22. "I've Got Piggy-car-what?"

Five months and counting...

April 5, 1999

In this chapter I am pleased to reprint e-mails from folks who's names you may recognize from previous chapters of the Bum Ticker and have recently actually gone through surgery themselves. I am so glad that they are all ok and on the mend.

From Darcy Wells, January 18/99

Dear Steve,
Hooray!! Another chapter!! From the sounds of some of the emails you've
received, you've gotten us all hooked on the Bum Ticker website! (reminds
me of EdTV...have you seen the previews for that movie? It's about a TV
station that decides to follow this guy named Ed all day, every day with the
cameras rolling and air his life)!!

From Judy Stephens, January 18/99

Hi Steve,
Just got through reading your journal. Brought
back some memories. I had written you a note before
you had your surgery. I noted that it was included in
your journal. My surgery will soon be 4 years behind
me. I am so glad yours went well. It never fails to
amaze me that our bodies can survive what it is put
through during open heart surgery. Take care of
your new lease on life. My best to you.
Judy Stephens

April 3, 1999

These last five months or more have truly been a roller coaster ride. Although when I think about what is going on over in Yugoslavia or what many other people go through on a daily basis, I realize it is all relative. Despite the triviality of this kind of experience in relation to what is going on in the rest of the world, it is still a big deal when you and your family are actually going through it. In the scheme of one's lifetime this is perhaps just one tiny moment that will not only prolong that life, but give it richness and meaning. Ya, ya, ya. Blah, blah, blah. Oink.

From Marion ([email protected]) / January 20/99

Dear Steve
I am faced with a valve replacement operation. (I am an 81yr old female)
Do I want a synthetic valve or one taken from a pig?
I don't know how old you are but unfortunately there do not seem to be
very many older females on line.
What problems should I be prepared for? If you don't mind spending time I
certainly will appreciate it. Thank you,

Marion

I have just settled in with a one-third filled juice glass of spectacular single malt scotch (Glenroth's) after enjoying a lovely dinner with Herb at the Spicy Thai restaurant in St. Catherines, Ontario. As Dory does not enjoy spicy food, I took advantage of the fact that she wasn't joining us, as I'd heard good things about this restaurant. After the very tasty meal we went back to Herb's and enjoyed some delicious pastries and several double espressos while listening to some rough production tapes of our most recent live performance. All in all it was fun to get out for a change and just be my generally goofy self. Perhaps when I read this in the morning it will make no sense at all. Doesn't matter...

From Julie, January 19/99

Hi Steve,
Remember me I had my surgery Ross Proc. Jan 12th.. I was home by Sat the
16th--Dry mouth first few days-- trouble finding good sleep position now
that I'm home--I don't have a recliner. I have a small appetite- I have
pain in the morning stiffness really-- But otherwise I'm feeling pretty
good --as you have said it gets better each day. My neighbours can't
believe I'm home this soon-- but I think my Dr. knew I needed to get
home to my 13month old. I wanted to thank you again for your web site.

Take Care

Julie

From Tim ([email protected]),January 19/99

Well the deed is done. Although not as smooth as they predicted. The 4 hour
procedure took 8 hours. And even all the tests they did prior to the surgery
didn't prepare them for what they found. My heart was over 2/3 the size of my
chest, and the walls were VERY thick. If my arteries and veins hadn't been so
clear they say I would of had a heart attack 6 mos. ago. At that they say I
probably would of had one anyway in the next day or so.

Through the surgery they kept telling Karen everything was going good. After
surgery the doctor came down and told her that if I made it 6 hrs then the
next 24 hrs would be critical. Poor Karen, thankfully I don't remember
anything for about 36 hrs.

My scar looks like someone took a pink fine-line marker and drew aline from my
collar bone to the bottom of my sternum. They say the heart probably won't go
back to normal as they predicted but they will watch it. I start rehab on the
25th... 3 times a wk for 12 wks. They will do echo's at 3 and 6 mos.

Thanks again for keeping your page going.

Keep on ticking.

Tim

From Erik Anderson (in Australia),January 22/99

Hey Steve....
Told you I'd say hey if I lived through it all... So, HEY!!! I'm home on the
range as of yesterday at noon. That, of course, required a nap for the rest
of the day.... but you know all that sh*t. I am weak as a babby and need
constant sit-downs, lie-downs, naps, etc. Pain is OK. Only taking Panadol
with codiene and don't really need that much (mostly lying down at night).

