2019! The “How was your commute?” thread!
06-10-19, 06:08 PM
#1076
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,279
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Liked 342 Times
in
229 Posts
The clavicle break didn't show up on the x-ray, but they saw it when I had a cat-scan for the lung , and I think the fact that it wasn't a full break is why I didn't think there was one. But that means "conservative" treatment, meaning a sling and heal naturally, which will keep me off the bike for at least a few weeks especially adding the ribs in the equation.
06-10-19, 06:31 PM
#1077
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,597
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Liked 2,204 Times
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Double geez, man
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
06-11-19, 03:54 AM
#1078
Banned
Not a fun place at all.
06-11-19, 03:58 AM
#1079
Banned
It sounds like we're a walking wounded club. Healing quickly is not likely in the cards for me although so far from trauma to now I think I'm beyond expectations and I'll be out of here today. Trauma lead may still be upset that I removed my breathing tube myself but it worked and everything is good to go. Accidentally,& I'm sticking to that. But with ribs AND clavicle, conservative treatment meaning basically not doing anything until it heals, it could be months before things get normal
Don't rush. This is what my father did to get out of the ICU. Had a very serious infection and push/proded his way. Only, to arrive back home and die a week later.
You're surrounded by specialists in the country with some of the best medical care (if you can afford it), so why rush? As soon as leave, that won't be the case and symptoms will be detected much too late.
Just chill out, read a book or two, and enjoy the time. I'd fight to stay IN and confirm that everything is perfect before going.
It's not a prison, the nurses are cute (at least here) and it could extend your life to stay.
What are you really rushing home to anyway? Even the food was great when my daughter was in the NICU.
06-11-19, 04:01 AM
#1080
Banned
Yeh I missed that. It still doesn't seem unreasonable to wait till morning and if ti's still bad go to a walkin urgent care clinic instead of an ER immediately. I probably shouldn't have finished the ride home though.
The clavicle break didn't show up on the x-ray, but they saw it when I had a cat-scan for the lung , and I think the fact that it wasn't a full break is why I didn't think there was one. But that means "conservative" treatment, meaning a sling and heal naturally, which will keep me off the bike for at least a few weeks especially adding the ribs in the equation.
The clavicle break didn't show up on the x-ray, but they saw it when I had a cat-scan for the lung , and I think the fact that it wasn't a full break is why I didn't think there was one. But that means "conservative" treatment, meaning a sling and heal naturally, which will keep me off the bike for at least a few weeks especially adding the ribs in the equation.
Get well soon but take your time.
Geez.
06-11-19, 05:36 AM
#1081
Senior Member
Nice ride in this morning. A little on the cool side but still enjoyable. Not a lot of people out this morning which is nice, less to have to navigate around. Also seemed like fewer cars out on the road. Guess a lot of people have taken off for vacations. Tried to do a little filming this morning as well. Hope to get some more footage this afternoon on the ride home.
06-11-19, 07:17 AM
#1082
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,279
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Liked 342 Times
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229 Posts
Serious non-trolling message
Don't rush. This is what my father did to get out of the ICU. Had a very serious infection and push/proded his way. Only, to arrive back home and die a week later.
You're surrounded by specialists in the country with some of the best medical care (if you can afford it), so why rush? As soon as leave, that won't be the case and symptoms will be detected much too late.
Just chill out, read a book or two, and enjoy the time. I'd fight to stay IN and confirm that everything is perfect before going.
It's not a prison, the nurses are cute (at least here) and it could extend your life to stay.
What are you really rushing home to anyway? Even the food was great when my daughter was in the NICU.
Don't rush. This is what my father did to get out of the ICU. Had a very serious infection and push/proded his way. Only, to arrive back home and die a week later.
You're surrounded by specialists in the country with some of the best medical care (if you can afford it), so why rush? As soon as leave, that won't be the case and symptoms will be detected much too late.
Just chill out, read a book or two, and enjoy the time. I'd fight to stay IN and confirm that everything is perfect before going.
