Dive Doctor said NO

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

Some of you might have heard that I had a heart attack with no real symptoms until 30 hours later. The 30 hours cost me 20% of my heart. I did rehab and everything I could to get to where I am which seems pretty good overall.

Today I talked to the dive doctor. Because of the loss of heart tissue he recommends no diving but said he would sign off because I am in the grey area. If I didn't have the heart damage he would have signed off because everything else looks good. He did bring up that in some places like Australia I would not be able to dive if I revealed my heart damage.

So I guess Im selling my newer Auqalung gear. If I can get half of what I paid I will break even because of the Hawaii and Mexico dives.

Back to fishing. I think Im going to chase tuna this October in the Sea of Cortez.

Bill

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Bill, be careful not to push things too hard- it comes with aging and problems. You're not a young whipper snapper any more.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Boy do I know how you feel. I have been so sick for the last 2 years and they still have no idea why I can't breathe
I still have a fib even after an ablation and a pace maker. My arteries are not blocked tho, they did a heart cath last week,
Damn I hate getting old.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

So sorry to hear, I know how much you love diving.

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

Bill, be careful not to push things too hard- it comes with aging and problems. You're not a young whipper snapper any more.

That is for sure. Im finding that getting older is the end to many of my adrenaline junky adventures that I am very grateful to have had. No more scuba, snowmobiling, mountain climbing, wood cutting and occasional binge drinking. I did manage to re-stain the deck this year. I started in May and finished yesterday. It is a big deck that requires scaffolding.

Currently, I am kind of concerned about this next trip to Loreto Mexico in October. There really isn't any medical services where I am going. The doc ok'ed me to travel so Im good with that. The tuna should be in area so I might go fishing. My other trips are Hawaii and Nuevo Vallarta planned for this winter and Im not concerned at all about these trips.

Bill

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

Boy do I know how you feel. I have been so sick for the last 2 years and they still have no idea why I can't breathe
I still have a fib even after an ablation and a pace maker. My arteries are not blocked tho, they did a heart cath last week,
Damn I hate getting old.

Have you tried breathing exercises ? The one I learned many years ago is in style now. Stand and inhale through your nose and count to 3. Then exhale through your mouth for a count of 7. As you get the hang of it try to inhale and arch your back while lifting your arms then try to exhale forcefully by light muscle flexing while lowering your arms. There are other techniques you could find on youtube by searching for power breathing.

Bill

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

So sorry to hear, I know how much you love diving.

Thanks. I was really bummed out as all through my cardiac rehab my goal was some drift diving in Cozumel. I finally get to the point of being able again to find some activities are just great memories. I'm ok with this as I feel very grateful for the experiences I had. I can still snorkel !!!

Bill

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

I have to do nasal exercises at Lung exercise class. I will try the pool first, but we will see.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Bill I am going to post something that I never did before and only my close family knows. I had a heart attack. I know many people have heart attacks but I consider myself lucky that I have not had another since the first one. I am 56 now and it happened 37 years ago, If you do the math you will see I was only 19. So Bill in this day and age don't let it bother you much take care of yourself and you will make it to 100

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

Geez Frank, 19 is pretty young for a heart attack. The heart attack bothers me mostly because of everything it actually ended and the time it takes to get better. I'm certain I will find activities that I like within my abilities.
Hows the hip ?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Hows the hip ?

I am doing great now, I still need therapy but I sometimes forget that I need to use a cane

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

Man, I think we need to recruit some younger/healthier members! I count myself extremely lucky to be still here. Enjoy life, do what the doctor advises, but enjoy life.

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

So far this year anyway, its been my Jeep and the trails that have gave me the adrenaline junky thrills I really like. Some thrills not so good like the soft top coming apart while driving down the freeway or the stupid tree in the middle of the trail that wouldn't move. Some thrills were very steep or deep and required a bit of winching or skill but no heavy lifting by me. A couple of decent rides on the KLR 650 in the mountains was ok for something to do.

The fishing sucked this year. Stealhead fishing was closed as they didn't show up. Salmon fishing was closed or very crappy as they were not returning in the numbers needed to reproduce in many areas.

Im heading to the Baja for Tuna soon. That should be good for a grin. Im still on the fence on the fishing as there really isn't any medical facilities in the area but I did find trip insurance that covers recurrence.

Bill

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

So far this year anyway, its been my Jeep and the trails that have gave me the adrenaline junky thrills I really like. Some thrills not so good like the soft top coming apart while driving down the freeway or the stupid tree in the middle of the trail that wouldn't move. Some thrills were very steep or deep and required a bit of winching or skill but no heavy lifting by me. A couple of decent rides on the KLR 650 in the mountains was ok for something to do.

The fishing sucked this year. Stealhead fishing was closed as they didn't show up. Salmon fishing was closed or very crappy as they were not returning in the numbers needed to reproduce in many areas.

Im heading to the Baja for Tuna soon. That should be good for a grin. Im still on the fence on the fishing as there really isn't any medical facilities in the area but I did find trip insurance that covers recurrence.

Bill

Glad you are doing better.
Getting old with health problems sucks but sure beats the alternative. 😳

Just an FYI that Mexico is notorious for wanting cash before they will even treat you. They don’t want to take the insurance. They will give you a bill for you to get reimbursement but want their money up front. One of the reasons I won’t risk going to Mexico anymore. 😞


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[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

I almost didn't go but am really glad I did to get the travel thing going again. I snorkeled quite a bit and did run into the jelly fish babies ( sea lice). Had big mosquitoes bite me. Had huge moths land on me. Had a couple of rental car adventures. The airline lost our luggage with my vegan foods. Got reacquainted with the guy that sold me our first timeshare in Cabo as he is running the program for UVC Loreto now.

This resort is so remote and the nearest town is Loreto which doesn't have much in the way of a hospital. They do have an airport and the insurance included flights to a hospital but I would hate to have to use it.

I know alot of people that stopped going to Mexico because of their medical conditions , age or either and both. One of my friends dad died in Mexico a couple of years ago. He would have been fine if he had been in the states. The Mexican hospital he went to wasn't equipped for his condition. Getting him home was another ordeal I guess.

I guess my point is traveling to Mexico, especially with health problems, can be a problem. That being said, Im heading back next January and possibly again in late Feb. to get out of the cold. I would go to California but I have my timeshares in Mexico for another 8 years or so.