Thank you
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Massachusetts
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Originally Posted by malcolmsloan 
Sending you good thoughts and prayers, Wpainter. Great quote from Keats by the way.
W.
Kaleidoscope eyes
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London
Posts: 5,243
Originally Posted by wpainterw
Keats may be my favorite. If I die and if there is a heaven perhaps we shall meet. Who would I like to meet first? Keats or my dogs? i'm sure those who are not dog lovers, dog addicts, find me mad. I don't care. I say "Woof!" to them.
W.
W.
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,497
Originally Posted by wpainterw
Thanks so much everyone. I really appreciate it. A long day at the hospital. The two surgeons were most impressive and also kindly and very helpful. They indicated that the noninvasive valve implant was certainly a possibility but that they would have to do additional tests and would let me know more next week. I'll consent to the procedure which gives the best results with the lesser risks regardless of the length of the recovery period. But then again, note the priority in my list of persons I want to live to help. I'm placing my dog first. I'm not going to change that, even though he sometimes preaches to me, at least with his beady eyes! 
W.
I want to prolong my life for the sake of my dog and to continue to help others in recovery from addictions if I can. I suspect that since I'm quite an old, even an "old old" geezer younger folks may sometimes think I'm too preachy. I understand that completely and will work on not being that way.
W.
William, you come across here as a "Pot of Gold", and we are so blessed to have you here to help, share and care, as you do. I mean that, from the bottom of my heart.
keeping my fingers crossed for your results... sounds good so far
chic
Grateful
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 1,763
Just a quick P.S. I now have an appointment with the "Noninvasive Aortic Valve Replacement" specialist in Boston on Feb. 25th and hope I qualify for the relatively new TAVR procedure. Wish me luck. Thanks.
W.
W.
I'm "only" 53 but I have had my aortic valve replaced twice (as well as my pulmonary valve and ascending aorta). Yeah I pretty much have a bionic heart now.
I had all of my surgeries at Duke, and my surgeon led the clinical trials for the TAVR procedure there. Are you having your surgery at Brigham and Women's or Mass General? Both of those hospitals are ranked in the top 10 (5th and 7th respectively) of the best heart hospitals in the US (Duke is 6th). From what I understand about the TAVAR procedure you sound like a perfect candidate for it.
I have learned a lot about this subject over the years as it is close to my heart (pun intended). All things being equal I should need my aortic valve replaced in about 10 years. My surgeon put in a tissue valve as he is convinced that the TAVR procedure will be commonplace and the preferred method for aortic valve replacement for all patients in the near future. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or concerns you would like to talk about.
Grunge
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,534
Originally Posted by wpainterw
Thanks so much everyone. I really appreciate it. A long day at the hospital. The two surgeons were most impressive and also kindly and very helpful. They indicated that the noninvasive valve implant was certainly a possibility but that they would have to do additional tests and would let me know more next week. I'll consent to the procedure which gives the best results with the lesser risks regardless of the length of the recovery period. I want to prolong my life for the sake of my dog and to continue to help others in recovery from addictions if I can. I suspect that since I'm quite an old, even an "old old" geezer younger folks may sometimes think I'm too preachy. I understand that completely and will work on not being that way. But then again, note the priority in my list of persons I want to live to help. I'm placing my dog first. I'm not going to change that, even though he sometimes preaches to me, at least with his beady eyes!
W.
W.
Love to you, wpainter! Keep us posted. Preach on!
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3,550
Things have settled down a bit for me, after a very stressful but relatively constructive visit to the Boston surgeons. The particular “procedure” for the heart valve has yet to be selected but it may well be the more benign non invasive method. Now I am a little more serene and ruminating a bit. I’m ruminating on this. I think of the anxieties I have experienced recently and compare them to those I remember in the early days of alcoholic recovery. And I think that if I feel anxious now, what about folks who are still struggling with addiction, who may be still drinking and drugging or who have just quit and find themselves in a mess, like with DUI’s, no place to live, losing a family which at least for the moment says they have “given up” on them? There’s no need to enumerate all the horrors. And here I am with comparatively few things to worry about but an aging heart valve and a wife who has a number of health issues, some serious, like eyesight and a fear that cancer may return. It’s troublesome but it’s doable and it's not a complete mess.
The problem with recovery from alcohol is that a person has to fight the toughest fight of all, namely with oneself and at the same time do that when the world is a complete mess as a result of drinking, etc. I’m convinced that it goes better as a team effort. Some hardy souls can do it alone but, at least for me, it’s less risky and far more comfortable if there’s a group of some kind. A guy in a rehab once said to me, “We’re going to do this....together!” And we did. I’ll always remember that.
As I said before, I recommend a little book I just finished, about how to deal with old age, or “old, old” age. “Travels With Epicurus” by Daniel Kline. Lots of philosophy, mostly Greek, but written for anybody, not highbrow or ‘high fallutin’, lots of jokes here and there. Easy to read. Sit in the sun, maybe with a dog or two (O.K. a cat!), watch the sunset. Live more in the moment. The past is past, the future hasn’t happened yet. Live in the Now and try to relax a bit. If you can’t change it, don’t try. You can change yourself. It’s hard and goes better if you have help and companionship. And it's helpful to anyone, even if he or she is not "old" or "old,old". I think it would help anyone trying to recover from alcohol.
