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Dang, No Summer Camp for Me


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So I was planning on being one of the ASMs at summer camp again this year. I was really looking forward to it too. I'm well over 40 so I went to get my physical and class III health form filled out. The Dr. is filling out the form and asks when I need it by. Well, as soon as possible. Actually I need it right away for camp. The Dr. says my EKG is "different" and he wants me to see a cardiologist first and if everything checks out, he'll sign the form then. Okay...

 

So the next week while the troop is at camp I see a cardiologist. He asks what is "different" since it looks fine to him? I don't know, weren't you faxed the information? No? Yesterday I had a stress test done. Well into the test the tech says, "I think it's safe to say nothing is wrong with your heart." I suppose that's good news, but I'll meet with the cardiologist next week to go over all the results. I hope the tech was right.

 

I suppose it's better to be safe than sorry. I have a brother and a sister that have had heart issues so there is a family history. I've heard of other scouters finding life threatening health issues in time just because they've had to get their annual health form signed. Even still, I am disappointed I wasn't able to go to camp.

 

I do wonder what is "different", what has changed and why? I've always been very active. I raced bicycles for close to twenty years. I haven't ridden much the last two or three years though, perhaps that's why. My blood pressure has always been good, my pulse low, my cholesterol is okay, I take no meds.

 

The scouts had fun at camp and were very successful. I'm really happy that camp went well; I just wish I could have helped. The three adults that went said one more adult would have really helped. The four of us were at camp last year, we were a great team.

 

I guess I'm being a bit full of self pity right now, but there is something special about spending a week at camp, watching the scouts. The way they grow up and become a closer knit group as the week progresses is, to me, wonderful to watch and something I very much regret missing this year.

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I am sorry you missed camp. Health issuesare nothing to brush off. With your family history is is always best to error on the side of caution. I hope you keep looking into what your Dr saw. Sometimes things show up one time but don't later. Just like when you take the car to the mechanic. It runs fine when he is looking at it and doesn't act up again till you are far away from the mechanic. Make sure your regular Dr get the right info to the cardiologist. And next year start your physical early :p(This message has been edited by firekat)

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I really understand how you feel. Just today we were able to get my son (15) in to see a child's heart specialist. We just found out 6 weeks again our new doctors (because of a insurance change) would not sign my son off for his Boy Scout physical. In our area its a 6 to 8 month wait to get in. I called and pleaded with this really great professional. He double booked and scheduled $10,000.00 worth of tests to take every caution possible and then signed his scout physical. He is going on his 1st 7 day

Weminuche trek in Colorado starting this Friday. Talk about last minute even though it didn't start out that way. Our old doctor and heart specialist believed our sons mild condition should not slow him down in anything even playing Texas High School Football in the fall.

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Hey SW,

 

Sorry you missed summer campthis year, but glad to hear you seem to be checking out OK in the cardiac department. Don't sweat it too much, though; it sounds like you're doing all the right things. Worst case, at age 54, I had quadruple bypass surgery in October, 2006, and after completing a short intense cardiac rehab program, I was hiking a trek at Philmont within 8 months.

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That's why you were sent to a cardiologist. Better safe than sorry. Also something can show up on one test and not another that's why they do the stres test-- they should administer while we're on the highway opr whent he kids come home with a report card!!!!! I have to avoid caffie or my heart gets and arithmia (sp?). Lots of people do.

Good luck to you.

I also missed a camp this year-- just cub day camp though-- I really enjoy that. I was very sad (and am since it's going on now). It was due to my collegue being out on maternity leave. At least i'll have resident camp though!!

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Dan,

 

Tell that First Class son of yours we intend to see him hiking at Philmont after he fully recovers from his heart surgery. Speaking from experience, there's nothing better to strengthen a person's heart muscle than a 10-day trek at the Ranch. Best wishes :) .

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Dan, Best wishes and prayers for your son and you and your family. I don't know how well I would hold up under your situation.

 

Everything checked out well for me. I went twelve minutes on the treadmill without trouble. The docter said that if one goes nine minutes that they rarely, if ever, see any heart trouble. The imaging checked out too. Right now my only risk factor is family and I wouldn't want to change anything there.

 

SWScouter

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Ohio_Scouter & SWScouter, thanks for the good wishes.

 

SWScouter, I didn't mean to take away from your situation. I'm glad things turned out well for you, and as others have said, it's definitely worth being safe about such things.

 

Missing summer camp is hard, no doubt about it. Hopefully that will make it all the sweeter for us both next year. :)

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