Tell you more later if you're interested, but all sorta went well with the
valve replacement... except...

1) Couldn't find the artery root for one artery due to refuse from
endocarditis, etc, in earlier years so I've ended up with a mechanical
valve!!! OK, since I have to live with it, but my choice was pig's. Long
story and I'm glad to be here!!!

2) Closed me up after AVR and aorta replacement, but I wouldn't stop
internal bleeding. Opened me up total of three more times and I was under
for 96 hours!!! Went in Tuesday at 0730 and woke up for real to see Alison,
my sister and my daughter at 1400'ish on Saturday!!! In theory I was woken
once or twice in between to make sure the brain hadn't rotted more than
before.... I remember those things not! Needless to say I was flabbergasted
when Ali told me I had been under for four days!!!

3) Made the first three days of recovery very "interesting" and the drugs
are still wearing off! About now is my one week of being awake!

More later. Heard about all your snow!! Hah, hah... what the heck to you
expeck living up on the north pole? Hope everyone is safe and the leaks
ain't too bad...

Off for a nap.... Erik

From Sue, February 7/99

Thanks! I still have a couple of weeks. Always appreciate the thoughts and
reminders about things like, well, laxatives---whoda thunk it! Also, I am an
accountant and surgeons like to operate on accountants because when they open
you up, everything is numbered!

Thanks again for the thought! Sue

From Roger Kittredge, February 12/99

Hi!
Today is my first day back to work. Tomorrow will be the four week
anniversary of "the event". Everything went really well and I am very
surprised at how fast I mended and regained my strength. Having your
"road map" was very very helpful during my recovery as I knew what to
expect or watch out for from day to day. I feel like I felt ten to fifteen
years ago as far as energy goes. Stay in touch.

From Darcy Wells, February 20/99

Hey Steve,
Just wanted to drop you a message to let you know that I am in fact, among
the living!! I've been avoiding dialing into email, because I didn't want
to see how many messages I've had since being out (only 70 so far...not
bad)!

Anyway, surgery went great...so much better than my last operation.
Recovery has been a lot quicker. I've been home from the hospital for two
weeks now, and I'm getting around pretty well. Walking twice a day and
doing my breathing exercises, like a good heart patient!

Only thing I'm having trouble adjusting to is my new mechanical valve...now
when I refer to my heart as a "ticker," I'm not kidding! It really is
rather loud...especially when I'm in bed (my husband can hear it)!! But,
I'm sure we'll get used to it....only have to worry if we can't hear it, I
guess!!!

So, all is well. Hope that you're doing great...

I'll keep in touch,
Darcy

From Larry Straight, February 21/99

Steve
Well you sure did make me smile when my wife told me I had email from
you. On my way to the hospital I read your story I had printed as much
as I could before leaving for Mayo Hospitals. The only difference is I
had a mechanical valve and a aneurism repaired. This is my second week
at home having a difficult time sleeping more then 2-3 hours without
getting up and sitting in recliner I just can get comfortable with solid
sleep. I guess it will in time. Well anyway I appreciate your note and
feel kinda happy you found the time to write to me.
Hope all is good and the snow is melting for you it is in Illinois
anyway.
Thanks again
Larry

From Arnie Rose, February 21/99

...Anyway, to get back to why I had my surgery - after a close relative and several work associates had severe heart attacks (one fatal), I decided to get my bum ticker checked out again. Dr. Wolfe was my cardiologist as well and tried to provide some level of comfort as I dwelled on the pending tests, and likely open heart surgery.

The eternal waiting for test times and then results was demoralizing. Thinking about recovering from surgery was difficult, too. I envisaged myself being totally debilitated and dependent. Once it was determined that I needed heart surgery, I was able to deal with the anxiety better. I was getting help - relaxation, visualization, etc. as well as just talking through the issues. I never even thought of using a diary.

The surgery (Feb. 27/97) was anticlimactic - Dr. Finedell, a colleague of Dr. David at the Toronto Hospital did my surgery and he was great! I'm convinced they have the technology down pat. My surgery was not as complicated as yours, however. They patched a hole about the size of a quarter with a piece of my own pericardium and closed me up. The next morning in ICU, I sat up, then stood beside the bed. Staff were surprised. Friends and relatives dropped by the day after surgery and were astounded at how well I looked.

