Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Announcements => Topic started by: Josh on September 02, 2010, 01:56:01 am
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I really didn't want to post this at first but here goes...
My blood pressure has been steadily climbing for the past year and I finally went to see a doctor about it last week. He gave me some blood pressure medicine and told me I needed to follow up with a Cardiologist because my heart murmur had gotten louder ( I was born with a systolic murmur and a bicuspid aortic valve). I went to see the Cardiologist on Monday and he did an echo and told me that my aortic valve needs to be replaced with open heart surgery. Because of my age he told me I would have to get a mechanical valve so that means I will be on Coumadin (anticoagulant) for the rest of my life. I was hoping I could hold off getting the surgery until the new year but he told me I needed to have it done by the end of October. I am getting married October 9th and he told me to go ahead with that, go on my honeymoon, and come back and get the surgery. He also told me that the rest of my heart is fine and I should make a quick and easy recovery from the surgery. It still scares me since it IS open heart surgery. I think the worst part is I am not gonna get to hunt this year and there's no telling how long it is gonna be before I can draw a bow or even make a bow. Bow building/archery are such a big part of my life now I can't imagine a life without it. The good news is I will be able to catch up on my reading of all the back issues, LOL. Bad news I probably won't be able to flint knap any more because of the blood thinners I will be on for life. Sorry for writing all this I really just wanted to let you guys know. Most of you I consider pretty good friends even though I haven't even met most of you face to face. Wish me luck. :)
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My Prayers are going out for You my Friend..I too was born with a Systolic Murmur...along with three more of my Siblings...but We have been more Fortunate...Ours have never gotten worse...mine doesnt ever bother Me ...unless I get really Upset....pissed off....or scared...then It lets Me know that it's still there....
You will do just fine Josh...Young and Strong as You are...you will bounce right back...and remember...the Deer will be there next Fall...and the Bow...well just think how special it will feel again when you get to make another one... ;)
And remember to kiss that Bride of Your for Me on the 9th too...Behave....Take Care....and God Bless
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Thank you Mike. I know you are going through tough times yourself and you have been in my prayers as well. :) I just can't stop thinking about them having to crack my chest open and then stop my heart for the valve replacement... The doctor told me that the surgeons do them all the time, I should be just fine and I have a less than 1 percent chance of dying on the table but it is still scary as heck. The only plus is I am marrying a Cardiac Nurse so there is that.
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Josh,
I'm very sorry to hear this and the Danforth family will be praying for you. As Mike said you seem strong as an ox and young enough that I'm sure you'll recover fine.
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It ain't the Same as it was 30 years ago...they used to cut the Sternum...and then Bend the Ribs out to expose the Heart...now it is a lot less Invasive...and the Bypass Systems are all Computerized now...a lot less Human Error there too...I know that You are Afraid...but I have Faith that You will do just Fine...sux that a Pig Valve is out though...but You are too young for that Option....unless You want to do this 3-4 more times in Your Long Life.......... ;D
As for My Life...yeah this Year has been full of Ups and Downs for Me also...but You just Worry about YOU....And everything will work out...have Faith
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Thank you very much Nate, means alot man.
Yeah Mike I wanted the Pig valve at first till the doctor told me it was out of the question. I wanted it so I wouldn't have to take the Coumadin. But I would rather get it done once than to have to go through it again down the road.. He said the mechanical valves are designed to last hundreds of years but in someone as young as me my heart would tear the pig valve up in a few years.
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... and there's no telling how long it is gonna be before I can draw a bow or even make a bow. Bow building/archery are such a big part of my life now ...
I believe if you try not to make a bow each day, but take you're time and enjoy your doings, go slow and in small steps, also if you shoot a nice lighter bow a few arrows a day and concentrate on each and every arrow it'll help you to find back to 'normal', find back to yourself!
All the best to you and your future family from across the big pond...
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It is good you are getting it repaired. The medical field has alot of advancments today. Valve replacement is like routine surgery now. I wish you a speedy recovery, a long life, and happy mariage. You should be able to shoot build and knap with the right precautions.
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Good luck man! Praying for swift recovery.
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Same here Josh no hunting or building bows for me this year Long story but am looking foward to when I can get back in the groove
Think it will be just like riding a bicycle we will step right back in Good luck with the surgey I know all to well what the Docs can do
these days Plenty of prayers will be sent up from our house
Ron
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Thanks for the support and prayers Frank, TJ, Jeff, and Ron. :)
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Good luck with every thing. Will be praying for you brother
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Good luck, Josh. Praying for a speedy recovery here.
