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Simon Eaton
Simon's 2nd Chance Tour de Transplant Fundraising Page
Story
Hi there,
I'm hoping to assist in the fundraising for the Tour de Transplant. As described in its website this fundraising effort is run by the Heart and Lung Transplant Trust (Victoria) Inc., (HLTTV),to support its Second Chance Accommodation Program which provides subsidised accommodation for transplant recipients and their families in the 3 month rehab period after hospital discharge.
The Tour de Transplant, in its inaugural year, is the a major fundraiser for the HLTTV. It consists of a 9 day cycling challenge around Victoria, led by legend Phil Anderson. The 27 riders completing the tour include heart transplant and lung transplant recipients as well as other volunteers.
Information on the tour route and the associated fundraising nights at each stopover can be found on the Tour de Transplant website.
My interest in raising funds for the HLTTV is an obvious one. In Jan. 2011 I received a heart transplant after suffering a heart attack in Dec. 2009 and subsequent cardiomyopathy. (Cardiomyopathy is the degeneration of the heart muscle as the muscle loses form and function.)
Here is a bit of the story; (I'm avoiding using the term 'journey' as maybe we hear it a bit too much these days.)
At the time of my heart attack I was a very fit 46 year old with no cardiac risk factors other than family history; my Dad had had a heart attack in his 40's.
I was a non-smoker, regular exerciser, ate a good diet and did not have high cholesterol.
About 2 months prior to my heart attack I visited a cardiologist as something did not seem right. For about 18 month prior, some times after rigorise exercise, (ie bike, kayak, ski racing etc.), I felt lousy. Maybe I needed to train harder I thought.
Anyhow after an exercise stress test and a high output reading (17 mets) I was given the all clear and told to make sure I was well hydrated during exercise. Bomb proof I thought and proceeded to get on with my exercise filled life.
Of course, I was delighted to get the all clear, as nothing could be wrong......I was fit and as a bonus I had managed to avoid having an angiogram. (This would have directly looked at the condition of the arteries of the heart.) I remember feeling very pleased with this reassurance.
I had ridden my bike about 5000k in 2009.
Late August 2009 I completed a 42 km cross country ski race and finished with my normal cohort of participants.
In September 2009 I completed the Victorian 3 km open water championships and
then got on with training for the surf ski leg of the 2009 Anaconda Multi-sport event to be held at Lorne early December.
It was after just finishing this surf ski leg that I suffered the heart attack and I ended up at the Epworth Hospital and was stented that night.
I'd blocked the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) Artery of the heart and was lucky to be alive.
After about 8 days in hospital I returned home but was not right. I was just not getting any better. By June / July 2010 I had trouble getting to the letterbox without being fuzzy in the head. My cardiologist at the Epworth subsequently referred me to the Alfred to be assessed for a heart transplant. I attended this assessment in August 2010.
By December I was in and out of the Alfred as back pressures within my lungs were too high and this risked damaging my lungs. This condition is one possible problem of a damaged heart. I was on a continuous supply of certain drugs to avoid this lung damage.
The management by the Alfred cardiology units / wards prior to the transplant was just wonderful. Everyone played their part. Friendly, supportive, compassionate, understanding, efficient....just wonderful. You knew at all times you were in good hands whether you were talking to the consultants, Cardiac Failure Nurses, the ward nurses / doctors and all the ward staff and orderlies. This made this worrying period pre-transplant manageable.
Even though in hospital for a fair bit of Dec 2010 I was allowed to go home with a pump that delivered the necessary drugs to protect my lungs. This was delivered via a pump and line into an artery. The Latrobe Hospital, 'Hospital in the Home', team attended the dressings so that this could happen. They were also wonderful.
Anyhow, January 2011 I received the call a to get to the Alfred ASAP as a possible donor heart was available.
You get the red-carpet treatment initially via Accident and Emergency and then to the Cardio-thoracic Ward, 3CTC, as you are prepared for the operation.
I remember being wheeled into the ward and seeing the obvious delight in the faces of several nurses who had helped me through the Heart Failure period.
How could I be nervous when everyone was so delighted that I had had the call.
The actual transplant team, (surgeon, anesthetists, post-op etc.) were also amazing.
What a skill. I always thought I was getting the absolute best personal care. I was very very privileged.