The fact that I was healthy and fit going into surgery probably helped. The major challenge was getting my strength back. I slept a lot for the first three weeks, although there was little pain - just fatigue. I returned to work after 7 weeks and worked banker's hours (9:30 to 2:30) for about a month. After that, I worked a full day, but no overtime. Six months after surgery, my wife and I took a 2 1/2 week trip from Calgary into the Rockies. Lots of walking and although I had to rest a bit, I found the vacation exciting and interesting.

I think your diary is a real help to those who are scared shitless about the prospect of open heart surgery (like I was!!). One friend tried to console me by saying, "Be thankful you are having heart surgery. There has been millions of dollars of research on it."

He's right. We are conditioned to think that heart surgery is high risk and debilitating. I learned that it is not and that recovery is quicker than you think. I got involved with the Toronto Rehabilitation Center's cardiac recover program. All kinds of heart patients, heart attacks, stents, as well as various kind of surgery, mostly by-pass. The lectures, and discipline about exercise and diet were very helpful in recovery.

Steve: I've rambled on for too long.

Thanks again for your excellent Web page.

../Arnie Rose

I signed off my last chapter feeling great. I was looking forward to a continual, gradual resumption of my life of work and play. I had started to go in to the office on a more regular, yet still part-time, basis and had a very successful music date at The Feathers Pub in Toronto on the 20^th of February. Then the morning of the 24^th of February I just did not want to get out of bed. So I slept in until about 9.30, but still felt lousy when I got up. I had a tightness/soreness across the left side of my chest and it was difficult to take a deep breath. I thought perhaps I had pulled a muscle or something. At work they said I looked kind of grey and I didn't stay there long. The chest pain got worse into the night so I drugged myself to sleep with the intent of going to see a doctor if I woke up still feeling bad.

The next morning the pain had spread right across my chest and was even more severe. I called Dr. Wolfe's (cardiologist) office and they said I should go right to emergency where I could get a proper check-up. So I spent the full day at Toronto General Emergency hanging around while the young interns pondered over me. Around 11 am they had ruled out heart attack (same symptoms) and thought it might be Pericarditis which they explained was an inflamation of the pericardium, the sack around the heart. Sometimes after surgery this occurs as the pericardium was obviously cut open and was in trauma from the surgery. As the heart bounces around, the surrounding sack can become inflamed and will sometimes rub against other stuff like the ribs or lungs. Sometimes they can actually hear the "rub". Sometimes fluid will build up and actually has to be drained. It is usually accompanied by a low grade fever, which I had as well. They wanted to run some tests to confirm their suspicions and to assess the severity of my condition.

So after a day of blood tests, chest x-ray, echo-cardiogram, and what have you, I was finally released at around 5 pm. with the diagnosis of Pericarditis. As there was no apparent infection, I was told to take ASA (Aspirin). This would reduce the inflamation. However, they didn't specify how much or how often.

From Audrey, January 21/99

fate is a funny thing- after 50 years on this earth I decided to invest
in a computer-- just for the heck of it- and it worked out to be the
best heck of it i could have invested in, because shortly after the
computer I found out I needed my aortic valve replaced. I've lived in
denial for years because there were no symptons to speak of. Well
denial be gone because it was just like you.. Cardiologist to
me--"let's do it tomorrow". After hysterically crying and running out
of the office I've come to grips. taken care of business. all the
cliches. Finding your website was one of the best meds for me. thank
you. I know i'll be okay and get over this but it was nice to read
about fears and pain and laughter and love. I feel I can go into
surgery with a lighter heart now--ha ha. stay well and keep writing

--audrey

Sure enough, about forty-eight hours after taking the megadoses of ASA the severity of the pain was decreased, the fever was gone and I could breath much easier. However, it has now been over a month since the Pericarditis set in and I am still tired all the time, short of breath, and occasionally still achy.

