In a beat of the heart, life changes...

[Bob Axsom]

Recently you stood up to be counted in support of my old employer's airplanes and you won my support forever. I think it is a good thing that you have flight in your RV as a good mental occupation and that you have a goal of returning to flight. That doesn't mean you care any less about your family just that a person has their own needs for self fulfillment or they become a drag on themselves and everyone around them. I look forward to some time in the future when you come back to this thread and say that you are back as solo PIC. When that happens I hope you consider joining us in cross country air racing. At least one in the group is flying with another pilot in his airplane until his medical issue is cleared. See the schedule under "Calendar of Events" at www.sportairrace.org.

Bob Axsom

[bizjet]

Three years ago, I too found myself in an 'interesting' situation as my doctor told me that I had prostate cancer. Today I am flying as PIC on my employer's G-IV and G-450 with a special issuance first class medical certificate. The Feds were actually quite reasonable. I used www. virtualflightsurgeons.com. paid for by my employer. They were great, but an experienced AME can likely handle it for you.

Did I have to jump through some hoops? Yes.

Did I like it? No.

Was it worth it? And how!

I personally know two professional pilots who went through heart ablations and (after jumping through some hoops) got their first class medicals back.

Best to You,

Bill

[MJarreau]

JJ,

Sorry to hear of your introduction to EMTs. I experienced something that was, ultimately, much less of an issue. It tore me up before I found out things were fine. I'll dip a wing and add a prayer. You will fly, again, I'm sure.

I am humbly grateful for your service to my country and my family.

Wishing you my very best,
Michael

[Jetj01]

To all my fellow flyer's (or Phlyer's to us Phantom guys -Bob A.) who have been so kind as to respond to my initial post, both via personal posts and on forum, let me express my sincere thanks for all the encouragement, sympathy and advice you have provided. Today has been day 5 since my 'heart event' and to say the least, it has been tough. But through you and the support of my wife, family and friends, navigation has been mostly VFR so far.

Five days ago my personal situation was seemingly completely healthy, in shape, fresh stress test in Jul 09 , Class 1 Medical in Aug 09, USAF retirement Oct 09, new job Nov 09...no history of any problems and smooth sailing. Wednesday I was sitting at my desk at work and suddenly felt a 'bump' in my chest and started to black out. Like an idiot and probably in denial, I made a bad yet common decision and drove myself to my primary care physician, a 30 mile drive. This is quite stupid and unfortunately quite common for us pilots to do. We either hope it isn't really serious or don't want anyone else to know??? CALL 911 AND GET PROFESSINAL HELP! I know I will next time! As soon as I got to my doctor's clinic, he put me on an EKG, saw that I was showing 41 beats per minute pulse rate and HE CALLED 911 and I got my ambulance ride anyway. By the time of my surgery and pace maker implant the next day, my heart had 'fixed' itself to a normal pulse rate but the history had already been written. In spite of all tests completed Wednesday evening and Thursday showing a completely normal healthy heart and arteries, since the 'partial block' due to the electrical problem had manifested itself, I am now a heart decease patient and must have a heart pacer and, from the FAA view point, my Class 1 medical is void and I must apply for a Special Issuance medical. Apply being the key word because, first, I must wait a minimum of 60 days to begin the application process, then must submit to a myriad of tests and forms to be sent to the FAA for approval. Their approval.

Yes, I'm going to do it.

My promise is I will report on this forum the process I go through and the timeline it all happens and the eventual outcome. What I have learned is in general, we homebuilders are in the 'seasoned' years of our lives and I think one reason for all the gracious out pouring I have received is because we all know, "By the Grace of God go I"--this could be me, or you. And yes, it kinda sucks and can be depressing, but, as has been wonderfully pointed out in your great previous posts, not the end of the world, or necessarily flying. In my case, I do hold a job that demands a minimum of a 2nd Class medical and tomorrow I will speak with my employer who will give me my options. I am thankful for my USAF retirement check knowing whatever the outcome, I won't be destitute or going broke, something else I am very grateful for knowing that many with the same conditions do not have this to fall back on.

But more than anything else, I know I will remember, and hopefully you all already know, that we pilots are bound by a passion that transcends most other hobbies, sports or jobs, that is one of flying and to fly. We love it, I love it. And I find that I tend to like and be associated with others who share my passion. And these last few days, while hard, and painful (Yes, the implant operation does hurt!), they have been an incredible, grounding, growing experience that has brought out the best in you and hopefully in me, and it will continue....I promise.

To those who have thanked me for my service to our country, thanks and continue to do so by remembering those that still serve. They are having a tough go of it these days!

Tailwinds,

[Jetj01]

I currently am being seen by two cardiologists. They openly admit that the electrical workings of the heart are more theory than science. A theory they have on my condition is that the 4,000+ hours and 20+ years of constant hi G force activity from USAF fighter type maneuvers (I have not mentioned the concurrent 2,100 hours and 33 years of general aviation flying involving aerobatics in my RV's and YAK ) does indeed create tiny tears in the walls of the heart which rapidly heal but leave behind scar tissue. They feel it is possible that these tiny scars, built up over time, can effectively 'block' an electrical path making the electrical current seek another path, thereby creating an adverse effect on the intended purpose of the electrical signal. In my case, suddenly creating a 'stage two' block and slowing down my pulse rate. A pacemaker is an effective and necessary device for this ailment.

Time will tell, but it appears so far that a special issuance medical should be possible in the future. We'll see. But thought this information, while theoretical, might be interesting. And to caveat, when I am talking about G forces in my USAF career, I'm talking about sustained G's between the 5-9 G regime, not like I experience during RV pleasure aerobatics, 2-4 Gs max. Even though with my current state, i am thinking twice about that too, given the opportunity!

Tailwinds,