Was going to run the Stafford Half Marathon on Sunday, 6.75 years post TBI, Training was going well, had a bath the night before, planned a long soak. After 20 mins got out, can remember calling something out, falling, the next thing I can remember is my next door neighbor Dave leaning over my damp, naked body! My wife had gone to ask for assistance, when alerted by my shout & the bang, had come to investigate, and thought she would need help. I had moved from my original prostrate position, and was trying to crawl out of the bathroom! (Unsuccessfully) My wife and Dave got me into the bedroom and called an ambulance. To cut a long story short, I had fainted! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasov... It may have been the hot bath, but the family have subsequently come down with dodgy bellies, vomiting and diarrhea! Am sure the bath was the catalyst, but it can't have helped that I was immersed in a hot bath for 20 minutes, before getting out!
I ended up in A&E, the same one I was taken after my accident 6yrs 9 months ago, this time I wasn't escorted by Helicopter, shame I could have enjoyed the flight this time, I was fully conscious, having to be checked out as my ECG looked slightly abnormal to the paramedic. Turned out it's me, my blood pressure and pulse are naturally low, but the ambulance crew have to opt on the safe side. I was soon vomiting, and to say my other end was 'loose', is like saying my TBI was a slight bang on the head! Leaking at both ends! Spent 3 hours there, and didn't get home till 2.30 AM. I am glad to know that this episode was not related to do with my TBI, and god forbid me, that the rest of the family have come down with a bug.
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Only a mad man could have contemplated running in the morning. But we are talking about ME! My wife tried to reason with me, but much to my disgrace she has past experience of the pointlessness of trying reason with me when I have my concrete boots on! So in the morning I lined up with other couple of thousand and my son. I had told my wife that if I was struggling I would pull out. At least I did that. Starting at a reasonable pace for the first mile, I was soon falling back, by 4 miles I was stumbling at under 9 minute mile pace. By 5 miles I had decided to pull out, and walked 2 miles to the FIre Station where I used to work, knowing ex-colleagues were clapping runners through. Someone drove me to the finish, where I, mildly hypodermic, joined up with my wife and son. My mum came to collect us as my wife had walked down. Lesson learnt? I hope so! I put my wife through trauma & angst again, unnecessarily. Involved my family, friends & colleagues, again!
I had just finished re-reading Touching Distance, James Cracknell & Beverly Turners inspirational book. Maybe I took it too much to heart; but am well aware of what a stubborn individual I have become! It ought to come with a health warning, "Attempting to get anywhere near James incredible standards, can seriously damage your heath!" Concrete Boots? It has helped me to make whatever recovery I have, I need to listen to other's, listen to my body, and not chase the unattainable! I have a wonderful family and very supportive friends. I should be thankful for that.
End of sermon, I hope me telling the latest version of my has not taken up your time! I must go now and spend the rest of the family in their sick beds!