From Darcy Wells, March 11/99

Hey Steve,
How goes it?! Sorry it's been so long, but I have not been checking my
emails much of late!! I'm feeling great. Just past six weeks since the
surgery. I'm starting to get my energy back, but still get fatigued easily.
Still some discomfort, but I'm getting around very well!! I'm planning on
returning to work on March 22nd...looking forward to getting my life back to
normal! My mechanical valve continues to "take a licking and keep on
ticking." It is so loud...really bizarre!! My doctors say that it is
because I am thin, so there is not much "cushion" to absorb the sound!! In
any event, I continue to try to get used to the sound and feel (and so does
my husband)!!

Hey, I was in the Cachnet site briefly yesterday...are you suffering from
pericarditis?? If so, I'm really sorry. I had that after my first
surgery...although with mine, it wasn't just inflammation, it was an
accumulation of fluid around my heart (that might be called something
different...who knows)?! In any event, mine occurred one week after the
surgery, and I had to go back to the hospital. They thought they were going
to have to operate again, but thankfully, my cardiologist was able to drain
the fluid with a catheter. He drained over 1 liter of fluid (yuck). I then
stayed in the hospital for 3 days so that I could "drain."

A few weeks after this surgery, my doctor said that I had some inflammation
which was causing what he called a "rub." He just prescribed Advil, which I
now take 4 times/day. During my last visit to the surgeon, he said that the
inflammation had gone down.

Let me hear from you...I'm concerned and hope that all is well!!
Darcy

eSPACE Weekly Newsletter, Volume 3, Number 3
Friday, January 22, 1999
MAURICE GATIEN - Editor
Sender: [email protected]

REAL ESTATE IN THE NEWS

Steve Goldberger of The Aldgate Group, a Toronto-based property management
company, writes to advise that his web-site has provided him with the
opportunity to not only provide a useful tool to brokers looking for
information about vacancies in his spaces but also to provide some
therapy during his recovery from recent open-heart surgery. Steve has
self-taught himself how to manage all of the content of his web-site and
has chronicled his courageous way of dealing with his heart operation.
For those who see on life's radar screen only the importance of the next
deal, reading about the real priorities in life may make for reflective
thinking.

From Marsha Goodenough, March 1/99

Re: Help cant find the bum ticker!

Hi steve,
My name is marsha a newly diagnosed BAV with regurgitation, and newcomer to the
internet and these space aged things called computers! Now that I know surgery
is inevitable I was looking forward to reading your diary and walk through the
experience with you. Unfortunately, I landed post op in your journey and I'm
looking for day 1. Just wondering if you had some info on how to "beam me up"
Keep in mind I am still computer illiterate so be gentle! ha ha. Anyway I think
I know all the facts about the disease, I'm just terrified of the unknown all
I do know is that some day I will face one of the biggest ordeals of my life
at a rather young age. (I'm 27 now) and I dont feel I can relate to anyone
about it. I have read many people find your diary very comforting and
humorous...the perfect medicine for me right about now.

hi steve,
well I found you through much perseverance and a little
screaming at the ol' P.C. anyway I spent the entire morning reading your
memoirs up to pg. 15 and I must say so far so good...considering I work
nights I should be in bed but I cant seem to stop reading! I wish I would
have discovered you and your site earlier! It is incredible to me that there
are so many of us out there. How do you feel now? I guess I should keep
reading huh? dah! well thank you for everything hopefully I will be able to
give you a full report in the near future until then thanks taking the time
to share with the rest of the world your story...and be confident in knowing
you definately touched my life with your witty and informative site! Best
wishes for you and dory thanks again
Marsha goodenough

From Marsha, March 2/99

Hello steve,
Yes, it is true my name sounds as it's spelled! pretty goofy but "goodenough"
for me. ha ha Gina told me you have post op pericarditis-ouch, I hope you
start feeling better soon! just as you were getting over the surgical
pain,geese what a slap! well take your pain meds!!!! and supplement with lots
of fiber hee hee. As you are not very spiritual just be comforted in knowing I
will rub buddah's belly for ya, maybe eat a sacrificial piece of bacon (oink)
I dont know something like that! just kidding. keep in touch. Bye for now,
Marsha

From Mario, March 2/99

steve, we emailed each other back in november and i have been following your
bum ticker pages regularly. i am still on a waiting list beleive it or not. i
was doing o.k. till the catheter test seems i went downhill after that.
anyways saw your response to mary on the net and i hope your doing
better....when did you realize you were sick and how does one get it or is
it just by hazard....steve i tell you that being on a waiting list with only
12 hour notice is quite stressful....hope to hear from you. you could email
me at [email protected]

From Gina, March 8/99

Hi Steve

I was just wondering how you are doing?. Have your symptoms for the
Pericarditis slowed down? I hope so. I will be having my surgery next week
for Mitral Valve repair or replacement. Not looking forward to it. Very
stressed out to say the least. I am 30 years old and do have a young child
that needs me, so I hope I will pull through ok. I have not be sleeping so my
MD has prescribed Valium. I hope it takes the edge off.

