G
Guest
*
HELLO AGAIN, EVERYBODY!
I'm not sure any quantity or quality of words or time will ever be able to express my appreciation for ALL of your well wishes, thoughts/prayers.
I'm well, mostly. My 4th open heart surgery (11/11/2011) was successful (my "big heart" is no more)! However, I was taken in for another surgery (evening, 11/12/2011), after I became unresponsive for a time due to internal bleeding around the surgery site.
I still hurt/ache and am cold at times, but I'm coping and TRYING to follow "doctors orders" as MUCH as possible. The pain is more "annoying" than anything. Recovery is going VERY SLOWLY (it seems, since I haven't had energy to DO much), but better to be slow'n'steady than fast'n'crash....
I went outside a few times to walk, late morning/early afternoon, Friday, 11/25/2011. It was nice to get outside in the GORGEOUS NOVEMBER WEATHER, but it also made me jealous of anyone who could drive ... because it would've been an AWESOME day to drive my cars....
POST-SURGERY PARTY
A few people asked if I am doing something special after surgery. Not sure; if so, I'll post details later.
OHS LOG
#1 = 11/1977 ... original pig valve installed (replace pulmonary valve I was born without) @ Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital
#2 = 03/1987 ... replaced original pig valve (growing out of it) @ Chicago's CMH
#3 = 01/06/2003 ... replaced 2nd pig valve (calcified) & original pacemaker installed @ Chicago's CMH, done by Drs Backer & Mavroudis
#4 = 11/11/2011 & 11/12/2011 ... 11/11/2011 edition replaced my "too big" aorta/aortic valve @ Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital, done by Dr. Russell ... it was 5.6 at middle; 5.3 at root. It is now 3.6. 11/12/2011 edition was to reopen me to remove/repair bleeding that had caused me to momentarily become unresponsive that evening.
DRIVING ABILITIES
Return in about a month; when they do, only my daily driver 1979 Caprice Classic will come out of storage. My MCs have to wait until spring to be cleaned...and have needed repairs...despite the "driving friendly" weather we've had this November....IRONY ROCKS!
WORK RETURN
Set for 01/06/2012, the 9-year anniversary of my 2003 OHS.
RECOVERY PROJECTS
I haven't done much yet, but I hope to...
...plan my 2012 ROAD TRIP (GA/FL, along east coast & into northern MI) & perhaps a short trip to STL along parts of Route 66.
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/roadtrips/roadtrips.html
http://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917
...WRMN's request from a few weeks ago to host part of their CHRISTMAS EVE RADIO BROADCAST. We'll see if I can get it in the budget in a few weeks....
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/radioshows.html
...finish putting my room back together (new carpeting & major re-arranging)
...read new books, etc.
...Nephew Time
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2636914604358.2152622.1300282613&type=1&l=00a2f5dccc
...my route 66 story...NO new chapter YET....
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/category/route66/
...organize a few things a bit better
...visit the groups/message boards, as possible
...misc.
BEST REASONS TO HAVE OHS
* Stay alive
* Unfailing support of family and friends
I doubt I will ever be able to personally thank each of you, or respond to every Email, call, post, PM, etc. Maybe if I had another 100 years....
* Caring healthcare workers
Without the surgeon and a very quick-acting (hot) nurse after I became unresponsive Saturday (11/12/2011) evening, things may be different right now. Luckily, I came to on my own, but without the nurse, who knows.
* 7a and 8a TNT showings of "Charmed"
Why ELSE would you get awake at 4a?
* 3:30p local showing of "Jeopardy!" & 6:30p local showing of "Wheel of Fortune"
Perhaps inspiration for another of my "Jeopardy!" contests; it's been a while. It's nice to see some things don't change.
* Hot female nurses
No joke. If I thought for a second I had a shot with any one of them...oh my goodness...I'd go back to the hospital in a heartbeat. Pun intended.
* Drugs
* Vacation time
Sarcastically added since MOST employers tend to see needed surgery as a way for an employee to take an extended vacation. Thus, they force you to use vacation/sick days before disability benefits kick in. For me, that meant using 5 of my newly-minted 15 vacation days for the October 2011 - September 2012 time period. Oh, fun.
