hi Julie

I also went to the Heart Rhythm Congress and found it excellent, both
as a patient myself (& patient group representative) and as a Cardiac
health professional (retired).

I'm very much looking forward to the next one!


Fran

--- In heartrhythm-AA@yahoogroups.com, Julie Fear wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone
>
> I am new to the group, my name is Julie and I have suffered with
Reflex syncope for the last 30+ years. I consider myself very lucky,
as I am very fortunate to now have a pacemaker.
>
> I thought I would use this opportunity to tell you about the
wonderful 3 days my husband and I had, when we attended the first ever
Heart Rhythm Congress 2006 in Birmingham. It was very tiring and
sometimes emotional, I also felt that my head would explode with the
amount of information I was taking in.
>
> When Trudie first had the idea of bring together patients,
Doctors, Nurses and industry she thought it would just be a meeting
of about 150 people. Trudie was so very wrong over 800 delegates
attended, it exceed every ones expectations and it was wonderful to
see such a mixed bunch, all coming together for the same reason, to
provide a better service for patients/carers with arrhythmia's.
>
> On Thursday it was patients day, so in the morning I attended the
STARS (Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures)group and listened to
the Doctors present their latest finding on syncope, they also talked
about the treatment options. It was extremely interesting, I feel the
Doctors were very brave to talk openly about their findings with
patients in the room.
>
> In the afternoon we had the opportunity to ask the Doctors
questions and share our experiences, this was extremely valuable to
all of us, some had had a rather long journey to diagnoses and for
some the treatment wasn't what they hoped. Both STARS members and the
Doctors went away with a little more understanding of each other and I
believe this will help build a better relationship for the future.
>
>
> It was a great opportunity for me to meet up with some new STARS
memebers and to catch up on the progress of some that I have know for
some years, it was great to be able to talk to each other and share
our experiences. We were of a mix age group with different views on
dealing with syncope, some of their ideas I have come home with and am
going to try.
>
> It was a huge shame that more patients could not attend, I know
Trudie would have like to meet you all, may be next time it could be
organised to fall over a weekend.
>
> I would just like to thank Trudie for a fantastic Congress and to
thank her for all her hard work, without Trudie some of us would not
have a diagnoses or treatment and would not, now, be living a
fulfilled life THANK YOU TRUDIE!
>
> Julie Fear
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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