Send your prayers and best wishes

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Allen Stark — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 11:02:51 GMT

I am so glad he is progressing so well. Out of the hospital by Mon.would be awesome.

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Karen Duggan — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 10:51:16 GMT

Paul, I'm so happy he's on the mend. I must say I chuckled when you said, "He had a pacemaker installed." I just wonder- what make and model is Ron anyway? :p Thanks for keeping us updated.

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Paul Smith — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 10:00:45 GMT

Ron continues to show dramatic improvement......he had a pace maker installed late yesterday and was out of IC in less than 3 hours! If he continues to do this well he may be home by Monday. And true to his nature he is already "competing"......he's set up "step" goals each time he gets out of bed......way to go Ron Jon and thanks again everyone for your positive vibes!

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Former Member — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 14:44:47 GMT

Within all reasonable precautions: Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting, “Holy Sh*T what a ride!” :drink:

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Allen Stark — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 09:17:16 GMT

Exercise is good for you. All studies I have seen say it's good for mood,cognition,and longevity. If you like to compete it will probably motivate you to better fitness(it does me.) If you don't like to compete don't.

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Former Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 16:51:14 GMT

P.S. I wish they wouldn't push us masters so fast to get out of the pool after nearly dying at the 100 I.M. or anydistance butterfly or 100 free. Hey, sometimes I hardly have the strength to go under the lanes to get out using the steps (I never use them at practice). Heheh, sometimes the young trainees or whatever taking our times at meets will look down at me and ask "Are you feeling okay, sir?" The sir part of it is what gets me. In running you always cool down and walk and so forth until your heart rate comes down, you NEVER should stop completely because that is what might cause trouble in your heart with all the blood pooling in your legs. Swimming however shouldn't be a problem because you are horizontal. But getting out of the pool and walking over to the other pool could be an issue if you had a bad heart. When in practice you always cool down in the same lane or pool you've been swimming...something to think about. The person who fits this description might be well advised to avoid competition in the first place I think. Especially the part I highlighted. It's fun to race but not so fun as to risk an MI.

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Former Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:37:12 GMT

"The person who fits this description might be well advised to avoid competition in the first place I think. Especially the part I highlighted. It's fun to race but not so fun as to risk an MI." Scyfreestyler,we would be arguing the old argument against running or walking, the risks involved in marathon running. There are much more benefits from doing exercise than not doing them. Eventually someone will die while doing exercise, but most people will have a heart attack in their sleep or while shoveling snow, and these will not be the swimmers and runners out there. I was pointing out a curiosity, or a fact, that in competition there would be a slight danger of stopping the exercise abruptly (such as in sprints) without keeping moving. If anyone ever feels light headed or feels anything different after a hard workout or sprint, one should lie down, maybe with legs elevated. This is just a common maneuver to keep the blood going to the brain by sheer gravity. It is enigmatic that the cases related in this thread did not happen as the race was run, but later in the cool down area. The pre charge, or the amount of blood returning to the heart is important in filling it up so enough will be pumped (including to the coronary arteries) out. Sometimes a venous pooling can be damaging. Most times it only implies in "passing out" from lack of oxygen to the brain, where the individual falls down and this causes a return of the circulation to the brain. I've seen people starting convulsing in a sitting down position (in an airplane, scared, anxious, so forth) where all I did was bring their head down and their legs up. In seconds everything is back to normal, including the color in the face. When anyone in any activity says they are about to pass out or throws up, first and immediately have them lie down. I have patients with blood pressure in the 60s (systolic) range with no problem, because they are horizontal and that pressure is enough to keep their brain and coronaries filled. billy fanstone

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Michael Heather — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:40:43 GMT

In case anyone reading has contact with Ron or his family, please send my wishes for a speedy recovery. I was co captain of his first ASU men's swim team in 1975. Michael Heather

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Former Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 09:43:57 GMT

So if one is not competing one is a turnip?