WORST REASONS TO HAVE OHS
* Cheerful early wake up calls
Unless you enjoy being pried from a deep sleep at 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a or 5a (or combo) by an overenthusiastic nurse, with a huge smile on her face, telling you that she needs to take blood and/or give you more drugs. Actually, that doesn't sound all that bad.
* Hospital food
They TELL you that you HAVE to eat in order to be stronger, yet MOST of the food they serve prepares you for the world of dieting. I don't think I finished ANY meal, except for the hot chocolate, which I had MULTIPLE cups of at every meal ... because it was Nestle's Rich Chocolate version. I was surprised they had a brand name. I thought I was on drugs. Oh, wait, I was. But, I have proof; I brought a few packets home.
ONE EXCEPTION ... Chicago's soon-to-be-former Children's Memorial Hospital has the BEST food. I ate every meal in its entirety, as I recall, after my 2003 OHS.
* Drugs
Yes, I listed this as one of the "BEST REASONS", but it is a double-edged sword. It's nice to feel loopy instead of in so much pain, but when that loopiness makes you think things happened that didn't or think things didn't happen that did, it isn't so rosy.
* Visits from strangers
I know this is a bit odd coming from me (given my love of road trips and meeting people), but to be fair, my road trips are to meet people I WANT to see and converse with, not doctors, nurse practitioners, mental/social care workers, therapists (physical and occupational) that really do NOT know me and insist on going over details that I ALREADY KNOW FROM PREVIOUS SURGERIES.
I had the unlucky happening Thursday (11/17/2011) of reading about the death of a long-time friend from montecarloss.com, David Denn ... right before the social worker stopped by to check on how I was feeling. David's death was NOT a surprise. He had been fighting cancer and the last I had heard, it wouldn't be much longer. But, stumbling across MCSS to see the banner across the top of the page saying "RIP David Denn" just killed me. I will so miss his ALWAYS and OH-SO-POSITIVE reports/posts, no matter how bad the news was at the time; people tell me I have an upbeat outlook to life, but not as much as David's. I had hoped to meet him in person June 2011 when I was in PA, but his health worsened some that weekend and we were not able to meet. LIFE IS TOO SHORT, PEOPLES. Get that through your THICK skulls.
* Financial issues
No matter what people tell you, this is no "get rich quick" scheme. In fact, it is the opposite. My lack of a "newer" car to drive daily and a place of my own testify to this. I am VERY good at handling and budgeting money. However, I can't afford to NOT expect medical expenses. I haven't wanted to look at my bills or checkbook since I got home, but I will need to do that soon, to pay bills.... I'll stop there.
* TV selections
This Chicago hospital didn't even have the digital versions of 2 of Chicago's very own stations (9.2 and 26.2, 26.3, 26.4), which have awesome daytime (Classic primetime) programming day in day out. And, whatever station is showing "Golden Girls" (I think, Hallmark?) was not part of the cable package. Bah humbug.
* Male nurses
Unless you are a female who likes to look at hot males all day. But, THIS male prefers to see female nurses. Male nurses just irritate me. I'm NOT trying to be harsh, but remember, my "big heart" is no more....
* A repeat performance ~24 hours later
My OHS went well, 11/11/2011. But, Saturday evening, I was unresponsive for a time and had to be whisked into the OR again. Came out of that OK, but when the doctors and nurses are standing around telling you that everything will be fine, even though they have to open you up again, you wonder. Luckily, I didn't see my life flash before my eyes, but I kept saying, "oh no. Oh No! OH NO!"
After the anesthesiologist, I believe, said, "You'll be fine. You have the best team available right now", I remember thinking:
'Uh oh. I know how this goes. I watch TV. The hated/loved character survives a surgery of epic proportion only to relapse 24 hours later, and the so-called best team is somehow not able to reverse it. The hated/loved character dies, setting off a firestorm of reaction, in more ways than one. And, the network has gotten rid of a popular character and saved money. Wonderful...JUST MY LUCK!'
Or, maybe I just write too much.
SSsssooooo ... what've I missed?
Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic
CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile" __ Thurl Ravenscroft __ 'You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch'
HELLO AGAIN, EVERYBODY!
