Warning: I’ve been under my cardiologist for over 10 years

I’m not one for posting about one’s health. After all, when you are in your 60s as in my case there’s a fair chance life will throw up a health scare (apologies for all those about to turn 60!)

I’ve been under my cardiologist for over 10 years, and in that time, I have had endless echocardiograms, more MRI scans than you can shake a stick at, and astronomical amounts of blood taken that would be worthy of an article in the lancet.

I was diagnosed with something called a “left bundle branch block.” Which sounds like something you would find in a Screwfix catalogue under plumbing!

What does that mean I hear you ask?

Well, it’s to do with the left and right electrical signals that keep your heart in sync, my left signal is broken and disconnected which means my heart is out of rhythm and affects my EF (ejection fraction) – EF is how well your heart is pumping blood around your body, a normal healthy person like you has an EF of 55 % – 60% mine is 35%.

And over those 10 years, I’ve become quite an expert on EF. I always knew at some point that a pacemaker would need to be fitted to help my heart repair (hopefully) and maybe raise my EF (fingers crossed)…

On one visit to Dr Moore’s surgery to be shown the pacemaker or to give it, its proper name “Implantable Cardioverter defibrillator” or ICD for short which is about the size of a matchbox, and it was strange to see the actual thing in the flesh (no pun intended) that would be implanted in my chest forever that hopefully would prolong my life.

I was delighted to be told mine would be all singing and dancing top-of-the-range CRT-D version.

And wondered if mine would come with a racing stripe down the centre and metallic paint!

Also, I was reminded I would be in good company that of “Christian Eriksen” the footballer who collapsed at the Euro’s and has one fitted, so I was joining an elite club (I wonder if I get a signing on fee and a shirt?)

Alas, I wish it was as simple as trotting down to my local Screwfix to get fixed! But any procedure that takes two and half hours with a local anaesthetic and you’re awake the whole time is scary!

And when I asked that all-import question, you know, the one you see on “Casualty” (or in my case showing my age “Emergency Ward 10”) “What is the risk of dying?” Dr Moore replied, “It can happen”

It’s strange being told there is a chance that you could die during an operation even if that chance is a slim one.

So last Monday (30^th January ’23) I was admitted to the AAU (Acute Admissions Unit) Watford General with an overnight bag to have the procedure.

Why am I telling you all this?

Finally, after the operation sitting in my hospital bed, bruised, sore and dazed from the antibiotics and painkillers I started to think about what if?

As a coach, one of the first questions I ask a client is, “What is it you really want? What’s important to you?”

Now I was faced with the same question…

So, after a few hours had gone by staring up at the ceiling. There were three questions to ask. The same ones I want to ask you.

WHAT is it you really want? What’s important to you?
WHY is it important? What’s the reason you want it? (the most important question)
WHEN by? What’s your strategy to get it?

Three simple questions. Three not-so-simple answers…

If this resonates with you. We should have a chat. It costs nothing to talk with me, and I’m always happy to answer your questions about coaching and how I could help you.