In March this year, I returned from a skiing trip in Andorra with my Grandad. For someone in their mid-70s, he kept very active, walking several miles a day and running a stretch of the Edinburgh marathon in 2007, and was a keen and competent skier. But hours after I said goodbye to him at the airport, he was found dead by the police on the hard shoulder of the motorway. He had suffered a major heart attack.
Something like this brings the horror of heart disease close to home. When someone you have been with, dies four hours later the same day, you realise it can target anyone.
Throughout the week he had been complaining about indigestion pains, I didn’t take this as signs that my Grandfather was having chest pains. But reading back into his diary I know now that he thought he might be having a cardiac event of some sort, but didn’t tell me and get himself to a doctor as he didn’t want to spoil my holiday. I don’t want other people to have to face the situation I am in now, having been the last to see him, not picking out the symptoms of a heart attack, have made me feel rather guilty. I know that his life would have been saved if he had gone to hospital, as this is what the BHF is all about, researching into this life-changing disease, the support the charity gives to diagnosed sufferers as well as the valuable education work so that more people – unlike me – will be able to diagnose a heart attack and treat it correctly, therefore saving more lives.
In the week before he died, we discussed my cycling in detail. He admitted he was proud of my achievements within the sport and was expressing support for a ride that I thought I would be riding in at least a years time. Land’s End to John o’ Groats.
This is a challenge I have wanted to do since I was 12, but due to logistics and my age haven’t been able to attempt it until this year.
I know that my Grandad, being a doctor would be proud of me for completing the ride.
Having spoken to family members, this seemed the right time and reason to do it. For a good cause, for a life-threatening disease. So please do sponsor me lots and give me loads of support – I will need it!