A risk worth taking ????

[Randy43068]

It's not easy for him or the family.

 

[scubajoh44]

Ok. Scubaboard is not supposed to make you cry. It will all be ok.

And yes, Daddy's being a little selfish, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I think diving is a huge factor in what makes my Dad who he is.

Dad's gonna dive. I'm gonna dive. We might as well be together. You never know.... he may save me before I need to save him. (probably) I just HATE this situation. It's a no winner.

 

[RumBum]

I think you should seek the opinion of a DIVING CARDIOLOGIST. Opinions (even from doctors) are widely varying, as we all know. You need to specialize, especially since you are specifically concerned about the effects of diving. Then make further decisions when you have the information from a specialist who can explain to you exactly his risks are, then you and your dad can make an INFORMED decision from there.
Call DAN, get a list of cardios in your neighborhood, and make an appt with one. Make sure to bring the records from your other doc so that this new guy can see all your diagnostic test results.

 

[newdiver-toronto]

Ok. Scubaboard is not supposed to make you cry. It will all be ok.

And yes, Daddy's being a little selfish, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I think diving is a huge factor in what makes my Dad who he is.

Dad's gonna dive. I'm gonna dive. We might as well be together. You never know.... he may save me before I need to save him. (probably) I just HATE this situation. It's a no winner.

I'm glad the discussions here were able to help you. I hope you and he have many, many more dives together.

 

[spectrum]

Continuing to dive is one thing. After 6 months of diving I can understand his position, I'm almost 49.

As you and others have suggested it is at least time to be more careful with pacing, planning and risk assesment.

My dad passed slowly from alzheimers over 15 years and I would have given anything to have spent that time sharing in the past-times he lost the ability to enjoy.

No doubt your dad recognizes the risks he and yourself are assuming. Have a frank dicussion about his wishes and decide if this is a gift you are prepared to give. Then pray that he passes peacefully in the distant future.

Pete

I am more concerned with his impact on me rather than him. I can't change his actions! I MIGHT could slow him down, but he's still going to dive. I bet if I called him right now and told him I wasn't diving with him anymore.....I'de call home this weekend and mom would tell me that Dad had gone diving. That's just how he is.

I guess I'll continue diving with him. It's just HORRIBLE thought that Daddy could not plan our next dive. And, I know that the rest of my family will not understand. (but who really cares)

 

[scubajoh44]

You don't understand. DADDY's NOT GOING TO QUIT! It doesn't matter who tells him that. Even if God himself told my Dad to stop. He's not going to. He went to a specialist, but won't tell me what they said. He doesn't want anyone else telling him to stop. My Dad will be the one to choose one more dive over 10 years of life. (but of course in the back of his mind he's saying he'll survive)

My concern and questions aren't about my Dad. They're about MY actions to his decision to continue.

 

[Randy43068]

your tag line says it all. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

good point, but if your husband said you have to stop diving because it could hurt you, I beleive you'd have a different take on it.
Besides, he's a LOT older'n you. That makes a difference, to my mind anyway.

Older and often wiser He has a heck of a sense of self-preservation too and his answer when I say "Come on and try it sweetie, you only live once!" is always "You only die once too; you go right ahead, I'll watch." BTW, I would give up the diving though he'd have to get me something to take diving's place at keeping me entertained.

Unfortunately Jo he may die from the exertion if put in the position of trying to save you. Thing is you never know, one of the women at the university was using her rowing machine when something broke and sent her into the wall breaking her neck and killing her instantly. You have to make the decision in your heart and you have to live with the consequences, these things are never easy but if you look deep inside you already know the right path. Good luck my dear my prayers are with you.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[DennisW]

No one so far has mentioned that diving is not necessarily stressful. Of course, there are dives that are stressful, but your Dad can go on trips that aren't stressful physically or mentally. Those kinds of dives are the ones I really like. I actually relax and relieve stress when I dive. I am much more relaxed after diving then before. So, go diving with your Dad, try to make sure you go on trips that are not very stressful either mentally or physically.

I intend to dive until I can't pick up the gear. And unless I have a condition that completely causes me to have to quit, such as a severe case of DCS, I will continue to dive. A GP surely isn't going to make me stop, most of them haven't a clue as to the physical requirements that are required for diving.

If I were you I would just keep an eye out for him while you are on your dives. Watch to see if he is getting tired, if he has a hard time getting in the boat, and if he looks stressed. Those kinds of things. If you see those kinds of symptoms, you can make it easy for him to call a dive by telling him you are tired or don't feel well. It sounds like he is a diver's diver. I think I would like your Dad.

 

[miketsp]

It seems as we get older we are faced more frequently with death in the family and having accompanied a few long drawn out miserable ends recently all I can say is "I hope my end is quick".
I know a couple of family members that follow rigidly their cardiologists' instructions to keep living. Living? More like living death counting each calorie and avoiding any fat.
No pizza!
Nothing that makes life enjoyable.
I'll trade a good days diving for a couple of years miserable existance any time.