The final stretch...

[suz]

Bill,

My Sister reported that my Dad looked really sweet after his surgery without the thick matte of hair that is normally on his chest (and everywhere). Well, look at it this way, if you were entering the Mr. Universe contest, you would be getting rid of the body hair too! Hey it worked for Ahnold. And by the way, Gov S had heart surgery some years ago, his doc was in the same building as mine in Santa Monica and I ran into him by the elevators. He was very nice looking, but the terminator wasn't as tall as I had thought he would be. Anyway, he is obviously doing just great and has a major stress job to boot.

I hope you don't feel stressed too much about your folks being there during your surgery. Maybe them being there will help your wife in some way. My Aunt is a major worrier and her response to my Dad's surgery has been nothing but supportive. My Sister has been the family member to "man the fort" as she lives in the same town as my Dad. She has had to deal with some post surgical mood flares, but she has her husband and her kids to be there for support. The most important thing is your positive attitude. I am sure everything will work out with your folks being there.

You are about to get it over with, Bill! My only thought to share with you, aside from lots of good wishes, is that it seems important to remember during your recovery period that the situation is only temporary. Your dependence on others, frustration with not being able to do things, feelings of anger, they are all very temporary conditions and you will be back "on your feet" before you know it! Sounds like you have a great support system and, of course, we are all routing for you here!

Best,
suz

 

[Raverlaw]

Bryan, Suz and Christina-

Thanks for the good wishes. I'm already looking way past the surgery. Even though the recovery period is temporary, and I *should* ultimately feel better than I ever have before, I know that this experience will change my life (already has!).

I think the whole body shaving thing is pretty funny. I've had a hairy chest since about age 16 and think I will look pretty funny a naked as a chihuahua. What if my wife likes it that way? Then she'll make me keep it shaved

The wierdest thing right now is that they took blood for (among a bunch of other tests) typing and cross-matching yesterday, and put this bracelet on me to make sure I get the right blood if I need a transfusion. So now I'm wearing this hospital bracelet around (they told me in no uncertain terms that I had to have it on NOW and could NOT take if off until after I'm discharged). People who see the bracelet are sure giving me some funny looks. Maybe I should wear a surgical mask to go with it?
Or just start wearing the gown now?

 

[suz]

Lets start a pool....

Lets start a pool....

Is bill's wife going to just love his new look and demand that he remain shaved forever?

I am in and I say YES. I am putting in $1

suz

 

[catwoman]

Bill:

Good luck with your voyage. Sounds like you should have the hospital gown on now... Be fashionable, add a red heart to the front.
Tell the driver of the Mack truck that you'll get his license plate # and sue for damages!!!!!!!!!

 

[Granbonny]

Bill

Bill

You didn't mention your beard. Looks like you have one in your avator. Bonnie

 

[Glenda]

Bill, I'll be praying for you on the 20th. You'll do fine. You've got a great attitude and that means a lot.

I wish my surgery was this close. They have't set a date for mine yet.

Be sure and have your wife or someone post for you to let us know how you are doing.


Love and God Bless, Glenda

 

[Glenda]

Bill, I just received this from a friend of mine on e-mail and after I read it I just had to share it with all my friends and family.

Dear Lord,

I need your peace today.
I have crooked places that need to be straight and rough places that need to be smoothed. I'm facing mountains I can't climb and valleys I can't cross. I need help. I release into your hands the worries and anxiety's and struggles of life. Amen

Doesn't this say it all.

Love and God Bless, GLenda

 

[Raverlaw]

Glenda,

That about sums it up. Thanks for the inspiration.

Suz,

No fair starting a pool. My wife might see it and consider it to be some kind of vote of confidence. If I start shaving now, I'm going to have to keep it tan, too! On the plus side, there's a few gray ones popping up down there that I'd like to get rid of.

Granbonny,

My avatar has a beard but I don't. That photo was taken (at my insistence) after I grew one during a three week vacation last year. Sandy made it clear that the beard was COMING OFF when the vacation was over, so I had her memorialize it. If I had to shave my chest, maybe I could negotiate getting to grow the beard back? How about a poll on that one, Suz?

