No Moss

Mt. Desert Island, Maine

January 1, 2020. The New Year! It's best that I get one of my New Year's resolutions out of the way--post my final (until the next one) blog entry for On Pace at 50!

When I had my procedure done in April (2019), they told me that I would have a six-month meeting with several folks, including TWO physicians; an electrophysiologist and a pacer doc--the nuts and bolts doc and an installer doc. I thought, wow, that's cool--collaboration and a chance to talk to the folks that make this all happen. Will this really occur?

Near Latourell Falls, Oregon

Yes, it did. November 11, 2019, seven months after my procedure, I met with Dr. Rickard and Dr. Tang, as well as various and sundry other team individuals, including a nurse tech and a research assistant who asked if they could continue to follow me for research purposes, to which of course I answered yes.

The researcher had me do fast-walking back and forth through the hallways to record data, including how quickly I completed their tasks. Not to brag, but she said I completed more laps in the allotted time than perhaps any other researchee to date. Not that I'm competitive or anything. ;) It likely helped that I'm younger than most other participants, and I have a 36" inseam, so I had to take fewer strides than the others to reach each destination.

But the exciting part for me was meeting the two docs together in one little room. They were amazing. So smart and with warm demeanor, they tag-teamed me. As Dr. Tang started asking questions and tapping notes on the computer, I noticed Dr. Rickard pulling out the dreaded mega-magnet, used to disable the pacer to see where my heart rate would go (it would go down...the pacer works on every beat!). I flashed back to Casino Royale...if I had blue eyes, thinner lips, and zero chest hair, would I look like Daniel Cra... nah.

The amazing thing was what he did after Dr. Tang was finished talking with me. Remember from last entry, my main question had to do with the fact that my heart rate didn't increase enough if I stealthily hiked up steps without jarring the device (remember, it works on vibration). If you're exerting yourself, your heart rate goes up, right?

Feeding birds, Portland, Maine

Before I could ask that question, Dr. Rickard said that he wanted to make one adjustment with the device, and that was to increase its sensitivity to vibration! His perception made me revere these docs even more than I already do, and I bowed to him with my arms raised in appreciation.

So what am I doing these days? Anything I want. Except bench press. Both docs wanted me to avoid that press motion for some reason. But I'm back to lifting light weights twice a week if possible. I've also taken up that tennis game full bore. Earlier they suggested that singles may be overexertive, but I think they didn't want that to happen too quickly after surgery.

Izzy in the Poconos!

What a wonderful thing to be heart-healthy! I'm continuing to eat well, indulge only in moderation (that gets easier as we age, as recovery time after a binge is much longer), exercise, work, enjoy the dogs, etc. I've had NO heart PVCs or PACs, no more A-fib (although the pacer, they say, doesn't regulate that), and no anomalies of any sort in the chest department!

Entering 2020, I am grateful for my health, my amazing wife, my family, taking 6am walks with the dogs (regardless of weather--I look up and thank the skies each morning), for being able to compete and exercise and hike and play, for my children, for opportunities on the horizon, and for whatever life has to offer.

Looking forward to more travel in 2020 and beyond. Get out there and breathe deeply the fresh air that we have, and express gratitude every day for the nature around us. Be the nomad, explore whatever end of the earth you dream of, and remember what a rolling stone gathers.

Until I feel like writing here again...thanks for reading! Feel free to post a question!

Mitch