I'm not sure any quantity or quality of words or time will ever be able to express my appreciation for ALL of your well wishes, thoughts/prayers.
I'm well, mostly. My 4th open heart surgery (11/11/2011) was successful (my "big heart" is no more)! However, I was taken in for another surgery (evening, 11/12/2011), after I became unresponsive for a time due to internal bleeding around the surgery site.
I still hurt/ache and am cold at times, but I'm coping and TRYING to follow "doctors orders" as MUCH as possible. The pain is more "annoying" than anything. Recovery is going VERY SLOWLY (it seems, since I haven't had energy to DO much), but better to be slow'n'steady than fast'n'crash....
I went outside a few times to walk, late morning/early afternoon, Friday, 11/25/2011. It was nice to get outside in the GORGEOUS NOVEMBER WEATHER, but it also made me jealous of anyone who could drive ... because it would've been an AWESOME day to drive my cars....
POST-SURGERY PARTY
A few people asked if I am doing something special after surgery. Not sure; if so, I'll post details later.
OHS LOG
#1 = 11/1977 ... original pig valve installed (replace pulmonary valve I was born without) @ Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital
#2 = 03/1987 ... replaced original pig valve (growing out of it) @ Chicago's CMH
#3 = 01/06/2003 ... replaced 2nd pig valve (calcified) & original pacemaker installed @ Chicago's CMH, done by Drs Backer & Mavroudis
#4 = 11/11/2011 & 11/12/2011 ... 11/11/2011 edition replaced my "too big" aorta/aortic valve @ Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital, done by Dr. Russell ... it was 5.6 at middle; 5.3 at root. It is now 3.6. 11/12/2011 edition was to reopen me to remove/repair bleeding that had caused me to momentarily become unresponsive that evening.
DRIVING ABILITIES
Return in about a month; when they do, only my daily driver 1979 Caprice Classic will come out of storage. My MCs have to wait until spring to be cleaned...and have needed repairs...despite the "driving friendly" weather we've had this November....IRONY ROCKS!
WORK RETURN
Set for 01/06/2012, the 9-year anniversary of my 2003 OHS.
RECOVERY PROJECTS
I haven't done much yet, but I hope to...
...plan my 2012 ROAD TRIP (GA/FL, along east coast & into northern MI) & perhaps a short trip to STL along parts of Route 66.
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/roadtrips/roadtrips.html
http://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917
...WRMN's request from a few weeks ago to host part of their CHRISTMAS EVE RADIO BROADCAST. We'll see if I can get it in the budget in a few weeks....
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/radioshows.html
...finish putting my room back together (new carpeting & major re-arranging)
...read new books, etc.
...Nephew Time
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2636914604358.2152622.1300282613&type=1&l=00a2f5dccc
...my route 66 story...NO new chapter YET....
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/category/route66/
...organize a few things a bit better
...visit the groups/message boards, as possible
...misc.
BEST REASONS TO HAVE OHS
* Stay alive
* Unfailing support of family and friends
I doubt I will ever be able to personally thank each of you, or respond to every Email, call, post, PM, etc. Maybe if I had another 100 years....
* Caring healthcare workers
Without the surgeon and a very quick-acting (hot) nurse after I became unresponsive Saturday (11/12/2011) evening, things may be different right now. Luckily, I came to on my own, but without the nurse, who knows.
* 7a and 8a TNT showings of "Charmed"
Why ELSE would you get awake at 4a?
* 3:30p local showing of "Jeopardy!" & 6:30p local showing of "Wheel of Fortune"
Perhaps inspiration for another of my "Jeopardy!" contests; it's been a while. It's nice to see some things don't change.
* Hot female nurses
No joke. If I thought for a second I had a shot with any one of them...oh my goodness...I'd go back to the hospital in a heartbeat. Pun intended.
* Drugs
* Vacation time
Sarcastically added since MOST employers tend to see needed surgery as a way for an employee to take an extended vacation. Thus, they force you to use vacation/sick days before disability benefits kick in. For me, that meant using 5 of my newly-minted 15 vacation days for the October 2011 - September 2012 time period. Oh, fun.
