The Dr came late today and sat with us and explained everything... drawing a very nice diagram of the heart and arteries on his bedsheet... LOL!!
The reason it took so long for final decisions, was the tests were showing stuff that didn't quite sit right and they had suspicions.
There are several medium to severe blockages in the right coronary artery. They could try angioplasty, but there are so many that bypass would probably be the better way to go.
BUT... there is a complete block in the main artery - left anterior descending. He showed how the blockage was halfway down and a vein above it took on the bloodflow. Definately needs a bypass.
He also said if the blockage was any higher up... it would have been the kind of heart attack that usually kills people. wow.
SO... there is nothing to do but wait over the weekend. He ordered a nuclear Spect scan for Monday, but kinda thinks they aren't gonna do it. Figures surgery will be sometime next week, not sure what day.
So that's it. He's taking it ok... pretty darn scary stuff if you ask me. I've been printing off all the emails and posts on the Letterville bulletin board for him to read. He'll laugh, then get a tear in his eye, then laugh again.
Its SO wonderful we have SO many friends and family that really care. We both appreciate EVERYTHING!!!!
[ October 07, 2005, 10:25 PM: Message edited by: Dana Bowers ]
Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
Hi, Dana,
Finally, some more or less solid news.
Tell Bruce, that if his doctor hasn't already mentioned it, after surgery if he should have to sneeze, do NOT try to stifle it or hold it in. Nobody warned me about that at the time I had my bypass, and the first time I sneezed, I thought I was gonna die.
It's gonna hurt no matter what, but if he grabs the pillow that they will give him for just such occasions, and holds it tight to his chest, then open wide and let 'er fly, it won't hurt as much.
After the surgery, he will also be the newest member in good standing of the "Zipper Club." That's because of the appearance of the scar. The one on his leg where they snitch a vein from will also be a conversation piece for some time.
Wish him the best from one member of the club to another.
bill preston
Afterthought---don't worry about post-op pain too much. If they treat Bruce there the way Albany Med treated me, the very mention of pain will bring a pain shot in a hurry. Most of the time I was asked before the prior one wore off.
[ October 07, 2005, 10:53 PM: Message edited by: Bill Preston ]
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Thanks for keeping us current on this Dana, & you hang in there. That is scary stuff. "he's taking it ok", but as much as I'm sure he doesn't want you to be worried... of course you are & anyone would be. I too am grateful that you have so many friends here who care because this is when that really helps. We're pulling for you both. Good luck to Bruce next week if I don't get the chance to post that again before they operate. Hope to see you guys both in Atlantic city if I go again!
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Well you just tell that ole doc that he had better do a damn fine job of patching Broooooce up, cause he's got a lot of friends waiting here to give him a hard time about all this. For all you tough guys out there who are ignoring the signs and symptoms, take note. Dana, girl, hang in there, this will be behind you in no time. Bruce - NO MORE CHINESE! Hurry up and get better, we luv ya. Posted by Harris Kohen (Member # 2139) on :
well in times such as these, thats actually great news. He didnt have the BIG ONE, and they can do alot to prevent it from happening now.
Heres to a quick recovery for Bruce and to Dana, "Hang in there Kid" Im confident he Loves you more and more each day.
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
Well, I bet this wasn't in both of your long range plans was it? Scary, but as we see with all the personal stories, pretty common with great results in the end.
Looking forward to the stories from Bruce on this one. Now we can write the book!
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Thanks for the update. Take care of yourself woman!
And tell Bruce I'm having withdrawls... haven't talked to him in at least 4 days. Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Dana..Tell Bruce that I refuse to send a bottle or can of Labatt's brew to him!!
HE has to get his sorry butt over here and get it!
And I truly KNOW he will do so very soon!
Shirl and I are sending good wishes and definitely keeping Bruce in our thoughts.
Bruce..if Dana prints this out...get well brother...we all need ya to keep us straight!!!
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
quote:well in times such as these, thats actually great news.
...for a minute I was afraid Harris just saved a bunch of money on his car insurance Posted by Barry Branscum (Member # 445) on :
Thanks for updating us Dana. I can't imagine the emotions you are contending with right now, and I know all of us here feel privledged that you have taken the time to keep us posted.
