Visit with the Doc

I met with Dr. Pulliam today - the cardiologist that would conduct the radiofrequency ablation procedure if I decide to have it done. I really liked him. He's a direct communicator that's able to pull it off without being rude. He has a sense of humor. He listened to me. He explained EXACTLY what he would be doing, what the risks are, what the chances of success are, etc, etc. His track record is great. I suppose if I'm ever going to have this thing done, he's the guy I would want to do it.

That said, I'm no closer to making a decision. We decided to wait until the fall.

Lots to consider:

PROS: (1) The younger you are, the greater the chance of success. He said my chance for a "once and done" success is greater than 80%. (2) Recovery is amazingly fast... like a couple of days fast. (3) He's certain we could get the insurance company to cover the procedure... Good thing, because it costs about the same as a new BMW 500 series.

CONS: (1) 80% chance of success means 20% chance of failure (yes, thinking like the engineer that I am). (2) A 1% to 2% chance of complications, which is roughly equivalent to the same odds as open heart surgery. (3) The potential complications are really, really bad - death from rupturing my heart or esophagus (sp?), or stroke from blood clotting. (4) I'd be on blood thinners for 6 months post surgery.

That's the facts. Wishing for some great epiphany, but not really hopeful the decision will come that easily!

Epic Week, Lancaster

We're planning an epic "week" of triathlon training around the Memorial Day holiday weekend - Thursday, May 21 through Tuesday, May 26. The week will be geared for athletes training for long distance triathlons, but will have a distinct cycling focus. Think 50 to 100 mile rides with short brick runs and maybe a longer run or two thrown in. Maybe also a trip to Mt Gretna for group open water swimming.

Please let me know if interested in joining us. As of today we have up to four athletes training the entire time with a few others joining on random days. If you're not from Lancaster we can hook you up with a home stay if you're nice. :-)

These weeks are exhausting, but they work! They don't just build physical fitness, but also the "mental six pack" (think abs, not beer) you'll need to thrive on race day.

12 Weeks Out

If I want to have a good race on July 12 in Providence, it’s really time for me to knuckle down and take my training a little more seriously. My 12-week training plan kicks off Monday morning. That said I plan to remain committed to my 2009 mantra of “triathlon is supposed to be fun.” There’s simply no need to pile drive myself!

Despite feeling an absence of training discipline, a glance at the ’09 scoreboard leaves me feeling optimistic - one PR and one epic week already in the bag. Maybe I needed to step back a bit. I did, after all, end up peaking way too early last year. I am enjoying myself this year, for sure!

This week was supposed to be one of recovery but I managed to cook myself mentally. Playing for Easter services last weekend wasn’t exactly restful. I headed into a difficult week – one that held the promise of two evening board presentations – already tired. Then my mom found herself in the hospital, again, and my fabulous don’t-worry-about-it-I-got-mom-covered sister took a golfing vacation to Myrtle Beach. So I got a taste of being primary caregiver this week, too. My eyes are burning! There’s a lot more activity in the works this weekend between Kyle’s season-opening baseball tourney and our Tri for Life Sunday morning. I’ll need to sneak a nap and long bike ride sometime this weekend to keep mentally stable. :-)

It’s all good. A little insane, but good.

Deep Breaths

Since recovering from my big bike week, I’m back to training like a triathlete. I’ve put together three consecutive “basic weeks,” which have included four runs, three rides, and two swims each. My discipline is improving from the off season, but I’m fighting my OCD urge to get too geeked out about training. This is plenty. I’m enjoying my sleep and hope to enjoy my fitness.

The rain has done a nice job of slowing things down today. I needed this. It was a tough week – work deadlines, mom in hospital, an emerging adolescent in the house, and preparing the play for Easter services. Burn-out is lurking… I’m wound a little tight!

Elective Heart Burn

I had a good appointment with the EP on Monday. In summary, my ECG looked good and my health is very good. I shared a mini-report of how things have been going over the past 14 months. She asked me to consider, again, having a radiofrequency ablation procedure. See link: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4682. This article indicates a 90% chance of success. My EP says it’s more like 75% to 80%. The risks are stroke (about 3 in 1,000) or catastrophic failure.

I’ve now lived with atrial fibrillation for 17 months. It isn’t going to permanently go away. Physical fitness is an essential component to my quality of life. It clears my head and makes me a better father, husband, engineer, manager, citizen, etc. I now can’t give my “training” 100% effort. It’s very frustrating. I can accept that I’m getting older. I can accept that I’m not the most gifted of endurance athletes. I struggle mightily to accept the cloud of doubt that heart arrhythmia has cast over my life – especially with a 75% chance of complete cure.

Last year the prospect of a heart procedure took me off guard. I wasn’t ready to deal with that decision. I wasn’t sure I really had a long term issue with my heart. Now I’m more afraid of living with the condition and its effect on my quality of life. Over time, the condition will likely become more dangerous.

The prospect of healing is exciting.

I’m meeting with the surgeon later this month. I’ll make a decision sometime after that. Know anyone who's had an ablation? Please let me know. Peace…