It's not a prison, the nurses are cute (at least here) and it could extend your life to stay.
What are you really rushing home to anyway? Even the food was great when my daughter was in the NICU.
The hospital is better but still restrictive - I need to be active, get back to work etc, which I am today ... but no bike commute so I'll stop whining about it on the commuting thread.
06-11-19, 07:41 AM
#1083
Senior Member
Got up early and walked three miles, then got on the bike and rode to work. Today will be the furthest I've ridden since my surgery, with the client schedule requiring me to ride about 21 miles before I'm back home this evening.
Some light sprinkles during my walk and ride, but thankfully I accomplished both activities between the heavier rain storms. A bit windy once I got out in the open, but overall not a bad ride. Snapped a picture of a rainbow about a mile from the office:
Some light sprinkles during my walk and ride, but thankfully I accomplished both activities between the heavier rain storms. A bit windy once I got out in the open, but overall not a bad ride. Snapped a picture of a rainbow about a mile from the office:
Likes For Tundra_Man:
06-11-19, 08:35 AM
#1084
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 9,208
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Liked 2,195 Times
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Last night's ride home was a workout. I looked up the weather report when I got home; winds gusting 25-30 mph meant I was maintaining an air speed of 40 mph or so -- sounds a lot better than I worked my butt off to maintain 13 mph ground speed!
Still blowing this morning, though not as hard. The north wind was wonderful, cool, and pushed me to work. I changed my route to include a couple mile-long clear roads to catch all that tail wind I could.
Still blowing this morning, though not as hard. The north wind was wonderful, cool, and pushed me to work. I changed my route to include a couple mile-long clear roads to catch all that tail wind I could.
06-11-19, 08:58 AM
#1085
Banned
Got up early and walked three miles, then got on the bike and rode to work. Today will be the furthest I've ridden since my surgery, with the client schedule requiring me to ride about 21 miles before I'm back home this evening.
Some light sprinkles during my walk and ride, but thankfully I accomplished both activities between the heavier rain storms. A bit windy once I got out in the open, but overall not a bad ride. Snapped a picture of a rainbow about a mile from the office:
Some light sprinkles during my walk and ride, but thankfully I accomplished both activities between the heavier rain storms. A bit windy once I got out in the open, but overall not a bad ride. Snapped a picture of a rainbow about a mile from the office:
I have attached my usual cycling view. That's a bidirectional road with parking on both sides and a speed bump.
.
Also, the volume of houses is quite high.
06-11-19, 09:20 AM
#1086
Senior Member
This particular stretch is a mile through an industrial area on the edge of the city that is just beginning to get developed. Lots of development plans for the area so I'm guessing within five years it will be filled up with buildings and traffic.
Much of my commute when I'm not on the MUP looks similar to yours.
Much of my commute when I'm not on the MUP looks similar to yours.
06-11-19, 09:51 AM
#1087
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,597
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Liked 2,204 Times
in
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06-11-19, 10:18 AM
#1088
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Mid Atlantic / USA
Posts: 2,114
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite
Liked 237 Times
in
155 Posts
GORGEOUS
That's how my commute was. I wished I had left an hour earlier so I could have gone a lot further on the way in today.
That's how my commute was. I wished I had left an hour earlier so I could have gone a lot further on the way in today.
Likes For Skipjacks:
06-11-19, 01:50 PM
#1089
Let's Ride!
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Triad, NC USA
Posts: 2,585
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
Liked 41 Times
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great ride in this morning. around 60F and dry. we have had a ton of rain. We got at least 3.5" from Friday to Sunday 3pm or so. Another storm came and I haven't checked the gauge since.
I would like to ride tomorrow if I can work it out. Usually cant for an evening commitment but i am missing the regularity of commuting.
I would like to ride tomorrow if I can work it out. Usually cant for an evening commitment but i am missing the regularity of commuting.
