*Who'da thunk it? 3-month post-op!

[Guest]

I've had many requests for an "update"; thus, since I'm posting some cruises & events to my car lists, I'm taking the opportunity to give ya'll a health update & share that info with you, too, in case you want to meet up with me sometime.... As of today, I'm 3 months post-op (open heart surgery 01/06/2003); spring is here; summer is coming; my older 4 "baby girls" will come to life soon [Apr 19...or later...depends on the weather (currently wintery here)...& a few other things...]; & I'm doing GREAT!!!


>>Kidney Scarring<<
My next 24-hr urine test is in May.... We'll see if the increased Cozaar dosage has helped the overall kidney function &/or lowered protein amounts....


>>Pacemaker & Open Heart Surgery follow-up<<
My appointment at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago IL) has been rescheduled to May 1 (from Apr 24), due to conflicting doctor's schedules. I have phoned in pacemaker transmissions every other week, with no significant changes...so, all is good! At the May 1 appointment, the pacemaker will be tested more to see if the output can be lowered. If not, other alternatives (including more surgery) will be discussed. I look forward to the echocardiogram (which will give my cardiologist a "peak" at my new valve)! I'm feeling better (almost 100%), although more tired since I'm back to work full time again. I still have a healthy appetite & am gaining some weight...which, I'm told, is a good thing...he he he.


>>Back To Work<<
After 3 days of full time (Fri, Feb 28; Mon, Mar 3 & Tue, Mar 4), I started half-days Wed, Mar 5 & continued that until Mon, Mar 31. That helped my recovery; full-time days were getting the best of me & I needed to rest even more than I thought.... Of course, it is frustrating that, now that I am close to 100%, I am unable to do some of the projects I want...because I have less time...he he he.


>>Relocating...<<
It appears, as we've recently discovered, that water is now seeping up through the carpeting in my room. This will more than likely force my relocation (to where, I don't know) for a while (how long, I've no clue)...a bit frustrating/nerveracking, but I'm going to make the best of it...some way, some how!


>>Road Trips<<
I had a blast meeting people & traveling to Illinois (Peoria, Bloomington & near Effingham) & to Indiana (Marion) & Michigan (Flint, near Detroit & Grand Rapids). Also met some people at the Volo Auto Museum (Mar 29). I may road trip (Iowa? Wisconsin?) more yet this spring; I'll travel to Ohio in June...perhaps back to Michigan in July...then Pennsylvania, Tennessee & Missouri (maybe even Kansas) in August. Let me know if you want to see me...!


>>Cruise Nights, Greater Chicagoland<<
I'm ready! These are the cruises at which I plan to appear sometimes...all are, of course, evening hours....

TUE (1st & 3rd)
-Double K Productions ( http://www.doublekproductions.com ) @ Steak'N'Shake, Elgin IL

WED
-Elmhurst IL

THU
-RodFathers ( http://chicagorodfathers.tripod.com ) @ Frato's, Schaumburg IL
-OR-Crystal Lake IL ( http://www.hemmings.com )

FRI
-N IL St Rod Association ( http://www.nilsra.com/ ), Elgin IL
-OR-Rolling Meadows IL

SAT
-S Elgin IL ... Kane County Gearheads @ Beef Villa
-OR-Lombard IL
-OR-Mt Prospect IL


>>Event Schedule<<
THU...MAY 1
-follow-up appointment @ NMH (cardiologist & pacemaker)

MAY
-24-hour urine test
-another trip to Volo Auto Museum ( http://www.volocars.com )?
-Monte Carlo petition ( http://www.projectmonte.com/petition ) to be distributed to GM/Chevrolet mid-month. Creation of a new petition for other GM makes/models may begin.... Close to 800 people have signed!

MON...MAY 26
-Silvercreek Museum Cruise ( http://www.essex1.com/people/3dsound/carshow.html ), 11a-5p, Freeport IL

TUE-SUN...MAY 27-JUN 1
-NHRA Nationals ( http://www.route66raceway.com ), Chicago IL

SUN...JUN 8
-Red Ox Cruise (Crusaders; http://www.carclubCrusadersIL.homestead.com ), 4p-8p, Hampshire IL

THU-SUN...JUN 26-29
-Monte Carlo Nationals ( http://www.montecarloclub.com ), Elyria OH ... I'm planning to bring my '72, '76 & '79 MCs....