Take care and let me know how you are.
Regards,
Gina

From Sue, March 8/99

Subject: I'm baaaaack!!!

Hi -- how are you doing? I'm doing great! Not quite 2 weeks out now from the
surgery and am walking a mile (plus) a day. I was in the hospital 3-1/2 days
after surgery. Was really glad to get home.

Fortunately, I don't remember anything about "the tube" down my throat! I
guess I was still in ICU when they pulled some tubes from my upper belly area
( just above waistline). I remember that and it was special. I think I
passed out. Next thing I remember I was in a room. But of course I have had
to hear all the stories of when I was in ICU from family and friends who were
there.

I have the mechanical valve and am getting the coumadin adjusted. A lot of
people have complained about ticking, but I usually can't hear it at all and
only faintly when I can.

My only complaints today are still somewhat short-breathed but working with
the spirometer and am doing good. Of course, my chest still hurts. At first
was like being hit by a Mack truck and shot through the chest with a 357
magnum. Now more like falling off a bicycle and being kicked in the chest by
a burro. At least it is getting better. I do get tired, too. Still need at
least one nap a day. Other than tylenol I haven't taken much pain medication.
I did take some in the hospital--I could get used to that stuff--percoset or
some such!!

How long before your breath was good? Mine is at times. It's only when I
exert myself that it may get me down. I told my doctor I'm not particularly
patient. He said it just takes some time and to walk , walk, walk, then walk
some more.

Sure am glad it
is over. All in all, I think it went pretty well.

Sue

From Darcy Wells, March 18/99

Steve,
Another chapter in the bum ticker!? Most definitely!! I think I speak for
all of your "fans" when I say that we'd love it! I sure hope you're feeling
better. I know how hard it is to keep your spirits up when you're dealing
with feeling rotten longer than expected!! You probably feel like this
should all be behind you by now...I know, I've been there. But, keep your
chin up...this too shall pass!

I'm doing really well. Going back to work on Monday! I'm looking forward
to it...except for having to wake to the alarm clock again. I'm not a
morning person, and have really enjoyed rolling out of bed around 8:30-9AM.

Are you doing your walking!!?? I'm kind of an exercise fanatic---I'm sure
you know how important it is to get up and move, even if just a little a few
times each day (geez, I sound like your mother)!! I'm walking about 3 miles
per day (1.5 in the AM, 1.5 in the PM). I'm really looking forward to
breaking into a run and hitting the stairmaster soon!!

Well Steve, I hope that you'll be up and around soon...I'm sorry about your
setback, but it'll be behind you soon!

Let's keep in touch,
Darcy

I've been putting off writing this chapter ever since being diagnosed, since I haven't had the energy to even do this. My concentration has not been what it was and it is still difficult for me to stay focussed on one project for any length of time. On top of all that, my wonderful, strong like rock wife, Dory, has been hit by the flu virus from hell. She's been sick for the last three weeks or more. Sicker than I've ever seen her in the twenty-three years we've been together. She's endured a ton of stress these last seven or eight months and I think her immune system just gave up. (In her opinion, it's all because she quit smoking to get healthy!) From her worries prior to surgery (that my aneurism would explode all over - yucky blood and guts), to the stress of the actual event, to months of taking care of the big baby, the dreaded pericarditis must have been the last straw. She's really been put through the wringer.

On top of all that, our German Shepherd Scooter started chewing off the end of her tail around the same time as I got sick again. She's a neurotic beast anyway and I think that my being around at home so much and the fact that we were not getting her out as much as usual made her nuts. Anyway the vet shaved the hair off the affected area and ever since then the damn thing won't heal, despite the fact that she's not chewing it anymore. Every time she wags her tail (whenever one of us comes home or visitors arrive) she whacks it so hard against the walls, the furniture, the railing, the wound breaks open. Whack, thwack, thud. It can never get a chance to heal properly. I can't put a proper protective bandage on it as she pulls it off. Our walls and furniture are covered in blood splatters. It looks like a three foot tall axe murderer has run amok. Eventually there will be enough of it so that it could be considered art. I could add some splashes of other colours for a true artistic effect. (Just kidding. We are constantly washing the damn walls).

