On top of the mountain

[Tom]

Hey fellow valvers,

I made it to the top of the mountain and back (literally)! I just summitted Mount Ranier in Washington (14,410 feet). I had my aortic valve replaced with a homograft in 1999. I trained hard for the climb. It just goes to show that we can lead active lives after valve replacement. If anyone else is planning on doing this, I would strongly advise discussing it with your doctors first, and then getting into the best shape possible. I went with RMI.
Tom

 

[Nancy]

Wow Tom!

That's terrific. Congratulations on reaching the summit.

 

[nadi]

Congrats!

Congrats!

That is a great feat! It gives all us inspiration on what we can accomplish after surgery.
Thanks

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Tom
That is Great! and I was happy to be able to mow the lawn again.
Keep up the Good work.

Dave

Keep your fires small!
________________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical.
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[BillCobit]

Go Tom!!

Go Tom!!

Nice job! How did you manage to train for the climb in FL??

 

[Hank]

Share your Father's Quote Bob G.!

Share your Father's Quote Bob G.!

Hey Bob G.- This would be an appropriate place to share your Father's quote I think.

It's a good one and I think of it often.....

 

[Tom]

Hi Bill,

My training in Florida consisted of stationary biking with a lifecycle, treadmill work on an incline, and climbing lots of stairs. I also worked on upper body strength with weight machines. Of course in Miami we are at sea level, so I did not train for the altitude. I went out to Ranier two days before the climbing school and did some long hikes at 5000-6000 feet. I could definitely feel the altitude at the top, but not more than the other climbers in my group. The other climbers were from Miami, Seattle, Texas, Alaska, and Minnesota. One guy trained by using a stair-master with a 70 pound pack on his back. All in all it was a great experience. The summit climb was over two days, and the second day we started at 2:00 am with helmets and headlights climbing up the glacier under the stars. It was awesome. My legs are still sore.