JUL
-trip to Michigan (weekend to be determined)

SAT...JUL 5
-cousin's wedding in California

SUN...JUL 13
-Fiesta Days (N IL St Rod Association), McHenry IL

WED...JUL 16
-Red Ox Cruise (Crusaders), 5p-9p, Hampshire IL

SUN...JUL 20
-Riverfront Classics Car Show, 8a-4p, Dixon IL

SUN...JUL 27
-Turning Back Time Car Show, 8a-4p, Sycamore IL

THU-MON...AUG 7-18
-Road trip to Pennsylvania, then to Tennessee & onto Branson MO

THU-SAT...AUG 14-16
-1st Gen MC Gathering ( http://www.firstgenerationmontecarlo.com ), Branson MO
-OR Woodwood Dream Cruise, Detroit MI
-OR G-body Club of N IL ( http://www.stroked57.com/GCNI/ ) @ Volo Auto Museum, Volo IL

WED...AUG 20
-Red Ox Cruise (Crusaders), 5p-9p, Hampshire IL

SUN...AUG 24
-Downtown (Riverside Parking Deck) Car Show, Elgin IL

FRI-SUN...SEP 19-21
-trip to Pittsburgh PA to see the Cubs @ Pirates

SAT-SUN...SEP 27-28
-Show & Swap Meet, Jefferson WI

SEP / OCT
-Another trip to Volo Auto Museum?

SUN...OCT 5
-Car Show, 8a-4p, Pearl City IL

THU-MON...OCT 9-13
-valvereplacement.com reunion, Chicago IL

NOV
-Chevy/Vette Fest, Chicago IL


Hmm...what will replace the 2000 "mc" LS: '87/'88 MC LS (or) '87 Olds CS (or) mid-90s Ford Thunderbird?

I appreciate your support....while I (we) keep others in prayer....

"Irony Rocks",
Cort S, pig's valve & pacemaker-enhanced 29/swm
Instant Messengers...AOL="fc72mc"...Yahoo="knightfan2691"
Member & Newsletter Editor, Faith COB: http://www.faithcob.org
My MC Family: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
Spotting MCs: http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html

 

[Rich]

Hey it sounds like you are doing quite well.
I did short weeks also during my recovery and it helped.
You think that your'e doing really good until you get back to the 'old grind'. Then you realize there is still a little more ways to go.
You have quite a schedule planned.
Let me know when and if you come back to Michigan.
Also just in case he might be at the NHRA nationals, Bob Riggle of Hemi Under Glass fame is an old friend of mine from my late teens into my early twenties.
So let's hope for a real Monte Carlo one of these days.
I also worked on the design of the previous MC but I don't really like that much either.
I do know things are happening but I can't repeat what I've heard and seen.

Rich

 

[epstns]

Hey, Cort - Your schedule makes ME tired! Glad to hear you're back to it so well.

Rich - can you at least tell us the country of origin of next-gen MC? I sure would rather see Detroit Iron than Aussie stuff!

Small blocks forever!!! (I'll have to admit, though, mine were either in Camaro's or in a junior fueler. . . )

 

[Rich]

Steve,
I hope it goes that way also.
The stuff from down under is OK I guess but just not the same.
A lot will depend on what kind of money they have to spend during this big downturn.
A whole new rear wheel drive platform is really expensive.
If things don't pick up some programs could very well be delayed or cancelled.
We will just have to wait and see.

 

[Guest]

Rich,

Yep, I'm doing well... I'm half-way to where Creed is . LOL!

You're right...you think you're OK until you go back to the daily grind...aye...what a wake-up call .

As for the schedule...yep...I need to keep busy these days...for more than one reason.... I will definitely let you (and Jim) know the next time I'm heading up to MI .

As for NHRA...sweet . Always neat to have friends like that!

Heh...I wish ya could tell me what you've heard and seen about the MC...LOL..... The next one better be RWD and V8...make it real again .


Steve,

Makes ya tired, eh? Just remember that schedule is drawn out over several months...LOL. And, thanks...it feels good to be "back"....

 

[Rich]

Hey I'm going to talk to some of my friends down at GM for an update.
I still have to be careful though, I wouldn't want them to cut off my pension
For yourself hopefully it just gets better from here.
If it wasn't for those monthly blood tests and popping that pill everyday I would probably just forget about it entirely.
It really has been great and given me a new lease on life.

 

[JimL]

Hey Cort, July sounds wonderful.

I'm still working two jobs, I have a paper to present at the end of April, and there are various family things, weddings, graudations (We celebrate my daughter's high school graduation 6-6; if anyone wants to come, let me know).

I'm still looking into getting some cysts removed, and haven't yet found a surgeon who'll do it while I'm still on coumadin. If I have to get off coumadin, that means at least a week in the hospital on heparin, and that means July is my first opportunity to find that much time.

I hope we can get together in July.

 

[Guest]

Rich...hmm...find out anything more? . And, no, please do not jeopardize your pension! And, yes, I agree...the surgery has given me a new lease on life .

Jim...sounds like you are just as busy as I am...LOL...good luck to you.... And, I do hope all 3 of us are able to meet in July...that'd be very cool .