Journal Entry
State of the health
Today I visited my cardiologist and got an update on how I’m doing. For those just tuning in, back in 2008 I collapsed due to a congenital heart defect called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy a leading cause of ‘sudden death’ among athletes (and no, unlike what I gather some have been saying, I did not have a heart attack!). I’ve been dealing with the fall out (and a subsequent pulmonary embolism) since.
He reinforced that he was not going to clear me for weight lifting. Like ever. No pushups or sit ups either. It’s not good to bear down on the heart with that condition.
That was a deep blow. I’ve been not allowed to lift since I went to the hospital, but somewhere I was secretly hoping I’d get cleared to try a low weights high reps routine. But no. It’s off the table. For life. That whole aspect of my life and personality is gone now.
No roller coasters either.
However I’ve been upgraded to try jogging. No running. But light jogging and things along those lines (low impact, low stress).
I’m encouraged to continue living low stress and to be aware of my limits. We had some good discussion about how to tell I was pushing myself too hard and how to explore those limits.
During that I learned that I have a ‘good’ kind of HCM, where it’s just the tip of my heart that’s hardened/hardening. Had it been the center area, I’d be at a higher risk of dropping dead abruptly when I overdid things (also means they’re bullish on me growing old).
So things are brightening. I get to do something that I wasn’t allowed to do before (jog), and the fear of dropping dead abruptly when I’ve pushed myself too hard is much smaller.
A year ago it was all I could to walk into town, now I can do it a brisk pace.
These small improvements beat the alternative, so I’m very much looking at this as glass half full. A year and a half ago I was weak and living with what felt like a sword of Damocles over my head every minute of the day.
I’ve come a long way, even if something important to me was permanently taken away today…
Filed under the topic Uncategorized on August 2nd 2010 at 2:16 pm. You can subscribe to the RSS feed for this entry to keep track of comments. You can also use to trackback.
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13 Responses so far
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Tobias is a Caribbean-born SF/F novelist who lives in Ohio.
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1. Alex J. Kane on Aug 2nd, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Good to hear that it’s a low-risk situation, all things considered. Don’t need any more good SF authors dropping dead.
That said, I definitely sypathize with the sorrow at being told never to lift weights again. That sort of thing a young man takes for granted as something that he’ll be able to do for a long time, knowing it will be a key component to staying healthy and relieving stress.
Walking and jogging, though, are excellent exercise and among the most enjoyable passtimes one can do. Also a great time to multitask (i.e. coming up with story and novel ideas).
Glad to hear you’re feeling better about your health.
2. Fran Friel on Aug 2nd, 2010 at 2:32 pm
This is great news! I’m so happy to hear you’ll be sticking around and jogging into the future. Sending good heart vibes from mine to yours.
3. Catherine Shaffer on Aug 2nd, 2010 at 2:51 pm
A lot of people maintain great muscle tone doing yoga. If your doctor will let you do that, it might be a good alternative. I think some yoga poses are still considered strenuous on the heart, so that would definitely be a question for someone above my pay grade to consider. I’m glad you’re doing well and I’m bullish on you getting older, too. Where can I buy some TB stock? Buy, buy, buy!
4. Dave Bara on Aug 2nd, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Well, as long as you can still yell at the TV, you’re golden!
db
5. Lon Braidwood on Aug 2nd, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Great to hear you are doing so well. And are listening to the doctor. I have heart troubles as well and miss doing a lot of things including roller coasters. It hasnt always been fun the last 11 years but I am still getting around and able to work so its all good.
6. Laurie Mann on Aug 2nd, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Um, no weightlifting – does that mean you never lift the twins?
Glad to hear the news is mostly good.
7. lynD on Aug 2nd, 2010 at 4:53 pm
I’m so glad that you’ve received a favorable prognosis, despite the discouragement about heavy exercise. Since you can jog, will they allow easy bicycling and swimming, too?
Best wishes for your continued improvement and long-term good health.
8. ebear on Aug 3rd, 2010 at 8:23 am
Good news/bad news, indeed.
I kind of hope you grow old. I like you.
9. heteromeles on Aug 3rd, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Might want to see if your doctor will allow something like zhan zhuang (standing post meditation) or tai chi. You don’t get the muscles, but the number of old folks still around doing tai chi is a great testimony. Since the whole point is to relax under stress (for both zhan zhuang and tai chi) it might be useful: minimize effort while doing work.
Good that life’s glass is still half-full though.
10. glenda larke on Aug 3rd, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Glad to hear this! The world needs people like you. May you live to see your grandchildren marry…
…or whatever they do at that age instead of getting married.
Glenda
11. Aaron on Aug 4th, 2010 at 2:20 am
Damn that sucks. I’m just getting into lifting (and exercising in general) and enjoying it, but I’m very ashamed to say I’m a fit but chronically lazy and slobbish 31 year old. Or at least have been up to this point.
What about something like Yoga, maybe Ashtanga style (spelling?) which is all about strengthening muscles without taxing your cardio?
12. Jess on Aug 4th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
*delurks*
Glad that you are doing well, and that it’s not so bad as it could be. =)
*relurks*
13. Wyman Cooke on Aug 10th, 2010 at 10:43 am
No roller coasters? Now that’s just cruel. I would like to share the hopes of other posters that you’ll be able to bicycle in the near future.