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Hi Cort:
My thoughts and prayers are with you right now. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. I agree with everyone else. Your grandmother knew how much you loved her and she loved you in return. I'm sure she will be watching over you. So please don't spend time feeling guilty, spend that time remembering all the lovely memories you have.

Take Care!
Creed
 
Cort, Im very sorry on the loss of your grandmother. Keep your head up for her sake. We are here anytime you need to vent. We all do and it helps alot! We are all in this together. Welcome aboard and a great big hug is sent your way.
 
Wow...I must say that even tho I haven't posted much, I have read many of the threads...and wow...some of the responses just blow me away...in the good sense/way ;). A few times I've thought about responding, but haven't...only because it has been a rough week...and, well, sometimes staying in "lurk" mode is a bit easier...

At any rate...wanted to post a quick reply to this...

Niki...yes, that sounds good :). Maybe the grandparents moving farther away (Gramps is still living) was a way to prepare for this...

hensylee/sylvia/evelyn...yes, I know Gram knows how much I love her....still...that lingering guilt...aye.

Lorraine...I was born (Sherman Hospital) and raised in Elgin ;). Which schools did you attend? (Washington, Abbott and Larkin for me).

John...in the near future I'm sure I'll post more than I have so far...just need to get through the next week or so.... As for what type of valve, I must admit, I do not know....sorry :(.

Creed/Alicia...I appreciate your kind words.

In the meantime, as I "look ahead"...just wondering if anyone plans to attend the Chevy Vette Fest (Nov 23-24)?
 
cort..... welcome, and I will say, this is a friendly site. there is a lot of give and take here. I am one who takes a lot more than I give but the people here seem to be very giving.
I too would be interested in knowing the type of valve you have(my surgeon uses cappentier-edwards).I'm still on a holding pattern--again, welcome, and remember " the sun also rises"(as well as sets)---I'm a hemingway fan
 
First, thank you to those of you who contacted me about my grandmother's death. I'm sorry I haven't responded to each of you individually, but I appreciate your thoughts/prayers.

Second, I apologize for my lack of posting/participation in the last month...I have been reading the threads/posts, tho....

Third, in the next month or so, I will have more heart surgery. At my regular check up at Northwestern (Chicago) on Thursday, November 21, my cardiologist found that the conduit has narrowed & calcified even more...that the left side of my heart is great, but that the right side is working too hard...& that scarring from previous surgeries is slowly creating heart block. On Monday, December 2, I had a special type of stress test done at Children's Memorial Hospital (Chicago) that measured oxygen & how the heart/lungs are working together to determine how hard the heart has to work.

Today (Tuesday, December 10), my cardiologist called to say surgery [to install a pacemaker to stop the slowing heart beat & fix/replace the pig's valve/conduit (diagnosis=truncus arteriosus)] is needed ASAP within the next 2 months as the special stress test indicated that the heart is not exercising/working optimally.... Thus, I have an appointment this Saturday (December 14; 9a) with the surgeon who will perform the surgery at Children's Memorial Hospital. Surgery will most likely take place sometime in January 2003, unless the surgeon has a cancellation next week.

I do not know how this will affect or be affected by the kidney sclerosis (scarring) that was found in me earlier this year....nor do I have answers to my questions (which might be yours as well) regarding the surgery, recovery period, how my planned trips/activities in 2003 will have to be altered, etc. I will attempt to keep you posted as I learn details, etc.

"...and all the places I have yet to go; I'm looking forward to tomorrow"; Luce..."Good Day"...~2002

"I should've drove all nite"; BonJovi..."Misunderstood"...~2002

"& there is no such thing as what might've been, it's a waste of time, drive you outta your mind"; Tim McGraw..."Red Ragtop"...~2002

"And in the rush I hear a voice, it's telling me it's time to take a leap of faith ... so sink or swim I'm diving in"; Steven Curtis Chapman...'Dive'...~2001

"I'm so scared that I'll never be put back together"; Matchbox 20...'Bent'...~2000

"Nothing's ever gonna make perfect sense"; Jodee Messina...'That's The Way It Is'...~2000

"I'm gonna witness all I've been missing...I'm gonna do all the things that I've never done...& I will learn all the things that I never knew before, all this & more"; FFH...'One Of These Days'...~1998

"I?m only pretty sure that I can?t take anymore"; 3rd Eye Blind...'How's It Going To Be'...~1998

"What?s the story all about? I got a funny feeling we missed a page or 2 somehow"; Suzy Boggus...'Cinderella'...~1993

"There's things goin' on make me mad down to the core"; Charlie Daniels...'Simple Man'...~1989

