I've met some wonderfully nice people on this board, and consider you my friends. Although we've only interacted in cyberspace, I've even looked forward to possibly meeting some of you someday. Maybe at a TDVDS museum opening or similar event. So it is not for sorrow or sympathy, but for these positive feeling that I feel I must share with you a recent development.
On Sunday, June 5th, I suffered a heart attack and stayed in the hospital for four days. During testing it was discovered that I have heart disease, and open heart surgery was strongly recommended. I'm home temporarily, and am currently seeking a second opinion, but if necessary, I will have the surgery. At that point, if all goes well, I will be in recovery over an 8 -10 week period or so.
During the time that I was in the hospital this week, I thought a lot about the positive things in my life, and my time on this message board has definitely been one of them. For that I would like to say thank you to the regulars, the occasional, and the some-timers who've made that so.
For me, this is going to be another one of those hurdles I have to clear in this marathon we call life. Or in the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "Into each life some rain must fall." So true. And I can almost hear Buddy Sorrell saying, "Yeah, but don't it make the flowers grow pretty?!" :)


Steve

My hopes and prayers are with you, Steve, and I wish you a full recovery!

Steve,

I have had several close relatives and friends go through heart bypass surgery and they all recovered beautifully. We will all be pulling for you to make a complete recovery. Your posts will be missed while you're away, amigo!

Try to sneak a DVD player and your Dick Van Dyke Show DVDs into the hospital; it will help you recover faster!

I wish and hope you have a great recovery, and I pray for you!

Sometimes, when I'm staying at the hospital, I realize some of the important things in my life, which I should be grateful for. It seems like you've already done that! :D

Best of luck! :wave:

Jessica

im so sorry to hear that steve. we'll miss you hear and on the mtm boards.


pat

Steve,
Will be thinking of you many times and sending good thoughts your way. And I mean it. You've been a
friend to the show and everyone who posts here.
Want things to work out the best for you. Really mean it. (Gotta say it again.)

Samme

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful responses. I feel even stronger still, knowing that so many nice people think so fondly of me.
I appreciate your prayers and well wishes.

Steve

Good luck, man!

Wow, Steve, this is big news! I add my prayers to the rest of the gang here on this board. You and I have been chatting together on this board for over 2 years now and were there watching the process of getting TDVDS on DVD. I will be thinking of you constantly and hope all is going well. Be grateful you live in this day and age when this type of problem is easily cared for. I know you and I are about the same age and I expect to be chatting with you here well into our 70"s!! Good luck and Godspeed to you. Please keep us posted on your progress because we will be worrying about you!
(You taught me how to do the Avatars and I'm still using the avatar picture you sent me!)
Much love,
Lolac
:loveya:

You taught me how to do the Avatars and I'm still using the avatar picture you sent me!
Much love,
Lolac
:loveya:
Hi, Lolac! I've seen that you are still using that avatar, and I'm flattered everytime. ;)
It has been a couple of years hasn't it? Where does the time go? I guess it really does fly when you're having fun!
Much love in return. :loveya:

I will keep you all posted as to my progress, as soon as I'm able to get back to the computer.

Steve

I hardly ever post, but I want to wish you the best, Steve. Here's to a speedy and comfortable recovery!

Hiya Steve -

We've only had the pleasure of chatting a few occasions, but any SO member, and especially DVD fan is close to my heart so I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers too. Heart disease runs on my father's side of the family so its another reason I feel for ya.
At least if you do require surgery, you're young and probably in otherwise good condition so I'm sure the prognosis is good!
Hang in there - keep strong - and try to get a wireless laptop to use while in recovery - we'll miss you too much for 8 - 10 weeks! ;)
Actually, I'm sure the docs will say that sitting up in a chair will be good for you so it'll be great if you can check in even for short periods!
Take care and know that your cyberfriends are behind you!
Vanilla cupcakes and Crummy Buttons are out - but I'm sure you can have lots of MooGoo Guy Pan - with extra Goo! :wave:

Hiya Steve -
Vanilla cupcakes and Crummy Buttons are out - but I'm sure you can have lots of MooGoo Guy Pan - with extra Goo! :wave:

And definately heed Lyle Delp's advice to a pregnant Laura and "Lay off the salt"!

Steve, I just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery and remind you not to gargle with the chicken rice soup!!

Well, Steve hasn't been here for a couple of days. I'm guessing he's getting ready to or has already had his surgery. We're thinking about you, Steve, and pray for your quick recovery.

