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Post by dickt on Nov 10, 2013 9:07:04 GMT -5
Sounds like you're facing an uncertain future with a positive attitude. That is something I am trying to do. Keeping the dark thoughts at bay is difficult sometimes.
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Post by aquaduct on Nov 10, 2013 9:44:37 GMT -5
Glad you and yours can stay positive. Prayers are with you all.
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Post by Hobson on Nov 10, 2013 10:03:03 GMT -5
Don, when I read your post, my first two thoughts were: (1) this is now going to be your main focus and everything else takes a back seat and (2) you need somebody to talk to. Then there was Ann's reply saying those two things. Find someone outside your family to confide in. Could be a friend, a counselor, a minister. Family is important too, but it's good to have another perspective, if not support from those who have been there.
Meanwhile, I'll add my positive thoughts and prayers to all of those here.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2013 10:07:56 GMT -5
Don, keeping you in my thoughts and hoping for the best and most positive outcome for you.
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Post by kenlarsson on Nov 10, 2013 10:21:43 GMT -5
All my best Don, get well, be well.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2013 10:35:08 GMT -5
Hang tough, Don. I'll be in touch my friend.
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Post by TKennedy on Nov 10, 2013 10:49:03 GMT -5
Let's hope your defibber doesn't go off during a gig or when you tell a lie. Seriously, good luck Don. Those cardiologists are smart cookies.
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Post by mnhermit on Nov 10, 2013 10:57:24 GMT -5
Wishing you all the best and a great cardio team!
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Post by Resolve on Nov 10, 2013 10:59:47 GMT -5
First of all...BIG (but very gentle) HUG!!! You have been to the mountain this past week. I for one had no idea just how long you'd be there, how extensive the evaluation and what big guns stuff has been/might be implemented. You sure played that down. I admire your courage and your positive attitude. I think both go a long way toward a good outcome.
That said, you know whenever you need to vent or get some help chasing away the demons that may visit, this motley crew is ready to take on whatever you want/need to dish out.
**smooch**
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Post by Don Clark on Nov 10, 2013 11:35:44 GMT -5
What can I say.....you guys (and gals) are the greatest. I have stirred up such a huge amount of exchanges between my email inbox, here, and Facebook. It's really good too. I'm making a point to get back to as many of these as I can.....helps me to remain facing the issues. A lot of good points raised here that I'd love to address. And I will this afternoon. I'm going to take a guitar break right now (I'm getting these in almost hourly )and go back up to work on lunch. Have a turkey breast in the crockpot, waiting for Barb and kids to get home.
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Post by RickW on Nov 10, 2013 11:53:42 GMT -5
Lots of guitar, Don. Refreshes the mind and takes it away from the day. And I believe it would be an excellent time to tell Barb that that new harp guitar would REALLY raise your spirits. sounds like you're in good hands, and may you have many, many years of great playing time left.
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Post by Rob Hanesworth on Nov 10, 2013 15:22:07 GMT -5
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Keep chewing, friend.
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Nov 10, 2013 20:03:28 GMT -5
Wow Don. Good thoughts and prayers headed your way.