"Wherever you go, I'll be with you"; Cheap Trick...'The Flame'...~1988

"That's the price that we all pay, our valued destiny comes to nothing. I can't tell you where we're going, I guess there's just no way of knowing"; New Order...'True Faith'...~1987

"One more sad story?s one more than I can stand"; Anne Murray..."A Little Good News"...~1983

"Someday tomorrow will smile"; Oak Ridge Boys...'Dream On'...~1979

Peace...Always,
Cort Stevens ... Elgin IL ... pig's valve-enhanced 29/swm
AOL IM "fc72mc" ... Yahoo IM "knightfan2691"
member, Faith COB, Batavia IL http://www.faithcob.org
My Chevy MC Family & Story = http://www.aros.net/~rbuck/cort
G1=1970-1972...72
G2=1973-1977...76
G3=1978-1980...79
G4=1981-1988...81
Ga=1995-1999...uh, no
Gb=2000-2004...00 ****FOR SALE****
G5=2005-200?...05...SS, wanted w/V8 & RWD
RIP: 1976=Parents' [my] car ... 1988=Silver Bullet
****WANTED: 87 MC LS****
http://www.aros.net/~rbuck/mcspotter/
 
Hi Knights:

I'm very sorry to hear that you will have to have additional surgery. Be sure to let us know the date, so we can put it on the calendar and keep track of you.

It sounds like you have a lot of complicating conditions.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care,
 
Hi Cort!

Hi Cort!

I am so sorry to hear that you need to have more surgery. It sounds like you are going through a pretty tough time right now. Please let us know how things go and when your surgery will be. We all like to keep tabs on everyone in this family.

I also wanted to ask you what was bringing you down to good ole Virginia. I know your plans have been changed some due to the surgery, but I was wondering if you were still considering moving to VA?

I hope all goes well and I'm sure it will.

Take Care and God Bless!
Gail
 
Hi Knight! I am sorry to hear of your loss. I must say that I am not a very religious person, so I don't talk about praying much.

I wanted to welcome you to our little home, these guys are great, they have helped me through so much. I will be thinking of you on the 14th, as that is my birthday. How many surgery's have you had? I was just wondering. I hope you feel better soon!
 
hey all...

John & Ram....I meant to find out what type of porcine (pig's) valve I have in me...but I completely forgot to ask.... I will write that down to ask the surgeon this weekend...or, perhaps my parents know....I'm not sure...sometimes I feel inadequate for not knowing, but, I'm not a very mechanically-inclined person (the running joke on my monte carlo related lists/boards is that if I tried to do any work on my cars...I'd have to buy new ones)....

Nancy...I appreciate your thoughts/prayers...perhaps more than u know...

Gail...my best friend lives in VA....she and her hubby live near Harrisonburg. Her and a few other friends are pulling me out that way...plus, I hear VA has somewhat milder winters than Chicagoland....lol. Yes, with the news of the surgery, my plans have been put on hold....but, I do hope to pursue the possibility later....

Joy...thanks for the welcome and HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY! And, you have the same name as my sister...her full first name is Joylyn, but her nickname is Joy.....

Right now, I'm just getting very nervous.... I *think* I have all of the doctors (reg dr, kidney specialist, cardiologist, surgeon) on the same page about the surgery...how it will affect the kidney situation and vice versa...etc....but, I have no clue.... I'm trying my hardest to relax....but, a feeling of sadness that things aren't the way I had envisioned them at this point in my life caught me offguard today @ work......

Ah, well...time will tell, I know....

And, I have been reading the other threads with interest....would definitely be interested in a Chicago area gathering...that could be very cool...especially now!
 
Hi Cort,

Sorry to hear you need more surgery so soon. You been through so much, like many on this site. So Saturday Dec 14th you meet with the surgeon. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers that you can wiat until at least the beginning of the year for the surgery. Though of course, the sooner you get it done, the sooner you can be on the road to recovery.:)

I wanted to tell you where I went to school. I was actually born in Chicago and moved to Streamwood when i was 12. I was the first 6th grade class out of Streamwood grade school. We had Junior High back in the 60's and I went to Kimball Junior High. I was bused from Streamwood. We didn't have a Junior High or High School in Streamwood at that time. That happened a few years later. I went to Larkin High School after Kimball. Went past there recently, boy has that school changed. How many more times can they add on, huh?

I can kind of understand you wanting to move away from here. When it gets windy and cold, it gets very windy and cold. I've always said I would never want to move from this area, since I had my surgery though, I get colder a lot easier. I have to keep my nose protected from the harsh winds or I get almost like a sinus ache if I'm walking against the wind.

