Sudden death but survived it

[vondhe]

Hi all,

I am a "newbie" so pardon if I take some time learning how to use this all. I posted this story on the Sudden Death area, and got a reply suggestng I post it in the general area so others could respond, so here it is again:

I was 40, female, athletic, diagnosed with HCM at age 24. It was a hot summer day, July 17, 2002, and I keeled over in in v-fib in a busy area of Richland, WA. I was near an ambulance, a 911 call was made, I was defibrillated, and after a day in a coma came back to good physical and intellectual health. I had a second episode 2 years later, on my bike, Sept. 13, 2004, a cool fall day, and my ICD revived me immediately.

That was the posting suggested to be added here. My concern is, now this HCM is really REAL to me, and learning how to live with its limitations (I guess you can see I didn't like "being careful" so very well), is REALLY hard. No driving, no serious exercise......I feel like I should be 82 rather than 42.

[Pam Alexson]

Re: Sudden death but survived it

Heather,

Your comment about feeling like 80 struck me . I had just told my parents this am( mom is 76 and dad is 87) that I have more in common with them then someone who is 51. My mother got it but then thought she could tell me how to drive because I was more like 80 and she thought I could use the help. I reminded her that my body works and feels like it is 80 but my mind is still quite young. We had a good laugh and she stopped co-piloting for me.

Pam

[Sarah]

Re: Sudden death but survived it

I'm 35 and feel 50. No fun. But I do what I can. I try not to wallow in self-pity but in chocolate

[Laoshur]

Re: Sudden death but survived it

Hmmm.... Sarah. And just how do you think 50 is supposed to feel????

Rhoda

[Burton Borrok]

Re: Sudden death but survived it

Boy oh boy,
I’d love to feel fifty again. Just the thought of it gets me all excited.

My wife tells me that my body might be getting old, but my mind is still young. (Personally I think she means I act like a twelve year old.)

It pitiful though – I’m like an old dog with cars. – I still chase woman, - - - But I’ve forgotten why.
Burt

[jswatson]

33 feels like 63

Sarah said she felt 50. I thought I was the only one who did not feel his own age. With the multiple things wrong and the HCM I feel like one year old car on the last mile of its warranty...not old but run to death!

I have always been strictly warned about SDS, and have been scared out of most physical activity. I wonder if that has hurt me in the long run?