My last post before I get to enjoy morphine

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I'll be "out" for my 4th Open Heart Surgery (OHS), Tuesday, 11/08/2011, at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital, performed by Dr. Russell. The catheterization is the day prior. Until I'm feeling up to being on the computer & online again, my sister will post UPDATES (which MAY be SHARED on the groups/boards) to my Facebook Wall:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1300282613

My previous 3 OHSs (at Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital) replaced the pulmonary valve that I was born without. The 1st, November 1977, was when the original pig valve was installed. The 2nd & 3rd OHSs (March 1987 & January 6, 2003, respectively) replaced the pig valve installed in the previous surgery.

This 4th OHS is to replace my aorta/aortic valve with a cow valve. My ascending aorta is "too large"; it is 5.6 at the middle, 5.3 at the root. Too bad my "big heart" has finally won me a date with a surgeon, instead of a cool female....

If all goes well, the "projected" return of my driving abilities is mid December & return to work is January 6, 2012 (the 9-year anniversary of my 3rd OHS).


I'm "ready" as I'll be. I'm not scared, just still dreading & "hating" the entire process, including the financial strain ... & still feeling a tad bit alone & out-of-place.

On a positive note, the PRE-SURGERY PARTY was great; many thanks to those that joined us that evening!!!

My MCs are ready for winter; just need to drive them one last time & snug them into the garage the weekend before surgery. I never did get them, or my Caprice Classic, cleaned; maybe while I'm recovering or next spring...!


Speaking of recovery, my "projects" (other than the obvious) for the next 2 months or so, include...

...write more of my ROUTE 66 STORY:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/category/route66/

...plan my 2012 ROAD TRIP (return to Georgia/Florida, along the east coast & into northern Michigan) & perhaps a short trip to St Louis along parts of Route 66.... Previous road trips (& other) pictures:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/roadtrips/roadtrips.html
http://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917

...consider WRMN's request to host part of their CHRISTMAS EVE RADIO BROADCAST. My contact there called me a couple weeks ago to find out if I would.... Previous radio show playlists:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/radioshows.html

...finish putting my room back together (after new carpeting & major re-arranging)

...read some new books

...Nephew Time

...misc stuff

...AND return to the groups/boards....


I appreciate all of the well wishes, thoughts & prayers, including those in my "Open Heart Surgery, party & more..." post/thread.


LIFE IS TOO SHORT! So long, everybody!



Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic
CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Time is a valuable thing" __ Linkin Park __ 'In The End'

Cort I cant wait til your road ready you have an appointment to make In Tennessee............

I will fill you in details after your surgery !!!!!!!!

I wish you a speedy recovery my friend and I am glad I was part of the Pre -Surgery get together esp since we are moving so far away, but you will always be in my thoughts and prayers my friend !!!!!!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. We have to get you behind the wheel ASAP. LOL.

Limey wrote:I am glad I was part of the Pre -Surgery get together esp since we are moving so far away

I'm glad you were able to be there, too, Limey! Sure was great to see you again!


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Holy cow AND irony rocks!


I appreciate all of the support, well wishes, thoughts/prayers. THANK YOU!


THIS...should...be my last post before surgery....

The catheterization (Monday, 11/07/2011) went fine, though I was in a lot of pain Monday afternoon/evening.

My surgery has been postponed until Friday (11/11/2011) due to an emergency heart transplant. Disappointed I am not. Frustrated...maybe, but not any more than I already am...in more ways than one. The postponement gives me a chance to recover/relax a bit more from the cath & accomplish a few more things prior to surgery, perhaps even some of my "recovery projects" list I noted in my original post....

I PLAN to visit the groups/message boards & "catch up" with personal Emails & notes received, etc.; HOWEVER, I cannot promise I'll get to everything...!



PRE-SURGERY PARTY pictures!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2636895683885.2152619.1300282613&type=1&l=7f835748ff


NEPHEW & CAR TIME...TOGETHER!
My sister & brother-in-law brought my nephew to see my cars outside, 11/05/2011. The 11 pictures I took are here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2636914604358.2152622.1300282613&type=1&l=00a2f5dccc



ALSO:
I know it can be confusing to "navigate" my Route 66 story in BLOG format, so here is a list of the chapters in order...

...1-4:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/03/29/_thats-the-highway_/

...5-8:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/03/31/_thats-the-highway_-2/

...9, The Drive & A Revelation:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/04/03/_thats-the-highway_-3/

...10, Stall Tactic:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/04/06/_thats-the-highway_-4/

...11-12:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/04/19/_thats-the-highway_-5/

...13, Road Trip Rush:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/05/12/_thats-the-highway_-7/

...14, Late Night & A Whistle:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/05/12/_thats-the-highway_-8/

...15, Awakening:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/05/25/_thats-the-highway_-9/

...16, Train & Memories:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/05/25/_thats-the-highway_-10/

...17, Shopkeeper:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/06/21/_thats-the-highway_-6/

...18-19:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/08/11/_thats-the-highway_-12/

...20, The Picture:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/10/17/_thats-the-highway_-11/

...21, Shaping History:
http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/10/31/_thats-the-highway_-13/



Once again ... SO LONG, EVERYBODY!



Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic
CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"We can take anything that comes our way" __ BJ Thomas __ 'As Long As We Got Each Other (Growing Pains)'

Cort,hope all goes well stay strong!

Speedy recovery to you. Look forward to you stories and pics when you return.