I would say if you would like to get together for a mini reunion with Gina, Perry and myself, maybe we could work out a lunch date sometime after the holidays.

Try not to be nervous about whats going on. Remember to Let Go, Let God. I put my faith in my surgeons, my prayer chains and I let God take over. Take care and God Bless!
 
Hi Knight-

I would imagine that you're getting pretty nervous. It's a tough position to be in.

My husband always says that there is no point in living with such problems. If they have the ability to fix it, then just go in and do it. Get it over with and let me get on with my life.

He's a warrior BIG TIME, like you, having had many medical problems.

He's not mechanical, either, LOL:)

Take care,
 
Lorraine:
Actually, I've been going back and forth between a late December surgery and an early January surgery.... If I have it in December, then I won't have to pay out so much b/c I've met at least half of my insurance deductible due to all of the kidney tests (biopsy, etc.) I've had this year. If I wait until January, the deductible reverts back to 0 and I'll have to pay more, but the "new" benefit of being paid 100% from day 1 of a sick leave will kick in...which means, no loss of vacation time or pay....so, it's sorta a catch 22...and I hate those.....lol. Course, I also hate to wait........

As for LHS, holy cow yes it has changed. I drive by there at least once a week.... Let's see...dare I ask what year you graduated from LHS? I graduated in 1992....

Yeah, the weather is only part of it....friends are another. But, we shall see. My fav city is Nashville (TN)...so, we shall see where I end up...if I end up anywhere but here....lol.

And yes...I know to let God handle things...but, aye....it's gettin' a bit difficult, especially this year.

Nancy:
LOL...I dislike not being mechanical...b/c sometimes it makes me feel so inferior.... Hmm....but I do agree about getting it over with... Heh, I must admit...it will be kinda nice to be off work for a little while :).
 
I had to chime in here since I used to live in Illinois. I remember when the McDonalds by Larkin High School was the closest one to our house....and back in those days they gave free cheeseburgers for "A's" on the report cards. LHS seemed sooo big back then (My HS graduating class has 81 kids). Didn't they have some riots or something in the mid-late 70's?

That whole area has really changed. I used to work at Gromer's Bakery as a cake decorator. I couldn't believe it when my mom told me they sold the store.

Cort, good luck on your moving decisions. By the way, I thought of you tonight while I was at Wal-mart. They had little Hot Wheels cars attached to a book that talked about how they came up with certain Hot Wheel models based on the "real" cars. Anyway, one of the little models was a Monte Carlo....if you think you might want it, let me know (unless you can find it in IL somewhere)....you wouldn't have to worry about "fixing" it:D lol.

Who is your cardiologist at Loyola?

Judy
(Sox fan.....I think they used to give free tickets for "A's" way back when or at least a couple bucks off)
 
I guess I know why I got up so early this morning...LOL.

Judy....

McDonald's still gave free cheeseburgers for straight As when I was in school...not sure if they still do that.

Your graduating class had 81 people? We had, I believe, nearly 400........aye...quite a difference...;).

And yes...Gromer's closing was, I think, a shock to basically the entire town.... It was a "landmark" of sorts....I remember we used to go there on the weekends...and have some of the ice cream they sold at the entrance during summer days.... Heck, back then, we'd take family bicycle rides to Gromer's just for the ice cream........ Ahhh...memories......

And...do you know, by chance, what year of Monte Carlo that is that you found? I haven't seen any by Hot Wheels...I do know that there is a 71 made by Johnny Lightning that I have yet to find in any store...and yes, I've been searching ;). So, let me know what year that one is...I just may be very interested in it :).

Actually, I go to Northwestern...my cardiologist is Mendelsohn. Muster was my cardiologist (and still is...sorta) at Children's. Believe the surgeon is Mavroudis........

And...last but not least...aye...another Sox fan...j/k ;).
 
Hi Cort!

Class of "69" here! No Joke! We were the biggest class out of there at the time! 600 I think. Not sure. Memory is foggyz!lol! I knew you graduated a lot later than me, I could tell by your age. LHS! Probably none of the old teachers (they were old when I was there) are still around. I had a Data Processing teacher name Mr. Pease. Was he still there when you went? Again he may have retired already or close to retiring. He was a great teacher. Told all of us in 1968, that it would be common to all have computers in our homes before the year 2000.

If you graduated in 1992 and there are so many changes since you went there, you can imagine how changed it is for me.

McDonalds! Oh Yes! Back in the old days only the Seniors were aloud to go off campus across to MickiDees! Well, unless you snuck off! Oh, who me? I don't know what your talking about? Tee Hee!