Tell Bruce he has to get better soon! I have yet to fight with him face to face! Posted by Dana Bowers (Member # 780) on :
Thanks guys!! Barb called me tonite... is nice to be able to talk to someone who TOTALLY understands whats up.
From what I understand, they aren't going to use a vein from his leg, but an artery from his chest. They say the veins don't last as long, because they weren't made for the amount of blood flow like an artery is.
I had Toby entered in shows in Welland, Ontario this weekend. I had pretty much decided with nothing going on, so to speak, at the hospital, to go to the one Sunday morning. Its before visiting hours, and should go pretty quick... unless we win Group and have to stay late - but then that would be a GREAT thing, and make his Daddy very proud!!
I was going to skip tomorrow's show, since we're not in the ring til 1pm, and that pretty well puts us to the hospital pretty late in the afternoon/early evening.
But Bruce said NO NO NO... we HAVE to go!!! So I just got done getting Toby all trimmed, bathed and 'handsome'!
He really misses his boys ALOT.
Thanks TONS for all the info, too. Its nice to hear how everyone has bounced back from this. I know its gonna be some work, but we'll be ok.
How can we not with so many people there for us?!?!!! Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Thanks for the update. We are pulling for you here. Keep us in the loop.
-grampa dan
Posted by Catharine C. Kennedy (Member # 4459) on :
I'm sure he'll feel a world of difference (better, much better ) after the surgery! Thanks for the updates & best wishes on the dog shows (let us know how THOSE go too!
Cat
Posted by Jason Davie (Member # 2172) on :
Dana and Bruce, Best Wishes for all to go just fine.. My dad went through this about five years ago now, He had to have 4 bypasses and all went fine, and Im sure that there have been so many improvements since then in the medical feild.. If ya need any thing don't hesitate to call
Jason D
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
thanks for taking the time to keep us informed with bruces condition. i know it must be hard on you having to be everywhere. please take care of yourself. send bruce our positive thoughts and smiles! Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Bruce, Casmate doesn't have it. Swich to Flexi and hit the "Artery Replace" button four times and the "Feel Good" symbol will appear. Move it to the side and kiss Dana. If that doesn't fix it all, call tech support.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
(LOL Doug )
Now Dana, are these alleged 'doctors' aware of the caliber of sign artist they have in their presence??
You must insist thay they take the utmost care of his lettering hand, arm and the rest of what it's attached to! Stress to them that the future of creativity in sign biz is partly dependent upon the skill of this guy, and , he has a steady enough hand to do the dang operation his self! . . .
Well . . . I'm pretty sure the doctors have pretty steady hands too. . . .SAY! I bet DrCas could teach them to letter! Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Thanks for the update Dana. Tell Broooooce we're all pulling for him. I know any surgery is scary, but they've perfected this bypass stuff to the point that it will soon be deemed minor surgery.
Tell him to heal fast cuz he's going to be a load to hold up on the bowling team.
Take care buddy. We're praying for ya.
Posted by Dana Bowers (Member # 780) on :
Dateline 10:10am Saturday...
Called the hospital to see how he's doing and they said fine. Watching TV, snoozing... wow, almost like being home, but without Toby...!!!
They said sometime today they are moving him out of CCU to the Step-Down unit. So when I get there later, I will have to go find him.
I'll post when I get home tonite with any of the latest news. Still printing off pages for him to read. He REALLY likes that!!
I also wanted to say, we have received numerous emails, phone calls, etc... although I haven't yet thanked everyone individually, please bear with me!!
I really DO TRULY appreciate everything you guys!!! Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
Hey Bruce...Hope your upcoming surgery goes well...and the recovery period. I'm looking forward to watching you do that beautiful script of yours at another meet somewhere.
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Thanks for the update Dana. We will continue to keep you and Bruce in our prayers. Take care of yourself too. Good luck at the dog show. Judy
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
Wow, that is scary for you guys. I'm just thinking how fortunate you are that God saw fit to give to a warning! A pretty scarey wakeup call I'd say.
We'll be keeping you in our thoughts here. It is thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. I'm definately thankful that this wasn't worse.
You take care of yourself too Dana.
Suelynn
Posted by Sam Sanfilippo (Member # 425) on :
Dana, I know it is scary stuff, but OHS is so commonplace today. Who would have thought fourty years ago that heart surgery of this type would be carried on daily.
