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Say a prayer
- Thread starter thataway
- Start date
Captains Cat
New member
Bob, how are you? Hopefully OK, what's your status? You posted about an hour ago, so you are feeling well enough to do that.
Lots of well wishers here, we'd all like to know!!
Charlie
Lots of well wishers here, we'd all like to know!!
Charlie
Update.
Thank you all for the good wishes. As some may note all of my boats (except the Caracal) are up for sale at this point. (I didn't mention a 9 foot Fatty Knees, which belonged to the Hess family, with almost new sail and 8 foot oars)
We were originally scheduled to see the surgeon on Friday. That was canceled, because he wanted to consult with other surgeons. Today we had the meeting. Four local Cardiac surgons spent over 2 hours reviewing and discussing my case this AM. The decision is that it is too dangerous to attempt a bypass by them. (They do bypasses every day), but because of the location of the various vessels, the risk is very high, and there is no good long term aortic assist pump available. So...my films and history has been sent to the head surgeon at UAB in Birmingham, AL for his review. UAB does have several long term heart assist pumps available, if needed. We don't know what his decision will be.
My cardiologist can do angioplasties, but the underlying vessel is bad--and even if he successfully stents these lesions, there will be more disease in short order in this grafted vein (This is a 21 year old graft--which looked good 3 years ago---when Cleveland Clinic recommended another group of stents, rather than the bypass (which probably would have replaced this vein), which I was refered there for....
If any angioplasties are successful (and the over all risk of mortality would be lower where there is left ventricular long term assist) they will only last 6 months to several years--and then more stents--and the same problem again, except I am older and the vein is in worse shape.
It is a catch 22. No good solution at this time.
So the decision has been made that I cannot do any long term boating--or even long trips--I'll keep the Caracal for now--and we can easily tow it behind the RV when necessary.
I'll update when we hear form UAB Birmingham. If I am incapacitated Roger Rockwell will have information.
Thanks again.
Bob
Thank you all for the good wishes. As some may note all of my boats (except the Caracal) are up for sale at this point. (I didn't mention a 9 foot Fatty Knees, which belonged to the Hess family, with almost new sail and 8 foot oars)
We were originally scheduled to see the surgeon on Friday. That was canceled, because he wanted to consult with other surgeons. Today we had the meeting. Four local Cardiac surgons spent over 2 hours reviewing and discussing my case this AM. The decision is that it is too dangerous to attempt a bypass by them. (They do bypasses every day), but because of the location of the various vessels, the risk is very high, and there is no good long term aortic assist pump available. So...my films and history has been sent to the head surgeon at UAB in Birmingham, AL for his review. UAB does have several long term heart assist pumps available, if needed. We don't know what his decision will be.
My cardiologist can do angioplasties, but the underlying vessel is bad--and even if he successfully stents these lesions, there will be more disease in short order in this grafted vein (This is a 21 year old graft--which looked good 3 years ago---when Cleveland Clinic recommended another group of stents, rather than the bypass (which probably would have replaced this vein), which I was refered there for....
If any angioplasties are successful (and the over all risk of mortality would be lower where there is left ventricular long term assist) they will only last 6 months to several years--and then more stents--and the same problem again, except I am older and the vein is in worse shape.
It is a catch 22. No good solution at this time.
So the decision has been made that I cannot do any long term boating--or even long trips--I'll keep the Caracal for now--and we can easily tow it behind the RV when necessary.
I'll update when we hear form UAB Birmingham. If I am incapacitated Roger Rockwell will have information.
Thanks again.
Bob
Captains Cat
New member
Oh dear. Not good. OK folks, we gotta pray harder....Here we go...
:love :love :love :love :love :love :love :love :rose :rose :rose :rose :rose :rose :rose :star :star :star :star :star :star :star :star :star
Charlie and Sally
:love :love :love :love :love :love :love :love :rose :rose :rose :rose :rose :rose :rose :star :star :star :star :star :star :star :star :star
Charlie and Sally
Dr. Bob,
It's not just good wishes. This place is really like family, and we rally around our own. Seeing your boats go up for sale made my heart hurt because we know what a big part these boats play in our lives.
Your Brat family can be helpful in getting the word out on your boats. We all know a boat in your care is better than new.
We are all pulling for you. I wish I could say it stronger than that, but I am fumbling for the words.
Our best wishes sent your way,
Jim & Joan
It's not just good wishes. This place is really like family, and we rally around our own. Seeing your boats go up for sale made my heart hurt because we know what a big part these boats play in our lives.
Your Brat family can be helpful in getting the word out on your boats. We all know a boat in your care is better than new.
We are all pulling for you. I wish I could say it stronger than that, but I am fumbling for the words.
Our best wishes sent your way,
Jim & Joan
Dear Bob and Marie, We feel your frustration at the news you are getting from the docs. We have been waiting impatiently for the last few days for news about Bob's status and while we're disappointed that you are not, so far hearing what you want to hear, We can't help but feel that you have a good bit of defiance left in you that will let you two enjoy time on the water. The good thing about doctors is that we so seldom have all the answers. They are not done with you yet. None-the-less, we want to take advantage of this time to encourage you to keep your strength as we are not done with you yet either. I cannot tell you how much your freely dispensed knowledge and character have enabled us to become a better seamen and to safely, knowledgeably and confidently explore our own backyard here in Alaska and repair our vessels the right way. There are few people in this world from whom we have learned so much. Besides that, you are damned nice guy, despite being so over educated. With that said, please know you are both in our hearts and thoughts and we look forward to hearing from and seeing you soon.