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Good luck, Josh! Try not to worry. It's not "routine" surgery, but valve repacements are very successful. I've spent the past 25 years in the OR at our local University Hospital, working in the Anaesthesia Department, specializing in bypass surgeries. We do two a day, five days a week, year round. Morbidity and mortality rates are very low, and recoveries are relatively short, usually home within a week. You'll be sore, but if you're otherwise healthy, you'll bounce back fast. You'll also feel better, as your aortic valve regurge will be gone. Hang in, try not to worry, get married, take this hunting season off, and you'll be back next year!
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Thanks Adb. :) Makes me feel a little better about it. Thanks for the reassurance.
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Thank you Scott. I WILL get a deer with a bow crafted by my own hand eventually. :) Thanks for the kind words.
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Josh, sorry to hear about your troubles. You are in our thoughts.
I missed hunting season last year. Didn't go once and I'm here and ready for this years season. Do as the docs tell you and get yourself healthy so you can get back to this addiction we call primitive archery.
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Thanks Pat. :)
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Hope the best for you try not to worry my father in law had the same thing done and he was back to his usual ormery self in no time.
Ron
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Here's to pulling for you and prayin that it will all work out for the best.
I bet you will be building bows, hunting and knapping again before you know it.
luck
wade
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Hey Josh,
Very concerning news, but like others have said there is much to look on the bright side of. As far as the hunt, well a year passes mighty quick, right?!
Don't worry about the knapping, cross one bridge at a time. Who knows, maybe you'll figure out a solution in time.
Great to hear you're getting married, I married at the same age as you. My wife had major surgery almost a year ago, and I've been more of the care-giver, but it really reinforces how tremendous marriage can be. I'm happy for you with that news. I really hope I can meet you at the Classic this year. You'll be in my thoughts, brother.
Stephen Parnell
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Thank you Ron, Wade and Stephen. I feel alot better knowing I have the support of my PA friends. It makes it a little easier to deal with now. When I posted this last night I was still getting over the initial shock of what the Cardiologist told me yesterday evening. Nothing like a cold douse of water in the face like this to remind you about what's important in life. I feel better about it today. Thanks again everyone. :)
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Josh,, it's guys like you that make us come here! you'll mend we'll pray for you!!! you have a lot of living to do yet. we'll be pulling for you!!!! JEFF W
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And Josh....My Friend ...and Fellow Wood Whittler...if you want one of your Bows to draw Blood this Year....send one to Texas...I will break it in on one of these few I seen on my Lease....You tell Me which one...and I'll go and get Him for Ya........... ;D
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Good Lord Mike! Those are some serious deer my friend... :)
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Josh; You can live hunting season through all your buddies on here. Your health is the most important thing for you and your fiance. If you need some venison let me know. I'll be thinking about you, buddy. You're young and have plenty of time.
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Thoughts and prayers are with you Josh, take care of yourself first,My buddy Gary Davis had open heart surgery last year,it took him about 3 months to start back debarking and scraping on bows and not much longer than that to start shooting again,He had to start with a light bow but what the heck he was shooting. Like you said it is such a big part of a lot of us here's life ,I really feel for you. I had to give up a season a few years back because of some surgery,it sucked but better than no more seasons at all. I will be thinking about you. :) :)
Pappy
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Thanks Jeff, Eddie, and Pappy... If I can get back to it after 3 months it won't be so bad... I should be good as new by the Classic in May anyways. :) I can probably still make arrows and straighten cane shafts or something while I am waiting to be able to shoot and build bows again... Never can have too many arrows I guess. I have the materials to make a few dozen arrows but only have 5 that are shootable. :)
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A little premature but wishing you all the best for your op, recovery AND of course your wedding and honeymoon!! Good times to come, followed by some worries but from what the guys "in the know" have said, you're in good hands and will do just fine ;)
I'm curious why you have to stop knapping though? Is it in case you cut yourself in the process and the thinners stop clotting?
All the best man,
Steve
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Yes, Steve. I am afraid of springing a leak and never getting it to stop. :o Thanks for the good wishes my friend. :)
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Prayers sent for you brother of the bow I am certain you will remain a strong warrior through all that befalls you... Hawk
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I know I just joined the site, but I hope everything goes as well as it can go. My great grandfather died of a heart attack caused by high blood pressure beause he didn't catch it in time and it was tragic. Blessed be and may the stars watch over you.
