I am sitting in my study this Sunday afternoon, feeling a little sorry for myself because of my newly identified arythmia and not being able to do Ride the Rockies this week… or work out hard ’till Harry and the heart docs check some stuff. And as I sit here, grumpy, four things happen. One, I open two drop-dead beautiful “you changed my life” letters that damn near bring tears to my eyes; we get ’em all the time but it is SUCH a privilege. Next, I open a package from the publisher with the manuscript of the new book and some awfully kind words about it and the reaction to the mock-up at the NY book fair. Then a good pal calls to say, Let’s have dinner tonight. And, last, I am about to go for a semi-easy bike ride in the amazing Berkshire Hills with Hilly on this fine, June day. So here’s my thought: our lives are stunningly sweet and have been forever. I am abjectly grateful. And it would be indecent for me to feel one bit sorry for myself, now or ever.
There you go.
Chris
When I was diagnosed, I was told by the stress test technician not to play golf for goodness sakes! Fortunately, I got a sensible cardiologist who told me I could exercise even when in ” A-Fib” condition which, fortunately, is not often. He didn’t mention any stress limits and I haven’t asked so I haven’t changed my life style one bit. You can live with arrhythmia forever and die of some thing else.
thanks Jim… I’m encouraged Chris
Hi Chris – glad to see you are not letting it get you down – My Dad had the same thing – the nurses at the gym where he ran regulary found it during a stress test – they told him not to run anymore that day- he was 80 at the time – and he thought they meant never – so he quit the gym – and started going down hill after that.- sad – I was so mad at those nurses. But the fitness he had maintained made a huge difference to his quality of life – he is going to be 88 this year! he has only really gone down the past year or so.
Not quitting anything… no, no, no. Just not doing Ride the Rockies this week. Next week… we’ll see. C
Chris: My Doc picked up my arrhythmia in a routine physical 4-5 years back. I take various medications to control it. I suggest you ask your cardiologist about Pradaxa as a blood thinner as opposed to coumadin.
It’s more expensive and you need 2 pills a day but you don’t need the constant blood tests to determine dosage.
To control the arrhythmia, look into MultaQ as opposed to Metropolol. Both slow the heart rate, but Metropolol slowed it so much that I had trouble training and ran into real problems skiing bumps or powder at altitude. My cardiologist only plays golf at sea level, so these issues didn’t really register with him. In any event, if you go on medication your 165 MHR is done. Good luck
Thanks for your continued inspiration.
Kathy, Are you related to the late Doug Fish who used to inspire us on these pages? I miss him.
This reminds me of something I have taped inside my quote book:
An elderly Native American man was teaching his grandchildren about life and said to them, ” A fight is going on inside of me. It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other wolf stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside of you and inside of every other person as well.” The children thought about it for a moment and one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The elderly man replied, “The one you feed.”
Nice. There you go. C
Chris,
you have nothing to be ashamed of or to reason to feel sorry. do what you can, everything else will take care of itself. be happy, be healthy, be real.
L
Hi Chris,
Seems you always look on the bright side of life, don’t you!
I bet you’ll get the “all clear” sign soon.
My hubby has that arrhythmia thing too Nd there’s no stopping g him.
Thanks for all your inspiration.
Pretty good about the bright side. You can see better over there. C
Hope the arrhythmia is easily treatable Chris. My very best wishes for all the best for many years to come. I’ll add my “You changed my life” bit because you and Harry surely did. Got me started on an incredible journey 8+years ago and I have also enjoyed your motivation and encouragement on Twitter. You opened the door to understanding that good nutrition and daily exercise are essential to feeling vibrantly alive and loving life at 65+. Just wanted to thank you SO MUCH again!
JoAnn
Hi Chris,
You are brilliant at making lemonade when life gives you a lemon. Keep it up! I hope everything works out well with the cardiac tests. Best,
Chuck
Deep thanks Chuck.
appreciate it, especially from you C