:bighug:
Lolac

No, not yet, my alien friend!
I've gotten my 2nd and 3rd opinions, and all concur - triple bypass surgery.
I have severe arterial sclerosis (hardening of the arteries). I'm actually meeting with my surgeon in two hours to plan the best time to do the procedure for a maximum outcome. I just didn't want to bombard you guys with too much info on my situation. :)
I've also been very busy! Between family, friends, doctors, insurance companies, human resources (at work), and other business, I spend a lot of time on the phone lately!
Thanks for thinking of me. :wave:
Steve
PS, I must make one quick statement here, so please bear with me. This disease was totally preventable and even treatable without surgery, had I only gotten myself checked for it years ago. I'm 44, never smoked, never drank, and never did illegal drugs. I was in Chinese martial arts training (since I was 13 yrs old, off and on) for 20 years. I ran and biked occasionally, but I hit the local gym religiously, 3 times per week and watched what I ate. I'm frequently told I look 10 years younger than my age. So what happened?
Arterial Sclerosis is a common disease among African American males, which I am, and my hereditary factors, high-stress job, and exposure to side smoke (at work) didn't help any. However, had I diligently been checking myself for signs every year (as my girlfriend had asked me to), I could have been properly medicated and made other changes to avoid the situation I'm now in.
So my point is this; don't be like Steve! Please get your yearly physicals and lab work done! Then we can all be here chatting with one another for decades to come. ;)
Steve

Thanks for your good advice, Steve. I am an RN and everything you said is right on the money. More specifically, I was an Operating Room Nurse. All I can say is, you will be in very good hands. Most heart teams are the cream of the crop and take very good care of their patients. This surgery is very routine nowadays and with your otherwise healthy background, you should do remarkably well. Please let us know when you are scheduled to go in so we can keep you in our prayers.

Lolac
:wave:

Lolac,
I didn't know you were an ORN. Great for you!
And you're right about heart care people. They are wonderful! I've felt completely safe and comfortable with the ones I've met so far.
And to everyone else,
I've been reading all of your supporting and witty comments, and have taken great comfort in them. Thanks so much.
I will keep you posted as to my schedule, it will be great going into surgery knowing so many nice people are praying for me!
Steve

Here's hoping that Steve is ok and everything is going well for him!

:loveya:

Lolac

Steve, my father also had some heart problems recently, he had severe chest pains, but did not have the actual attack. What are some of the steps they do to you at the hospital?

Definitely Lolac!

Steve - you're in our thoughts and prayers - and wish you all the best on a speedy recovery - you definitely deserve it - you've taken way better care of yourself than I or my husband has. He's now under high stress, has gained about 70 pounds, eats a terrible diet, has high b/p and cholestrol and scares the bejeepers out of me with it all.

I'll be sure to show him your post and hopefully he'll realize he needs to smarten up - as do I.

The whole gang's pulling for ya! Keep us posted. :bighug:

Steve, my father also had some heart problems recently, he had severe chest pains, but did not have the actual attack. What are some of the steps they do to you at the hospital?
Munsters#1,
I'm really sorry to hear your father is havining problems. He may or may not be experiencing Angina (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Angina/Angina_WhatIs.html). Of course, the heart being the type of organ it is, there are different things that can go wrong, so he may not have the same problem as I had, Arterial Sclerosis, a buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the heart itself.
If this is also his problem, and the clots are not particularly threatening, he may at some point need angioplasty (http://www.cardiologychannel.com/angioplasty/index.shtml) to open the blockages. He'll then need to be monitored for 4 - 5 days as an inpatient. Mine was done on an emergency basis, within minutes after I arrived at the ER. If the cloting is more severe, the doctor will decide if any bypass surgery is needed, which would require a little longer hospital stay, and also about a two month recovery period.
However, if the blockages are small enough, the doctor may opt to try medication (along with a change in diet and lifestyle) that might break up the clots and prevent further buildup.
I hope this is helpful, and good luck to your father. :)

Definitely Lolac!

Steve - you're in our thoughts and prayers - and wish you all the best on a speedy recovery - you definitely deserve it - you've taken way better care of yourself than I or my husband has. He's now under high stress, has gained about 70 pounds, eats a terrible diet, has high b/p and cholestrol and scares the bejeepers out of me with it all.

I'll be sure to show him your post and hopefully he'll realize he needs to smarten up - as do I.