Our graduating class was the class that abolished the dress code! By that spring of our senior year we no longer had to wear just skirts and blouses or dresses. We were able to wear shorts(of course no shjort shorts) during the spring and slacks for the winter. Guys could leave their shirts untucked and we could all wear sandles! We thought it was just great! Oh and let us not forget letting the guys having long hair!

Junebug! You too? Oh my gosh! Now Gromers, I remember that store from Junior High. I use to stay after school and then go over to Gromers before we took the late bus home. Had to have some ice cream. Yeah, even way back then! I loved that place. The bakery section smelled so good! And they had those little tables and chairs! It was neat! I didn't even know they closed until just a few months ago. You can tell how often I get to the west side of Elgin. It is totally different over there.

Well Cort, I understand what you're saying about surgery now, or surgery later. I went through that same dilemma when I was originally supposed to have my surgery. In the end it was taken out of my hands and moved to the following year. I too had met all my deductibles, it was near the end of the year, and I was just ready to go in and get it done. Then scheduling was postponed etc. etc. I wish you the best whcih ever time you have it and I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and keep us posted.
 
Pig's Valve vs Mechanical Valve

Pig's Valve vs Mechanical Valve

:) Before my Aorta valve replacement I was told about the different types of valves I could get.

The Pig valve made me a little nervous because I have always had a problem with Pigging-Out when I eat out or visit relatives. Besides, I don't know how to Oink correctly.

I can mooo pretty well, but I'm alergic to milk so I did not think a cow heart valve would work for me.

The "kadaver" valve was not appealing because I have never liked Zombie movies or care to be part of one.

I do like Sci-Fy movies about robots and the like, so the Mechanical valve had some appeal. The only problem is that I was afraid if I chose the St. Jude Valve someone would want me to convert to the Catholic religion.

I finally decided the St. Jude Valve was a good choice even if I had to tell everyone the mechanical valve was one I invented in my garage workshop.

These were just a few of the thoughts I had on the type of valve to use.

Any comments?
 
Lorraine...nope, Mr. Pease doesn't sound familiar...sorry...LOL. Hmm...during my tenure at LHS, we were not allowed to go off campus during the day at all :(.

And, now, for the "main event".....

My heart surgery is scheduled for Monday, January 6, 2003, at Children's Memorial Hospital (CMH) in Chicago. My last surgery took place in March 1987. The pre-op visit [including blood work, chest X-ray, physical, meeting with the nurse practitioner, & discussing payment plans with the business office] will take place Friday, January 3.

In the meeting with the surgeon (Mavroudis) on Saturday, December 14, at CMH, I learned that my Hancock pig's (porcine) valve [John & Ram...I found out what it is, finally!] will be replaced with a human valve, which, according to the surgeon, is usually bigger & easier to use. The valve will be harvested & covered with a hood (piece of gortex) before putting into me. I'm told this is a relatively safe procedure, during which they will also take care of any heart muscles as needed, install a pacemaker, & perform a Maze procedure (which will prevent heart rhythm problems). Risks include scar tissue & post-op bleeding. My renal condition (scarring in the kidneys that was discovered earlier this year) will not affect the operation itself, but is a small risk factor. The operation may or may not affect the scarring.

Recovery should take about 4-6 weeks after the week of the surgery. I will be put in an adult ICU & then into a private room, drugged with morphine ;). Like 1987, I'm expected to be released to go home the same week as the surgery. I will learn about my new pacemaker before I go home.

During the recovery period, I will not be able to drive [can you see me NOT driving? ... had the older 4 MCs out for 1 last drive this past Sunday before putting them away for the winter]...traveling is OK, however, as long as I do not drive. I will be out of work for a total of 5-7 weeks, and when I return, I will have to keep tabs on how tired I get & go home if I get too tired.

CMH will accept blood donations for my surgery specifically from Monday, December 23 to Monday, December 30. 8 pints of blood is needed. Donors must have B+ type blood & come to CMH to make the donation. In the next several days, I will be receiving a packet of information which will include a sheet for me to list blood donors. Thus, if you are able/interested in donating, please advise me & I will get you more detailed information.

As most of you know, 2002 has been a rough year for me with little sleep. Even so, my doctors believe that part of my tiredness, lack of sleep, etc., is caused by the valve that is to be replaced. I'm told I will feel a lot better once the surgery is complete. Course, I'll have to get through the few weeks of pain first ;).

