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My story

Back in 2003 I was diagnosed with having a big heart. No seriously, I was. It’s called Dilated Cardio Myopathy. I was in hospital for three weeks and was told I would be on meds for the rest of my life. I lost a lot of weight in hospital but I put a lot of it back on. For six years, I battled with the heart condition and during an angiogram, the consultant told me I could stop taking warfarin (a blood thinning tablet) which was great news as I thought I’d be on it for life.  For the last 5 years I have been in constant battle with my weight. I was scared to do any strenuous exercise as I thought I might explode or something.

Although I am still under special care, I was given the all clear to exercise a few years back. Since then my weight has been gradually reducing year on year but it keeps going up towards the end of the year. I want this to change.

So this year I thought I would do something different. By entering the 75 mile London to Brighton off-road mountain bike ride, I hope to not only reach my weight loss goals, but through sponsorship, give back something to the British Heart Foundation who were amazing in their support. Their research helped me to get the right meds. Their support material made things clear to me reducing some of the worry and their care helped me back on the road to recovery.

YAY!!I did it.

It was a real challenge. I was really nervous before setting off. So much so, I was quite ill. If it wasn’t for the fact that you all sponsored me so much, I probably wouldn’t have done it at all so a big thank you. At least I know what to expect now.

If you haven’t had a chance to sponsor me yet, don’t fret as you still have time. Do it now before you forget again.

They event was well organised and the atmosphere was fantastic.

Update

I went for a check up on Monday (2 days after the event) for an on going heart problem I have had for about 9 years. I had an ECG (wires attached to me) and an echocardiogram (ultrasound on the heart)

My echocardioram showed left ventricular function at the lower limit of normal with an ejection fraction (ef) of 53%. I think around 58% is a normal ef

I also have mild mitral regurgitation and normal right heart size and function. Mitral regurgitation is where blood leaks back through the mitral valve in the heart as the valve does not close properly.

Kinda brings the whole London to Brighton effort into context.

I'm feeling quite proud of myself.

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