The whole gang's pulling for ya! Keep us posted. :bighug:
TripperFan,
Thank you. And I don't mean to play Jr. Psychologist, and I hope I'm wrong, but it sounds like your hubby's given up on himself!
Ask him not to. I've learned from this event in my life that taking care of myself isn't just about me. My heart attack happened at midnight. My two daughter who live in Texas were at O'Hare Airport in Chicago by 4:00 that afternoon. My mother, in Kansas, was about to head to the airport that same time, but I asked her not to (I asked my daughters too, but they wouldn't listen). And I'll never forget the look of fear on my girlfriend's face as they wheeled me into the OR. You see, it's all about the people that love you.
Do what you must to get him to take better care of himself. He would regret the pain he would cause to everyone who cares about him, should something happen to him. And it would have been so uneccessary.

Here's hoping that Steve is ok and everything is going well for him!

:loveya:

Lolac
Thank you so very much, Lolac. I appreciate you.
And everyone else, for thinking of me as you do.
I feel fine. I saw my cardiologist yesterday, and he's pleased with my readings, but has ball parked the surgery date as "mid-July." Normally, he would put it off a while longer because of the stenting, but apparently, my situation is too severe to risk waiting.
The heart surgeon should call me soon with the actual date.

Steve

Thanks Steve! I keep tryin' to tell him the same thing, but he's obssessed with being the "provider". I've told him he won't be much of one if he's six feet under. I'm afraid it's going to take quite a scare to shake him up enough - I just hope he gets that chance. I lost my father to a massive attack - the warning came only a week before.

On a brighter note, at least if you have to have the surgery - the timing should be nice for recovery - right in the heart of summer! :happyface

All the best!

Steve, glad to know you are ok. You sound like a smart guy and the advice you have given is good. My husband, who is 49, is starting to realize that if he doesn't start taking better care of himself, he won't be here to see our kids graduate from high school. I'm glad he's figured that out before it is everlastingly too late. Keep up the good work!!! (And I'll stop worrying about you a little bit!)

Lolac
:wave:

On Sunday, June 5th, I suffered a heart attack and stayed in the hospital for four days. During testing it was discovered that I have heart disease, and open heart surgery was strongly recommended. I'm home temporarily, and am currently seeking a second opinion, but if necessary, I will have the surgery. At that point, if all goes well, I will be in recovery over an 8 -10 week period or so.

How many arteries are involved?
If possible, choose angioplasty instead of bypass surgery.
My mom needed unblocking on three arteries. Her Cardiologist said she can either have bypass surgery or angioplasty. He kind of hinted at bypass because so many arteries were involved, but we chose angioplasty because it is very effective and less stressful.

How many arteries are involved?
If possible, choose angioplasty instead of bypass surgery.
My mom needed unblocking on three arteries. Her Cardiologist said she can either have bypass surgery or angioplasty. He kind of hinted at bypass because so many arteries were involved, but we chose angioplasty because it is very effective and less stressful.
Thanks Fleet.
I've had emergency angioplasty, just to be able to function normally. Three arteries are involved in my case also, but my blockages seem to be larger, therefor more life-threatening.
Because of the locations of the blockages three cardiologists have indepentantly advised surgery, and very soon. I've been advised that to even wait 3 months might be too long.

Steve

Thanks Fleet.
I've had emergency angioplasty, just to be able to function normally. Three arteries are involved in my case also, but my blockages seem to be larger, therefor more life-threatening.
Because of the locations of the blockages three cardiologists have indepentantly advised surgery, and very soon. I've been advised that to even wait 3 months might be too long.

Steve


I'm so thankful you're in the States Steve. There's a six month waiting list for bypass surgeries here. People ARE dying while waiting. What good is free healthcare when you die waiting for it. :(

I'm so thankful you're in the States Steve. There's a six month waiting list for bypass surgeries here. People ARE dying while waiting. What good is free healthcare when you die waiting for it. :(

That's why it's free.

Munsters#1,
I'm really sorry to hear your father is havining problems. He may or may not be experiencing Angina (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Angina/Angina_WhatIs.html). Of course, the heart being the type of organ it is, there are different things that can go wrong, so he may not have the same problem as I had, Arterial Sclerosis, a buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the heart itself.
If this is also his problem, and the clots are not particularly threatening, he may at some point need angioplasty (http://www.cardiologychannel.com/angioplasty/index.shtml) to open the blockages. He'll then need to be monitored for 4 - 5 days as an inpatient. Mine was done on an emergency basis, within minutes after I arrived at the ER. If the cloting is more severe, the doctor will decide if any bypass surgery is needed, which would require a little longer hospital stay, and also about a two month recovery period.
However, if the blockages are small enough, the doctor may opt to try medication (along with a change in diet and lifestyle) that might break up the clots and prevent further buildup.
I hope this is helpful, and good luck to your father. :)

He didn't have much blockage, it was more stress related. He was recently released this past Saturday and is on a whole new diet and excercise program.