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Former Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 09:24:50 GMT

Unfortunately, there are many people who think they are normal but are quite far from it. Many think that regular exercise and not being obese assures them of avoiding stroke or MI...unfortunately this is not the case. Even at my young age, 32, I make a point to see a doctor and get checked out at least once every two years. An hour lost at the doctors office is cheap compared to brain matter or cardiac muscle lost.

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Former Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 09:17:16 GMT

Actually living is good for your heart until you have a heart attack from it, if you want to expand. We're talking "normal" people here, not cardiac patients. I doubt anyone with heart disease would do anything without talking it over with his doctor. Finally, everytime someone dies at a marathon or even swimming, all these arguments pro and against exercise appear in the media, giving the sedentary life style people some ammunition. And the obese. Better to die swimming or hiking or running the darn marathon than in your sleep with excess weight and snoring away...billy fanstone

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Former Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 08:43:50 GMT

I think swimming is good for your heart but for somebody who already has CAD or is generally at high risk for cardiac events, I doubt many cardiologist's are going to suggest racing any time soon. I suspect that if you train correctly then swimming a race will not likely be your demise but I think it is something that should be discussed between a patient and his/her physician.

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Former Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 08:37:18 GMT

Competing is good for the heart until you have a heart attack from it. Gotcha.

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

swimshark — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 07:56:33 GMT

Although I do not know him, I am glad to hear Ron is doing well. Sounds like a true fighter. In regards to ekg's and such, I have a suggestion - heart scan. Ekg's don't show as much as people think they do. Heart scans show the best. I know this because my dad, at 64 with no blood pressure problems, no high cholesterol and an active triathlete had triple bypass. I also recommend a heart rate monitor for anyone and everyone. My dad was running one day and noticed a heavy feeling in his legs. His heart rate monitor showed him that his hear rate wasn't it's normal during a run (he downloads it to a program to track the stats). He went in for a stress test and failed, failed a catheterization and had triple bypass that same day. He has no family history of heart problems but the blockage is considered genetic. His cardiologist recommended heart scans for both my sister (an active triathlete in Atlanta) and myself. My dad is active again (even tore his quad tendon mountain biking 4 months after the triple bypass) and is back into triathlons. His ordeal taught me that it can happen to anyone, even those without the usual signs. Let's all stay heart healthy! Alison

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Former Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 07:05:42 GMT

For the record, competing is good for the heart! More so in swimming; low impact, horizontal, uses all muscles and so forth. Swimming a fast 100 isn't going to kill you. That is why you train. If you don't train nature takes care of you and you swim slower because you can't swim faster. The usual lack of air at the end of a swim is part muscles and more excess carbon dioxide trying to get out. I've done a lot, I mean plenty, of running with a Polar heart rate monitor, and I've done a lot of biking with it also. I have also used the heart rate monitor in the pool but don't anymore because unless you are doing strong repeats or swimming fly (for me that is) the heart rate doesn't go near the danger zone. The chances of swimming to complete exhaustion and doing any damage, before you swim easier because of exhaustion, is small. I have been swimming 1,000 meters at an open water lake event about six times a year for the last couple of years and my time has stayed in the 17 minute range in good days, bad days, sunny days, rainy days...I am totally predictable. We all are. I have gained two seconds or less in my 50 meter free in the last two years since I returned to swimming. billy fanstone

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

dorothyrde — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 06:25:05 GMT

I've thought this same thing. I could barely crawl out of the pool at my last meet after an event. After reading this thread, I realize I may be overdue for my annual physical. Last time I was checked, my blood pressure and cholesterol were fine. But who knows for sure without a check up ... Think I'm overdue for a mammogram too. I better get thee to a non-orthopod doc real soon ... I hope Ron will be fine. 5 of my friends and co-workers have been diagnosed with *** cancer this year. Definately get that mammogram done!!