At some point the weekend of January 4-5, I will be annointed by Pastor Erin Matteson (Faith COB). If you are interested in coming for that, please advise me & I will be sure to tell you when it is scheduled.

I thought I would feel better about the surgery after meeting with the surgery, but such is not the case, thus far. I have found myself becoming more nervous, etc., because the surgery is now a "scheduled reality". I'm also beginning to realize what all I need to do before the surgery to prepare, what the surgery will mean for recovery/pain/etc., how the surgery will affect my plans for the next few months, etc. I am also a bit concerned of making sure all of my doctors (primary care physician Vento; kidney specialist Zahid; cardiologist Mendelson; surgeons Mavroudis/Backer) are all on the same page.

I know this has become long, but I know many of you have asked specific questions about the surgery, & I decided it best to give the details here.

In the meantime, I am looking for places to go to for "road trips" yet this month and again beginning in mid-February....

ALSO...as the surgery has disrupted my plans for New Years Eve, New Years Day & the following weekend, I am inviting anyone who is willing/able to be at my house for New Year's Eve...sort of as a "pre-surgery party". Thus, if you are interested in coming, let me know :).

"I keep slipping farther"; Stone Sour...'Bother'...~2002

"Done, done & I'm onto the next one"; Foo Fighers...'All My LIfe'...~2002

"Something is wrong here, I don't belong here"; Uncle Cracker...'In A Little While'...~2002

"It's all right, I'm OK...I believe I'm the same"; Splendor...'I Think God Can Explain'...~2001

"It's coming on Christmas ... I'm so hard to handle"; Robert Downy Jr...'River'...~2000

"I must be lonely"; Matchbox 20...'3 am'...~1997

"I?m not afraid things won?t get better, but it feels like this has gone on forever"; Toad The Wet Sprocket...'Good Intentions'...~1997

"Put off today what you can do tomorrow, sometimes you don?t do the thing"; Diamond Rio...'In A Week Or 2'...~1992

"Maybe I'll get a car, maybe I'll drive so far they'll all lose track ... me, I'll be just fine & dandy...I'm barely getting through tomorrow, but still I won't let sorrow bring me way down"; Dolly Parton...'Hard Candy Christmas'...~1982

Peace...Always,
Cort Stevens ... Elgin IL ... 29/swm
AOL IM "fc72mc" ... Yahoo IM "knightfan2691"
member, Faith COB, Batavia IL http://www.faithcob.org
My Chevy MC Family & Story = http://www.aros.net/~rbuck/cort
G1=1970-1972...72
G2=1973-1977...76
G3=1978-1980...79
G4=1981-1988...81
Ga=1995-1999...uh, no
Gb=2000-2004...00 ****FOR SALE****
G5=2005-200?...05...SS, wanted w/V8 & RWD
RIP: 1976=Parents' [my] car ... 1988=Silver Bullet
****WANTED: 87 MC LS****
http://www.aros.net/~rbuck/mcspotter/
 
Hi Cort-

Well, no one will ever accuse you of not being thorough in your prep work!:D

So, it's a go for Jan. 6. You're on the calendar.

It sounds like you have a well prepared surgeon, too. I like the fact that you're following through with all your doctors to keep them informed. We assume that they will all know when surgery is happening, but that isn't always the case.

You have some difficult issues, but that will only make your surgeon extra careful and he'll have everything well covered.
You'll be fine, and this will help you tremendously.

Keep in close touch here during the next period of time. We'll be here for you.

Take care.
 
Cort,
I know you have a lot on your mind, but I thought I'd tell you in advance how much your new homograft valve is going to do for you! First, your new hemodynamics (blood flow) will improved dramatically. Second, because your body tolerated your previous pig valve so well, I am betting the human valve will work out great long-term for you. And third, you probably aren't going to have much pain at all...more like some discomfort for a while. The meds they'll give you do an outstanding job of getting rid of any serious pain.

What really helped me, once the surgery date was set, was to try to focus not on the upcoming surgery, but on the upcoming improvement in my life. Think of the things that you'll be able to do, how good you'll feel, and the biggie: The surgery will be in the PAST and you won't have to think about it anymore!

All of us with homografts (that I know of) here seem to be doing great, and we know you will too!

Hang in there buddy, the best is yet to come :)

--John
 
and in the rush I hear a voice............

and in the rush I hear a voice............

Dear Cort - well now you are getting ready for your Jan 6th 'date'. Enjoy your holidays and just be on time at the hospital. The staff will take you over then and you won't have to worry. The worrying is now and it can be hard but when you feel the need/wish to talk just come on in. We re all here to walk right along with you all the way to the top and over the mountain. God bless
 
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