| Author | Message | ||
     Ulyranger |
Best wishes to you for a smooth operation and speedy recovery. | ||
| Doerman |
There are important elements to healing, John.. Your understanding of what's wrong and how they go about fixing it. The skill and technology of the HC service The first is done. You're there. You know what's ahead and what is not and how it is being fixed. That's your reassurance. A very good thing! You have a map you know to navigate to destination: "full recovery". HealthCare: In this day and age, the upcoming procedure is routine. They will do a fine job and you will be up and about in no time. As for us, your far flung friends. We're thinking of you. You will be in my prayers. In also feel quite honored that you ask us to send you energy and prayers. That says a lot about you; considering us your friends. Thank you! | ||
| Bluzm2 |
John, Thoughts, prayers and good JuJu already on the way. From your last post you still have you sense of humor. Believe it or not that's important. I have qa feeling you will be chasing Terri around the room very soon!  Brad | ||
| Bcordb3 |
John, My and my families prayers are with and your family. Good luck, Bud. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Thoughts and prayers to you sir, for your speedy and complete recovery after a SUCCESSFUL procedure! | ||
| Buelldawg |
A prayer for you, brother. | ||
| Crusty |
Just a very quick update; I met with the Surgeon today. After listening to his recommendations, I decided to go with the mechanical valve. This week, I have to see my dentist and make sure I have no dental infection. I guess a dental infection will travel straight to the heart, and could kill me. The Nurse-Practioner is also going to set me up with a bunch of other tests, to make sure I'm in good health (other than the valve), and have nothing that could cause complications. After everything is done, we'll schedule a date for the surgery. It should be within two weeks. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"I guess a dental infection will travel straight to the heart, and could kill me." Crusty-you have a wise surgeon. I've known two people who have battled bacterial infections post surgery after having shoddy dental work done. The subsequent infection killed one. The other, my step-dad, has a recurring bacterial blood infection that attacks his artificial hip. His infectious disease doc explained to our family that the infection attacks the weak or "non-OEM" parts of the body. They never know right away what bacteria strain they are dealing with, and sometimes his reaction to the cocktail of drugs he is prescribed is worse than the actual side effects of the infection. It is a very vicious and scary cycle which leaves those closest to him waiting for the call that it is time to hop a plane or make that drive for that last visit. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Crusty. BeLinda. | ||
| Ulynut |
You're already on the road to recovery.  | ||
| Kenm123t |
Cool get that fixed and blood flow is normal you may not be so Crusty! Your new BWB handle may be Happy! Good luck! Your on the prayer list Ken | ||
| Rich |
Good luck John, it'll be a snap. I had a triple A a couple years ago, no problems. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Mechanical valve? you going to need shimming every coupla years? Best of luck John I'll hoist a glass for you. | ||
| Kenm123t |
Grumpy I dont think he gets a Ducati valve ! | ||
| M2nc |
No, Crusty is a push rod guy. Praying for a speedy recovery. | ||
| Crusty |
The valve I'm getting is a combination of Stainless Steel and Carbon; according to the surgeon. I definitely don't want any Rube Goldberg inspired valve actuation in my ticker. Ducati can keep that outmoded and unnecessarily complex valve system for themselves. | ||
| Nittanyxt |
Tell the Doc you want titanium,won't rust and lighter weight! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Take the design to Erik first see what he can do with it. I mean, stainless & carbon? that's so last decade.  | ||
| Oldog |
good luck Crusty, surgery is never fun. BUT when the ticker is right things will be goood prayers sent your way | ||
| M2statz |
Sounds like you have a great team on your side Crusty. Remember to LISTEN to them pre-op as well as post-op. I will make sure that the twins put you on their list for prayers!! | ||
| Crusty |