About 9 days in ICU, (this is a busy place), and then I was up to the ward again for recovery.
Tough at first and then things started to get easier.
I remember my first exercise bike ride; 2 minutes at the easiest setting and it felt like I was racing a famous American Tour De France winner up Mt Everest. (and even with both of us on drugs it was very very tough.)
Initial physiotherapy occurred on the ward and then continued as a major part of the rehab process after discharge.
I was discharged from hospital about 3 weeks after the transplant.......a big 3 weeks!
This 3 month (minimum if all goes well), period is vital to the transplant processand this is where the HLTTV Tour de transplant fundraising is aimed. If the transplant recipient's accomodation is affordable, practical and close to the Alfred it is a HUGE relief. Recipients can get on with the job of getting well!
The Physio department at the Alfred is fantastic. The Physio for post-transplants was run 3 times a week. Participants are at various stages in their 3 month period. Some are nearing the end, some beginning. Celebrations were held throughout my stay as various friends 'graduated' and headed for home.
You start slow, by the end of the 3 months you are running on the treadmill, lifting and pushing weights, and pushing the exercise bike hard.
By early February I was able to visit relatives in Melbourne for dinner.
By the end of Feburary I was OK to return home to the Latrobe Valley for a weekend and had my first cycle on home soil.
I was then able to take a bike back to Melbourne then and ride a bit around the park and town...carefully.
I spent a fair bit of time walking around Melbourne while not at the Alfred for rehab / tests.
By the end of March I can remember taking my first solo bike ride to Traralgon from home...25ks.
By April I was able to walk a pretty long day. I remember walking in to Point Nepean from Sorrento and back out one lovely March or April day.
And then the three months were over and I returned back to the Latrobe Valley.
I returned back to work mid 2011. Work, AGL Loy Yang, was fantastic throughout the whole process and was I lucky enough to have meaningful project work when my physical capacity would not allow me to work in my normal duties.
My family has been through a lot while this has gone on. Everyone stepped up and were fantastic. I received lots of support from my immediate family and friends all of it was special and helped with getting through.
By August of 2011 I was able to able go for a few day bushwalks. I remember the day I managed to get to the top of Mt St Gwinear and see the snow again.
Also in the August I rode my bike in to the Alfred from Kew for one of my periodic checkups. It just happened to co-incide with Cadel Evans welcome to Melbourne parade after his Tour de France win. I was lucky enough to see the parade and Cadel after my appointments at The Alfred. This photo I've used as my Fundraising Image, it was about 6 months after my hospital discharge.
Since the transplant I have;
Seen 2 of my kids finish school and go to Uni.
Seen 1 complete his degree and start post-grad studies.
Watch our youngest child grow up and currently do VCE.
Its been nice being a part of this!
I've been back on the push bike fairly actively.
I think in 2011 & 2012 I rode about 3000ks each.
Last year I managed 4000ks.
I'm a bit slower than the old days but maybe its just cause I'm older.
Without The Alfred hospital and its transplant program and all the wonderful professionals who are involved with the whole program
I'd never have had this 2nd chance. Even the most mundane things that I always thought nothing of seem that little bit more special.
Washing the dishes....wow!
Makes you think.
What more can I do but help this great cause and hopefully help make someone else going through the transplant process a little bit more comfortable.
Thank you
The Alfred
Thank you the HLTTV committee....well done.
Please support this charity by donating via the links on this website.
Simon.
Click 'Donate Now' to make a secure online donation.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible and you will be issued with a DGR receipt via email as soon as you make a donation.
Thanks so much for your support!
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Heart and Lung Transplant Trust (Victoria) Inc.
The Heart and Lung Transplant Trust (Victoria) Inc. is a not-for-profit association whose membership consists of heart and lung transplant patients, recipients, their carers and families.
Our vision is for a bright and active future for all those involved with or in need of a heart or lung transplant. We actively encourage organ donation and support The Alfred Hospital Melbourne, the transplant team, patients, recipients, their families and carers throughout the journey.
Formed in 1994, five years after The Alfred Hospital performed its first pioneering heart transplant, HLTTV is managed by a committee of dedicated volunteers who have each experienced the heart or lung transplant journey. We are a partner of DonateLife and are a Deductible Gift Recipient, so donations of $2 and over are tax-deductible.
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