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