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Former Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 06:18:32 GMT

It's incidents like this that make me question the obsessive focus on competition (of many different varieties) that seems to pervade much of masters swimming. Isn't the experience of enjoying our favorite sport and the comaraderie of other like-minded folks enough? That is a fair point. I had a discussion about this story with someone who said that not exercising vigourously might have let him have a heart attack sooner in life. Just a thought from a non masters swimmer.

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Former Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 06:03:43 GMT

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

The Fortress — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 05:54:55 GMT

So if one is not competing one is a turnip? I didn't say that. I was agreeing with fanstone who said it was better to die swimming, hiking or exercising in general. That was all I meant. Competing is just a version or type of exercise. Certainly didn't mean to imply it was any better or preferable or that it made one fitter. I know some very fit people who do not compete. Although it does seem that having a competition goal can prod some, not all, to exercise with more dedication and rigor. To each his own. I do think it's preferable not to be sedentary though.

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

The Fortress — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 05:37:59 GMT

Competing is good for the heart until you have a heart attack from it. Gotcha. Who do you got? Matt's last comment is correct. Everyone should get a regular check up. I get mine. Have another scheduled. Seeing the eye doc next week, etc, etc. Just got a mini check up for the sole purpose of getting term life insurance. They test for everything. Fortunately, I have more than the mere appearance of being healthy. So I think I can safely compete. Gotcha. As Billy said, better to go at life rather than be a turnip.

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

aquageek — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 02:20:33 GMT

It's incidents like this that make me question the obsessive focus on competition (of many different varieties) that seems to pervade much of masters swimming. Isn't the experience of enjoying our favorite sport and the comaraderie of other like-minded folks enough? You think swimmers are bad, you should check out the tris, 10 times worse. For the record, and like Fort, most of my team doesn't compete, as is the case with most USMS members. For those of us who do compete, competition is part of the whole enjoyment aspect.

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

The Fortress — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 02:09:58 GMT

It's incidents like this that make me question the obsessive focus on competition (of many different varieties) that seems to pervade much of masters swimming. Isn't the experience of enjoying our favorite sport and the comaraderie of other like-minded folks enough? No. It's individual preference. Some people swim for fitness. Some people swim for fitness and compete because they enjoy it. I fall into the latter category. Moreover, just because I am tired or half dead at the end of a race does not mean I should avoid competing. It just means I swam hard. As for the alleged "obsession" with competition, most people on my team don't compete.

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Paul Smith — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:48:03 GMT

Rick....that's a really important point...and one that almost got overlooked...thankfully a few people caught that in time. Something else that a lot of people are not aware of if a significant update to CPR protocol which basically says that chest compressions are the critical element.... not breaths...we should all get recertified!

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

osterber — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 11:04:13 GMT

Bravo to all involved for the quick rescue. One thing that is easy to overlook at a pool facility is that you need to get someone into a dry area before using the AED, otherwise you run into potential short-out scenarios. During meets, I usually try to keep a couple of dry towels in the control booth for use with an AED if necessary. -Rick

RE: Send your prayers and best wishes

Paul Smith — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 10:08:09 GMT

I think we all need to look at this situation and make a commitment to ourselves as well as our friends and families to make sure that we pay close attention to our health. Frankly I'm surprised that we don't see more of this in masters swimming? I myself have struggled with high BP and cholesterol my whole life....2 years ago my cardiologist had me do a heart scan and a minor blockage was discovered.....thru drugs and diet the situation is controlled, but the bottom line after my stress test was that i would always be in a "risk" category. Like Ron my decision after discussions with my wife and friends was that I would continue to train and compete.....if I do have to go I would pray it was after setting an AR at a swim meet vs. getting taken out by a drunk driver. So....get annual physicals, don't assume because you workout and are fit that your safe (evil-Goodsmith with 5% body fat has arythmia).....and make sure that you have a living will!! PS: My bad.....the person who saw Ron go down in the warm up pool was not a lifeguard but Barry....thanks for the quick action!