My day at the UMass Memorial Medical Center started at 7:45. I had to have an Echocardiogram of the Carotid Arteries in my neck. I was done by 8:20, but I had to kill two hours until my Lung Tests at 10:30. I got to huff, and puff, and blow for all I could into a machine the measured whatever it was measuring. I also got to discover the difference between having blood drawn from a vein (the usual way to have blood drawn) and having blood drawn from an artery. I won't describe it, for fear of upsetting the squeamish (me, for one!), other than to say that if they hadn't used Novocain first, they'd probably be still trying to pry me out of the ceiling. Of course, the Lung Testing ran late, so I didn't get to sample the heavenly smelling lunch in the Hospital Cafeteria (No joke; it really smelled magnificent; and the two nurses I asked said the food was usually very good). Anyway; now the fun began. It was time for my Pre Surgery Testing. I had six (6!) vials of blood drawn (from a vein), Peed in a cup, for a Urine sample, got a few chest X-rays, has a long wooden Q-tip put in an uncomfortable orifice, had another Q-tip rubbed in my nostrils, got an electrocardiogram, Got weighed wearing only a hospital johnny (237 Lbs.) got measured (5' 6-3/4") got my Prescriptions for two pre-op drugs filled, had a long and informative discussion with my Cardio Nurse Practitioner, had a very long and informative discussion with the Anesthesiologist and watched a 30 minute video detailing what is about to happen. I am now Officially Scared Shitless. What didn't happen was the Cat Scan. If that doesn't happen tomorrow, or early Friday, the Surgery will be pushed back until it is done. The Insurance Company doesn't want to pay for it; so the Surgeon has to convince those penny pinching bean counters that it's necessary. I also have to see the Dentist, tomorrow. If he (or she) finds any infection, the surgery will be postponed until it can be cured. Dental infections go straight to the heart, and could cause death. So; for now, the valve replacement surgery is going to take this Monday at 8:00 AM. Megan and Rocco (my daughter and her fiance), are going to drive me to the Hospital, and will be there during the surgery. If you're local, and want to visit; just go to the main entrance of the Hospital, and the nice lady will tell you what room I'm in and how to get there. Don't bother to come on Monday; I don't think I'll be in the proper place to receive visitors. I would love to get visitors. The Hospital is right at the intersection of Rt. 9 and Plantation St. Just west of Shrewsbury If you want to send a card, send it to: John Jackson UMass Memorial Medical Center 55 Lake Avenue North Worcester, MA 01655 Or my home address: john Jackson 115 Mill St. Leominster, Ma 01453 Once again, Thank you for all the Prayers and Positive Energy. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
thanks for the update John, we're all praying for you buddy! | ||
| Blake |
What? No catheter? You got off easy! Sounds like a very thorough approach. Will be thinking of you. Thanks for the update. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Don't forget the video mate. You should get it streamed live so we can all watch. I'll be thinking of you. | ||
| 86129squids |
Thanks for the update- sounds like you're on your way! Once you've absorbed and digested the series of recent events and discussions, you'll find a place in time where you can relax, and find peace. Might be more difficult than that, but maybe it can be like a brand new, superdooper rollercoaster- looks dang scary, other folks just getting off had been screaming the whole time, but they're walking to the sno-cone stand just fine.  | ||
| 86129squids |
Frank Herbert included a great saying in his sci-fi novel, "Dune"... Dang. I used to have it memorized... here ya go. "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." Wow- looking that up, the Wikiquotes I found went into a kind of "cliffnotes" mode, with a great number of great sayings... might be time to read that series for the 3rd time. | ||
| Kenm123t |
Squids you must not be human You cannot change the spice nor will you be the Kiwizat Haderach You will feel the gom jabbar of a Bene Gesseritt witch Have squids read you the book while you resting and be your YO boy The book is a metaphor for Islam and oil | ||
| 86129squids |
  Where in the heck are you coming from, Ken? Despite your attempt at Yodaspeak/bubbagumption, I reject that the book is "a metaphor for Islam and oil". Herbert wrote it back in 1965, when we'd been good buddies with OPEC for some time by then, I don't see the tangent. I've read the entire series twice, found it great as a whole. I recommend that you head to your local used bookstore, buy the whole half-dozen, then holler back. Sorry bout the whole thread highjack, John- I send all the best juju and mojo, and spice, your way. | ||
| Crusty |
I went to the Dentist, this morning to have my mouth and teeth examined. Everything looked good; there's no sign of any infection that might negatively inpact my Heart surgery. However, when I was leaving the Dentist's, I had a message from my Surgeon. I have an appointment for a C-T scan tomorrow morning; my surgery is postponed and I have an appointment to meet with the surgeon next Friday morning at his office. I think (but don't know for sure) that the surgery was postponed to allow me enough time to recover from the Cold I've had since last weekend. While I think it's a good idea to wait, it's kind of frustrating at the same time. Oh, well. | ||
| Kenm123t |
read them have all the movies the good and the bad ones. Scifi has long been political commentary. We need a scifi thread! | ||
| 86129squids |
Well, crap, Ken, I've waged war on an another thread- should I've kept peace? I'd rather a fair amount of peace, with libations, around a campfire, with all youns. |
