|
 It
was in the 3rd Quarter when I was illegally hit square in the back after the
whistle, that I was rendered unconscious. It took the Red Cross 15 minutes
to carefully place me on a spinal board and lifted on to the ambulance.
However, on the way over my
team mate Matt Craig (ex Paramedic in the States) pointed out that I wasn’t
breathing and then discovered I had no pulse. I was dropped immediately and
CPR was performed sending emotional shockwaves through both teams.
I came in and out of
consciousness and was immediately taken to hospital. I was accompanied by my
parents and spend the next six days having a series of tests and scans;
trying to get back on my feet and suffering from a series of panic attacks.
I was then informed I had SVT (Supraventricular
tachycardia).
I wasn’t fazed that I had a
health problem; I was, however, affected by the sudden limitations.
Everything initially became a
struggle - walking long distances, even staying awake for long periods
of time; and I suffered breathlessness and pains in my chest. I had gone
from being a regular gym enthusiast, fit and healthy, an international
athlete for Northern Ireland and Ireland, University Sports Scholar, first
pick wide receiver in American Football for Carrickfergus Knights and had
played for Team Ireland; to struggling to run the length of myself. Being
both stubborn and determined, I decided to get back to being fit while
waiting for heart surgery (ablation).
I would get my fitness back up and get back on the pitch. Unfortunately I
was cut short, as the League need confirmation that I was fit and healthy
enough to play full contact - something that until after ablation was not
advisable or possible.
I never really thought about
being resuscitated or the extremity of the condition. However when it struck
down a 16 year old GAA player, I started to get frustrated and depressed. My
biggest struggle at the time was my own head. I resented being told I
couldn’t do this or I wasn’t fit enough. I turned on team mates, and found
myself on the bench for my own safety - but not that I saw it that way. I
became angry and constantly frustrated at the ‘concerned’ attitudes of
others and the constant waiting for the ablation; all the while counting the
young people in Northern Ireland who were losing their lives to Sudden Death
Syndrome. Why did I have to live?
 This
was picked up by my friends and family and I needed focus. My housemate (who
lost a friend a few years previous to WPW) told me to get in touch with CRY
and see if I could help raise awareness in Northern Ireland.
The Carrickfergus Knights
where starting the 2010 season and decided to wear the CRY logo on our
merchandise t-shirts (left) to raise support and awareness around the
League as a reminder that even the fittest where vulnerable. I also
started talking to people in CRY and reading accounts on the website and
speaking to my local GP.
On the 9th July 2010 I spent
4 hours in surgery. Everything went according to plan and I started
rebuilding my fitness.
Again, my issue was my head
running over the procedure that I had been told about and read about; but I
tried to not let my nerves get the best of me. I’d never had surgery before
and my first time being heart surgery had me worrying. The best way I could
deal with the worry and nerves was that I had the support of family and
friends and I was in the hands of professionals.
 Just
recently I travelled back to Limerick University and played my first match
after two years - on the same pitch against the same team (right).
There was no Hollywood entrance; it was a hard fought game and at times I
struggled both emotionally and mentally.
I was fearful and hesitant,
but by the end of the match I had made it back on the pitch and scored the
Knights' only touchdown of the day. To some it was just a game, but
for others and myself it was a positive step to getting back to normality
and closure.
I struggled emotionally and
mentally over two years and at times I really didn’t deal with it too well,
if I even dealt with it at all. I still have a lot of unanswered questions
and some frustrations, but in all I owe my life not only to the Red Cross
and the Royal Hospital Cardiologists (Dr Roberts); but also the
non-professionals - my family and friends, the Carrickfergus Knights and
most of all my girlfriend at the time, Mel, who went through the daily
motions and emotions and sat through seven hours of surgery and recovery.
Words can’t express my heart-felt gratitude.
Gary McElkerney
Pictures supplied by Paula Shone and Ariane Boudias
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