Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 04-05-2021, 08:27   #1
Registered User
 
Chotu's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2018
Boat: 50ft Custom Fast Catamaran
Posts: 11,832
More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

Well, my misfortunes seem to be always multiplying no matter how hard I fight them.

I was exposed to yet ANOTHER chemical. The SDS/MSDS said it was not harmful. Well, I beg to differ.

It burned my already sensitive lungs (sensitive due to epoxy exposures). The stress of the situation on my system tore a little bit of my extremely mild plaque buildup off my coronary artery, my body sent clotting in to “fix” it and that gave me a “widow maker” style heart attack. I could have easily died last week if they didn’t immediately do the angioplasty and stent.

So now I’m faced with a big decision.

Should I sell this perfect boat I’ve been building all this time and stop sailing?

Are many of you sailing post heart attack?

I don’t know how I could ever give this boat up. But what should I do?
Chotu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 08:34   #2
Registered User
 
Tayana42's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Long Beach, CA
Boat: Tayana Vancouver 42
Posts: 2,804
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

Chotu, so sorry to hear of your latest health challenge, although I’m glad you made it through. I don’t have any advice to offer, just empathy. I know you have put a great deal of yourself into building this boat and solving the many puzzles of materials, design, logistics etc. I have confidence that you will approach this question with your usual diligence and determination and find the answer that is right for you.
Tayana42 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 08:35   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Rochester, NY
Boat: Chris Craft 381 Catalina
Posts: 6,190
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

I'd think it comes down to a few questions:

What situations are going to put you at risk of a sudden, significant medical problem?

Can you reasonably finish the current build and start to use the boat without encountering those situations?

Can anything be done to mitigate the risks medically?

Once finished, is the boat practical to use for types of cruising where you can avoid situations likely to be an issue and where you wouldn't be too far from medical care if needed?
rslifkin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 08:49   #4
Registered User
 
Cheechako's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,453
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

It does sound a bit iffy to continue. But how much is left to do?
How important are what's left on the list really?
It seems for all my boats, which I usually rebuild extensively, eventually I just say "stop!", even though I have a spiral pad list of things to do. Once moving and cruising I forget most of them.... enough is enough.
Or maybe you are one of those that enjoys the work rather than the sailing...?

Also, if you have had a blockage, you may feel BETTER now!
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard











Cheechako is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 08:53   #5
Registered User
 
nautical62's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Live Iowa - Sail mostly Bahamas
Boat: Beneteau 32.5
Posts: 2,307
Images: 12
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

Sorry to hear about your health issues. I can’t speak specifically to your situation but will offer the following:

Don’t make a rushed decision. Things often become clearer with time.

I sold my cruising boat a couple years ago in large part due to some physical issues I knew would be ongoing. Sure I miss cruising, but there are many other ways to have adventures and explore, many of which are much cheaper than cruising.

I wish you the best recovery possible.
nautical62 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 08:58   #6
Registered User
 
Chotu's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2018
Boat: 50ft Custom Fast Catamaran
Posts: 11,832
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheechako View Post
It does sound a bit iffy to continue. But how much is left to do?
How important are what's left on the list really?
It seems for all my boats, which I usually rebuild extensively, eventually I just say "stop!", even though I have a spiral pad list of things to do. Once moving and cruising I forget most of them.... enough is enough.
Or maybe you are one of those that enjoys the work rather than the sailing...?
For the record, I hate building boats, but I love good sailing boats. I had built this boat because I couldn’t buy one of this quality/design due to them costing like $1mil

I’m looking to just live. I’ve had life (traveling is life) on hold for such a very long time to complete this boat and be able to travel globally with it.

Somehow, “just go now” is screaming at me.
Chotu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 09:09   #7
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Bellingham
Boat: Outbound 44
Posts: 9,319
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

Do you have a good cardiologist that is managing your care long term, not necessarily the angioplasty hotshot? If you can get him/her to understand the cruising lifestyle and give you realistic care plan for the future. There are modern blood thinners that do not require continual blood testing - assuming they put you on a thinner. If you are working with a good cardiologist they will focus on quality of life and that includes doing the activities you want to do,
__________________
Paul
Paul L is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 09:11   #8
Registered User
 
s/v Moondancer's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Miami
Boat: Boatless
Posts: 1,578
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

I was about to sail from the Panama Canal to New Zealand when I had to have a stent in the LAD, the infamous widow maker coronary artery, but fortunately before I infarcted! I waited 12 months to ensure that all had worked well, I had a stress test that was good and then my wife and I sailed Panama to New Zealand. Now 6 years later I ride my bike 150 miles per week and on my 71st birthday, I pedaled Key Largo to Key West, 100 miles in 9 hours including a lunch stop.

Take it easy for a year and then go back to what you love!

