Taking the summer off.

[car54]

Tomorrow I will be having a quadruple cervical fusion(about 1/2 my neck) which should keep me out of work for the rest of the summer.

I have had severe arm pain and tingling for the past 10 months and after alternative treatments it was decided to have the surgery. Once that was decided I had to have pre op tests which included an EKG which showed that I had a past heart attack. The next step was a nuclear stress test which showed that I had vein blockage. The next step was to have a heart catherization with the possibility of a stent installed. The heart catherization showed that my heart was NORMAL. Wow, what a week that was! I did not need the stress test because all these procedures were stressful.

If I needed a regular stent, the surgery would have been put off by at least 2 months and if a medicated stent was used the surgery would be delayed by a year.

So, I am happy that I only need a major cervical fusion.

Brad

[Kummok]

Dang, Brad....that sounds like making the choice of whether to slide down a mile long razor into a bucket of alcohol or suck the snot out of a pig's nose til' his head caves in.. :-\  I've been through both choices you list and doing well.... I pray the same for you. I'll look forward to hearing that you're back safe and sound.....

[Habanero Smoker]

That's a lot for one to absorb all at once. Hope all goes well with the surgery, and as Kummok states; will be looking forward to hearing from you.

[iceman]

Geez Brad I thought when I broke my back many years ago I was in a bad situation! They still talk about surgery again if the pain comes back to haunt me. Good luck on the fusion. When does all this start? Does this mean we should get smoking so we can all send you care packages? Let us know if there is anything we can help out with.  :) ;)
Pat and Ann

[Mr Walleye]

Holy crap Brad! That is a lot to take all at once!

I certainly wish you the best. I had to have my back done in the 1985 after a car accident in 1982. It certainly isn't a lot of fun but you gotta do what you gotta do. I did make a complete recovery and certainly wish the same success for you.

Keep us posted.

Mike

[car54]

My grandson will be off of school just as I get out of the hospital so that should work out good.

I plan on spending some time with him making our 1st jerky.

I also plan on converting about 50 albums into WAV files on my computer.

I will find things to do.

Thanks for all of you, Brad

[FLBentRider]

We will keep you in our prayers.

[Wildcat]

You will be in our prayers as well.

[Smoking Duck]

Brad,

My best goes out to you.  I've dealt with 12 surgeries in my 42 years, so I know what you're going through.  It will help you'll have a young one around to help you out and help take care of ya.  The best things about these times is that medicine has advanced so much and it's definitely the best we've seen in our lifetime.  Take your time, heal and enjoy the time off to smoke.  Hope all goes well for you.

SD

[westexasmoker]

Hearts with ya, thank goodness no issue's yet with this old body....sure oughta be the way I've taken care of it!  Good luck Brad..we'll be here for ya!

C

[KyNola]

All the best to you Brad.  Take it easy, take care of the young'un and let us all know how you're doing.

KyNola

[Gizmo]

Wish you the best Brad and pray for your speedy recovery.  May the hand of the savior guide your surgical teams' hand and minds.

[La Quinta]

Wow Brad...thanks for sharing that with us...you're gonna be fine...and we'll be waiting for ya to come back. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...

Tracy and Bob

[manxman]

Best wishes Brad.  :)

[Consiglieri]

Wow.  Good luck with the procedure and the healing process.  Looking forward to good news at the end of the tunnel.