Our love to you both, Steve and Colleen Torrence, Juneau, Alaska
Our love to you both, Steve and Colleen Torrence, Juneau, Alaska
20dauntless
New member
Bob, so sorry to hear about this. Your knowledge has been extremely helpful to many of us over the years. All the best moving forward, hopefully we'll hear some good news soon.
patrick and linda
New member
good morning bob,
hope you are having a better day today. i'm not a religious person but rather a spiritual person. i believe in balance, quality over longevity, right over wrong. my dear friend, berny miller, lawyer and sr. vp, mentor, father figure of twenty years, and simply my best friend, fell upon a multitude of health problems at age 68. copd, cancer, just to name a few. he was hospitalized many times, endured much pain and discomfort and was given no hope of getting better. while in his hospital bed he asked me a very pointed yet simple question, if i were him, would i want to continue on? simple question, yes or no, but very difficult to answer. i said to my friend, realizing what he was experiencing, if i thought i could get better, then yes, but if this was the best it was going to be and worst to follow, then no. we didn't speak of this question from that moment on. i enjoyed my time with berny but had the leave, as the visiting time had expired. when i saw berny the following day the nurse told me he had decided to stop all medication. berny passed away two days later. i never forgot that and to some extent hope that when my time comes i will feel some sort of comfort reflecting on my friend's life.
it sounds to me that you have come to terms with your situation, selling your boats and getting your affairs in order. leaders lead in all facets of life, you sir, are a leader! i wish you years of life and happiness.
today would be a great time to start writing your book! you have had a very interesting and rewarding life, which many would enjoy reading and profit by your experiences. i will buy your first issue, pay 10 times the value and make the check payable to the charity of your choice.
congratulations on the person you are, don't slow down as we are right behind you.
best regards
pat campbell
hope you are having a better day today. i'm not a religious person but rather a spiritual person. i believe in balance, quality over longevity, right over wrong. my dear friend, berny miller, lawyer and sr. vp, mentor, father figure of twenty years, and simply my best friend, fell upon a multitude of health problems at age 68. copd, cancer, just to name a few. he was hospitalized many times, endured much pain and discomfort and was given no hope of getting better. while in his hospital bed he asked me a very pointed yet simple question, if i were him, would i want to continue on? simple question, yes or no, but very difficult to answer. i said to my friend, realizing what he was experiencing, if i thought i could get better, then yes, but if this was the best it was going to be and worst to follow, then no. we didn't speak of this question from that moment on. i enjoyed my time with berny but had the leave, as the visiting time had expired. when i saw berny the following day the nurse told me he had decided to stop all medication. berny passed away two days later. i never forgot that and to some extent hope that when my time comes i will feel some sort of comfort reflecting on my friend's life.
it sounds to me that you have come to terms with your situation, selling your boats and getting your affairs in order. leaders lead in all facets of life, you sir, are a leader! i wish you years of life and happiness.
today would be a great time to start writing your book! you have had a very interesting and rewarding life, which many would enjoy reading and profit by your experiences. i will buy your first issue, pay 10 times the value and make the check payable to the charity of your choice.
congratulations on the person you are, don't slow down as we are right behind you.
best regards
pat campbell
Several have asked about transplants. There are several reasons that is not an option. I am 74, so age is one. Tiime--I would be fairly low on a transplant list currently--and there is not enough time. Type of disease--transplants are for people with congestive heart failure--which I do not have currently. Proximity to a transplant center--We are within the area of UAB, where we are being refered, as well as several others, including New Orleans and Houston.
Thanks for all of the great thoughts.
Thanks for all of the great thoughts.
Dr. Bob and Marie,
Although I never met you, I see you are a great person by all the wonderful friends and comments. I know you helped Jim by inspecting a boat for him and that meant a lot to him.
As a nurse, I know someone bigger than all of us is in control, and can fix things that doctors and nurses can't always fix. So, he has a plan and you are safely in His hands. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Marti
Although I never met you, I see you are a great person by all the wonderful friends and comments. I know you helped Jim by inspecting a boat for him and that meant a lot to him.
As a nurse, I know someone bigger than all of us is in control, and can fix things that doctors and nurses can't always fix. So, he has a plan and you are safely in His hands. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Marti
Dr. Bob,
Last December you sent 2 pms to me with words of wisdom regarding CAD and lifestyle changes after my MI and resultant stents. (I've saved those pms and just reread them). I've still not retired as you discussed as a possibility, but I truly receive such enjoyment out of my work that it is difficult to "part the ways". (Also nice to be able to continue "paying out of pocket" for our daughter's' education as she begins her junior year in college today.... :lol: ).
I'm sure that you have shared many words of constructive advice to many of us personally as well as publicly on this site, and for that I thank you. You have been a godsend to all of us and your words will last on the site forever.
You have positively touched many lives both professionally and personally in many ways and should be proud of all that you have done.
I fear that most folks don't get the opportunity to "hear" what a positive impact they have had on individuals lives and I hope that you don't mind my expression of these feelings at this time.
Sincerely,
Dave S.
Last December you sent 2 pms to me with words of wisdom regarding CAD and lifestyle changes after my MI and resultant stents. (I've saved those pms and just reread them). I've still not retired as you discussed as a possibility, but I truly receive such enjoyment out of my work that it is difficult to "part the ways". (Also nice to be able to continue "paying out of pocket" for our daughter's' education as she begins her junior year in college today.... :lol: ).
I'm sure that you have shared many words of constructive advice to many of us personally as well as publicly on this site, and for that I thank you. You have been a godsend to all of us and your words will last on the site forever.
You have positively touched many lives both professionally and personally in many ways and should be proud of all that you have done.
I fear that most folks don't get the opportunity to "hear" what a positive impact they have had on individuals lives and I hope that you don't mind my expression of these feelings at this time.
Sincerely,
Dave S.