To whom it may concern. I know I have been testy, even for me. Let me summarize. 1) I need heart surgery. 2) I am consider a bad enough risk, no Salem surgeon will do it. I am still trying to get a referal to OHSU for a 2nd opinion. 3) No one will (or can be bothered) to give me an honest answer on my prognosis without surgery. So yeah, I am not real happy with life right now.
I'm sorry to hear about your issues OMG. I've kinda sorta been through the same thing over the past 10-12 years. My first piece of (unsolicited) advice is to GTFO of Salem!! I worked in Salem for almost 30 years, and my coworkers had little good to say about Salem Memorial. You might also try Northwest Cardiovascular Institute at Portland Adventist Hospital. They have been wonderful for me, and their whole team is awesome. Just a suggestion.......but hang in there! There are some really good cardiac doctors out there. It's just a matter of finding them. Meanwhile, we'll keep sending positive thoughts your way.
I almost died of heart failure 6 years ago and it's been a long recovery....had 4 heart procedures in 6 years now and I'm finally out of the woods but with a changed diet and lifestyle for sure...heart surgery has come a long way and they can fix a lot of stuff....I learned I could break my own heart and I always thought someone else would do that! Good luck man! Wish you a speedy recovery...my heart surgery was at River Bend Oregon Cardiology in Springfield...great team there.
Damn. I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you are able to find a solution to live a happy and healthy life for decades to come.
Fair reason to be testy, wish you the best in your luck to get things sorted out. Looks like others in here have some really good advice, and I will certainly give you grace through this long and grueling season.
OMG...alls good! You've always been fair and respectful, you bring good thoughts and counters to a conversation! keep it up! I hope you get that referral. Its ok to be testy when you get old like us! Be strong!
Everyone is testy sometimes. You have a good reason to be. Sorry to hear about your health issues. I really hope you can find a surgeon to give you the care you need. Sending good vibes your way. You are in my thoughts. You are good peeps. I wish you well.
You're one of my favorite posters in here, and I remember you from Blazer Bash years. Hang in there, my friend. You will be in my prayers.
I had minor heart surgery done at OHSU. They were going to do a more extensive procedure but decided against it after an extensive work up because the surgery would likely kill me and would not prolong my life. I can say this, they are damn good heart surgeons. There's a heart valve, one that I was going to get, called a Tavis and named after an OHSU doctor.
How are you doing? As rough as things have been for you I feel kind of guilty when I get worked up over my problems!
Everyone's problems are big to them. Empathize with others but don't feel guilty about worrying about yourself.
Hang in there @oldmangrouch ! You might try St Vincent Hospital and Medical Center on Barnes Road. I know they do a lot of heart surgeries and my sister had one done there last December. I thought OHSU had scaled down their heart surgery unit?
I'm not happy about my impending demise but with the help of my wife I've led a happy life. Also there are other things that have made me happy like reconnecting me with my dear friend and 11 year old blood brother Jerry. We were 11 when we cut our fingers and became blood brothers.
Just an update. This is something else. Salem hospital says I am a bad candidate for surgery and won't do it. I finally got a referal to OHSU. Monday they called and said they believed that despite some issues they could inflate the vessels and put in stents. The procedure was scheduled for this friday. Today, I was informed they had to cancel the procedure because my insurance company won't approve. They insist I have to have the procedure done in Salem at a facility that has already said no. FML. The next person who tells me out health care system isn't broken will be beaten with a tire iron if I have to crawl out of my death bed to do it.
I had the same thing happen to me but they had a valid medical reason not to do it after OHSU scheduled my operation on my aortic heart valve. That's why I'm now terminal. Talk about shitty luck.
