Popular Post ContraBardus Posted June 18, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted June 18, 2013 Just got off the phone with my Cardiologist. Um, I don't need a transplant anymore. In fact, they want to do surgery and close the hole in my heart and reroute some of the veins. I recently had a Heart Cath to measure the pressures in my lungs and the left and right sides of my heart, and my Cardiologist is fucking amazed. All of my pressures are pretty fucking close to normal. I am literally an unprecedented medical abnormality. What's happened to me does not happen to anyone ever. I'm on a couple of trial drugs [Tyvaso and Letaris] and apparently that shit fucking works. Let me put it this way, when I was admitted to the hospital, I was not expected to leave until after I'd had a transplant, if I survived that long. My current equipment was expected to completely fail in a year or two at most. I had a heart cath around the beginning of November, and I literally died on the operating table, shortly after I died again in a hospital bed. Both times I was revived. Two months later, just after Christmas, I was doing well enough to get a discharge. I was told I still needed a transplant, but that if I continued on as I was I could expect to delay it for several years. The medications were stabilizing me better than expected, and they were hoping it would continue for a while and that I could squeeze out a couple of more years by delaying transplant as long as possible. I was not anywhere near to normal mind you, but well enough I could get through daily life if I didn't push myself. Now, today, I'm told that my pressures are on the high end of normal. Not just in part of my heart, or just in my lungs. Across the board. They want to do surgery and fix the hole in my heart. In a month or two, I should be in better condition than I've ever been in my life. Huh? I had to get him to repeat that a couple of times just to be sure I was hearing it right. The right side of my heart will never be completely normal again, but if things go as planned, it's a very real possibility that it could get damn close to normal...I'm possibly looking at what could only be described as pretty much full recovery. Seriously. I'm an Atheist, and I've got what amounts to a miracle cure. It's awesome. I do have to have major heart surgery, which sucks...sort of. Bear in mind I've been repeatedly told that they were going to rip out my entire respiratory system and put in one that they cut out of someone else just before they died, and that after that my life expectancy was about five fucking years after that. Can you imagine what it's like to be relieved by someone telling you that you're going to have open heart surgery? It's seriously weird. I'm not out of the woods yet, I've still got to be careful, and open heart surgery is obviously risky. However, it's still less risky than staying in my current condition and having a transplant later. I'm not quite sure what to do yet, it's fucking epic that this is even a possibility. Nothing is scheduled yet but an MRI, and then I have to schedule a dentist appointment, but it will probably all happen within a month or two. Not sure yet, but it sounds like they want to do it very soon. I humored thoughts of this nature before, but never believed that it might actually happen. Doctors repeatedly told me that there wasn't any real chance that it would happen. This sort of recovery was extremely unlikely. Yet, here I am, and near as I can tell, it's actually happening. I'm not sure what to think about it all just yet. Don't worry, this hasn't changed my opinion of God. Science and Modern Medicine is fucking awesome. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vigile Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 That's really great news man. My heart (forgive the cliche') goes out to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Praise be FSM for your miracle! Kidding aside, that is great news. I'm glad to see the rain still falls on both sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Margee Posted June 18, 2013 Moderator Share Posted June 18, 2013 This is really great Contra!! I am always soooooo happy when someone gets a lucky, miracle health break (or any other break in life also). It is amazing what these docs can do today. Most of us would be dead by now if it wasn't for modern medicine. What a wonderful miracle in life you have received!! Best of everything to you my friend!! You keep us posted? It sounds like these guys know what they're doing, so keep up the happiness and confidence that all will go well!! Fingers, toes, arms...all crossed for you!! Hug for you today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeCycle Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 I want to say, "Praise Jesus!!!!" so bad, but I won't. Hahaha Man, I had no idea you were in this condition but am so glad to hear of your "miraculous" recovery! You're one smart dude and I really love your posts here. We need to be Steam friends! Haha, I'm on there all the time now (evenings). But man, I can't imaging getting this information... It's a night and day difference in your expectations down the road... I mean, this is life-changing! That's great! Really happy for ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator buffettphan Posted June 18, 2013 Super Moderator Share Posted June 18, 2013 What fantastic news! I'm so happy for you! I sure hope those trial drugs you've been on will be out in the mainstream for those who need them - and soon! Best wishes for your upcoming procedures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
◊ crazyguy123 ◊ Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 I hope the surgery goes well when it's time and that you recover quickly, so we can celebrate here on ex-C about your seemingly miraculous recovery. I just hope that in the next few days, you don't hear a voice in your head that says, "Hey, I'm working on fixing your heart and after your surgery, you better come back to me and be a Christian again, mothafucka! I didn't kill Jesus just to save you from myself for nothing!" If you heard that voice, then you might have an entirely new problem to worry about, insanity. I do sometimes wonder if miracles happen, but could it be that they are just random events that happen for no reason, other than pure chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator florduh Posted June 18, 2013 Super Moderator Share Posted June 18, 2013 So, miracles happen even without Jesus? Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContraBardus Posted June 18, 2013 Author Share Posted June 18, 2013 Dude....YOU ARE A MUTANT!....YOU ARE NOT A NORMAL HUMAN!....YOU ARE THE WINNER OF THE GENETIC LOTTERY IN THIS CASE!!!!!!....... Seriously, I should get some yellow and blue tights. I'll keep posting about what's going on, but I'm likely to disappear for a while in a bit. Not sure when yet, they haven't scheduled anything yet, but I should know soon. I've also got a few pre-op things to do, like going to the dentist so they can make sure I don't get a tooth infection or something. Thanks everyone. I'm still getting my head around this. If all goes well, I'll get to have a fucking job again! It'll be great! Not working sucks ass! Income! No more dealing with the SSA! I won't be on the phone constantly dealing with government agencies and medical providers! Fewer drugs with less side effects! No more peeing constantly for 8 hours a day! There's nothing about this that isn't more awesome than what I'm dealing with now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwc Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 I prayed for you. You're welcome. mwc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesG Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 fuck yeah that is awesome man. That's amazing. Since you are now officially a mutant I recommend not getting a cape we know what happens when people get capes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContraBardus Posted June 18, 2013 Author Share Posted June 18, 2013 I prayed for you. You're welcome. mwc I've gotten this from people already. Seriously, not in relation to this as it just happened, but due to my gradually improving condition. I was already doing well beyond expectation before this happened and a lot of people tried to give credit to various people 'praying' for me. My condition was far better than expected before, but this recent cath has shown it to be fucking amazing to the point of being almost unbelievable. I fully expect to have to put up with various comments about all the people who prayed for me and God giving me a miracle for years to come. It'll be annoying, but honestly it's better than the alternative. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Babylonian Dream Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Congrads! So glad to hear! You'd so be missed if you were to die again and have it be permanent. It just proves that if you want a miracle, put down the magical wants and spells and chants and prayers, and go to the damn hospital and get help. Praise modern medicine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContraBardus Posted June 18, 2013 Author Share Posted June 18, 2013 fuck yeah that is awesome man. That's amazing. Since you are now officially a mutant I recommend not getting a cape we know what happens when people get capes. I assume you mean this... Also, as for the quote in your sig... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesG Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 YES and YES!!!!! of course the jesus serving a round house cast coffee from thine face to thine keyboard in righteous fury!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwc Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 ...not in relation to this as it just happened... Again, you're welcome. Now I must turn my attention to locating a few choice parking spots. mwc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContraBardus Posted June 19, 2013 Author Share Posted June 19, 2013 You should, if you are strong enough, go out and play the Florida Lottery....see how you do while you are on this winning streak!.... Yes. I've already done so... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decafaholic Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Praise science! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
◊ crazyguy123 ◊ Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Praise science! It seems to answer more prayers than Jesus ever has and that makes Science awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mymistake Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 So happy for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overcame Faith Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Such great news!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContraBardus Posted July 14, 2013 Author Share Posted July 14, 2013 My operation is now scheduled for August 29th. My sister's birthday. I'll be admitted a couple of days before that. Hope I don't ruin it for her. I'm not sure if that's selfish or not. Anyway, I'll probably be gone for a while around that time. I'll post again when I'm able. I'll have plenty of time as I won't be doing much for a while after the surgery. It's not the sort of thing you recover from quickly. Hopefully I'll be able to have a job again by the end of the year so I can get off my ass. Not going anywhere yet, but it's nice to have a schedule down and timetable down for what's going down. Weird that I'm looking forward to it. As I've mentioned here before, it's very strange to be relieved about having open heart surgery. My family is more worried about it than I am to be honest. It's not a trip to Disney World, but I'm looking forward to it. I want to get it done. I think some of my family think I'm a bit crazy and maybe a bit of a sadist considering how cheerful I am about it all. I'm not nervous or frightened. Heart surgery isn't what it used to be and it's pretty routine at Shands UF. Death from these types of operations is extremely rare these days, and when it does happen it's usually the very old or the very young. I've pretty much got the best possible chance of everything coming out the way it should. Still, it's weird. Open heart surgery? Excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impickle Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 I haven't met you yet, but that's amazing news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerk Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 After being told you were going to die soon, then to find out that you are much better, but that surgery can get you back to almost normal, NO you aren't nuts for being happy about the surgery! Anyone with sense would be excited! Congrats! 25 years ago it wouldn't have turned out this we. But if it were a god doing it, the 25 or 100 or 500 years ago, this kind of recovery would have been routine and we wouldn't need medicine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emme Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Great news! Good luck. I didn't pray for you. You're welcome. No no really...again,you're welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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