Phil with a MD degree.
__________________
Phil

"Remember, experience only means that you screw-up less often."
s/v Moondancer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 09:11   #9
Registered User
 
Chotu's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2018
Boat: 50ft Custom Fast Catamaran
Posts: 11,832
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

And... people face some challenges building boats. I feel mine may be a bit crazier than most and this last bit of challenge added has practically broken me, to be honest.
Chotu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 09:12   #10
Registered User
 
Cheechako's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,453
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chotu View Post
For the record, I hate building boats, but I love good sailing boats. I had built this boat because I couldn’t buy one of this quality/design due to them costing like $1mil

I’m looking to just live. I’ve had life (traveling is life) on hold for such a very long time to complete this boat and be able to travel globally with it.

Somehow, “just go now” is screaming at me.

Also, if you have had a blockage, you may feel BETTER now than you have! Often it's a gradual buildup I understand. Although not always. No way to know.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard











Cheechako is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 09:16   #11
Registered User
 
Chotu's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2018
Boat: 50ft Custom Fast Catamaran
Posts: 11,832
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

Quote:
Originally Posted by s/v Moondancer View Post
I was about to sail from the Panama Canal to New Zealand when I had to have a stent in the LAD, the infamous widow maker coronary artery, but fortunately before I infarcted! I waited 12 months to ensure that all had worked well, I had a stress test that was good and then my wife and I sailed Panama to New Zealand. Now 6 years later I ride my bike 150 miles per week and on my 71st birthday, I pedaled Key Largo to Key West, 100 miles in 9 hours including a lunch stop.

Take it easy for a year and then go back to what you love!

Phil with a MD degree.


Thanks for the encouraging post!

I’m hoping this is how it’ll go. Unfortunately, I understand all of this terminology now. LAD stent and infarction is where I was at. I have a 40% Ejection Fraction. Right now. Still on mandated bedrest. I can take walks starting next week. Hoping I can get the damaged part of the heart to come back to life.
Chotu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 09:19   #12
Registered User
 
Chotu's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2018
Boat: 50ft Custom Fast Catamaran
Posts: 11,832
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tayana42 View Post
Chotu, so sorry to hear of your latest health challenge, although I’m glad you made it through. I don’t have any advice to offer, just empathy. I know you have put a great deal of yourself into building this boat and solving the many puzzles of materials, design, logistics etc. I have confidence that you will approach this question with your usual diligence and determination and find the answer that is right for you.
Thanks for this kind response. It’s really encouraging.
Chotu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 09:21   #13
Registered User
 
Chotu's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2018
Boat: 50ft Custom Fast Catamaran
Posts: 11,832
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rslifkin View Post
I'd think it comes down to a few questions:

What situations are going to put you at risk of a sudden, significant medical problem?

Can you reasonably finish the current build and start to use the boat without encountering those situations?

Can anything be done to mitigate the risks medically?

Once finished, is the boat practical to use for types of cruising where you can avoid situations likely to be an issue and where you wouldn't be too far from medical care if needed?
As always, very good questions. It took me an hour to get to the cardiacs center in an ambulance.

Looking at the heliport from my hospital room, I can’t help but to wonder if it might have been faster from the middle of the Gulf of Mexico with an airlift. Probably not, but still.
Chotu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 09:22   #14
Registered User
 
Chotu's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2018
Boat: 50ft Custom Fast Catamaran
Posts: 11,832
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

Quote:
Originally Posted by nautical62 View Post
Sorry to hear about your health issues. I can’t speak specifically to your situation but will offer the following:

Don’t make a rushed decision. Things often become clearer with time.

I sold my cruising boat a couple years ago in large part due to some physical issues I knew would be ongoing. Sure I miss cruising, but there are many other ways to have adventures and explore, many of which are much cheaper than cruising.

I wish you the best recovery possible.
Thank you. I’ll remember to take it slowly.
Chotu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2021, 09:26   #15
Registered User
 
Chotu's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2018
Boat: 50ft Custom Fast Catamaran
Posts: 11,832
Re: More Medical Problems. Should I Sell? What’s your opinion?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul L View Post
Do you have a good cardiologist that is managing your care long term, not necessarily the angioplasty hotshot? If you can get him/her to understand the cruising lifestyle and give you realistic care plan for the future. There are modern blood thinners that do not require continual blood testing - assuming they put you on a thinner. If you are working with a good cardiologist they will focus on quality of life and that includes doing the activities you want to do,

Yes, actually I’m on 3 of those blood thinners right now (including low dose aspirin). None of 2 newer blood thinners require testing. I’m on these during the recovery period.

They seem to think I’ll only be on the low dose aspirin long term.

I’ll try to find someone to go to for the long term cardiology.
Chotu is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
medical, cal

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Should I sell my boat in Puerto Rico, or move it elsewhere to sell? Whitenorthstar General Sailing Forum 1 08-01-2015 04:40

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 21:50.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.