Don't Push It Too Hard!

[genesis27:3]

I'm posting this just as a warning and not as a "this is what I'm going through" post. I have posted this on another forum as well.

For 6 months I have been busting my butt with trying to be in better shape for this year's elk hunt. I ended up becoming obsessed with it after seeing really good results and feeling 100x better than before, and was really pushing it pretty hard. Meanwhile, I've lost 20+ lbs (158lb, 5'7",49 years old). Two weeks ago I ran (2) 5k's races...bla, bla, bla and running every other day at least 3-4 miles and at least 1 day a week I would hike with my pack with 80lb a couple miles.
Anyway, last Monday while just doing pushups, which I was pushing it (second set of 70) I had a sharp pain in my left temple and had a severe headache. Long story short, once my wife (paramedic) noticed the next day when she saw my left eye drooping and my pupils not even, I immediately ended up at the hospital, and after a CT scan, found out that I have a Carotid Artery dissection, which is very bad.

Now my hunt is in jeopardy, which will be up to a follow-up CT scan and checkup in late Aug, I can't do anything that could rise by BP or heart rate, I'm at a real risk of a stroke at any moment for the next few months. It's the #1 cause of strokes for fit, athletic people between 35-50. Look it up.

Saying alllll of that to say, guys, please be careful! It's a miracle I didn't have a stroke last week. So please take it a little easy.

 

[Alabama]

Man that's rough. I'll pray for you man. May God heal you! Don't worry about the hunt just focus on taking care of yourself. I know you want to go, but Mark will be okay for one year without you. He needs a partner for years to come!

 

[genesis27:3]

.... I know you want to go, but Mark will be okay for one year without you. He needs a partner for years to come!

Mark "neeeeds" me!.

 

[Bonecollector]

No hunt or activity is worth your life.
Do as the doctor says. Take it easy until a healthy assessment is given. Take care bro.

 

[MtnBuck]

Sorry to hear this happened and thanks for the warning. I'm the same age and sometimes I do forget that I'm not 19 anymore. Best of luck in your recovery.

 

[bghunter]

Yes, Mark needs you healthy, get well! God Bless!

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Wow! That's crazy. Prayers are with you and your family. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[marcusvdk]

Prayers headed your way. Definately do as doctor said and if it means no hunting this year it is what it is. Better to miss a year then be done hunting all together

 

[Matthoek21]

Praying for ya! Get well soon.

 

[dan maule]

That's horrible best of luck and know that you will be in my prayers.

 

[Tim McCoy]

I feel for you. Went through a similar freak medical issue in 6/14, arterial in nature too, that almost ended me and some hunts. Luckily, I came through and only ended up canceling one hunt, was not a bunch of help on the others, but we got it done. So keep positive, do what ever the doc says, and check on the tags in any state where you may have to cancel a hunt.

Some states for some species will give you options to turn in tag, keep points, have a guaranteed tag the next year, etc. It is worth a check and was of great benefit in my situation. Take care and thank you for sharing.

 

[buckbull]

Its been 20+ years ago, my father was able to get his money back on a colorado elk tag after a lung cancer diagnosis. So you may have options with a medical diagnosis.

 

[genesis27:3]

If all else fails, I'll try to get most of my money back, but that's going to be my last option. I'm now walking instead of running, and that's about it. Knowing that my diet is the only thing that I have 100% control over, I'm doing really good with keeping up with everything I eat.

First option - simply slow down and heal, which all of you are absolutely correct on, and IF the second CT scan on Sept 2 shows that everything is fine, I'll "ease" slowly back into pushups, etc.
I may have Mark tote me up the mountain, sit me next to a wallow, and call. I mean, that's the most considerate thing he could do for his buddy...right?

 

[SunnyInCO]

I'm by far no medical expert but at 42 still compete in mountain bike races and very active overall. Not sure if your blaming yourself but absolutely do not. You were smart to workout trying to better yourself for you and your family.

It is much better that your situation happened at home with support from your wife than in the field away medical facilities.

Good luck in your recovery.

 

[25contender]

I have been keeping up with Danny since this happened. Like i told him I do hope he can go but his health is way more important. We still have a few months to see how he heals.

 

[25contender]

I may have Mark tote me up the mountain, sit me next to a wallow, and call. I mean, that's the most considerate thing he could do for his buddy...right?

Ha I think we did that last time!!! And it worked!! Just don't leave your release where we eat lunch this time....haaaa

 

[FitToHunt]

Genesis. So did you actually have a clot, or only the deviation? Did they put you on blood thinners ?

Also, if you haven't yet. Please research TPA which is the drug they give people once they have a stroke. "Clot Buster"

Just know what that drugs risks are since you are at a higher risk now.

 

[genesis27:3]

Genesis. So did you actually have a clot, or only the deviation? Did they put you on blood thinners ?

Also, if you haven't yet. Please research TPA which is the drug they give people once they have a stroke. "Clot Buster"

Just know what that drugs risks are since you are at a higher risk now.

I do not have a clot, just the divination. They were going to put me on Coumadin, but instead, I'm taking (1) 325mg Aspirin a day.
I went to a Neurologist this morning and things are getting alot better. He thinks that by my Sept elk hunt, I should be in much better shape. This could have been much worse than it is! When I asked him about the hunt, he said. .."go for it and have a great time, but use common sense and don't over do it"! As for working out, I still can't run or do any strenuous workouts. Just walking ALOT, and I now can do small amounts of pushups, which I'm keeping at or below 50 per set (3 sets). Pull ups, around 8. Crunches, 20. He said that I can't get to the point of straining where I have to hold my breath to push through. It's still driving me crazy, but it's either listen and heal and eventually get back to 100% or still risk a strock.

The one thing that I did do for the last 6 weeks was, watch my diet. Although I really couldn't do much, I did loose a few more lbs. I am now 153 lbs, and feel great. 155 was my goal. Being in shape, according to the doctor, is what helped me heal relatively quick!

Basically, I'm very lucky and I know that I can now go elk hunting! ! I definitely dodged a huge bullet. It will be able to heal with no surgery, just time. As for my Horners Syndrome (dropping left eye with offset pupils), he said that it may never heal. That part sucks! I now have a "crazy eye" look, and the left side of my face doesn't sweat, which is weird!

 

[Cobbhunts]

Just caught this thread. Hope all is Well Genesis. Really hate to hear this story, take care of yourself and get back out there when you can!

 

[brianboh]

Good luck man. great to hear your doing better and most of all Slam a Big Bull