Download ATTENTION ICD PATIENTS! **DON`T FEEL ALONE**

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VANCOUVER ISLAND
ICD PATIENT SUPPORT
ICD Patient's Lunch
Victoria 2003
Mission Statement
During the past twelve years I have
provided support for many ICD
recipients and their families. It is my
belief that only those individuals who
have an ICD, together with their
families, fully understand it’s impact on
day to day living.
*To provide a phone-in support
service for Vancouver Island ICD
recipients and their families.
I have been an ICD recipient for over
nineteen years, receiving my fourth
ICD two years ago.
*Where possible, to link together
individual ICD recipients residing in
the same area.
Harry Adshead.
ICD Patient Support Advocate
ATTENTION ICD PATIENTS!
Support for ICD patients and their
families is made available on Vancouver
Island by a your fellow ICD recipients.
**DON’T FEEL ALONE**
YOU ARE INVITED TO CONTACT
ONE OF THE FOLLOWING :
Harry Adshead
Qualicum Beach, BC.
Ph: 250-752-6922
email: [email protected]
Contact with others, who share similar
concerns, has proven to be of help to
other ICD recipients and their families.
Norman Fudali
Port Alberni, BC.
Ph: 250-723-4380
email: [email protected]
Ron Carels
Victoria, BC.
Ph:778-406-1117
email: [email protected]
ICD Patient’s Lunch
Qualicum Beach 2005
Rev. February 10, 2017
ICD Patient Workshop & Lunch
Qualicum Beach 2007
My name is Harry Adshead and I live
with my wife Barbara
in Qualicum Beach.
*** Patients’ Stories ***
In 1976 we had our first
encounter with cardiac
problems when Barbara
underwent coronary bypass surgery. As part of
Barb’s rehabilitation we added a running program to our daily exercise regimen. Running
soon became a big part of our lives
By 1994 I had run over 50,000 miles and competed, as an elite veteran runner, in hundreds of
races around the world, including twenty-seven
marathons. Cardiac problems were for others,
not someone as active as me. Then suddenly,
during a race, I became that other person. My
heart rate shot up to 300bpm and I was diagnosed with exercise induced ventricular tachycardia. Three years later, following a similar episode, I received my first ICD. I continued to run
and compete until age 70. Now, approaching
the age of 85, I still play golf and remain active.
I received my 4th ICD almost two years ago.
Bob Clausen lived in Duncan with his
wife Corinne.
After a courageous battle
against Congestive Heart Failure, Bob passed away peacefully on August 12, 2006. Bob,
whose treatment was at the
forefront of ICD technology,
survived long past the predictions of the specialists who cared for him. Bob and his wife Corinne
were amongst the first persons to participate in
the Support Group.
A vehicle crash in 2003
probably saved my life, according to my doctors.
Following a game of golf I
was driving back to my
home on Sproat Lake, Port
Norm Fudali Alberni, when I suddenly
blacked out. The next thing I
remember was scrambling up through the trees
to the highway. After hitching a ride home,
looking rather the worse for wear, my wife Sandra insisted on taking me to the local hospital.
There a decision was made to transfer me to
Victoria Royal Jubilee Hospital.
*
Following extensive testing doctors concluded
that, during the drive home, my heart had suddenly gone into a potentially fatal arrhythmia.
My blood pressure had then dropped, resulting
in a lack of oxygenated blood to the brain and
my loss of consciousness.
I do not like the shock therapies that my ICD
delivers. However, I do consider myself fortunate that modern technology has provided me
with my own personal emergency room, implanted in my chest. Many less fortunate individuals never get a second chance and their lives
are ended by a single fatal cardiac arrhythmic
disturbance.
Plunging off the highway, my truck had landed
on its side. My body probably hit the door so
hard that the impact reset my heart to a normal
rhythm.
Following my ICD implant, like many others, I experienced periods of anxiety. Helpful websites do
exist on the internet, but nothing beats the opportunity to talk to someone who has ‘walked the
same walk’. For the past twelve years I have tried
to provide that opportunity for others.
To this date, probably thanks to medication, I have
received only one shock therapy, and for that I am
very thankful. I try to forget about my ICD and go
about life much the same as I did before.
A heart attack suffered in 1998 could have led to
this electrical disturbance. For my protection,
in the event of a similar occurrence happening
in the future, I received my ICD.
While being treated in hospital for a serious
heart condition in 2000 it was determined that
an ICD could possibly improve Bob’s quality of
life, as well as provide remedial therapies in
the event of potentially fatal arrhythmias.
*
Bob was fortunate to be part of trial programs
and receive the benefits of the most advanced
technology. Though receiving many treatments from a series of ICD’s, Bob would always say, “I certainly don’t like the shock
therapies, but they sure beat the alternative”.
Despite severe heart problems Bob never
complained about his own situation. His concern was always for others and how tough it
was for his wife Corinne.
Living with an ICD can have a severe psychological impact on both the ICD recipient and
their family. When an event does occur all
the spouse or other family member can do is
provide comfort to the ICD patient and wait
for the device to carry out its miracles.
Bob was a good friend and a true believer in the
need for ICD patient support.
Harry Adshead - ICD Support Coordinator.