And the saga continues.

[Hellvet]

Just a quick update for those who are interested - had my bubble check yesterday, with wilmshurst. Hole still holey and leaking. Have to say i kinda thought it wasn't closed, cos i had too many symptoms still, and also had some slightly odd reactions to the "super-aspirin", with some spectacular bruises! Everyone ive spoken to has said how great they've felt once it was fixed, but ive been feeling crap - really tired and lethargic. I think i was too excited about the prospect of being allowed to dive again, and worked myself up to think that everything would be fixed.

To put it in perspective Ive gone from a large shunt at rest(hundreds of bubbles) and massive shunt under valsalva(thousands of bubbles), to a small shunt at rest(4 bubbles) and a moderate to large shunt(about 20 bubbles) under valsalva. Its better i know but i was really hoping for more resolution than that. I know it takes time to heal, i'm just frustrated! Dr Wilmshurst has said there's no point in him checking my PFO for at least another 5-6m to see if its sealed, because it is so open still that he thinks it'll take that long to heal. Bugger! He's pretty confident it should heal eventually - he just doesn't want to see me before November as he feels this is one thats going to take a while to heal, and i'll just be travelling up and down to see him but not accomplishing anything! I think tho my PFO wasn't big it was very patent(open), so i wonder if all the straining etc i do at work hasn't helped. He seems sure it'll seal eventually, its just a case of being patient i guess.

He has said i can dive again, and just be conservative, and dive like i have a PFO still until he clears me to do otherwise. But i was aiming for a red sea trip in the autumn, so i'm not particularly happy. Its made the decision about me leaving my job too - feel like i need to slow down, and take some time out for me, as well as giving myself a chance to heal. Gave in my notice friday and my boss was quite understanding (disconcerting as he is a bit of an arse normally), and kept saying how sorry he was that i was going, which is always nice 2 hear! Bought a pony cylinder last weekend, and i want to go diving, but i'll be taking it very easy - first dive on tues hopefully as am working all weekend and thats the first evening ill have off...can't wait!

I'm glad i am nitrox qualified - means i have the option of building in extra safety, and i feel much more energetic after diving. I'm not going to rush the diving, as i'd rather take it steady, not push the PFO and give it a chance to heal, but i'll be glad to be back in the water - ive only had 2 dives to 8m in the last 7months....need to sit down and check my kit this weekend - already got the 40% for tuesday!

Helen

[resting rifleman]

helen, sorry to hear things are'nt mending as quick as you'd like, "slowly slowly catchee monkey" take yer time mate, it'll all come right in the end.
mike.

[DIVE BUDDHA]

yes sorry to hear your impending problems with the p.f.o! i bet you are pulling out your hair regarding the waiting?? but will be benaficial in the long run!! giving it time to heal that is!!! ive had the p.f.o test myself as i too was haveing a few problems on the bend front!!! and know how frustrated u must be feeling!!! anyway my regards to ya helen and hope all that work thats been done pays off in the end ! best wishes leigh and dive safe!!!!

[wreckferret]

Hi Helen,

When I was allowed back into the water after my type 2 bend I thought it would be easy. I tried 4m in the pool and had no problems.
First open water dive was in 6m and when it was over I felt sick.

My nerves were shot, I used ntx 60% just to be safe. I had thought I could start diving without any problems but my brain had different plans.

I took approx 12 months to get back to 50m and on the way had to slow my progress down. It was like being a novice but having years of experience - quite difficult.

When I did start diving deep again I was fine but then started to push it and ended up with a skin bend, which I denied of course but 5 of my mates helped me see it for what it was.

So I decided that 1 deep dive a day on trimix was plenty and do lots of safety stops on rich mixes was the way to go.
When I was doing any dives on my build up year I carried 90% for safety stops at 5m.

Take things easy and don`t plan any trips just ease yourself into the water slowly.
Remember you ARE diving again, enjoy it.

[Hellvet]

Thanks for all the support guys - i'm ok really, i was just a bit shaken to hear that it hadn't sealed. My brain knew it hadn't but my heart didn't. I'm doing better now than i was on thursday when i heard - guess ive realised that i can dive and i just need to be patient, cos it'll take as long as it takes!

I am allowed to dive, and that does help. I'm also gonna take some time out for me - i don't have any major financial ties such as a mortgage at the mo, and i'd rather take some time out (from my 500hr a month job!) and give myself a good chance to heal. Better to fix this properly now than end up knackered later!

Think i'll be better once i've had a dive, bit of a psychological dive really not planning on long or deep - just wet

Helen

[Hellvet]

I was really geared up for this having had nearly 8months dry (except a couple of 8m dives post bend but pre-op) - i'd cleaned and greased all my o-rings, packed my dry bag, packed my dive kit essentials (including a few bits of newly acquired lidl dive kit!), and made a short rope to clip kit onto the boat so i didn't have to hold it, and a rope sling to act as a step over the back of the rib when getting back in.

My club prepared a choice of shallow sites depending on weather and launch site etc, all my buddies refused to let me carry kit, and i had lots of volunteers to accompany me for my first shallow bimble through patches of kelp!

However - I was so NOT prepared for the psychological nature of this dive. I wasn't expecting to feel so shaken - i have been desperate to go diving again, and couldn't wait - but the morning of the dive i was so nervous i was nearly physically sick. I don't remember much about the dive, except the feeling that it was good to be back in the water. I was so annoyed and frustrated that i couldn't just get back in the water and take up where i left off. A few buds reminded me that it might take a while to get dive fit, but ive been so desperate to dive that it just wasn't good enough that my mind wasn't ready!

Sooo...went in the pool session the other day, had a good mess around, played with some try divers (always fun!), turned somersaults etc, and felt fine...

had my second dive saturday - and i was (almost) back to normal. 15.6m, 45min dive, 5 mins deco, really enjoyed it - think it'll take me a couple more dives before i get back to 100%, but i feel much better about it now - even managed to get a "skill" signed off for my sports diver by doing a 5 min simulated deco stop!

[SoggyFox]

good to hear its all going well, but do be careful (sounding like my grandmother there).

don't want to imagine a what a longtime without diving would be like.