New guy here!

[Chevy man]

Hello everyone!
I am new to this site although I have been reading some of the forum posts for the last few weeks gathering information on my upcoming pulmonary valve replacement surgery( November 13th). I would like to say that I am impressed with the number of caring and supportive people here. It is comforting to see so many other people that have or are dealing with the same type of traumatic health issues as my wife and I have for the past few years.

I live in the Kansas City area and am having my surgery done at the University Of Kansas Medical Center also known as K.U. Medical Center. My surgeon will be Dr. Daniel Marelli. I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience or surgery at K.U. Med Center. I had TOF surgery there as a child in 1971 but have not been there sense.

We are glad we found you!

 

[bvdr]

Hi and Welcome Chevyman,

I have no experience with your hospital or surgeon but just want to welcome you to this wonderful site. I have heard that KU has an excellent reputation though.

Ask anything you want and join in any discussions. We all learn from each other and among all of us there is a wealth of first hand experiences to draw from.

We have another member, Cort (knightfan) who has a real fondness for the Monte Carlo.

 

[Jan]

Hi Chevyman

Welcome to VR.com

I cannot offer you any information as I live in the UK and our health service is so different to yours in the USA,

But I am sure other members will come along who can offer advice

please keep in touch

keep smiling

Jan ( Liverpool England )

 

[hensylee]

Hey Chevy - you have come along in plenty of time to gather a parade of us to walk along with you to Nov 13th. There is always plenty to learn from this site and somebody may come in that knows of the hosp you are going to. Welcome to VR.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Chevyman,
Welcome to this Great Site. I hope you stick around and ask questions you will find was very helpful and supportive people here. You have just become part of a very big family and we won't hold it against you that you like chevys. lol Dodge Rules!
Again Welcome and Enjoy!

Dave
___________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi chevy man!
just wanted to say welcome to this wonderful site.
you already know that everyone here is supportive, kind and informative.
although i can't help with your doctor or hospital, i'm sure that someone
will come along soon and know more.
we'll keep you company while you wait for your surgery.
in the meantime, be well, sylvia

 

[Christina]

Hi Chevy man,

Can't help you on the surgeon as I reside in AZ, but you've come to the right place for info and support. Most of us have been where you are today, but there is life after valve surgery. Once you are over "the mountain" we all will be there to support you and get you to your old self. It takes a while but you'll get there. Some do it faster than others, it all depends on your condition before surgery.
So pull up a chair, get comfortable and ask away. Someone will come along soon to answer your questions. No question is wrong. Even your spouse is welcome on the forum as the "Significant Other". It can be very scary for the family, so don't be shy.

Come back often.

 

[Chevy man]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I am sure I will have somew more questions and concerns as time grows nearer.

Thanks again!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Kelly (aka Chevy Man) -

You can check out your hospital by procedure at
www.HealthGrades.com for FREE.

There is a site (BestDocs.com ?) for checking Docs
but there is a charge for that service.

Welcome to our world

'AL'

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Chevy!!

Hi Chevy!!

Hi Chevy,

Just wanted to welcome you to this wonderful website. I have only been on for about 3 months and let me tell you, the help I have been given, the caring the people have shared is just
tremendous...again, welcome. Harrybaby666

 

[Guest]

Welcome Kelly (Chevy man)!

Heh...it's nice to see another Chevrolet guy in here . Good luck as you begin your climb up the mountain. We will be here for you each step you take. Do not hesitate to talk to us!

And, Dave...hmph...how dare ya .

Betty..."fondness" is the kind/politically correct way of putting it...LOL! And, considering I've celebrated some "mileage milestones" in the last week [Browny (72 MC) ... 141,575+; Elvira (76 MC Landau) ... 56,500+; Sweet Pea (79 MC Landau) ... 139,875+; Sweet Tea (81 MC SC) ... 188,050+; Blue Breeze (87 MC LS/CL) ... 112,450+], I'd almost say it's another "sickness"...LOL!

And...I'm still considering a road trip this weekend...but not sure to where just yet...anyone want to see/meet me?