Mike
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Post by Don Clark on Nov 10, 2013 20:05:47 GMT -5
Long afternoon, 2-3 hours on the phone. Caught up with Todd.....he wasn't aware of what I had going on since he was distracted with what he had going on that I didn't know about. Gee.....did you understand that ?? We talked for a good hour or more. So sorry to hear about his brother. Touching on 2-3 things. Support is always a good thing. We here have always been here for everything that has come up with anyone regardless of what it was. I value everybody here quite highly. Ann T brought that up probably more along the lines of specific to the need types and I do have a couple of possibilities to look into there too. Then there is Facebook which covers a broader spectrum of my friends from here, Swannanoa, high school classmates, my own family, church family, an ever-growing network of musicians, etc. Lots of activity there. Attitude- From some of the comments, it is apparently noticeable that I am being very deliberate about staying positive. I think it is essential. That, along with being in tune with my body and health and making sure my mind and health are at the highest level I can get them ahead of transplant has to happen. I admit I let myself go and fell out of routine as far as health maintenance goes this year and that complicated things. And that has to happen regardless of whether I get a transplant or go with other treatments. Relative to what DickT said about facing uncertainty and the dark thoughts that creep in......there has been some of that too, no getting around that. I have moments of spiked emotion and tears. All that does is raise my BP and hamper breathing. Most discomfort happens with that so I just do what I can to blow it on by. I'd rather save that up for the tears that will likely come when I open my eyes after the transplant and realize I'm still here.....or think about whoever had to die to give me a new heart. (Or like right now writing this. ) Occasional thoughts of Barb and the kids. The first time I got out my guitar after I got home from KC. Can't be avoided entirely, but you have to vent too. Brings up the next topic of humor. There has been a lot injected here, and I love it. When this all started up a month or so ago, I reached out and opened up a dialogue with Pete Huttlinger, since he has, as everyone here likely knows, has and is enduring a similar thing. So I asked him for any suggestions on how he coped with it all. First thing he replied with was "Tell lots of jokes (Seriously!)the lighter things stay the better." The other thing was this....."And to the extent that you are able - do things for others." That made huge sense.....and helped a lot as I'm employing that at every opportunity. But the best laugh of the week came when my older brother Rick texted me early Wednesday morning before I was taken down for the colonoscopy after having done the prep. Just two words. "Moon River." DickT - please shoot me a PM and review me on what all you've had going on and catch me up. Would like to know.....it certainly isn't all about me here.
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Post by dradtke on Nov 10, 2013 20:31:17 GMT -5
Not much I can add to what everyone has already said. What brand defib did you get? I've done trade shows for both Medtronic and St. Jude. And a lobby display for Physio, but they're external. With the bluetooth thing, can you post here without a computer?
At least we know your heart is in the right place.
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Post by Don Clark on Nov 10, 2013 22:20:34 GMT -5
With the bluetooth thing, can you post here without a computer? At least we know your heart is in the right place. Nope.....sorry David. Still on the old keyboard. Mine is a Medtronic.
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Post by jdd2 on Nov 10, 2013 22:39:52 GMT -5
... the next topic of humor. ... I hope this isn't too black, but I was thinking earlier that my heart goes out to you...
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Post by frazer on Nov 10, 2013 22:51:40 GMT -5
Positive vibes are heading your way, Don!
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Post by billhammond on Nov 11, 2013 10:29:19 GMT -5
Coming to this late, Don, sorry about that -- not much I can say that hasn't already been said, but hang in there, hang with us, and your attitude is remarkable and commendable.
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Post by Supertramp78 on Nov 11, 2013 10:36:46 GMT -5
With the bluetooth thing, can you post here without a computer? At least we know your heart is in the right place. Nope.....sorry David. Still on the old keyboard. Mine is a Medtronic. This is where Dave says, "Oh, that one. Well that's too bad. The other brands were much better. We never could get the Medtronic devices to work in the booth." Ok.... heart related humor..... kind of... My nephew, the one that barely graduated from High School and joined the Navy only to have them boot him out after a few months with a kind of 'thanks but no thanks' honorable discharge, broke up with his girlfriend while he was in the Navy. So being the mature kid that he was, he takes $250 and gets a GIANT tattoo across his stomach that says "Cur Vadit In" or Latin for "the heart goes on". His sister says, "Oh, you mean like that Celine Dion song!" "NO!", he responds in horror, "It isn't that at all. That was 'My Heart Will Go On'." She replies, "Yeah, that Celine Dion song. From Titanic. I loooooove that song!" "NOOOO! This is Latin." "Right, Latin for that Celine Dion song. Leonardo was so cute in that film." This went on for days on his Facebook page for all his Navy buddies to see. Eventually I sent him a note regarding the placement of the tattoo and said, "Apparently your heart goes on your stomach."
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