06-12-19, 04:42 AM
#1090
Senior Member
It was a very pleasant commute this morning. I left the house earlier than usual so I could extend the ride a little. On my commute I saw three different work areas. Two of them were electric crews. I did not know they worked so early in the am. The third was working on the road. I guess they worked through the night.
06-12-19, 04:59 AM
#1091
Senior Member
I didn't think there would be a week seven edition to the Tundra_Man Heart Surgery newsletter, but here it is. I really figured that once I had all restrictions lifted and I returned to work that there wouldn't be much news to report. However if life has demonstrated anything, it's that a curveball may be the next pitch that comes at you so be ready.
In addition, numerous people have asked if I was going to keep writing up these weekly chronicles as they wanted to keep reading them. I suspect that, similar to politics, it's the fringe ten percent who are the most vocal. Those who quietly wish I would stop producing these weekly interruptions to their lives don't get the attention of the louder fans clamoring for more. So I guess if you want me to stop you're going to have to speak up. Beating me with a Nerf bat would also effectively convey your feelings on this matter.
Last week was my final scheduled week of being on leave from work. The AFib I had experience two Mondays ago had not returned, and I was really starting to feel good. I even went out with my son on Friday evening to the golf course. I wasn't yet able to play the whole course, but I took a few swings here and there and practiced my putting and mostly just walked along with the group as they played. Driving the ball off the tee hurt a little bit, but considering in the hospital they told me I wouldn't be swinging a golf club at all this year, I thought I was making excellent progress. By the way, I learned a mechanical heart valve will not fix a slice.
This week began with my 50th birthday. Half a century. I never meant to get old, it just happened. I figured there's no better way to celebrate your 50th birthday than to go back to work after a six week absence, right? I did have (what I thought was) my final post-surgery doctor's appointment on this day as well. Overall the appointment went fine and things were looking great. They hadn't yet gotten the results of my Holter monitor test I took last week, but said that they would call me when they did.
That same afternoon I received a phone call from the cardiologist office with the test results. As it turned out, while I was wearing the monitor my heart happened to stop for about three seconds and then restart itself. This was concerning to both them and me. Them, because hearts aren't supposed to do that and it indicates a problem. Me, because I didn't even notice it had happened and it makes me wonder how often this was happening when I wasn't wearing a monitor? Three seconds didn't seem that long until I actually counted it out. In heartbeat years (kind of like dog years, but the opposite) it's a long time for your heart not to beat.
So ultimately they wanted to do two things. First, they wanted me to stop taking one of my medications. I was fine with that, as I'm not a fan of medications and I didn't care for that particular pill anyway. The other thing they want is for me to have a pacemaker installed. I wasn't so fine with this idea.
I voiced my protest, which probably sounded not unlike a three-year-old trying to convince a parent that they should be allowed to have ice cream for dinner. The nurse asked if I would at least be willing to meet and talk to the Electrocardiology Pulmonologist (say that ten times fast) before making a firm decision either way. I'm not an unreasonable man, so I agreed. Plus they said that if I go talk to him I can have ice cream for dinner.
That appointment is set up for Wednesday afternoon. I've been doing some research on my own and want to have a discussion with the doctor on the pros and cons of having a pacemaker installed versus not. (Pro: can bypass metal detectors at the ball park. Con: may die suddenly without warning.) Right now the last thing I really feel like doing is having more surgery, but I guess I'm willing to do it if there is a compelling reason. Or if they bribe me with more ice cream.
On a different note, since my restrictions were lifted I've become even more active if that's possible. I've been able to resume riding my bicycle, and jumped right back in to commuting to work. This allowed my consecutive work commute streak to remain intact at 745 days and counting, which I'm very happy about because before the surgery (and the weeks immediately following) I had assumed I wouldn't be ready to ride my bicycle by the time I returned to work and I would have to start over. After three and a half years it was a little heartbreaking (pun somewhat intended) to think about the possibility of driving to work and setting that number back to zero. Now I don't have to, at least yet.
