One year to the day after surgery: skiing in Vermont!

[MitralMan]

2 below zero at the summit (before wind chill). Elevation, just over 4,000.'

After having to give up skiing three years ago because I was getting dizzy on the slopes, I went back last week, one year after MV repair. As I was always superstitious about the first run of the season, I started on the bunny slope at Jay Peak. Nothing snapped, nothing broke.

I skiied about seven runs a day for the next three days -- mostly cruising the blues. Thought about a black run my last day, but decided not to push my luck.

It was fantastic.

'course, my skiis are so old that they were at least 20cm longer than anything else out there, but the only place it bothered me at all was in the woods...

I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop -- some complication to arise -- but so far things are only getting better.

Amazing.

 

[Christina L]

Your ski vacation

Your ski vacation

sounds wonderful. Congratulations on your newfound good heart health. May you have many, many more years of shooshing.

Christina L

 

[Phyllis]

Wonderful-welcome to the good life after MVR- wishing you many more years on the slopes!

 

[Mary]

Skiing in Vermont sounds lovely! I'm so glad you were able to resume it with no bumps at all.

 

[bvdr]

Mitral man, that is what it is all about! I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying your recaptured health!

 

[LLJ]

Alright, Mitral Man! I was so happy to see how wonderful your anniversary run down the slopes was! That's why we did what we did! (That and having no other really good choice....)
Laura

 

[ar bee]

well done I hope you enjoyed it!!

(and yes I am jealous!!)

best to you
ar bee

 

[MitralMan]

It was so cold at the summit...

It was so cold at the summit...

...that the lens cover froze after it had opened only one third of the way -- so no pictures to post.

But I felt great!

The odd thing of it is, I'm on the verge of taking my body for granted all over again.

What I REALLY need to do -- and seem constitutionally unable to do thus far -- is stay disciplined about regular exercise and consistent eating. It's as if I never had the warning...

Anyone know what I mean?

 

[Mark Wagner]

It sounds like things are going 'Great' Mitral Man. Those are the reports we all like to hear!


Mark

 

[msiwik]

this may blow your mind but, went to mt. snow vermont yesterday with my son. live in ct. drove 3hrs. skied all of the black diamonds. i drove home same day. i could not believe that i do not breath heavy anymore. Or i always tasted blood in my mouth but never red in color. my heart surgery was 9/20/05. wow! well i'm sore today but, not in my chest, legs, sides, normal 1st. time skiing stuff. i'm also a big mogul skier. well of course i took my time. the surgeon told me there would be blood getting to places that never got there before but,WOW I WASN"T SURE UNTIL YESTERDAY. i just needed to talk to you to build up your spirits. plus when i read your message i couldn't wait to go to prove something. i know i will probally never ski again the way i used to as i had major complications with my hand and shoulder during my heart surgery.(right side). but at least for know i had a great feeling yesterday. see you maybe on the slopes.(been to jay alot, thou no more trees for me.) mark sherwinsky

Good report guys! Congrats Mitral Man - All of us have been to a place which only those of us who have been through OHS really know and appreciate (sort of like the bonds between combat veterans). Regards, Mark

 

[MitralMan]

Mark, you know it! Mark S -- AMAZING! Mark W, happy to oblige...

Mark, you know it! Mark S -- AMAZING! Mark W, happy to oblige...

this may blow your mind but, went to mt. snow vermont yesterday with my son. live in ct. drove 3hrs. skied all of the black diamonds. i drove home same day. i could not believe that i do not breath heavy anymore. Or i always tasted blood in my mouth but never red in color. my heart surgery was 9/20/05. wow! well i'm sore today but, not in my chest, legs, sides, normal 1st. time skiing stuff. i'm also a big mogul skier. well of course i took my time. the surgeon told me there would be blood getting to places that never got there before but,WOW I WASN"T SURE UNTIL YESTERDAY. i just needed to talk to you to build up your spirits. plus when i read your message i couldn't wait to go to prove something. i know i will probally never ski again the way i used to as i had major complications with my hand and shoulder during my heart surgery.(right side). but at least for know i had a great feeling yesterday. see you maybe on the slopes.(been to jay alot, thou no more trees for me.) mark sherwinsky

...and to ar bee, Laura, bvdr, Mary, Phyllis, and Christina -- YOWZA!!