What a pair we are. Both still feeling lousy. Taking each day as it comes with the hope that with this spring weather now upon us we will gain the strength we require in order to get out and face the day with a renewed sense of vigor. As Penner said today, after a while you are just sick of feeling bad and you start to just go crazy. I go to sleep each night with the intention of feeling great tomorrow. Too bad that hasn't fully, or consistently worked yet. Hey, one never knows.

As I look back in my day-timer over the months of January and beginning of February (my third month after surgery), I was doing really quite well. I was working part time, playing some music, generally behaving myself, not exercising enough, but feeling good about the prospects of getting back on track.

My gig at Feathers with the Fringe Locals was fantastic. It was a treat to play in Toronto again for the first time in over a year and to see all my old friends who came out. I had a very neat surprise though. On the first break someone tapped me on the shoulder and said, "this is for you", handing me a little gift bag. She then introduced herself as Mary Finstad. I couldn't believe it. Mary was one of the first people to contact me and offer her support after I posted my impending surgery on the internet bulletin board. Some of her letters are in the previous chapters. She and her husband drove all the way from Kitchener Ontario (about 2 hours from Toronto) to hear the band and say hello. I am still totally blown away. We chatted for what seemed a very short time, compared scars and then they had to hit the road for the long drive back home. In the gift bag was a very cute little ceramic piggy playing a guitar. It now sits on my desk on top of the printer as a reminder of how generous and sweet some people can be.

What has kept me relatively sane during this last very rough month or so is that I am rebuilding my home recording studio. Over the years I have had home studios but have usually sold off most of the equipment if I wasn't using it enough. The stuff gets obsolete so fast. Anyway my most current rig is now fully digital and completely portable so I can take it out for live recording. We have already recorded a few nights' performances and I plan to release a "live" CD by the fall. By then I should have enough really good stuff worthy of reproduction. The CD (s) will give people an idea of the diverse range of music I like to play and will also be a nice thing for people to take home with them after seeing us perform live. Of course we will also be working on in-studio projects and also hope to have a CD available by Christmas of 1999.

From Sue, April 3/99

Subject: Say, what?

Hey, Steve--I noticed on one of "our" heart sites (Cachnet, I think) that you
commented you had pericarditis in February. What in the world happened? You
also indicated you had not felt well since. How are you now and what can you
do about it? I am very concerned--I lived by "The Bum Ticker" and your
e-mail for weeks both before and after my surgery on 2/24 and hate it that
you have had something else to contend with!

I am now 5-1/2 weeks since the AVR with the St. Judes. I'm doing fine--I,
too, still get very tired, but still walk 2-3 miles a day. My husband says I
am crabby which is a direct result of when I am most fatigued. I'm surprised
so many have trouble with the ticking of the valve as I can barely hear mine,
only when it's very quiet, and I am a small person to boot.

There is a CD or cassette called "Healthy Heart" by Belleruth Naperstek which
is very good and has helped me a lot if I can't get to sleep or just to
generally relax. I ordered it from Amazon.com.

Let me hear from you. I am concerned. You were so helpful to me during my
pre-op panic, I feel very bad that you are still have difficulties. Take
care!

Sue

From Sue Part 2 April 4/99

Gee Steve, bless your heart--no pun intended!! Also for your wife, too. She
has been through a lot the past few months as well. If you don't take the
down time you need, your body has a way of doing it for you sometimes. Hope
the spring weather does the trick for you both--warm breezes and flowers in
the air! I live on the west coast of central FL and going to the beach and
breathing in the sea air does it for me.

I have been communicating with another heart patient, female, who had her
second AVR in 2 years in early 2/99. Because she has a propensity for
pericarditis, they gave her some kind of medication ahead of time in hopes of
avoiding it which so far she has this time. Guess it's one of those things
that can be thought about if you have had it before, but otherwise, it's a
crap-shoot. Kind of like needing the AVR in the first place!