In addition to biking, I'm still walking. I've been getting up early before work to go out and walk at least three miles. I figure it's a good habit I've started and I might as well keep it up as long as I have the momentum. Since I was released from the hospital I've now walked 172 miles. On a side note, all this walking means I'm also due for a new pair of workout shoes as my current ones are close to end of life.
I graduated cardiac rehab classes last Friday after completing eleven sessions. A "normal" stint in the class is thirty-six sessions. The combination of me going back to work and doing so well in the class allowed them to parole me early. They even gave me a t-shirt.
Another bit of good news is I'm back to sleeping in a regular bed. Last Friday I attempted to lay down and see if it still made me regret the decision. Much to my surprise, it felt a little sore but way better than it had been when I tried the same thing a few weeks prior. On Friday night I decided to start the night in bed and see how long I could make it. I slept pretty rough until about 3 AM, when I got up and moved back into my recliner to finish the night. On Saturday night I made it the whole night in bed, but didn't sleep all that well. Each subsequent night since then I've slept a little better. It took me about a week and a half to really get used to sleeping in a recliner, so I'm speculating that it will take me another week and a half to get used to the bed again. But it certainly is progress.
As this week's newsletter draws to a close, I leave you with this piece of wisdom: If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But if life doesn't also give you sugar and water, your lemonade will taste terrible.
In addition, numerous people have asked if I was going to keep writing up these weekly chronicles as they wanted to keep reading them. I suspect that, similar to politics, it's the fringe ten percent who are the most vocal. Those who quietly wish I would stop producing these weekly interruptions to their lives don't get the attention of the louder fans clamoring for more. So I guess if you want me to stop you're going to have to speak up. Beating me with a Nerf bat would also effectively convey your feelings on this matter.
Last week was my final scheduled week of being on leave from work. The AFib I had experience two Mondays ago had not returned, and I was really starting to feel good. I even went out with my son on Friday evening to the golf course. I wasn't yet able to play the whole course, but I took a few swings here and there and practiced my putting and mostly just walked along with the group as they played. Driving the ball off the tee hurt a little bit, but considering in the hospital they told me I wouldn't be swinging a golf club at all this year, I thought I was making excellent progress. By the way, I learned a mechanical heart valve will not fix a slice.
This week began with my 50th birthday. Half a century. I never meant to get old, it just happened. I figured there's no better way to celebrate your 50th birthday than to go back to work after a six week absence, right? I did have (what I thought was) my final post-surgery doctor's appointment on this day as well. Overall the appointment went fine and things were looking great. They hadn't yet gotten the results of my Holter monitor test I took last week, but said that they would call me when they did.
That same afternoon I received a phone call from the cardiologist office with the test results. As it turned out, while I was wearing the monitor my heart happened to stop for about three seconds and then restart itself. This was concerning to both them and me. Them, because hearts aren't supposed to do that and it indicates a problem. Me, because I didn't even notice it had happened and it makes me wonder how often this was happening when I wasn't wearing a monitor? Three seconds didn't seem that long until I actually counted it out. In heartbeat years (kind of like dog years, but the opposite) it's a long time for your heart not to beat.
So ultimately they wanted to do two things. First, they wanted me to stop taking one of my medications. I was fine with that, as I'm not a fan of medications and I didn't care for that particular pill anyway. The other thing they want is for me to have a pacemaker installed. I wasn't so fine with this idea.
I voiced my protest, which probably sounded not unlike a three-year-old trying to convince a parent that they should be allowed to have ice cream for dinner. The nurse asked if I would at least be willing to meet and talk to the Electrocardiology Pulmonologist (say that ten times fast) before making a firm decision either way. I'm not an unreasonable man, so I agreed. Plus they said that if I go talk to him I can have ice cream for dinner.
That appointment is set up for Wednesday afternoon. I've been doing some research on my own and want to have a discussion with the doctor on the pros and cons of having a pacemaker installed versus not. (Pro: can bypass metal detectors at the ball park. Con: may die suddenly without warning.) Right now the last thing I really feel like doing is having more surgery, but I guess I'm willing to do it if there is a compelling reason. Or if they bribe me with more ice cream.
