www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Dear Brothers
I thought I was going in for a simple stint.
They found three blockages,
And when they tried to put a stint in one it all went south from there.
Ended up with triple bypass surgery.It is good to be at home and not in the hospital.
I am doing well all things considered.
I had a lot of things to think about in the hours before surgery.One of the most amazing to me was that I was at peace with the fact that I would most likely not wake up.(I was not a good candidate for this surgery.)
I asked my self" had I led a full life". Ki*s check, Wife check retired from a good job, check Money OK before the crash, check.
Had I done all the things I had wanted to. All I had to do was think about My trips to CR. Fishing both coast's' for Tarpon and sail fish.Flying coast to coast in one of those little planes they make you get on a scale before you board. Having Stayed at the Master Suite at the President e and having the hot tub full of people. My first stay at the Del Ray and I kept pinching my self because I thought I was in some dream. Finding the Sportsmans Lodge that complements My style of vacation so well. ATV trips and Ya things that regular tourists do.
I really can not thank My CRT brothers enough So many that gave good information freely. Broke out the little black book if needed. From time to time made sure I got back to the Lodge safely.
There are so many things I could list here. The most important to me though is CRT can be a little thing or a big thing In a persons life.
I hope to return later this year for more shenanigans.

_________________
It is easier to ask Forgiveness than to ask Permission.

I am glad you are doing better and hope to see you back with a chica on your lap soon.


BKTUNA/Boyd

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BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

Glad you made it through ok. Getting back to CR may not be in your ticker's best interest at this time.

In 2007, I thought I was in pretty good shape... watching my weight & working out almost everyday. I never experienced any of the classic symptoms and had uneventful stress tests in the past. In short, I felt great. I think it was in July of that year, that I had a routine stress echo which turned up a problem that needed to be looked at further. In September, a heart catherization revealed a blockage in a tricky location and was not "stentable." I was scared when I was told I needed surgery. I went for two other opinions (including one at Clinica Biblica)... all the cardiologists said the same thing... "You need bypass surgery." Much to the chagrin of my cardiologist, I delayed the surgery and made at least 3 more trips to CR and another 2 trips to Colombia. In March, I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to get it done after I returned from Colombia. Upon my return, I checked myself into the hospital on "April Fools Day" 2008, and told the ER reception I needed bypass surgery. My cardiologist knew I was coming in and was waiting in the wings. The next day I was prepped for the operation ( Unlike PapaS, CRT never entered my mind ) The operation was over quickly and without incident. The operation itself did not seem like a big deal and I experience very little pain or discomfort (except for the hospital bed). By Day 3, I was told they were "throwing me" out the next day.

The surgeon told me I would have to wait at least 8 weeks after the operation before I could do air travel. I spent 3 weeks recuperating at home, counting the days until my next trip to Colombia. I decided to return to work early so that the "no-fly" period would pass quickly. I finally booked the trip...and cheated a little... I left 4 days earlier than the prescribed 8 weeks. No regrets, recuperating on the beaches in Cartagena & Santa Marta was much better than NJ in late spring.

I'll take what the experts said at face-value... I needed to have heart surgery. It's over and done with... another chapter in the book. However, since the operation, I have noticed changes in me that are not all good. The operation was a success, but at what cost? I still K*D my cardiologist every time I see him: "I'm still waiting to feel better than the day before I checked in for the operation."
I'm glad you pulled through, OK.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Me too, glad to see you pulled thru ok.

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Take a walk on the wild side.

PapaSmerf:

Best wishes on a full a speedy recovery to a great guy!! Hope to see you again next Super Bowl at the SL and do the great PapaSmerf Tour!!!

Get well soon.

Hope you get well soon brother. I hope to hit the town with you again one of these days.