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Split my breastbone and cut off a chunk of my heart

Pilgrim

By Pilgrim
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Pilgrim

Pilgrim

Posted
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I didn't announce it here ahead of time (didn't want to kick off any pools on survival, funeral date, etc,) but on March 8 a skilled, highly-paid, sawbones in Seattle sliced off my aorta and the related valve and replaced them with a Dacron tube and valve made of cow parts. He also did a precautionary single bypass of a 14-year old stent. As my daughter says, I am now somewhere between bovine and bionic. My wife says that I have not yet begun to moooo in my sleep, but she's waiting.

 

I am now four weeks into recovery and it is going far better than I have any right to expect. A followup visit Monday revealed BP 125/76, resting pulse 60 and regular, O2saturation 96% (a big improvement). Healing of the cut & sliced places is ahead of schedule. Tylenol has managed the pain since day 3. Related good news is ditching two meds I'd been on, cutting the dose of another in half, and loss of 25lbs (not that I recommend this particular surgery as a weight loss device.)

 

There were no real complications other than heavy post-surgical bleeding that had them on the edge of opening me up again when it finally stopped. And on day 4 they had to run a big-assed needle into my pleural cavity from the back to drain fluid around the lungs. That was about as much fun as it sounds like...

 

I am looking forward to an improved energy level once I'm fully back on my feet come mid-April. The bad valve (deformed by the enlarged aorta) was leaking back 30%, which diminished blood flow and thus O2 to the muscles.

 

Peculiar. If you take your car in to Honest Al's Curbside Auto Repair and Gin Mill he has to give back to you any old parts he replaces. Did you know it's not like that for doctors? I pitched a fit, said if they were gonna take out my aorta and valve I damn well wanted to see them in a jar of formaldehyde afterwards. They just wouldn't do it, and they told me pics and videos were out, too, so you guys are out of luck on that.

 

If I make it to the Un-Rally or if I run into you somewhere else this summer you'll be charged $5.00 for me not to show you my scar.

 

Pilgrim

 

 

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Husker Red

Husker Red

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Glad to have you back. "Somewhere between bovine and bionic." That's good stuff there.

 

BTW - I would have taken one of the later dates in the survival pool. Your good sense of humor will keep you kicking for a long time. Besides, only the good die young... :)

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Joe Frickin' Friday

Joe Frickin' Friday

Posted
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I am now four weeks into recovery and it is going far better than I have any right to expect. A followup visit Monday revealed BP 125/76, resting pulse 60 and regular, O2saturation 96% (a big improvement). Healing of the cut & sliced places is ahead of schedule. Tylenol has managed the pain since day 3. Related good news is ditching two meds I'd been on, cutting the dose of another in half, and loss of 25lbs (not that I recommend this particular surgery as a weight loss device.)

 

Wow. Hadn't seen you on the site at all, wondered what you were up to. That's big news, and I'm happy to hear it's all good.

 

Very glad you managed the pain mostly without the heavy artillery. I know of a couple of people who suffered withdrawal symptoms when they tried to stop the prescription pain meds after major surgery like that; I would guess that addiction/withdrawal is less likely if you are taking the stuff for a shorter period.

 

Best wishes for a full recovery. :thumbsup:

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Paul Mihalka

Paul Mihalka

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It's all good now that you are over it. Modern science can do wonderful things.

It would be GREAT to see you at the UN. Haven't seen you for ages...

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EffBee

EffBee

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". . .somewhere between bovine and bionic." You used to be somewhere between Cranky and Curmudgeon. What, this is better?

 

So glad to hear you're doing well, Kent. I've been meaning to write, but I thought you'd gone frolicking into retired bliss and didn't have time (or much interest) in those of us who are battling the daily grind so you can have a paycheck. :P (I know. You took care of your own paycheck. The one da gummit gives you is just for motorcycle expenses). I have truly missed your input on some of the discussions around here. It's absolutely great to know you're going to be around for a bit.