On a different note, since my restrictions were lifted I've become even more active if that's possible. I've been able to resume riding my bicycle, and jumped right back in to commuting to work. This allowed my consecutive work commute streak to remain intact at 745 days and counting, which I'm very happy about because before the surgery (and the weeks immediately following) I had assumed I wouldn't be ready to ride my bicycle by the time I returned to work and I would have to start over. After three and a half years it was a little heartbreaking (pun somewhat intended) to think about the possibility of driving to work and setting that number back to zero. Now I don't have to, at least yet.
In addition to biking, I'm still walking. I've been getting up early before work to go out and walk at least three miles. I figure it's a good habit I've started and I might as well keep it up as long as I have the momentum. Since I was released from the hospital I've now walked 172 miles. On a side note, all this walking means I'm also due for a new pair of workout shoes as my current ones are close to end of life.
I graduated cardiac rehab classes last Friday after completing eleven sessions. A "normal" stint in the class is thirty-six sessions. The combination of me going back to work and doing so well in the class allowed them to parole me early. They even gave me a t-shirt.
Another bit of good news is I'm back to sleeping in a regular bed. Last Friday I attempted to lay down and see if it still made me regret the decision. Much to my surprise, it felt a little sore but way better than it had been when I tried the same thing a few weeks prior. On Friday night I decided to start the night in bed and see how long I could make it. I slept pretty rough until about 3 AM, when I got up and moved back into my recliner to finish the night. On Saturday night I made it the whole night in bed, but didn't sleep all that well. Each subsequent night since then I've slept a little better. It took me about a week and a half to really get used to sleeping in a recliner, so I'm speculating that it will take me another week and a half to get used to the bed again. But it certainly is progress.
As this week's newsletter draws to a close, I leave you with this piece of wisdom: If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But if life doesn't also give you sugar and water, your lemonade will taste terrible.
06-12-19, 05:06 AM
#1093
Banned
I didn't think there would be a week seven edition to the Tundra_Man Heart Surgery newsletter, but here it is. I really figured that once I had all restrictions lifted and I returned to work that there wouldn't be much news to report. However if life has demonstrated anything, it's that a curveball may be the next pitch that comes at you so be ready.
In addition, numerous people have asked if I was going to keep writing up these weekly chronicles as they wanted to keep reading them. I suspect that, similar to politics, it's the fringe ten percent who are the most vocal. Those who quietly wish I would stop producing these weekly interruptions to their lives don't get the attention of the louder fans clamoring for more. So I guess if you want me to stop you're going to have to speak up. Beating me with a Nerf bat would also effectively convey your feelings on this matter.
Last week was my final scheduled week of being on leave from work. The AFib I had experience two Mondays ago had not returned, and I was really starting to feel good. I even went out with my son on Friday evening to the golf course. I wasn't yet able to play the whole course, but I took a few swings here and there and practiced my putting and mostly just walked along with the group as they played. Driving the ball off the tee hurt a little bit, but considering in the hospital they told me I wouldn't be swinging a golf club at all this year, I thought I was making excellent progress. By the way, I learned a mechanical heart valve will not fix a slice.
This week began with my 50th birthday. Half a century. I never meant to get old, it just happened. I figured there's no better way to celebrate your 50th birthday than to go back to work after a six week absence, right? I did have (what I thought was) my final post-surgery doctor's appointment on this day as well. Overall the appointment went fine and things were looking great. They hadn't yet gotten the results of my Holter monitor test I took last week, but said that they would call me when they did.
That same afternoon I received a phone call from the cardiologist office with the test results. As it turned out, while I was wearing the monitor my heart happened to stop for about three seconds and then restart itself. This was concerning to both them and me. Them, because hearts aren't supposed to do that and it indicates a problem. Me, because I didn't even notice it had happened and it makes me wonder how often this was happening when I wasn't wearing a monitor? Three seconds didn't seem that long until I actually counted it out. In heartbeat years (kind of like dog years, but the opposite) it's a long time for your heart not to beat.
So ultimately they wanted to do two things. First, they wanted me to stop taking one of my medications. I was fine with that, as I'm not a fan of medications and I didn't care for that particular pill anyway. The other thing they want is for me to have a pacemaker installed. I wasn't so fine with this idea.
I voiced my protest, which probably sounded not unlike a three-year-old trying to convince a parent that they should be allowed to have ice cream for dinner. The nurse asked if I would at least be willing to meet and talk to the Electrocardiology Pulmonologist (say that ten times fast) before making a firm decision either way. I'm not an unreasonable man, so I agreed. Plus they said that if I go talk to him I can have ice cream for dinner.
That appointment is set up for Wednesday afternoon. I've been doing some research on my own and want to have a discussion with the doctor on the pros and cons of having a pacemaker installed versus not. (Pro: can bypass metal detectors at the ball park. Con: may die suddenly without warning.) Right now the last thing I really feel like doing is having more surgery, but I guess I'm willing to do it if there is a compelling reason. Or if they bribe me with more ice cream.
On a different note, since my restrictions were lifted I've become even more active if that's possible. I've been able to resume riding my bicycle, and jumped right back in to commuting to work. This allowed my consecutive work commute streak to remain intact at 745 days and counting, which I'm very happy about because before the surgery (and the weeks immediately following) I had assumed I wouldn't be ready to ride my bicycle by the time I returned to work and I would have to start over. After three and a half years it was a little heartbreaking (pun somewhat intended) to think about the possibility of driving to work and setting that number back to zero. Now I don't have to, at least yet.
In addition to biking, I'm still walking. I've been getting up early before work to go out and walk at least three miles. I figure it's a good habit I've started and I might as well keep it up as long as I have the momentum. Since I was released from the hospital I've now walked 172 miles. On a side note, all this walking means I'm also due for a new pair of workout shoes as my current ones are close to end of life.
I graduated cardiac rehab classes last Friday after completing eleven sessions. A "normal" stint in the class is thirty-six sessions. The combination of me going back to work and doing so well in the class allowed them to parole me early. They even gave me a t-shirt.
Another bit of good news is I'm back to sleeping in a regular bed. Last Friday I attempted to lay down and see if it still made me regret the decision. Much to my surprise, it felt a little sore but way better than it had been when I tried the same thing a few weeks prior. On Friday night I decided to start the night in bed and see how long I could make it. I slept pretty rough until about 3 AM, when I got up and moved back into my recliner to finish the night. On Saturday night I made it the whole night in bed, but didn't sleep all that well. Each subsequent night since then I've slept a little better. It took me about a week and a half to really get used to sleeping in a recliner, so I'm speculating that it will take me another week and a half to get used to the bed again. But it certainly is progress.
As this week's newsletter draws to a close, I leave you with this piece of wisdom: If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But if life doesn't also give you sugar and water, your lemonade will taste terrible.
In addition, numerous people have asked if I was going to keep writing up these weekly chronicles as they wanted to keep reading them. I suspect that, similar to politics, it's the fringe ten percent who are the most vocal. Those who quietly wish I would stop producing these weekly interruptions to their lives don't get the attention of the louder fans clamoring for more. So I guess if you want me to stop you're going to have to speak up. Beating me with a Nerf bat would also effectively convey your feelings on this matter.
Last week was my final scheduled week of being on leave from work. The AFib I had experience two Mondays ago had not returned, and I was really starting to feel good. I even went out with my son on Friday evening to the golf course. I wasn't yet able to play the whole course, but I took a few swings here and there and practiced my putting and mostly just walked along with the group as they played. Driving the ball off the tee hurt a little bit, but considering in the hospital they told me I wouldn't be swinging a golf club at all this year, I thought I was making excellent progress. By the way, I learned a mechanical heart valve will not fix a slice.
This week began with my 50th birthday. Half a century. I never meant to get old, it just happened. I figured there's no better way to celebrate your 50th birthday than to go back to work after a six week absence, right? I did have (what I thought was) my final post-surgery doctor's appointment on this day as well. Overall the appointment went fine and things were looking great. They hadn't yet gotten the results of my Holter monitor test I took last week, but said that they would call me when they did.
That same afternoon I received a phone call from the cardiologist office with the test results. As it turned out, while I was wearing the monitor my heart happened to stop for about three seconds and then restart itself. This was concerning to both them and me. Them, because hearts aren't supposed to do that and it indicates a problem. Me, because I didn't even notice it had happened and it makes me wonder how often this was happening when I wasn't wearing a monitor? Three seconds didn't seem that long until I actually counted it out. In heartbeat years (kind of like dog years, but the opposite) it's a long time for your heart not to beat.
So ultimately they wanted to do two things. First, they wanted me to stop taking one of my medications. I was fine with that, as I'm not a fan of medications and I didn't care for that particular pill anyway. The other thing they want is for me to have a pacemaker installed. I wasn't so fine with this idea.
I voiced my protest, which probably sounded not unlike a three-year-old trying to convince a parent that they should be allowed to have ice cream for dinner. The nurse asked if I would at least be willing to meet and talk to the Electrocardiology Pulmonologist (say that ten times fast) before making a firm decision either way. I'm not an unreasonable man, so I agreed. Plus they said that if I go talk to him I can have ice cream for dinner.
That appointment is set up for Wednesday afternoon. I've been doing some research on my own and want to have a discussion with the doctor on the pros and cons of having a pacemaker installed versus not. (Pro: can bypass metal detectors at the ball park. Con: may die suddenly without warning.) Right now the last thing I really feel like doing is having more surgery, but I guess I'm willing to do it if there is a compelling reason. Or if they bribe me with more ice cream.
On a different note, since my restrictions were lifted I've become even more active if that's possible. I've been able to resume riding my bicycle, and jumped right back in to commuting to work. This allowed my consecutive work commute streak to remain intact at 745 days and counting, which I'm very happy about because before the surgery (and the weeks immediately following) I had assumed I wouldn't be ready to ride my bicycle by the time I returned to work and I would have to start over. After three and a half years it was a little heartbreaking (pun somewhat intended) to think about the possibility of driving to work and setting that number back to zero. Now I don't have to, at least yet.
In addition to biking, I'm still walking. I've been getting up early before work to go out and walk at least three miles. I figure it's a good habit I've started and I might as well keep it up as long as I have the momentum. Since I was released from the hospital I've now walked 172 miles. On a side note, all this walking means I'm also due for a new pair of workout shoes as my current ones are close to end of life.
I graduated cardiac rehab classes last Friday after completing eleven sessions. A "normal" stint in the class is thirty-six sessions. The combination of me going back to work and doing so well in the class allowed them to parole me early. They even gave me a t-shirt.
Another bit of good news is I'm back to sleeping in a regular bed. Last Friday I attempted to lay down and see if it still made me regret the decision. Much to my surprise, it felt a little sore but way better than it had been when I tried the same thing a few weeks prior. On Friday night I decided to start the night in bed and see how long I could make it. I slept pretty rough until about 3 AM, when I got up and moved back into my recliner to finish the night. On Saturday night I made it the whole night in bed, but didn't sleep all that well. Each subsequent night since then I've slept a little better. It took me about a week and a half to really get used to sleeping in a recliner, so I'm speculating that it will take me another week and a half to get used to the bed again. But it certainly is progress.
As this week's newsletter draws to a close, I leave you with this piece of wisdom: If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But if life doesn't also give you sugar and water, your lemonade will taste terrible.
I would get a second opinion about the pacemaker. I would also determine whether it is "FDA approved" or "FDA cleared." I would ensure that it's FDA approved and not simply FDA clearly. If I was in the US and it was me or a member of my family I would ensure that it's an FDA approved.
I would ask that at the first meeting with the EP and if they didn't know the difference, I would shop around.
Do you watch "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver?"
This recent clip is extremely relevant:
Last edited by acidfast7; 06-12-19 at 05:10 AM.
06-12-19, 05:35 AM
#1094
Senior Member
Nice ride in this morning. The one section of road that I have to use I did get stuck behind a school bus that must have been doing driver training which was a bit of a pain but luckily only for a short distance before I turned onto my MUP I use. I was trying to get some GoPro footage so it pretty much ruined the downtown shot I was trying to get. I'll have to try again another day. Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow so not sure if I'll ride or not.
06-12-19, 05:43 AM
#1095
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,811
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
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It was actually kinda cold this morning. Beautiful morning, though.
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www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
06-12-19, 06:51 AM
#1096
Senior Member
[MENTION=175954]Tundra_Man[/MENTION] - nice rainbow photo and thanks for the update. I don't have a nerf bat so I'll continue to follow the weekly posts too. I'm turning 48 in about 3 months, so I've got 50 around the bend there. Don't feel it though. Good job on keeping up the walking. I do some morning runs and it is a great time to be outside and/or listen to audio books and podcasts.
I did not ride yesterday due to needing to take the car in for an inspection and helping with getting kids to activities.
A bit cooler here today and much less humid. Quite nice riding conditions for a 15 mile commute. The high is only supposed to be like 68F with some rain this afternoon.
I did not ride yesterday due to needing to take the car in for an inspection and helping with getting kids to activities.
A bit cooler here today and much less humid. Quite nice riding conditions for a 15 mile commute. The high is only supposed to be like 68F with some rain this afternoon.
06-12-19, 09:27 AM
#1097
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 9,208
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
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Rather pleasant morning; cool and overcast, although a bit breezy. Traffic was no problem except for a couple long lines of cars I had to wait for, at places I almost never have to wait. Nice recovery ride. 
06-12-19, 10:42 AM
#1098
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Queens, NY for now...
Posts: 1,523
Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV
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I didn't think there would be a week seven edition to the Tundra_Man Heart Surgery newsletter, but here it is. I really figured that once I had all restrictions lifted and I returned to work that there wouldn't be much news to report. However if life has demonstrated anything, it's that a curveball may be the next pitch that comes at you so be ready.
In addition, numerous people have asked if I was going to keep writing up these weekly chronicles as they wanted to keep reading them. I suspect that, similar to politics, it's the fringe ten percent who are the most vocal. Those who quietly wish I would stop producing these weekly interruptions to their lives don't get the attention of the louder fans clamoring for more. So I guess if you want me to stop you're going to have to speak up. Beating me with a Nerf bat would also effectively convey your feelings on this matter.
In addition, numerous people have asked if I was going to keep writing up these weekly chronicles as they wanted to keep reading them. I suspect that, similar to politics, it's the fringe ten percent who are the most vocal. Those who quietly wish I would stop producing these weekly interruptions to their lives don't get the attention of the louder fans clamoring for more. So I guess if you want me to stop you're going to have to speak up. Beating me with a Nerf bat would also effectively convey your feelings on this matter.
Anyway, low 70's and partly cloudy here this morning...
06-12-19, 10:54 AM
#1099
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Maine, USA
Posts: 1,630
Bikes: Corvid Sojourner, Surly Ice Cream Truck, Co-Motion Divide, Co-Motion Java Tandem, Salsa Warbird, Salsa Beargrease, Carver Tandem
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Today was amazing day to work. Great weather, low traffic and body felt great too. :-)
06-12-19, 10:56 AM
#1100
Senior Member
A rather warm 16C/61F for the commute in, going up to a scorching 27C/81F this afternoon. I don't know how I'll survive in this heat.
Probably my only day to cycle this week.
Probably my only day to cycle this week.