But Mark S, 3 months and back on the slopes? HOLY SMOKES!!

Last time I skiied mogul fields with any regularity was in college, and I still had an excessive number of face-plants. But I am COMMITTED to dropping those 30 lbs and hitting the BLACK DIAMONDS next season. Maybe we should meet up there and blow EVERYONE'S mind!!

We all HAVE been through something that bonds us, no doubt. That's why I find myself returning here to the forum -- no one else quite gets it. But in a way, that's fine, too. I started to explain to my kids how ecstatic I was, but although they were happy for me, they didn't get why I would be SOO excited: "Dad, you're fixed, better than new. So WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?"

Here's to the hope that they never have to find out for themselves.

 

[geebee]

MitralMan,

So happy to hear how great you are doing. I have to admit that I am not jealous because I am a warm weather person. Now, if you were talking about scuba diving in Hawaii, I would be jealous.

Isn't it wonderful to find that your life has only changed for the better after OHS? Even with constant a-fib, my life just keeps getting better and better. We do live in glorious times.

Have fun. Stay warm. Be safe.

 

[MitralMan]

Much thanks, Gina!

Much thanks, Gina!

Scuba? SCUBA!! You are MUCH braver than I. I tried it once, down in the USVI. I figured after I did that, I'd earned the right to say "hey, this scares me (single point of failure), I get sea-sick, and I won't do it again."

Hey, what can I say? My DNA is probably 80% Siberian!

 

[geebee]

Scuba? SCUBA!! You are MUCH braver than I. I tried it once, down in the USVI. I figured after I did that, I'd earned the right to say "hey, this scares me (single point of failure), I get sea-sick, and I won't do it again."

Hey, what can I say? My DNA is probably 80% Siberian!

I am not actually all that brave. I just want to experience everything since I have worked so hard to stay on this earth. I have decided against sky diving (my SO's brother sky dives and has the scars to prove it), space travel is not yet available, I don't like cold weather and I don't like roller coasters (although I have tried them since my OHSs). Therefore, warm weather activities must head my list. I do not dive very deep (maybe 25-30 feet) so I "hang out" with the relatively small fish. I have realized Grouper can seem pretty big when they are swimming next to you

I don't know exactly the origins of my DNA (some Italian, some Irish, some English) but I am sure some of it must be from tropical lands)

 

[doberman]

response

response

Congrats on your good health and yes I do know what you mean by taking your body for granted all over again. I am in a similar situation, 17 months since my surgery and I have not been eating and or excersing as I should.Did the same thing and went skiing last year out in BC, never thought I would be out there again prior to surgery...

 

[MitralMan]

Hey, John -- I'll be your getting-in-shape bud if you want one!

Hey, John -- I'll be your getting-in-shape bud if you want one!

Congrats on your good health and yes I do know what you mean by taking your body for granted all over again. I am in a similar situation, 17 months since my surgery and I have not been eating and or excersing as I should.Did the same thing and went skiing last year out in BC, never thought I would be out there again prior to surgery...

I know I could use one!

 

[MitralMan]

What is UP with rollercoasters?

What is UP with rollercoasters?

I am not actually all that brave. I just want to experience everything since I have worked so hard to stay on this earth. I have decided against sky diving (my SO's brother sky dives and has the scars to prove it), space travel is not yet available, I don't like cold weather and I don't like roller coasters (although I have tried them since my OHSs). Therefore, warm weather activities must head my list. I do not dive very deep (maybe 25-30 feet) so I "hang out" with the relatively small fish. I have realized Grouper can seem pretty big when they are swimming next to you

I don't know exactly the origins of my DNA (some Italian, some Irish, some English) but I am sure some of it must be from tropical lands)

To me, they're giant regurgitation devices.

NO THANK YOU!!

 

[Paul]

Vermont!!

Vermont!!

Vermont is where it's at!!! If anyone needs some local information or recomendations let me know. It's a great place to ski or hike or paddle or run or ride or mountain bike or camp or even live!!