PS, Thank You for concerning about my father. :)

That's why it's free.


Well....its a little more complicated than that. This wait never used to happen before the government squandered the fund and allowed abuse of the system for so long. It'll take years to fix it now.

In the 70s, there was no or very little waiting periods and more procedures were for provided for free.

Well....its a little more complicated than that. This wait never used to happen before the government squandered the fund and allowed abuse of the system for so long. It'll take years to fix it now.

In the 70s, there was no or very little waiting periods and more procedures were for provided for free.

You just can't trust politicians with money. They always lose it. :(

He didn't have much blockage, it was more stress related. He was recently released this past Saturday and is on a whole new diet and excercise program.

PS, Thank You for concerning about my father. :)
Whew!
That's excellent news, Munsters#1! I'm a firm believer in diet and exercise (and now, lab work)! After all, what good is it to be able to pump iron, run a marathon, and kick butt if your blood chloesterol is 305 like mine was? (I know, it's embarrassing :( )
Now, if he's careful to obey doctor's orders, your father may never have to deal with that problem again.
Truth is, I may be facing a career change myself, since I also work in a high-stress job (The Illinois Dept of Human Services & Developmental Disabilities), and have done so for 23 years now. But I'll find out more about that soon.
I'm really glad to hear your Dad isn't going to need to take more serious measures :) .

Steve

I'm so thankful you're in the States Steve. There's a six month waiting list for bypass surgeries here. People ARE dying while waiting. What good is free healthcare when you die waiting for it. :(
It's a raging political debate in this the US right now, TripperFan. Should we have National Health Care, or stay with a capitalist, consumer based system? I won't delve into the minutia of it - this just isn't the forum for that - but it seems to me that the biggest problem with any social service program is the sheer amount of waste it eventually takes on, moreso than the philosophy behind it.
In the US too, there are services available for the poor, but they're generally considered to be sub-standard.
The doctor I accepted to perform my procedure is not only a reputable, practicing heart surgeon, but an Instructor of Cardiac Surgery at Loyola University in Chicago, a leading medical educational institution. I don't think I could get him if I were poor. I don't know the answer to the debate, but you're right. I thank God I'm an American, and that I'm adequately insured :) .

Steve

It's a raging political debate in this the US right now, TripperFan. Should we have National Health Care, or stay with a capitalist, consumer based system? I won't delve into the minutia of it - this just isn't the forum for that - but it seems to me that the biggest problem with any social service program is the sheer amount of waste it eventually takes on, moreso than the philosophy behind it.
In the US too, there are services available for the poor, but they're generally considered to be sub-standard.
The doctor I accepted to perform my procedure is not only a reputable, practicing heart surgeon, but an Instructor of Cardiac Surgery at Loyola University in Chicago, a leading medical educational institution. I don't think I could get him if I were poor. I don't know the answer to the debate, but you're right. I thank God I'm an American, and that I'm adequately insured :) .

Steve

I know what you mean. It worked beautifully in the 60s and 70s, but there was a huge influx of immigrants in the early 80s (and I'm not blaming them specifically, its just the way it happened). Apparently the government couldn't keep up, and the cards issued were not photo i.d. and loosely controlled. That's when massive abuse to the system occured. People were bringing seriously ill family members over for a "visit", would use their health cards for their family and it cost the taxpayer's a fortune. Also overloaded the system, and more and more doctors were demanding salary caps be taken off. When they weren't, they started charging for more of their services, as the government dropped what was allowed or packed up and moved to other countries where they could make an excellent living.
When it does pay off, is when there's a catastrophic illness or accident that private insurance in the States doesn't cover and bankrupts many individuals. Here, all cancer treatments, heart surgeries, are entirely paid for by the government still so no one needs to go bankrupt. I don't know what I would have done in the case of my mother had her healthcare not been subsidized.
Just glad to hear you sound like you're going to be getting the best and your attitude is wonderful Steve! You'll be the Lance Armstrong of the Arterial Gang!

