Cold Day but good day

[Ianp66]

Well coming up to two years since my ablation. Walking today at our local beach, doing a good 3.5 mile today in baltic winds and sub zero temps , it just struck me how a very different story life was back then before my operation in 2019 . I used to hate the cold, felt I couldn't breath fully when temps dropped, walked very little even in warmer weather, and really felt the cold in my feet and hands terrible while on bisoprolol, life was very different .

While out with my son and best friend this afternoon on the walk ( he's in the army and uber fit) we talked and reminisced of the past couple of years, the operation,recovery, and all the hard times before I got a second chance as I see it, at life and enjoying myself , and he commented how I was at his walking pace now compared to always being slow or stopping regular, not bad for an old fart in his words .

So, a good day, and a bit of positivity to all, I didnt even think I'd be at this level of fitness again or even close, and to not have afib anymore is just the icing on the cake.

Hope your all well and enjoying the nights now pulling out a little , soon be summer. Keep the faith there is light at the end of the tunnel. Just off to de-ice my gentleman bits, take care all.

[Hidden]

Great post Ian........go careful with those brass 🐵’s

[Ianp66 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks FJ, thawing steadily 👍😂

[Nafi]

Great to read such a positive post , something so needed right now 😀

[Ianp66 in reply to Nafi]

Thanks Nafi, we sure do, nobody is having it easy at the moment, but sure a lot here have been in darker places with afib, I have I know.

[1758]

Such awesome and encouraging news!! Looking forward to healing post ablation, and getting back to normal!!

[Ianp66 in reply to 1758]

It's a long road, but it's such a relief to have good sleep, and be able to exercise and live again, keep us posted how you progress.

Ian

[jeanjeannie50]

Sounds like you had a lovely walk with your son. Such an inspiring post for those who aren't feeling so fit because of the way their AF is right now. Doesn't it make you feel good when you've had a nice walk! I think there's plenty of healing for us to be had by the sea and in the countryside. Today I longed to walk through woods, but my gallbladder pain had kicked off last night and was still ongoing. There'll be other days.

Jean

[Ianp66 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Was really nice Jean, I love the sea and being close to the coast, its always been my go to place for a bit comfort or exercise. Nice spending time with my lad, didn't even feel the cold until I got back in the car. Ah no, hopefully the pain backs off and you can get out in next couple of days, soon be warmer thankfully.

Ian.

[ling in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Sorry, just wondering. No treatment for the gallbladder?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to ling]

Waiting to have it removed, all put on hold because of coronavirus.

[fairgo45 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Jean I had gallstones for 9 months 6 years ago it was such a painful thing I could hardly eat anything except sushi before finally having my gall bladder removed with more than 250 stones in it been fine ever since

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to fairgo45]

Cant wait to have mine removed ,all on hold because of coronavirus.

[Karendeena]

Fantastic that you feel great and got rid of 'the beast'. The more success stories I hear of how ablation has given people their life back makes me more confident to go for it! Enjoy your life Ian 👍

[Ianp66 in reply to Karendeena]

Thanks K, honestly it's the best decision I made, and I hope everyone gets even near the outcome I have. Go for it, it's worth it, just get the right EP.

[Karendeena in reply to Ianp66]

Cheers, I will. I have Professor Andre Ng, I believe to be one of the leading EP's in the UK, held in very high regard and leads a highly skilled team

[UnaY66]

Doing well aswell 2 years on got a telephone appt with Dr lord this Monday yearly check up an odd time I get a irregular beat that sends a shiver down my spine but life is very good here in lake district

[Ianp66 in reply to UnaY66]

Great to hear from you Yuna, glad your doing well , itl be my two yearly I think in another 8 weeks with Dr Murray, great team at Freeman's. Hope you had a good Xmas let's hope 2021 sorts itself out and we all have some better memories this year X

[BobD Volunteer]

So good to read Ian. I did my 2 mile slog to the farm shop and back this morning and then spent half an hour cleaning somethng very unpleasant off my walking boots! Yes it was cold but one comes home glowing despite the aches and pains. Compared to this time last year I an so much fitter. Lock down aint all bad.

[Ianp66]

Thanks Bob good to hear your doing well mate. Tradition is its supposed to be lucky isn't it , just doesn't feel like it when you have to clean it off. Exactly that, lockdown has been positive for me motivation under the cosh fitness wise , past year has meant I've lost another half a stone and much fitter compared previous two years. Time we come out in summer we will be in for the AF Olympic relay, just have to dodge the dung .