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CarrotNC

CarrotNC

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Congrats on the recovery!

 

Two questions:

1) if you eat a steak/hamburger, are you a cannibal?

2) what kind of swap meets have you been going to that have "body" parts?

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Joel

Joel

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This was an udderly unexpected and mooooving tale. Hope you've been milking that extra attention you've been getting during recovery for all its worth. :/

 

On a more serious note, some steps backward in exchange for a good leap forward seems like a pretty good trade, although I bet it didn't always feel like it might be. I hope the remainder of your recovery goes as well as things seem to have started, and that you can wring every bit of improvement out of this.

 

 

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Kathy R

Kathy R

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Someone has to turn the title of this thread into a country western lyric....

 

.....valve made of cow parts

 

Forever after you will be the butt of jokes, ya know? The only calculation will be if the jokester can withstand your typically witty retort. And don't get me started on why you shouldn't eat corn! :grin:

 

I am now four weeks into recovery and it is going far better than I have any right to expect

 

There is not much you can write to top that, but don't stop writing now. Please get thee and thy wife to the UN. Welcome back, Kent! :wave:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Selden

Selden

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Glad to hear you're doing well, although I thought they preferred using pig parts for heart repairs (especially for valve replacements). :P

 

I wonder what heart surgeons do for spare parts in Israel and Islamic countries???

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Firefight911

Firefight911

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Good news!!!! Keep it up, you've got no excuse to chew your cud. Well, I guess, actually, you do.

 

Remember, chicks dig scars!

 

I think we should start calling you Angus, or Bull, or something of the like.

 

Oh, and be careful of falling asleep. You are now capable of being used for the fun sport of cow tipping.

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AZKomet

AZKomet

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Good news you ar doing well. That op is very interesting. I often go to AZ Heart here in Phx and watch that done. Truly amazing.......I can't even begin to describe its complexity.

 

Here's to a speedy recovery!

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bimmers

bimmers

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good to hear all is well.

Imagine how this would be a few years down the road, you did the right thing in doing it now:)

 

Good question, what do they use in the mentioned countries or for those with religious reasons.

 

h

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tallman

tallman

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Kent,

Good news.

I'd love to see you at the UN, especially since I never met Steve Austin.

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markgoodrich

markgoodrich

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Well, heck. I thought someone was announcing the title of a new Dwight Yoakum song. Still, it's a positive story

 

Ohhh, you split my breastbone and cut off a chunka mah howart,

Ah fail in love with you right there in the Wal Maaaart.

Ahm so sorry I was rough on you at thet motel, there in the sack,

Hit never dawned on me you might think you need to get me back

Who ever knowed a girl with a great big ol' cleaver

Could quote June Alyson, say Ward don't be so hard on the beavvver!

 

 

 

 

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Tank

Tank

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Incredable procedure Kent, I"m happy for both you and your wife that it went well.... Hopefully I get to see you at the UN

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Patallaire

Patallaire

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You shouldn't post here that you are moo-ing at night, Wurty might mistake it for Baaaa-ing and rush right out there. Glad you are all right, science and longevity are a wonderful combination. Enjoy your new improved life.

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Selden

Selden

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Well, heck. I thought someone was announcing the title of a new Dwight Yoakum song. Still, it's a positive story

 

Ohhh, you split my breastbone and cut off a chunka mah howart,

Ah fail in love with you right there in the Wal Maaaart.

Ahm so sorry I was rough on you at thet motel, there in the sack,

Hit never dawned on me you might think you need to get me back

Who ever knowed a girl with a great big ol' cleaver

Could quote June Alyson, say Ward don't be so hard on the beavvver!

:rofl:

 

You know what you get when you play a country music song backwards?

 

You get your job back, you get your truck back, you get your dog back, and you get your woman back.

