.

That all makes sense, ta muchly.

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You can saddle me with that responsibility any time you want,

Thanks Paul, I will take you up on that early next year.

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I'd be happy to run for help, I may even try to resist
the urge to take photos on the way! ;-)

LOL, you are too kind :-)

Mark

Hi Bill

Quoted message said:

I missed the origin of this bit, but I'm sure Fran is right. Anything
to help if poss.

Thanks for that, I have written this year off for hill walking so watch
this space in the new year.

Mark

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
writes

Quoted message said:

Hi Bill

Quoted message said:

I missed the origin of this bit, but I'm sure Fran is right. Anything
to help if poss.

Thanks for that, I have written this year off for hill walking so watch
this space in the new year.

Mark

Whenever you''re ready Mark.
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk

Quoted message said:

I have started a rehabilitation programme to get me moving again.
And I am now brave enough to walk the dog in my local wood, where
there is cell phone coverage :-)

Good, glad to hear it!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I think your best bet is to plan walks that keep you close to
civilisation for now. There are many good scenic areas where you can
stay on the beaten path

Quoted message said:

That all makes sense, ta muchly.

Coasts can often be good, easy walking, good scenery to photograph.

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You can saddle me with that responsibility any time you want,

Thanks Paul, I will take you up on that early next year.

I'll look forward to it.

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk