iab

Best wishes!

I certainly know of major health crisis, I was hit with a one two punch in 2017. While seemingly slow, I have progressed. Although I am having a few puffed cheese balls while writing this and there are a few things I'll need to undergo in 2018. I don't know how healthcare workers do it, it is so gross.

Anyhow, I digress. I have big riding plans too for 2018. Since a kid, I have always wanted to ride to our cabin. I toured as a kid but now I am strictly a one-day hard-effort rider who then takes a recovery day. I have been getting prepared for the ride (in June) (the puffed cheese balls are not helping) but it will be a difficult 5 days of riding. I do know if I get overwhelmed, I can always stay an extra night along the route and I can make a call for SAG.

The point being is I would keep your goal but know there are worse things if you don't complete it. Progress forward is enough.

crandress 

First, feel better dear! Then, if everything is stable, I agree with the others here, you can do it! I am not coming back from anything medical, but unfortunately have been pretty sedentary since moving to Iowa two years ago. This is my year too, to get back on the bike and work up to some big rides in July and August. I am sure we can both to it. Good luck and feel better, get better!! Chris

johnlp37

Good luck!

qcpmsame 

Man, keep the positive attitude, and do what you're told to do by the docs. Hate it when someone calls, "CORPSMAN UP!!!!" Afib is getting the attention it should have had all along, serious stuff if let go, I have an appointment to look further into mine this Thursday. Keep things in perspective BG, you have everyone here on your side.

Bill

RobbieTunes

You can do it, but two things:
1-Don't procrastinate with those workouts. Seriously.
2-Don't overdo those workouts. Seriously.

We care. Bank on that.

As far as your ability to bounce back, keep the Semper Fi.
Been there, done that, and cycling is the best thing I've done for myself since.

You owe it to yourself. Need something? Ask.

Bianchigirll 

Home again and relaxing.

crank_addict

bianchigirll- You're brave to speak openly and only wish you the very best. Secondly, please don't take my word, opinion or made liable as I'm no expert, nor qualified but do take interest in this subject.

Some years ago I did use a basic HR monitor though became frustrated in the inconsistency of it. Eventually gave it up yet here again this last year started to get into the monitoring, data study. The products and tools available today are excellent.... priced very low too! Learning your heart, thresholds, etc. is the biggest part of conditioning. There's an amazing volume of info online to read up on and the use of these new brilliant hr devices- guidance to help safely get you to the goal. I can't emphasize more and its something you really need to do.

My bike may be old tech, but the potential life saver device is the modern HRM. Spinning is for conditioning and mashing is for muscle building. Be well!

stardognine

That's the best thing, sometimes, just relaxing. 🙂
I'll include you in my prayers.

Rollfast

I've been single for over 18 years so the cat won't chide me about my poor manners while eating.

grayEZrider

You can do it! I've in the past (a couple times) used the Whatever you can run (or ride) in a half day once a week can be doubled (but slower) for a special event. I used that rule for both running a marathon and bike centuries. And I'm going to use it this spring again. And yes, the weather and riding roads are WAY better down here!

Hudson308 

+2, especially with that latest visit with the lab coats.

noglider 

I'm with @rhm. Ride first, enough to collect some data on what and how you are doing. After that, set some goals. I found ridewithgps to be tremendously helpful. I have the paid version, but the free one is fairly full featured, too. One reason I wanted the paid one was that it allows me to say which bike I was on for each ride. Most valuable to me is how many miles per day, week, month, and year. I was trying to improve my average speed and had a lot of trouble at that. I increased my effort bit by bit, but my speed wasn't increasing. Then I looked at the graph that showed me how much time I spent at each speed. I noticed a plateau at 13 mph. Aha. So I rode to keep the readout above 13. Bam. My average went up sharply.

mech986 

Sorry to hear this. Atrial Fibrillation is a real bear as it can compromise your cardiac output, and it has the potential to create blood clots that can be real trouble. Do the docs plan to put you on some cardiac meds to slow your heart down, control the rhythm or anti-coagulants / aspirin?

And what was it in your diet that might be related?

Maybe consider a medic alert bracelet with some of this diagnosis info on it, plus always carry a cell phone with emergency numbers in it.

squirtdad

Go slow and simple...... even walking around the block. If you have one use a HR monitor to both work hard enough and not too hard (I have an old one with a chest band that I don't use....I would throw it in the mail to you if that would help ) edit: of course following your doctor's instructions

noglider 

I've found when I wanted or needed to change my diet, it was easier for me to change it gradually rather than completely and suddenly. Something to consider. I can learn slowly what to buy/make/order without any difficult choices.

Bianchigirll 

Thanks again for all the well wishes and great advice.

Another trip to the V.A. ER this morning but back home and feeling good!

I am rethinking my Century route and maybe instead of touring the country side I better find an in town route, maybe connecting the MUPs.

brandon98

Check your PMs.

Chombi1 

I know what you are going through BG....
I never mentioned it here yet, but I had my own "Cardiac crisis" early in January, last year. Will not bore everyone on the details, but it was Jan7ary 7, 2017 > Heart failure > ER >three stents > Three weeks ICU and PT > 1 year recovery to maybe about 90 percent to what I was before the "event" > Have not done a real ride since the crisis, except for a few short test rides on my recent builds.
My goal is to start riding again by spring if the doctors clears me for it.....
I will think of you on my rides when it finally happens! WE CAN BEAT THIS BG!!

Bianchigirll 

WOW! that is just awful. Luckily I only needed one and was cleared back to work. I thought I was in the clear on the road to recovery but this Afib thing is really bringing me down. Another thing is I always thought if I had my health and my CDL I would always be OK but now I really have neither.

But we will beat this!

On the bright side I waas told yesterday snow shoveling is a definite NO NO!

Bianchigirll 

I am always trying to change my diet and the last few months have been real good about staying away from fast food and to an extent chips and the like. I've never been a bit green veggie and fruit type but I am trying to eat more of what I like and more grains. Fortunately for me I actually happen to like shredded wheat cereal and oatmeal!

Bianchigirll 

Yeah I have a love hate relationship with both of mine. The one on the Garmin is better but then I have to carry a GPS around. My 20yo +/- Sigma Sport keeps losing the signal from the sending unit. I need a new on but cash is in short supply. On the plus side I think the V.A. is a sending a home BP unit!

palincss

If your MUPs are like mine, that's apt to be both slower and more dangerous. Personally, I wouldn't consider it.

mech986 

Even being out using a snowblower is a bad idea, simply because you're out in cold weather, and trying to push/manhandle a snowblower around while breathing cold air. All of that type of activity is putting stress on your heart.

There are any number of relatively small digital readout pulse oximeters available from Walmart or Amazon that can be worn on a finger while doing an activity not involving your hands. They are a little bulky at first.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Zacurate-...&wl13=&veh=sem


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Zacurate-...&wl13=&veh=sem


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Finger-Pu...aBSsjzNg_l-LGA

rumrunn6

motivation is so personal, sounds like you just got some, albeit compulsory. good luck!
EDIT: hang in there, be a good patient, we'll be rooting for ya!

deephate

Best wishes!