Y'all are in our prayers, and we wish Bruce a speedy recovery.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Hang in there. Things should get better since they know what's going on. Make sure you get enough rest too!
Posted by Dave Correll (Member # 100) on :
Hey Bruce,
Wishing you a quick recovery...and both of you, take care of yourselves. Hofefully see you at a letterhead meet in the near future.
Posted by Terry Colley (Member # 1245) on :
Hope you you get well soon Bruce Bill Riedell had four done and two weeks later got on a plane to England for a Letterheads meet, Gave us lots to worry about but he pulled through ok .I am sure it will all go well
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Bruce, I am truly praying for you, & I know you will be fine. How can you not be, with a wife like that?
Dana, you are a really good girl, & i am so glad I got to meet both of you in person!
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
Hang in there, you two! Doctors do miracles every day of the week. We've got a few of those miracles right here in Letterville to prove it.
Posted by Michael R. Bendel (Member # 5847) on :
Hey Buddy! If I'd have known how stressed you'd get coming to Minnesota, I'd have met you at the bar, instead of the colestoral enriched lunch we had. Actually he ate quite responsibly, I was the one who had the... what was it?? The super hot 1/2 pounder with bacon & cheese & seasoned fries? Keep the bed open next to you Bruce... Who knows?
You both are in our thoughts & prayers.
Thanks for the updates Dana.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Broooooce
Hang in there man! You gotta coach me through my first LED job.....after all, you talked me into it Get well soon DUDE!
Posted by Mark Neurohr (Member # 2470) on :
Wow, haven't been here for a couple of weeks and I found this (STUPID COMPUTER)!!
Bruce/Dana, hope all works out for you two!! With todays modern medicine I know you're in good hands.
Bruce, they may be giving you blood thinners. Take what THEY prescribe you, not your own (it's not Hi Temp, Low Temp, 1-Shot or PPG). You wouldn't put Heparin in your paint would ya?
God Bless the both of ya! Wishin' you a speedy recovery.
[ October 09, 2005, 08:27 AM: Message edited by: Mark Neurohr ]
Posted by Alan Ackerson (Member # 3224) on :
Hey Bruce!
Didn't know this was all going on. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Alan
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
yes, We gotta get bruce back up so my boys can thank him for his kind actions..
Sounds liek bruce is gooan do great.. and be just fine..
Posted by Luke Scanlan (Member # 2481) on :
Some people will do anything to get out of work! Forget the vein, go to the auto parts store, and get a piece of vacumn hose. They sell it by the foot. Much cheaper than what the hospital's going to wack you for the surgery. You might want to install a fuel filter, inline there also. Just in case there's any chunks of debri (dried 1 SHOT) floating around in there too. Enjoy your peace and quite while Bruce is in the sick bay. Get well, and get back to work Bruce! Slacker! Posted by Karen Wunch (Member # 3577) on :
Be well, Dana and Bruce. We're All caring and thinking about You Both and you family...
Those of us who haven't been "There" (health issues) might yet, be soon behind. The pure truth is we're human, AND...we make signs, and we stress and care over much...like You.
*smiles* And like You, Bruce! I'm STILL planning on Living Forever: just to, apparently? Tick off any "Oldies but Goodies" who cater to Tradition.
Hellfire. Tradition? Defy, Defy, Defy. And if ya can't Defy? Deny, Deny, Deny!!
If I've learned Anything of Life by being associated with 'Heads? It's doing what is RIGHT ... for Yourself, IS RIGHT! And to stand up for it when You have to! Take The Time to Do what's good for You and Yours. You deserve it.
Love You Both. Take care. Know that the Whole Village (of Idiots) are behind you, loudly chanting, "[insert some REALLY good, motivational, rhyming words here]".
*S* it's OKAY. DO what You've always done to make it through another day; DREAM what you've always dreamed; LIVE what you Live, everyday.
Just DO IT, one more day...in a long row of days... Because that is the Most Important continuity we could wish for ... the "Same-Ol' Same-Ol'...for one more day, and one more day after that, and one more precious day. Yes. Day after Day after Day......
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, he has a steady enough hand to do the dang operation his self! . . .![[Cool]](cool.gif)
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