My friends, I have something else to share. And thanks to everyone for letting me have this thread. I know this isn't about TDVDS, and I truly appreciate no one complaining about me.
As I was in the ER being prep'ed for my angioplasty, I heard the doctor outside of the curtain. He asked the nurse, "Is the patient still conscious?" "Yes," she said. "He never lost consciousness." Then the doctor came in and said, "Your girlfriend is here. Is it Ok with you if I explain to her you're condition and what we plan to do?" "Absolutely," I said! "And then please, let her come in as soon as possible." And he did.
It was at that moment that I realized that rest of the world isn't concerned about anything but playing by 'the rules.' I mean, if I had been unconscious, my poor girlfriend of 13 years would have been sitting in the ER lobby, terrified as she was, and no one would have told her anything. Because that's the rules. Further, had my attack been fatal, she would have lost everything she and I have invested in together. Because that's also the rules. Society wouldn't care how long we'd been together, our history with each other, how much we loved each other, nor what our intentions were toward one another. The rules for her would've been, "If you weren't married, you really have no rights to his remains nor his posessions."
So, while I was in the hospital, waiting to go home from my ordeal, I asked my girlfriend to marry me. To my surprise, instead of running away screaming, she said "yes." Well, actually, first she asked if I was in my right mind (I was a confirmed bachelor) then she said, "Ok honey, if you want to," which is her usual answer, but I took that as a yes.
So, on Monday, June 27th, I was fortunate enough to get married to the most wonderful woman I know, to which her sister and my brother exclaimed, "Well, it's about time!"

Steve

Aw, I'm so happy for you Steve, that's just wonderful.


Give my best to the miss'us! :lol:

pat

Congratulations, Steve!

Congrats!!!! What a story!

Congratulations, Steve. Here's to many beautiful years of connubial bliss.

Congratulations Steve! That's wonderful!

Jessica

Congratulation, Steve and Mrs. Sawgrass!! Your post brought tears to my eyes. It is amazing how things come into sharp focus when we are faced with our own mortality. I am very, very happy for you! I hope you enjoy growing old together!!!!

:love:
Lolac

Congratulations, Steve. And much happiness!

WOW! I hope everything goes well for you Steve, and my mom keeps telling me that I need a physical, I know I have to get one again soon. I just need to get another doctor still since mine retired a few years ago. Bummer. LOL

And I know how that I need to excercsie more. My mom and Dad do more than me, but they say I excercise quite a bit because I'm always dancing. Hehe. :rolleyes: But it's fun. lol And my mom has Diabetes like Mary so that is one reason why she excercises so much, and she has other things too, of course there's never just one thing.

I'm usually told that I'm healthy and that I look it, and I like hearing that, but I'd rather know that I won't get heart problems. Not something I like hearing about. Of course I'm still quite young. But that isn't an excuse. And so many people today and many around here and just in our church even, either church members or realtives, or friends are getting or dying from Cancer. Something I do not want, of course no one does.

And I don't smoke, and I've got one more year for the leagal drinking age, but you won't find me doing that EVER! So I hope!! Ick, I'm sorry, it's just what I feel. And I can't be near smoke without gagging. I remember one weekend I was at a relatives house and I would do my best to stay away from the people smoking and the smoke itself, but it was VERY hard. And after the weekend I had a *extremely* sore throat for sometime!! UGH! I was in dreadful pain.

CONGRATULATIONS Steve! I sih you much happiness!!! And I also will keep you in my thoughts and Prayers!

WOW! I hope everything goes well for you, Steve... I'm usually told that I'm healthy and that I look it, and I like hearing that, but I'd rather know that I won't get heart problems. Not something I like hearing about. Of course I'm still quite young. But that isn't an excuse.
Thanks, ClassicTVGirl,
I'm sure you are healthy. There's nothing like youth, is there :) ? Enjoy it and be grateful for it! But, as I've learned, individual organ health is something else altogether, so remember that, and see your doctor about it regularly.
My friends,
Thank you all for my many messages of congratulations. I'm looking forward to mimicking Rob Petrie, as far as being a husband. Ok, I know no one's that good, but I can try :p .
By the way, my surgery date is officially set for July 19, 7:15 AM. And I know that as I lie in the OR, counting backward from 100, my friends at SO with be there with me in spirit, holding my hand. And I thank you :wink2: .

Steve

We certainly will be, Steve. Good Luck... and may God be with you. I know he will.

Oh Steve - I SOOOOO happy for you and the new MRS!!! That's an incredible story (I'll PM you why).

I just hope she didn't lie about her age and you two ARE actually married (unlike Rob and Laura)! :lol:

I wish you all the best for a LONG AND HAPPY marriage!! Emphasis on the LONG!!! :D

We'll be thinking about you! And remember this: Dictate what happened to you and be sure that you put emphasis on the fact that you have a sore nose. Oh, and it's all Laura's fault.