[Singwell]

This is inspiring to read right now. I hated Bisoprolol and do much better on the walking front with Flecainide, but it's s hefty drug. I'm now in the pipeline for ablation and hope that I'll have as good an outcome as yours. Long may it last

[Ianp66 in reply to Singwell]

Hope you do, best wishes

[irene75359]

Lovely to hear, so pleased that everything is going well. Exercise releases positive endorphins that last all day. I walk my dog and find as long as I am equipped for the weather I really enjoy it. I am wearing a Christmas gift of a very warm waterproof parka with a huge hood, waterproof boots and if it is really wet, waterproof trousers. The mud is unbelievable on the commons where we live!

[Ianp66 in reply to irene75359]

Too true, was wrapped up well in my Canada Goose coat my lad got me, actually too warm haha, had to change when we got back got so warm.

[Cha275rL]

What a great post Ian, made me happy just reading it. Lovely, positive attitude, and gives encouragement to people who are in the position now that you were in. Brilliant.

[Ianp66 in reply to Cha275rL]

Hope it does as I know how it makes us all feel in afib , I was very scared of the op and outcome, but at that point was so down and felt I was half living that it was a worthy gamble, truly has changed my life for the better.

[Beta44]

A brilliant and encouraging post. So pleased that ablation worked out for you. Mine was over 5 years ago and I have walked a minimum of 5 miles a day throughout 2020. You made me reflect how different it would have been without the ablation when I was having AF every day or two. Life is so much better now and I remain very grateful to Prof. Schilling.

You might be interested to know that he has been doing shifts helping out in intensive care in London recently

Peter.

[Ianp66 in reply to Beta44]

Great Peter, even more impressive its 5 years since your op, congratulations and long may it go on. Working in intensive care in these times, well that just goes to show how truly special people they are , my EP DR Murray is one of the most approachable and decent specialists you could ever wish to meet, they truly are another level.

[Hilly22]

It’s so good to read this Ian. I remember you saying that you’d had your ablation done at the Freeman’s by Dr. Murray ... not too far from us. If and when I need one I might just give him a call 😊

[Ianp66 in reply to Hilly22]

Such a nice guy Hilly, very much at the top of his game, and the aftercare is second to none.

[Hilly22 in reply to Ianp66]

Thank you. I think you’ve decided me 👍🏼😊

[Spangle14]

Sounds great, what a positive post and gives us hope 🤗

[Ianp66 in reply to Spangle14]

Procedures are advancing year on year, always keep hope spangle 🙏

[CDreamer]

Really good to hear!

[Ianp66 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks CD hope your well

[Padayn01]

Good to hear mate

[Ianp66 in reply to Padayn01]

Thanks man, 👍

[Desanthony]

So good to hear. Its good sometimes to look back and realise how much progress you have made and how your life has changed.

[cuore]

I absolutely relate to you about walking. My son said the same thing to me right after my second ablation. He said not only was I keeping up to him but also I was speeding ahead of him.

[Ianc2]

It is great to get out and enjoy the green stuff. Over a period of years I have built up a collection of merino wool layers which are tremendous for dealing with cold weather.

I was out yesterday watching plumes of condensation as I was breathing out - great fun, along with kicking through. piles of leaves, If I take 2 walking poles for a spot of nordic walking my wife accuses me of walking too fast.

As we walked along we encountered a friend who told us about a woman who had collapsed locally. He had gone over to help. "Don't worry ", he said, "I am a local councillor".. At which point she made a rapid recovery and went off on her way.

[Ianp66 in reply to Ianc2]

Oh to be a Councillor 😂😉

[fifitb]

Such good and cheering news!! Like you, I was on Bisoprolol and it affected me badly I think and felt all the A-Fib symptoms you have mentioned. I had my last (3rd) ablation in September 2019 and I feel so different now. Before the ablation I was unable to fly abroad to visit family as I was so symptomatic, and now I can, we have lockdown! However, I feel so much better and cannot believe it has happened and hope it lasts! Keep well!

[Ianp66 in reply to fifitb]

Great to hear, long may it reign. I know this damn lockdown has hit us all hard, but at least it's not with afib alongside, that alone keeps me sane. Hope you get flying and enjoy the freedom again soon, take care.

Ian.