Cort S, pig's valve & pacemaker-enhanced 30/swm
AIM=fc72mc ... YIM=knightfan2691
member & newsletter editor, Faith COB: http://www.faithcob.org
MC's Future: http://www.projectmonte.com/petition/
My MC Family: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
http://www.virtual-carshow.com/monte/CortStevens/Blue87LSCL
G1=1970-1972...72...2nd owner
G2=1973-1977...76...2nd owner
G3=1978-1980...79...3rd owner
G4=1981-1988...81...2nd owner
G4=1981-1988...87...2nd owner, daily driver
Ga=1995-1999...97...Dad's "Red Toy"
Gb=2000-200?...00...1st owner, former daily driver, RIP
RIP: '76=Parents' [my] MC ... '88 MC LS
Spotting MCs: http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html

 

[Chevy man]

Thanks again, you are all awesome people!

I am not at total stranger to heart surgery, but this will be the first major surgery as an adult for me. As a child at the age of seven I had surgery for a Blayloch Shunt and then at the age of ten I had Tetrology Of Fallow (not sure if my spelling is correct). Having surgery as a child to me didn?t seem to be as serious or worrisome as it seems to be as an adult. I guess that is because as children we automatically put our trust in our parents and the adult care givers. I had no problems what so ever until July of 1998 at the age of 38 I had a bout of Ventricular Tachycardia which I was lucky to survive. I now have an ICD to restore my heart rhythm if needed. So far It has not happened again. Along with the valve replacement they will do an ablation in to help prevent this problem in the future. So that is a little back ground history that brings me to this point in my life.

Knightfan, great to see other automotive enthusiasts here. I have been a car and truck nut all of my life. I am the Vice President of a local truck club, Genuine Chevy-GMC Truck Club Of Kansas City. We enjoy traveling to car and truck shows as often as we can. We also host two shows and two cruise nights each year. I am the show chairman for our annual truck show, The Midwest All Truck Nationals. This Sunday we will be purchasing over $5,000.00 worth of toys to give to the local Toys For Tots charity. As a non profit organization this is what we do with the proceeds from our truck show.

We like to take road trips to shows so let me know of any shows in your area. Maybe we could make a trip your way next summer.

Our club web site is: www.chevygmcofkc.org
Truck show web site: www.alltrucknats.com

My vehicles are:
1958 Chevrolet Apache 3100 pickup - currently undergoing a frame up restoration
1972 GMC - daily driver- built 355ci, needless to say needs rear tires now
1967 Rambler American - 30,000 actual miles, all original

 

[Nancy]

Hi Kelly-

Just wanted to welcome you to the site. This is the greatest place with so much informed support. So glad you decided to stop by and become a member.

Sorry you're facing another surgery, but with the valve surgery and ablation, you should be in great shape after the healing is well along.

My husband's had quite a few thoracic surgeries, 3 valves and 2 lungs. Every one of them saved his life.

A close friend of mine had an ablation for similar arrhythmias, and she's been terrific.

So stick with us were all here for you.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome Kelly! So glad to have you and your wife join us. You are no stranger to this journey we're all on, so we look forward to learning from you as well. I'm going to have to look up T of F. I haven't heard that term before.

Karlynn

 

[Guest]

Kelly,

I agree about why the surgery as a child doesn't seem as worrisome.... Also, as you get older, you have more responsibilities....and, as such, being "out of it" for a while seems just about unbearable ....

And...wow...I checked out the sites you gave....nice clubs . As you said, very cool to meet more "old vehicle" enthusiasts!

he he he...I'm not only Mr Monte Carlo, but I'm also Mr Road Trip . I took an 11-day road trip east this past August (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee)...and plan to see my friends "out west" next summer . Once I have that planned, I'll let ya know . I'll also try to remember to let you know when I have the show schedule for next summer...heh...you shoulda seen my schedule I had for THIS year....he he he.... .

BTW, along with my sites, you might be interested in viewing http://www.chevyasylum.com. My buddy Ray has quite a site going...and also hosts "chevywest.org", a club focused on the "mostly forgotten" people west of the Mississippi River....

 

[epstns]

Well, looks like we may soon need another forum -- for us car nuts. I "used" to be a Chevy guy, until the imports took over when The General's quality went south. . . but I still subscribe to the belief of "Small Blocks Forever!"

Also, I used to manage the Chicago World of Wheels hot rod and custom car show, as well as act as a judging supervisor on the International Show Car Association circuit shows. All of the old iron is neat, regardless of marque.

Any other gearheads out there?