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Back Panel Heading 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.