tight rope walker
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I can only speak from experience. On December 2002 I had open heart surgery to correct an arrhythmia problem I suffer from. The procedure I had is called a surgical maze, and it's intent was to put my heart into sinus rhythm, which it did. But as a result of the operation, I now have idiopathic cardiomyopathy . It has taken me since that time to get my ejection fraction to 30%. I am a New York heart association category 1, meaning I am non symptomatic, meaning if you looked at me, you would not know I am sick. I have seen doctors at the Cleveland clinic who sit on the board of directors at the American Heart Association. I am 56 years old.
The reason I am telling you this, is to let you know that if your doctor clears you to dive, you will be able to dive. I still dive and I will continue to dive, as long as I want.
I know everybody has an opinion, but this is not my opinion, this is my experience. I went diving today.
You have to look straight ahead, and will yourself to do what you want to do. If medical professionals balk at what you want to do, and you feel you are capable of doing it, find another doctor. My current cardiologist also has a degree in physics from MIT, and I very much enjoy debating with him.
But only you know what you are capable of doing. I also had polio at 5 years old, and had I listened to a lot of people, I would have given up. But my parents always encouraged me to do whatever I wanted.
I will end with a story my mom told me about the humming bird. My mom said that by all scientific data, and research and study, it was virtually impossible for the humming bird to fly.
But the humming bird did not know this........so he flew everyday.
I also, weather permitting, walk 5 to 10 miles a day wearing a knapsack with a 32 pound cinder block in it. I am affectionately know in the neighbor hood as knapsack boy. I kinda like that.
The reason I am telling you this, is to let you know that if your doctor clears you to dive, you will be able to dive. I still dive and I will continue to dive, as long as I want.
I know everybody has an opinion, but this is not my opinion, this is my experience. I went diving today.
You have to look straight ahead, and will yourself to do what you want to do. If medical professionals balk at what you want to do, and you feel you are capable of doing it, find another doctor. My current cardiologist also has a degree in physics from MIT, and I very much enjoy debating with him.
But only you know what you are capable of doing. I also had polio at 5 years old, and had I listened to a lot of people, I would have given up. But my parents always encouraged me to do whatever I wanted.
I will end with a story my mom told me about the humming bird. My mom said that by all scientific data, and research and study, it was virtually impossible for the humming bird to fly.
But the humming bird did not know this........so he flew everyday.
I also, weather permitting, walk 5 to 10 miles a day wearing a knapsack with a 32 pound cinder block in it. I am affectionately know in the neighbor hood as knapsack boy. I kinda like that.