Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Before this day, I'm pretty sure every one of my posts was written at about 2am when I was struggling to sleep through afib or gastric dystension, or both.
Well not today! I just wanted to express my gratitude for a beautiful day in normal rhythm. As an afibber, gratitude can actually be pretty easy. 2 straight days without any nonsense in my heart, and I couldn't be happier. I finally chilled out to a hot bath, first time since my ablation was aborted 6 months ago. I put a bunch of Epsom salts in there -- I hear it's the best way to get Magnesium back in the body. And I'll take the placebo effect if the science isn't right. Sun was shining today, too.
In closing I'm going to post a link to my fundraising page for the Pelotonia END CANCER bike ride which has been consistently raising over $10 million a year direct to research at Ohio St University.
http://www.pelotonia.org/freegarv
In 2012, I rode the whole 2-day 180-mile option. On day 1, I flirted with afib for the first 30 miles and almost passed out in a zippy paceline. Dismounted my bike just before the lights went out. The brush with passing out put me right back on normal rhythm and the final 70 miles were smooth. Day 2 was also smooth. In 2013, I aimed for the 180-miler but downshifted to the 1-day 100-mile option after afib crept in to many of my long early season rides. On game day, I spent the first 50 mile in an out of afib, stopping 8 times. Final 50 miles no problem. It was just after that ride that I hung up my bike -- not smart to bike hard for 50 miles in afib without anticoagulation. Dumb dumb dumb. So this year, rather than hang up the bike completely, I'm aiming to ride the 50-or 25-mile option. If I don't get second ablation attempt, I'll at least be on rate control with metoprolol and my usual baby aspirin. It's rather a coin toss whether I'm in afib that morning. 3 of 7 mornings I awake to afib.
So this year it's still about cancer, but it's also about continuing to life a life worth living with afib.
Cheers,
Sean
Well not today! I just wanted to express my gratitude for a beautiful day in normal rhythm. As an afibber, gratitude can actually be pretty easy. 2 straight days without any nonsense in my heart, and I couldn't be happier. I finally chilled out to a hot bath, first time since my ablation was aborted 6 months ago. I put a bunch of Epsom salts in there -- I hear it's the best way to get Magnesium back in the body. And I'll take the placebo effect if the science isn't right. Sun was shining today, too.
In closing I'm going to post a link to my fundraising page for the Pelotonia END CANCER bike ride which has been consistently raising over $10 million a year direct to research at Ohio St University.
http://www.pelotonia.org/freegarv
In 2012, I rode the whole 2-day 180-mile option. On day 1, I flirted with afib for the first 30 miles and almost passed out in a zippy paceline. Dismounted my bike just before the lights went out. The brush with passing out put me right back on normal rhythm and the final 70 miles were smooth. Day 2 was also smooth. In 2013, I aimed for the 180-miler but downshifted to the 1-day 100-mile option after afib crept in to many of my long early season rides. On game day, I spent the first 50 mile in an out of afib, stopping 8 times. Final 50 miles no problem. It was just after that ride that I hung up my bike -- not smart to bike hard for 50 miles in afib without anticoagulation. Dumb dumb dumb. So this year, rather than hang up the bike completely, I'm aiming to ride the 50-or 25-mile option. If I don't get second ablation attempt, I'll at least be on rate control with metoprolol and my usual baby aspirin. It's rather a coin toss whether I'm in afib that morning. 3 of 7 mornings I awake to afib.
So this year it's still about cancer, but it's also about continuing to life a life worth living with afib.
Cheers,
Sean
I like your attitude. I can only talk for myself but I'm trying to do the same kind of thing. I'm running and training again. Today i finished my first 50 mile run in 5 years.
I'm fortunate that I've found something that limits the Afib events - stimulants like albuterol and caffeine. I haven't had afib in about a month or I've had it but I didn't notice it.
Best of luck in your bike riding.
Todd
But I feel sorry for you guys..you will never know the joy of looking down and wondering "Am I wearing a belt today?" Or the even more advanced stage of "Did I remember to put shoes on?" Oh well, I guess the world needs thin, in shape people too. Congrats, and keep it up!
Beltless (??) Bill
opsyn
Aren't we all Fortunate to Wake Up to check and see if we are NSR vs not waking up!
Ospyn, I so agree with you, Present Moment, Precious Moment, and helping one another w
ith a Grateful attitude does it for me too.....and some good photos every so often.
Hugs for you all,
Christine
Hope all day will remain awesome for you. I must say you are such a strong person, I like your attitude.