Life is...

...too short. We are NOT guaranteed a "next time" to take action, meet, gather, talk, or say what is on our mind or how we feel. Just sayin'.


I've been scarce 'round these parts and probably will be for a while because life happens. Along with other issues, I finally received the results of my CT scan of the chest. My aorta is, indeed, enlarged. So, the next step is to see the surgeon ASAP to discuss surgery options; I've had 3 previous open heart surgeries. While I still haven't really processed this news myself, I suppose the good news is that people who THINK I have a "big heart" now have proof....

Not sure what this means for my cars or my road trips, but we'll see.



MEANTIME ... some quotes:

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light."

"I'm a personal luxury coupe in a beige crossover vehicle world."

"Life is like photography; you develop from the negatives."

"Worry is pulling tomorrow’s clouds over today’s sunshine!"

"Bad decisions make good stories."

"Cars are new once, but old forever...!"

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."

"Due to the current economic climate, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off until further notice."

"Mileage wears out an automobile, while walking three miles a day keeps the body in shape."

"Travel is a triple delight: anticipation, performance, and recollection."

"We'll never be ready if we keep waiting for the perfect time to come."

"One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter."

"Happiness does not depend on circumstances; it is an attitude. It's like finding your favorite radio station that you can tune into at any time!"

"Life is like a snow globe; you think everything has finally settled down, then someone comes along and shakes up all those little pieces again."

"Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once."

"The road is a place where we can free our minds from the distractions of the world and focus on the journey ahead."

"Broken people are dangerous because they know they can survive...!"

"Scars are just tattoos with better stories."

"Sometimes life is just about rolling down the windows in your car, blasting your favorite song & forgetting the world for a while."

"How lucky it is to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."



Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * CruiseNites_2011_Chi.IL *
*** RE-OPENED 3rd GEN MC (1978,1979,1980) FORUM > http://thirdgenmontes.proboards.com/index.cgi ***
"The hope is we have so much to feel good about" __ One Republic __ 'Good Life'

Good luck Cort. Thanks for the list of life's brightners. JB

*nods*

Thank you, JB! And, you are welcome.


*
'Fraid this is just a "quick" visit again ... basically to let ya'll know that my appointment with the surgeon is THIS Thursday, September 15, 2011.


Some background details:
My 3 previous open heart surgeries were...
...November 1977, 1st pig's valve installed
...March 1987, 2nd pig's valve installed (outgrew 1st one)
...January 2003, 3rd pig's valve installed (2nd one too calcified) & 1st pacemaker installed



Hope everyone remembered on 9|11. I had a good day with...

..."Nephew Time":
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2430260958146&set=a.2430259678114.2146020.1300282613&type=1&l=f202ae6938

...and a Cruise Night:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2430273918470&set=a.2430259678114.2146020.1300282613&type=1&l=f202ae6938



Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic |
MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Someday tomorrow will smile" __ Oak Ridge Boys __ 'Dream On'

Cort I know for a fact that you have a big heart, you have helped this forum quite a bit through the years and its much appriciated. I hope all goes well with your life problems, I just know we will see you around and you will keep in touch as much as possible.

Hope all goes well. Me and the misses will be pulling for you.

I've been pondering those life is too short questions lately. My cousin passed away in his sleep the morning of 9-1-11. He was 44, was back down to his high school football weight, feeling good physically except for normal age-related aches and pains. No explanation yet about the cause from the autopsy.

All I can say, Cort, is that my cousin and I both missed a chance to know each other better. By all accounts, he was a good family man and friend. He had a 10.70 race car and a son and daughter that enjoyed racing with him. Found out more about him after he was gone than I did while he was here.

There is no good reason to not stay in touch, especially in this age of social media.

*nods*

Thanks, again, all.

BlackChevelleSS wrote:Cort I know for a fact that you have a big heart, you have helped this forum quite a bit through the years and its much appriciated.

You are welcome ... I do my best/what I can.

bigredlaguna wrote:There is no good reason to not stay in touch, especially in this age of social media.

EXACTLY!


*
The waiting is the hardest part. So they say.

My 09/15/2011 appointment never happened. If a friend of mine at the hospital hadn't sent me a message that morning asking what time I'd be there, I wouldn't have known. She noticed I wasn't on the schedule. So, I called and was told the surgeon was out of town at a conference. They CLAIMED to have called me, but the number they told me they called wasn't mine. UGH. So, LONG story short, the appointment is Thursday, September 29, 2011....


AYE ... TOO much on my mind and NOT enough happening (in certain ways), if that makes sense. I HATE medical bills and wasting time.

Sure wish I was on a ROAD TRIP right now or back on the RADIO ... or both.

One good thing about surgery? I'll have time to read, WRITE more of my Route 66 story, plan road trips, listen to music, etc.


"This ferris wheel just keeps on spinning 'round, playin' mind games with the ground. Can we stop this time, or must we go again?"

"Hopelessly, I feel like there might be something that I'll miss ... I feel like the window closes oh so quick."

"Tell me what you think about your situation. Complication, aggravation is getting to you."

"Just don't let me lose my mind. All I need is a real friend to pick me up again."



Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic
CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I'm fading away" __ Simple Plan __ 'Untitled'