Putting things into perspective

Thanks for the information. I feel more at ease that my irregular heartbeat is ok. It doesn't last long and I have no chest pain with it. Karen, Please let us know what you end up doing in Brendon's memory. Your swimming family will support you! We're thinking about you, Brendon's family and friends. Take care and keep swimming!

I've found my swimming buddies to be the best drinking buddies, too! Karen, you are selling me on moving there! ;)

Originally posted by swimr4life OK! I'm a little scared now! How can you tell the difference between the benign palpitations and the lethal arrhythmias? I've been having an irregular heartbeat for over a year now. I've told my Dr. and he said not to worry. When I have it , my heart almost stops for a few seconds, then feels like its doing flipturns, then races for a few seconds and settles into a normal beat. Is this ok? Sorry...I don't mean to hijack the thread but this got my attention!!:confused: Beth, my husband has this exact thing, and so does his dad. It is worth checking out, but after stress tests and everything, they determined nothing major wrong. They just said limit caffeine, especially during stressful times, and that seems to help. He know that when it starts cropping up again, he needs to cool it on the caffeine(big Mountain Dew junky). Also, I don't know how old you are, but I know that racing heartbeat is part of peri-menopause and menopause. The thing I should mention is my Father in Law did have a heart attack 9 years ago. They could not get his heart to settle into a normal rhythm do to the arrythmia, and after shocking him so many times, said they could not anymore, and had MIL sign a DNR. Miracles happen, and the heart settled down and he is still fine today. He smoked and drank, and that was probably the main problem. 6 months after the heart attack, they went in and tried to stimulate the heart into the bad rhythm so they could zap the part that was doing it, to stop it, and could not. He has since quit smoking and drinking as this episode scared him(obviously). So ask the Doc for a stress test if it would make you feel better and especially if insurance pays for it, ;), but it probably is how your Doc says. If you are in good health, without too many vices, and fit, this is probably not a problem.

(Originally posted by swimr4life) OK! I'm a little scared now! How can you tell the difference between the benign palpitations and the lethal arrhythmias? I've been having an irregular heartbeat for over a year now. I've told my Dr. and he said not to worry. When I have it , my heart almost stops for a few seconds, then feels like its doing flipturns, then races for a few seconds and settles into a normal beat. Is this ok? I had something like this as a reaction to a blood pressure medication (beta blocker). I came close to passing out a couple of times, so I went in for a checkup. In my case they only traced it by having me wear a recording heart monitor for 24 hours. Blessings on Brendon and all who are mourning for him.

I had a dream several weeks ago that I was dying and as I was dying I was panicked, then I felt totally calm and actually remember thinking this is ok ... I swear I've been at peace with it ever since. Anyway ... Karen, my thoughts will be with you and your teammates, Brandon's family and friends and all those that knew and loved him tomorrow.

Just a last minute reminder, Brendon Wen's Memorial Service is tomorrow Saturday, May 7th at Heather Farm Park (Clarke Pool) and it begins at 8:45 am. Brian Stack said he'll be there with some other swimmers from Manatee Masters (in Oakland). Anyone who has pictures or anything else to share, in Brendon's memory, is encouraged to bring it.

I will let you know later this weekend. We are all working together to make his memorial very special. There's a lot to do for tomorrow. It sounds like at least 400 people will be present (family, swimmers and lawyers). Me personally, I had a good 30 minute cry after practice Wed. night in the rain, in my suit. My friend Gene Hart was talking with me the whole time. I think that helped me a lot as far as starting to move on. Last night I was able to concentrate more on actually swimming and people are talking more and more about things. That's helpful. We're looking towards tomorrow as a time to remember Brendon for the special man he was, and to help start our healing, so we can all move on.

Something's not finished Something's not right I attended his memorial I should feel better tonight I'm not handling this well No, not at all My poor children are hearing me yell. Everything was perfect Everyone was there Lane 3 was empty, I could't help but stare White and purple balloons lined the lane But it was the pace clock up there That gave me the pain. It was stopped for the day and read 2:03 It was the time of his life for all to see You had to know Brendon, you had to be there For that magical 200 was certainly rare At warm down you could see he was so very proud And friend's comments and cheers were exceptionally loud This was his meet, his time, his day It couldn't have been written any better many would say He was a husband, a son, a brother, a friend He left us too early- it can't be the end It's not fair, it's not right- it's totally wrong But this was God's plan all along. So today at the pool we'd all come together To share, to laugh, to cry, and remember Brendon trained hard each and every day But not only at swimming others would say It was at home, at the pool, and even at trial He was the big, happy guy with that great, handsome smile It's almost finished It's almost right I attended his memorial I'm feeling better tonight I'm handling this better My children are asleep Hopefully all they're hearing is the hoofprints of sheep Brendon's life touched so many in a positive way If he were us now, what would he say? "It's not the critic who counts..." And he'd be right. Having had the privilege to know Brendon Wen I'll sleep better tonight. With love and respect. I miss you Brendon. Karen

Karen, That was beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Kira

Beautiful. Sad, but beautiful.