W.
The problem with recovery from alcohol is that a person has to fight the toughest fight of all, namely with oneself and at the same time do that when the world is a complete mess as a result of drinking, etc. I’m convinced that it goes better as a team effort. Some hardy souls can do it alone but, at least for me, it’s less risky and far more comfortable if there’s a group of some kind. A guy in a rehab once said to me, “We’re going to do this....together!” And we did. I’ll always remember that.
As I said before, I recommend a little book I just finished, about how to deal with old age, or “old, old” age. “Travels With Epicurus” by Daniel Kline. Lots of philosophy, mostly Greek, but written for anybody, not highbrow or ‘high fallutin’, lots of jokes here and there. Easy to read. Sit in the sun, maybe with a dog or two (O.K. a cat!), watch the sunset. Live more in the moment. The past is past, the future hasn’t happened yet. Live in the Now and try to relax a bit. If you can’t change it, don’t try. You can change yourself. It’s hard and goes better if you have help and companionship. And it's helpful to anyone, even if he or she is not "old" or "old,old". I think it would help anyone trying to recover from alcohol.
W.
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Central America/Florida USA
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wpainterw -
Thank you for the kind words. I'm sure you know by now (if you didn't already) that the feeling is mutual. I wish I could give you a hug, sir - but a simple "thank you" will have to suffice. I respect you not just for your wisdom and insight, but also for your courage. Not many people in your demographic have succeeded in taking to the Internet and learning new technology. You've not only done that, but you've done much more, adapting and thriving here online with the rest of us. All the best to you with your current challenge, and I hope you have many years (and posts) left in you.
Thank you for the kind words. I'm sure you know by now (if you didn't already) that the feeling is mutual. I wish I could give you a hug, sir - but a simple "thank you" will have to suffice. I respect you not just for your wisdom and insight, but also for your courage. Not many people in your demographic have succeeded in taking to the Internet and learning new technology. You've not only done that, but you've done much more, adapting and thriving here online with the rest of us. All the best to you with your current challenge, and I hope you have many years (and posts) left in you.
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,777
Thank you so much for this thread. It has had an impact on my thoughts for sure. I appreciate all that you have contributed to this site, and from what I can tell, you Sir are an outstanding impeccable human being. Seeing how you have been here on the planet for awhile, you have words of wisdom and understanding that has made an impact on many, including myself. I will be thinking of you and wish you the best as you face this surgery. It is good to read that you have top notch surgeons. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Not many people in your demographic have succeeded in taking to the Internet and learning new technology
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Good thoughts, wpainterw. That's one reason I love SR! This will probably sound a little silly but I was quasi-moping around tonite, feeling that I'm old now. Bear in mind that I'm 44!
Compared to you I'm just getting started, and I think you're more alive than I feel today. I get a bit frustrated at myself for "wasting" 25 years being drunk all the time, but of course it's beyond pointless to dwell on stuff that I can't change.
I hope your procedure goes off as planned with an easy recuperation.
Compared to you I'm just getting started, and I think you're more alive than I feel today. I get a bit frustrated at myself for "wasting" 25 years being drunk all the time, but of course it's beyond pointless to dwell on stuff that I can't change.I hope your procedure goes off as planned with an easy recuperation.
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Originally Posted by ReadyAndAble
By demographic you mean "exceptionally well-read, articulate, insightful, and compassionate badasses"?
W.
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Thanks Firstymer:
Today I am trying to focus on serenity. Where is serenity to be found? Obviously with a dog. Perhaps with a cat (the cat will be serene- that's his first priority. The question is whether he will make you serene. The cat will not answer this question). If you don't have a dog or cat then get one. If you can't get one, then try a Pepperidge Farm cookie. My favorite is called "Brussels". "Tahiti" is also nice but the cocoanut sticks in your teeth. Anyway this explains why so many old timers, geezers with tons of sobriety, are often so fat. I had a friend, geezer like myself, my age but with five years more sobriety, who said in his early recovery years that he "had more serenity than he could handle." The poor fellow had become addicted to serenity! Was in danger of overdosing on serenity. I told him to dial 911.
W.
Today I am trying to focus on serenity. Where is serenity to be found? Obviously with a dog. Perhaps with a cat (the cat will be serene- that's his first priority. The question is whether he will make you serene. The cat will not answer this question). If you don't have a dog or cat then get one. If you can't get one, then try a Pepperidge Farm cookie. My favorite is called "Brussels". "Tahiti" is also nice but the cocoanut sticks in your teeth. Anyway this explains why so many old timers, geezers with tons of sobriety, are often so fat. I had a friend, geezer like myself, my age but with five years more sobriety, who said in his early recovery years that he "had more serenity than he could handle." The poor fellow had become addicted to serenity! Was in danger of overdosing on serenity. I told him to dial 911.
W.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
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I love watching my dogs and cat just 'being dogs and cats'. Unlike humans, they are just themselves, and don't try to act like they're something else. I learn a lot from my critters. 
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