 

[SJJ]

Bill,
I'll save my surgical send-off for a later post. At the moment I want to address the Mock Trial team you and your wife have been working with so diligently. I know you must be very proud of those kids and hope their final efforts on the 19th provide some of the best moments of their young lives. For all their hard work and yours, I wish you the best of luck.
Sue

 

[suz]

Bill,

Could be a nice side income- open up a tanning spa in cambria. Hey I am a big fan of Cary Grant who always has a tan, rain or shine. Very sexy.

Sorry, I won't relent

suz

 

[suz]

Bill,

Having been on the receiving end of a bearded kiss, I am sorry but in good consience I can not be responsible for that pool. I think beards look great on someone elses guy, but not mine. You are putting your dear wife through enough with the surgery. I don't think that it would be fair to her to make her kiss a scrub brush.

best,
suz

 

[Raverlaw]

Suz,

If we keep up this "shave or not shave" discussion long enough, Ross will yank this thread and put it in "small talk"

I actually liked the beard, this time, but the look isn't what I'm going for. I think subconsciously, new clients, juries, etc. trust a clean-shaven guy more - and they're not even THINKING about kissing

But I just realized I won't be able to keep that chest shaved because it will be too sore, right? Plus I'll need all that fur back to keep warm and to hide the scar!

 

[Granbonny]

Suz

Suz

Bet Cary Grant does not have a tan now. Been dead for a few years. But, George Hamilton always has one Bill. I hate beards. Makes all men look older.. Sorry, bearded member guys. I,ll take the heat. Bonnie

 

[Nancy]

Bill-

Think "ITCHY". Full body shaves are known for that. I certainly wish you well with the hairless look.

 

[Raverlaw]

Nancy,

If the hairless look works for me, I'll go to work for Taco Bell and replace the chihuahua as their new spokesmodel.

 

[suz]

Bill,

I think a discussion of hair shaving is relevent as it is part of the whole surgery experience. And besides, I am sure that there is nothing "small" about your chest.

I like the look of clean shaven men. It is rare to find a man with a soft beard and if you have one, my argument is moot. I like beards on men and I think the one you have emortalized is quite nice. Still, I worry about the scrub brush.

Bonnie,

You are quite right, but I find Mr. Grant quite attractive and Mr. Hamilton not. I just saw "North by Northwest" and he looked just wonderful.

 

[Bryan B]

IMO, "dehairing" for my last cath was not as unpleasant as the "rehairing" was afterwards. I can't imagine how the chest hair will feel like growing back, but I sure would like to find out before the stress of waiting makes all of my hair fall out!



Bill you sound calm and at peace with yourself. I hope I handle things as well as you are.

 

[bethanne]

Thanks for the posts Bill...

For those of us still struggling with the reality of it all such as myself... It is a great opportunity to live vicariously through you as share your journey.

Bye the way what is the deal with you guys growing beards on vacation? You know it is our vacation too! My husband does that quite a bit. Drives me nuts! I guess I don't wear makeup when we go camping etc. That's It!! Paybacks...

I know I will be praying for your family for peace and strength for the upcoming weeks

 

[Marge]

Bill, I won't get into the hair discussion. Just wanted to come on briefly to wish you the very best for Friday the 20th. I think you will be fine.

I am back home as of noon today & feeling very good. I can walk well, am breathing OK and even able to sleep in bed. (At least was at the hospital. Am going to bed in a few minutes to see if can duplicate that at home.) Summit Hospital here in Oakland was great. Especially in the CICU, where the patients have a one on one nurse all the time (sometimes I had two) and an intensitivist MD went from room to room to monitor the patients. I imagine this is pretty standard procedure these days. Everybody was so efficient as well as VERY VERY kind.

So think ahead how happy you will be to be back home the Friday after that. I am afraid that there is no way to avoid the edginess and anxiety the night before but once you are in the prep area with everything humming away efficiently (as though they are saying, "HEY, don't worry, we know exactly how to do this") it is OK. The time just before that felt to me like the last few minutes before I started a jury trial -- terrified but once I stood up (shaking) to say "Ready, your honor" everything would magically right into place.

 

[Abbanabba]

Hey Marge - wonderful to see you are back home doing so well. Great news!!

Bill - have you considered waxing..? Find out just what all us girlies go through!! Besides, it keeps it from growing back so quickly. Will be thinking of you.

Cheers
Anna : )