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beemerman2k

beemerman2k

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Welcome back Pilgrim! Back to the board and back to good health. I, too, have missed your inputs over the past few months. I look forward to your continued insights gracing some of the topics we discuss here.

 

Welcome back! :thumbsup:

 

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Lone_RT_rider

Lone_RT_rider

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Man Pilgrim, I have about a half dozen mildly witty things I could say that would probably be taken the wrong way by everyone but you. For now, I will say that I am just glad you are doing well. Keep heeling sir. The world would be a less interesting place without you. :/

 

Shawn

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Knifemaker

Knifemaker

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Kent....great news and I really NEEDED to hear that (gives us all hope)....I spent all day yesterday in a hospital in Gainesville watching a friend fighting for his life....

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Nice n Easy Rider

Nice n Easy Rider

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Best wishes for your speedy recovery. Of course, you made a mistake in telling this crew that you're part bovine now. You should have just told us that you convinced your surgeon to put in a beemer fuel pump instead. :grin:

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motoguy128

motoguy128

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Haha, you have cow parts in you! So what did they put back in the cow? I hope they didn't put down the poor thing did they to get the parts? I'm telling PETA. ")

 

You should have asked if you could buy the rest of the cow, have it slaughtered and throw a huge BBQ party after your recovery. :)

 

 

Amazing what they can do these days. Glad you're doing well.

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hANNAbONE

hANNAbONE

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...aND hERE I thought it was that last oil thread I started...

 

Well - Kent...it's really good of you to get us up to speed.

 

I thank you for that - and pray you have a full recovery ASAP.

 

Yes, Yes, ... DO come to the "UN"

 

I'm kind of a "scar guy"

 

Best

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Jerry Johnston

Jerry Johnston

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Glad to hear you're doing well and am sorry about the old parts. The least they could do is give you a trade-in.

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Pilgrim

Pilgrim

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Leave it to you, Sean, to plant a thought in my mind that will be there every time I have a steak. Jeez! :eek:

 

And thanks to all for the good wishes.

 

Pilgrim

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SeanC

SeanC

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You shoulda seen the look on the nun's face when I asked, in Catechism class, if holy communion was a form of cannibalism....

 

Holy cow, indeed.

 

Quick healing, my friend.

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Nice n Easy Rider

Nice n Easy Rider

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You shoulda seen the look on the nun's face when I asked, in Catechism class, if holy communion was a form of cannibalism....

 

And how many knuckles did she break with her ruler after that one? :grin:

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Heck

Heck

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Glad you are doing better Kent- and if you have to give up something to be less cannibalistic, better hamburger than ham...or bacon....or pork, the other white meat.

 

Hope to see you at the UN !!!

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  • 2 weeks later...
Gary in Aus

Gary in Aus

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Kent,

 

haven't had time to be on BMWST for a while , really busy surf season , new grandson and a lot of work to do on the farm , it never ends.

 

Very glad to hear your surgery was sucessful . Operations like this can be a reality check for some of us on our mortality.

 

Hope you mend better than new and continue to contribute to the world.

 

Mind you , when you have your next seniors moment , we can all just nod to our selves and say,

 

" Ah Pilgrim ,another variant Cruetzfeldt- Jacob disease moment" or just simply type "{vCJD}"

 

Follow your recovery programme , most of us are surprised that the health proffesionals know more about it than we do!

 

Best wishes,

 

 

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Pilgrim

Pilgrim

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  • Author
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Thanks, Gary.

 

Monday was six weeks since the cutting and slicing.

 

I started the cardio rehab program at a local hospital. They tell me that I am in stunningly good condition - way ahead of what they usually see at this stage. Despite the fact that I am strongly exercise-averse I'm going to do what they say and see what happens...

 

Now, what were we talking about?

 

Pilgrim

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Kitsap

Kitsap

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I don't know how I missed this post Kent.

 

Glad to hear all is going well. You have not had the urge to re-chew your food have you?

 

 

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

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