Reflection

Valve Replacement Forums

Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

gadgetman

VR.org Supporter
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2005
Messages
1,821
Location
Richland, GA (USA)
As I sat and enjoyed this year?s Christmas Cantata at Church, thoughts turned to my upcoming second year anniversary. I remember the day over two years ago my Cardio came in the room with a concerned look on his face after my last Echo. I could tell the usual light banner wasn?t in the cards for this meeting. After dropping the bomb, he told me ?we? (I just LOVE the way Docs always say WE) need to get that taken care of but because of the upcoming Christmas holidays he wanted me (where did that WE go to Doc???) in the hospital no later than January. I did get an early Christmas present of an Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD) JUST IN CASE!!!! Merry Christmas to me----talk about the gift that keeps on giving!!!!!!!:eek:

Anyway, I went thru the ?why me?, ?is my life over?, etc. that everyone here suffers. Then I found VR.COM. I quickly found out that I wasn?t the only one out there facing (or had been thru) this. Using the recommendations gleaned here, I sat about the task of ?making ready?. Thanks to the wonderful folks here, nothing was a surprise, although the Surgeon?s serious ?about 20 per cent survival rate? did clear the cobwebs somewhat. After crossing the mountain in one piece (so to speak), I told my wife I didn?t know what God had planned for me but I guess I would be around to find out.

Well the last two years have been busy. I can walk again without having to wonder where my next breath was gonna come from (sorry Ross?wish and pray you could enjoy this too). I got my ?get up and go? back. A new lease on life really does apply for almost all of us. I?ve told a lot of folks that you know you?re getting better when you start taking life for granted again (where did those pounds come from????). I?ve been able to add guidance (been there?done that), advice (sometimes welcomed), SLAPS (when needed), humor (sometimes corny) and just a shoulder or ?ear? to those in need----both here and other places. I?ve got a new family here. If this crisis had not entered my life I would never have met the wonderful folks here.

SIDEBAR YOUR HONOR-----

Wait a minute!!!!!!! If I had never faced Valve Replacement Surgery I probably never would have come to VR.COM. Well, in that case-----I WISH I HAD NEVER MET Y?ALL:p :p :D . But I did--Now back to reflection.


I?ve been privileged to meet several VR.COM folks in person (and plan on meeting many more---good Lord willing). The first family member I met face to face and scar to scar was Karl (KAJ). The wife and I meet him, his wife and family just outside Jacksonville, Florida. The next get-together involved lunch with Cort (Knightfan2691). We even braved ATLANTA TRAFFIC to meet with him. This past summer I had the great privilege (or was it THEY had the great privilege) of meeting up with Mary (Mary) and Bonnie (Grandbonny) and their families. I don?t know about them but I enjoyed every moment----even with Mary!!!!! I don?t know if we will make the summer reunion next year but we will definitely be in Orlando in 2008---unless they have a LATE Hurricane.

With my life changing experiences I, along with my wife, have provided guidance and advice to several folks dealing with similar crisis in their life. We were there to (I hope) ease the final journey for a family friend and his wife. We didn?t do much, just listened and visited. Although his journey on earth ended shortly afterwards, his wife has mentioned what a great comfort we both were to them. For that I am thankful.

I?m still here and able to spoil three grandkids and laugh at my kids when they try to handle the same trials and tribulations we faced when we raised ours. I have a loving wife (well most of the time) who stood by me (literally?well, I think she did sleep a little bit) thru this journey and is still here prodding me along. I have three dawgs and two cats that would miss me no end if I hadn?t returned---well, not too sure about the CATS!!!!! I?ve got a new job and am (so far) enjoying every working minute.

I don?t know what waits for me around the corner but I hope I can meet the next great challenge (and I?m sure there will be one----or more) with friends and family here. I would say that none of us really know how much time we are given here on Earth. My friend and co-worker Roger is testament to that. Early summer he was planning on using his ?use or loose? vacation time traveling with the wife during the winter. He was looking forward to seeing family members that he hadn?t seen in years. Now, thanks to the big "C", as of today, December 18th, he is in the hospital with only a few days left. His wife does not expect him to last through the night. I do know we must make the best of what time we are given and feel blessed every time we hear that ?thank you? (or even ?get out of the way?) from someone you touched or helped along the way.

So as I enter my second year of re-birth I will continue to be a thorn in the side of Ross, Mary, Grandbonny, and all the others here. I try to find the humor in most everything I face in life. But OHS is one cruel hard JOKE!!!!!! I look forward to many, many years of friendship with all those that have come before me, those that have started this journey since I got here, and those that we haven?t heard from YET. We may not see ?eye to eye? sometimes, but we have a common bond that can?t be broken.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night. Happy New Year too.

May God richly bless you as He has me and my family,

Danny (Bubba?gadgetman?gadget?hey you?etc.)
 