WORST REASONS TO HAVE OHS
* Cheerful early wake up calls
Unless you enjoy being pried from a deep sleep at 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a or 5a (or combo) by an overenthusiastic nurse, with a huge smile on her face, telling you that she needs to take blood and/or give you more drugs. Actually, that doesn't sound all that bad.
* Hospital food
They TELL you that you HAVE to eat in order to be stronger, yet MOST of the food they serve prepares you for the world of dieting. I don't think I finished ANY meal, except for the hot chocolate, which I had MULTIPLE cups of at every meal ... because it was Nestle's Rich Chocolate version. I was surprised they had a brand name. I thought I was on drugs. Oh, wait, I was. But, I have proof; I brought a few packets home.
ONE EXCEPTION ... Chicago's soon-to-be-former Children's Memorial Hospital has the BEST food. I ate every meal in its entirety, as I recall, after my 2003 OHS.
* Drugs
Yes, I listed this as one of the "BEST REASONS", but it is a double-edged sword. It's nice to feel loopy instead of in so much pain, but when that loopiness makes you think things happened that didn't or think things didn't happen that did, it isn't so rosy.
* Visits from strangers
I know this is a bit odd coming from me (given my love of road trips and meeting people), but to be fair, my road trips are to meet people I WANT to see and converse with, not doctors, nurse practitioners, mental/social care workers, therapists (physical and occupational) that really do NOT know me and insist on going over details that I ALREADY KNOW FROM PREVIOUS SURGERIES.
I had the unlucky happening Thursday (11/17/2011) of reading about the death of a long-time friend from montecarloss.com, David Denn ... right before the social worker stopped by to check on how I was feeling. David's death was NOT a surprise. He had been fighting cancer and the last I had heard, it wouldn't be much longer. But, stumbling across MCSS to see the banner across the top of the page saying "RIP David Denn" just killed me. I will so miss his ALWAYS and OH-SO-POSITIVE reports/posts, no matter how bad the news was at the time; people tell me I have an upbeat outlook to life, but not as much as David's. I had hoped to meet him in person June 2011 when I was in PA, but his health worsened some that weekend and we were not able to meet. LIFE IS TOO SHORT, PEOPLES. Get that through your THICK skulls.
* Financial issues
No matter what people tell you, this is no "get rich quick" scheme. In fact, it is the opposite. My lack of a "newer" car to drive daily and a place of my own testify to this. I am VERY good at handling and budgeting money. However, I can't afford to NOT expect medical expenses. I haven't wanted to look at my bills or checkbook since I got home, but I will need to do that soon, to pay bills.... I'll stop there.
* TV selections
This Chicago hospital didn't even have the digital versions of 2 of Chicago's very own stations (9.2 and 26.2, 26.3, 26.4), which have awesome daytime (Classic primetime) programming day in day out. And, whatever station is showing "Golden Girls" (I think, Hallmark?) was not part of the cable package. Bah humbug.
* Male nurses
Unless you are a female who likes to look at hot males all day. But, THIS male prefers to see female nurses. Male nurses just irritate me. I'm NOT trying to be harsh, but remember, my "big heart" is no more....
* A repeat performance ~24 hours later
My OHS went well, 11/11/2011. But, Saturday evening, I was unresponsive for a time and had to be whisked into the OR again. Came out of that OK, but when the doctors and nurses are standing around telling you that everything will be fine, even though they have to open you up again, you wonder. Luckily, I didn't see my life flash before my eyes, but I kept saying, "oh no. Oh No! OH NO!"
After the anesthesiologist, I believe, said, "You'll be fine. You have the best team available right now", I remember thinking:
'Uh oh. I know how this goes. I watch TV. The hated/loved character survives a surgery of epic proportion only to relapse 24 hours later, and the so-called best team is somehow not able to reverse it. The hated/loved character dies, setting off a firestorm of reaction, in more ways than one. And, the network has gotten rid of a popular character and saved money. Wonderful...JUST MY LUCK!'
Or, maybe I just write too much.
SSsssooooo ... what've I missed?
Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic
CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile" __ Thurl Ravenscroft __ 'You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch'
