FAO sunnie2day!

[jmpond90gmailcom]

I'm not sure how else to attach pics on here! Please make sure this gets to its rightful owner so she can see what it looks like at the end!

Jim♥️🤞💪

[Sunnie2day]

Wow, thank-you! The two of you look justifiably happy and proud of your achievement, and how cool is it the date was able to be posted making it a completely commemorative snap!

How many miles a day did you gentlemen travel and did you 'rough camp' or pitch up at organised sites?

I know your trip was pre-heart wobble but did you get any hints during the trip that one day you might be sitting in a cardiologist's exam room? If I am strictly honest with myself I knew years ago hoping to bag another Munro wasn't really sensible (angina pains I completely ignored despite having had heart issues since childhood).

Until my 2019 heart wobble I had high hopes of continuing to bag at least one Munro per season but my cardiologist informs he thinks I'm best staying lower than 1000ft unless in a pressurised air cabin so I shifted my plans to the John 'O Groat to Lands End goal.

I don't think doing it by push bike is in my future but I do hope to do it on foot eventually and I think it would be one of the proudest moments of my life to stand there at the end knowing I'd beaten back my heart conditions to the point of being able to take on such a challenge.

The two of you must have been utterly over the moon to be standing there!

[jmpond90gmailcom in reply to Sunnie2day]

I can honestly say that I have had few days in my life that topped that whole journey. I said to my friend and fellow end to ender what are we gonna do now. It felt like we had planned and trained for it forever and then that was it! We had 12 stages planned at 80 miles a day approx. We had a pre planned stop at a campsite on Dornoch Firth, we wild camped on the caledonian canal just past fort Augustus, then we stayed in a A frame cabin in tyndrum, we spent a night at a truck stop in Lesmahagow after some mechanical issues! A bit of a mix really depending on how we felt and how fast and far we managed to ride but we spent most of the day cycling. Funny you mention Munro bagging as it was something I was thinking of starting next year. Scotland is beautiful. Wait till you see the next picture I have at Lands End which was taken 10 years later!

[Sunnie2day in reply to jmpond90gmailcom]

Every time my husband and I drive down the glen to the nearest large supermarket we're struck all over again at how beautiful our home country is, we tell one another constantly 'We live in Paradise' and we mean it completely despite the sometimes truly wretched weather.

As for bagging a Munro, erm, you might want to check with your cardiologist - I read your profile and see you've been fitted with an ICD so you'll want to check before giving even the lowest one a go. I have had Ben Nevis on my list for decades and now the closest I'll get to the top is via an air tour flight😞

I don't have an ICD but when my cardiologist said no more mountains owing to my pericardial and aortic valve complications, he mentioned hating having to tell some his patients that, especially the ICD patients if it applied to their specifics. Bagging another Munro is something nearly every Scot feels duty bound to go after so it is a disappointment to those of us hearing 'Nope, not a good idea unless you're hoping for a stretcher or helicopter ride during a heart emergency'.

[jmpond90gmailcom in reply to Sunnie2day]

Will see what my Cardiologist says...

[Sunnie2day in reply to jmpond90gmailcom]

Many with an ICD can and do bag Munro after Munro after Munro but it depends on their specifics, so checking first is always a good idea.

Sadly there's always one in the crowd who either doesn't check or ignores advice - I know someone who did check then ignored the medic and they got the stretcher to air ambulance ride down. He's fine now and far less willing to ignore Doctor's Orders since his unwanted Munro 'adventure'.

The beauty of this forum is multi-fold, one being the way we recognise every single one of us is different but also know sharing 'this is what happened to me' anecdotes can be the difference for someone going through something similar. I couldn't have got as far this past 18+months as well as I have without the great tips, support, and links to credible sites for more information I've got here.

[jmpond90gmailcom in reply to Sunnie2day]

Agreed. My ICD is prophylactic. It doesnt do anything like pacing. If my heart stops or goes over 188bpm it will kick in, Trys to pace me 1st then shocks if doesnt work. Hopefully this means I could have a go but will check 1st ...

[captscott in reply to jmpond90gmailcom]

hi im due to have one in jan as primary prevention. having trouble getting used to idea as i'm basically asymptomatic albeit previous mi, heart lv muscle wall damage and lvef 30-35%. i know it makes sense but...

[jmpond90gmailcom in reply to captscott]

Definately can relate to this. I am 6 weeks post op today and already I have moments when I forget that its there....It will take time and you will have doubts only the same as any other decisions you make in life. I wont tell you what to do or pretend to know what the right thing to do is either...I will tell you this though ...If your cardiologist says he wants you to have one it's because he thinks you will benefit from it...maybe not today, or tomorrow but one day...

Hope this helps ♥️Jim

[Yass_123 in reply to captscott]

I too have similar symptoms as you and everyday I argue to myself shall I do it or not I have read lots of encouraging experiences but I hope when my cardionsuggests a date I will be brave enough to do it I wish u the best and plz kp us posted on how things go

[captscott in reply to Yass_123]

yes its difficult when you feel fine and i worry a lot about long term lead issues, infections etc, but on balance guess i'm going to have to bit the bullet soon. good luck with the decision. will let you know how i get on best wishes

[080311 in reply to jmpond90gmailcom]

Just reading your post the name Lesmahagow jumped out live not very far away, not often see these places in print. Your journey sounds amazing congratulations. Keep us up to date with your Munro’s journey.Pauline

[jmpond90gmailcom in reply to 080311]

Would love to go back and visit🤞