Danny (Bubba)

Danny (Bubba)

Had to get the Kleenex box out...that was a beautiful post..:) Congrats on your upcoming 2nd year post-Op surgery. You looked great 6 months ago..even in your Speedo.:D ( However, I think that pic you posted under the Mary Thread..was one of her sons.:p ..We did have fun and great food in Panama City.......I am sorry to hear about your Co-worker...Most of us have been healed with our surgeries...but, life goes on.....Since my surgery. I lost my Daddy..but gained 2 beautiful Grandchildren adopted from Russia.:) They weren't even born when I had my surgery...Would have never dreamp..that God has something special for me....3 years after my surgery. and when I drove up yesterday in my car..and they both came flying out of the house and grabbed both my legs at the same time:) ..Smiling so big..and saying Granbonny, Granbonny..I knew that I was still here..for them.:) .....Your posts always bring big smiles to many with your humor.:D After all, laughter is the BEST medicine.:) ..Many members post--pre-op and a few post-op and disappear. glad to see you have stayed for 2 years...Stay around to bug me/mary for a long time:D Bonnie
 
That's a beautiful post, Danny. Congratulations on the two years, your outlook and your gift for expressing it all. Wishing you many more years with your loved ones and on this forum.
 
Most plants with thorns also have beautiful blossoms or foliage - so you may be a thorn in the side Danny, but we love the beauty that comes along with it. :D

I always smile when I see your name on a post because I know that, most likely, I'm about to read something that will make me laugh. And I treasure laughter.

Blessed to have you on this journey with us! Wishing you many many many more wonderful years.
 
weldazyUMM.gif


Very profound . . . now start preparing for our 2008 gathering (rumble?) in Orlando!
 
Dang, Bubba. That's as sweet as some JawJa peach cobbler -- mighty good!

Always enjoy your posts. Here's hoping for many more happy anniversaries for you and all the vr.com family.
 
Hi Danny!

What a terrific post. Annivesary dates are a very good time for reflection. January 14 will be my two year date when "we" learned it was time for my valve to be replaced. Despite being in the waiting room for four years, it was still hard to accept.

You certainly hit the nail on the head in several areas. I especially liked your statement "I’ve told a lot of folks that you know you’re getting better when you start taking life for granted again." I had similar thoughts earlier this week.

During the past few months, I have often wondered if I should try and forget the surgery, and try to live like had nothing happened :rolleyes: (despite the daily reminder of taking coumadin). I was not certain if that would be a good idea. Your post was an excellent reminder to me why I should never, ever forget what has taken place. Surgery has changed all of us and our lives. Most of us would not be around without it.

Today, for the first time since, summer, I was able to enjoy a wonderful day with my family. We went to the zoo and had a blast. That would not have been possible without valve replacement.

Brother, I do not consider you a thorn. I think you are strong shady oak under which all of us can relax and cool off :D :D :D .

Karl
 
gadgetman said:
The next get-together involved lunch with Cort (Knightfan2691). We even braved ATLANTA TRAFFIC to meet with him.

He he he! Yes, ya'll sure did :). As did I, too ;). Hard to believe that has been 1.5 years ago already (August 2005).....

In case ya'll missed it, here is a pic from that meet:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/0508/Aug 05 GA lunch tkd roo me gdtmn_jpg.html


Seriously, tho, Danny, what a simply awesome post. Helped remind me to put some things in perspective, given my current "blahs". And, as usual, you have a way with words, my friend :).



Cort:33swm."Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I am tempted to keep the car in drive and leave it all behind" ... John Mayer ... 'Why Georgia Why'
 
You're a gem, Danny!! I hope I get to meet up with you one of these days!!

Congratulations on your 2 years anniversary coming up. Today is actually my 8 month post op anniversary. I woke up and didn't even realize it. But, a new, wonderful friend from VR.com had already emailed me a "special day" reminder and it was waiting there with smiles when I opened my emails this morning. This is a place full of treasure and hope.

Enjoy your holiday!!

Marguerite
 
Christmas must be the time of reflections for all that we have and are thankful for. Thank you Danny for telling us. It also made me have a few tears.

Sitting on the porch the other day, I watched as blue birds filled the trees and lawn. I thought of asking you if they fly south in winter, so you were on my mind. It was such a beautiful sight and without my surgery I would not have seen it. I believe we all are thankful for the lifesaving surgery that we had. Don't we all look back and say 'I would have missed this'! I have said it many times.

Thank you, Danny.
 
I am sitting here wih tears in my eyes. I am finding out how thankful I am for so many little things that life brings to me now. Everytime my grandson comes in and lays his head on my chest and says Grammy, "I still hear your heart ticking" I give him a big hug and cry for the joy he gives me.. This fourm has given me the will to take my life in my own hands and enjoy every minute. I thank you soooooooo much. My new valve was 8 months old on Dec. 6. and it intends to be very, very OLD.:D :D :D

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to ALL.:D :) :D :)
 
Beautiful reflections on an experience that we have all shared. It is inspirational how you have been able to take a life changing event and use it to not only enrich your own life, but help many others as well. If we could all do that, what a world this would be!

Happy anniversary to you and your valve, and you too Marguerite!
 
Congrats! I won't poo poo in your thread because I wish I shared in the experience too. Actually, more then wish, but it's not to be.
 
Thanks

Thanks

Danny, Thanks for that wonderful post! Ross, we've gotta get that damned Grinch outa your house!
 
Back
Top