I'm really sorry you had to go through all that (& still are). Will read
your update again in the Bum Ticker. Just take it easy and continue to heal!
I know what you mean about other things in the world in relation to our
heart stuff. My next-door neighbour's 12-year old daughter literally dropped
dead last fall of an undiagnosed congenital heart defect (don't know
what--they don't talk details). I don't see these people much because of my
work schedule, but when I saw the mother outside shortly after I came home
from the hospital, I can tell you I stumbled all over myself explaining why I
was home--I had this overwhelming feeling of guilt that at the age of 50, I
got a second chance. She was wonderful though. Also, neighbour across the
street's college-senior daughter just had brain surgery for a massive brain
tumor. They could not get all of it because of size and growth patterns so
she underwent 5 weeks of radiation treatment in hopes of shrinking the
remaining portion and is home now recouping. Fortunately, it was not
malignant, but..... And these are just things in close proximity. But,
alas, it still does not diminish the pain and aggravation of corrective heart
surgery and any resultant complications--or family hardship. So here we all
(members of the "zipper club") are, struggling to get our lives back in
order! I think this calls for at least a small glass of red wine!!

Take it easy and hope to hear that you are feeling better--you deserve it!!
Hope Dory is doing better also! "Talk' to you later!

Sue

I think Sue says it all. She's also quite funny. Oink. I think the other heart patient she's talking about is our mutual friend Darcy Wells!

From Sue Part 3 April 4/99

"What a small world--you are right--it is Darcy Wells!! She just started back
to work--I start back around April 12th.
I'll breathe some sea air for you--the least I can do since my surgery caused
your pericarditis (well, at least it was the same day!)!!

See ya! Sue"

From Darcy Wells, April 6/99

Hey guys!
I was just thinking of both of you YESTERDAY and made a mental note to touch
base (which I just did with you Steve)!! It was amazing to see your
messages in my box this morning!! As I told Steve...must be some kind of
"heart patient wave length" thing going on!!

I was JUST thinking of you yesterday afternoon!! I went into the Cachnet
chat-site and saw a few messages posted by you...made a mental note to drop
you an email to see how you're doing. Then I power up the PC this
morning...and there you are!! Must be a "heart patient wave length" thing?!

Anyway, I'm doing great. Back at work full time...the "part time" thing
only lasted a few days. Here at my office, when you're back...you're back!!
I've been kidding with my family about my welcome back to the office...my
first week back, everyone was falling all over themselves to make sure that
I was O.K. Lots of flowers, people stopping by to see if I wanted anything
from the cafeteria...etc, etc. Then my second week back...bam!! It was
like everyone had forgotten that I'd ever been out! On the one hand, nice
to have things getting back to normal, on the other hand, I was thinking I
should try to look sicker in order to "milk" this thing a little longer!!
It's now my third week back at work and I'm feeling really good...all things
considered!! I still have a tight feeling in my chest and get short of
breath...but it really takes months to heal completely. I'm doing fine on
the Coumadin, although they can't seem to get it regulated. But, that too,
I understand can take quite some time.

Well, enough about me! How are you?? I have to say I was a bit concerned
by one of your entries in the chat site. You were telling someone about
your pericarditis and how it really has you down...all you do is "sit
around." I sure hope you're feeling better and are up and around, because
it sounds like you're used to a very active lifestyle. I know how hard it
can be sometimes...feeling worn out and tired. Can be very depressing.
But...it will get better!!! It's just hard to be patient...I know!

Take it easy and be good to yourself. I'll hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks for the message. Nice to have a few "cyber-friends" out there!

Darcy

From Judy Stephens, April 6/99

Hi Steve,
Really sorry to hear about your pericarditis. Man
I feel for you. I took a fall a little over 3 weeks ago and
landed full weight on my back on my steps. I developed
a huge hematoma of about 2 pints worth - miracle I
didn't break my back. The hematoma got infected and
they have pumped me full of "big gun" antibiotics (which
are a killer in themselves) to stave off any possibility
of endocarditis. Pain such as I haven't experienced
since my open-heart. I can identify with what you said
about getting so tired of feeling bad. Here is hoping we
both start waking up feeling like we wish we would. :-)
Hope your wife and your dog both get well too! Hang
in there good buddy.
Judy

[email protected]