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Josh You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers!I know surgery is a scary thing at our age as i can attest although mine wasnt quite as invasive but its a good thing.mainthing is get to know your doc and trust in him/her!There are some really great medical advancements out there(i've got a prototype disk in my neck and so far so good!)They know what they are doing and do it every day!My soon to be stepdaughter is refrained to a wheel chair and has had 9 surgerys on her back fusing her spine from top to bottom.I think we can all take a little inspiration from her as she has the best outlook on life and the best personality of anyone i've met!You can do this and the deer and bows will wait!In the meantime you should have a headful of ideas for bows come scrapin time!Congrats on getting married and i wish you the best of luck.were her for ya man.Take care,
Randy Peake
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Thanks Mike, Pagan, and Randy, sorry to hear about your step daughter, it is awesome that she remains so positive, I believe that it truly helps any situation.
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Hey Josh,
Congrats on getting all fixed up! In more ways than one apparently. I'm gonna play the odds here, and wish you luck with the marriage, statistically a much shakier success rate than the surgery! And if you choose not to miss the season, but rather "postpone" it, who would judge you harshly? Shooting in the dark is more challenging/sporting anyway, right?
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Sorry to hear about it, Josh, but I bet you'll be back at it in no time. My grandfather had the same thing done at a much more advanced age, and he spent many years afterwards doing pretty much the same things he had always done. Oh, and congrats on the upcoming wedding.
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Thanks for the words of encouragement Zen. I think I am gonna wait til next year so it will be legal. ;) Don't wanna stress my new heart valve too much worrying if I am about to be busted by the game warden ya know.
Thank you Steve. I gotta at least make it to next year's Classic so I can listen to you guys rockin out on the accoustics again. :)
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You'll be there Josh...with your brand new Wife...and a big old Scar to talk about...and the stories to tell about it all....I have faith that You will come out of this better than before..
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I'll save you some elk chops if I can fill my tag, it's a promise...wouldn't want you to undo all that surgery by eating nasty fatty unhealthy *gag* beeg!
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beeg = beef.
Sorry, puked on my keyboard.
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Thanks Mike and JW. :) Mike I doubt I can talk my wife into coming to the Classic with me, she's not much of a camper LOL. JW thanks for the offer on the Elk chops, I would take elk over "beeg" any day. ;D
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Jeez, way to make me feel self-conscious about my typographical error.
I would use the spell checker, but it was installed by my ex-wife and every time I use the spell checker it tells me to add more "eye of newt" and stuff like that.
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;D Good stuff.
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Sorry to hear of your situation with your health. My mother inlaw had a similar case at 68 and went on to enjoy her ball room dancing till she was 83. Mom could sure cut a rug! You and yours are in my prayers
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Thank you so much for the prayers and words of encouragement, Red Pony.
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hey Josh, congrats on the wedding ! and be strong on the other we are behind you. if ya need a light bow to get ya back in it let me know ill whip one out for you . ya know im doin 20 a day now !! lol
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LOL thanks Ken, I will keep that in mind, you know I was just bustin your chops about the "20 a day" thing right? ;D My honeymoon is in Savannah or close to it don't you live around there?
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Josh
Just saw this post. You ARE in my prayers. I am a firm believer and am praying for you at this moment. I know that you will do fine...I know. This type of surgery is kinda routine these days. In a SHORT time after recovery...All you will have to do is keep that ticker in good shape for the soon to be Mrs. Josh.
God Bless
Get er Done and Get Better!
Ron
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Thanks a bunch, Ron. :)
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Dude, forget flintknapping and bow making as far as your heart is concerned... it's that honeymoon you need to be careful of! ;D
Seriously, best to you and we hope you are back in the bow shop asap.
-Prof
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Good thing the honeymoon is before the surgery I guess otherwise it wouldn't be much of a honeymoon for a few months till I get "rehabilitated" :)
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savannah is straight across the state from me bout four hours , im in the south west corner of ga bout 4 miles from al. and 30 from fl. enjoy your moonin and take something for the sand knats ,i enjoyed three months of sand knats at Paris Island few years ago and we couldnt slap em !!!
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I GET TO HUNT A FEW WEEKENDS BEFORE MY SURGERY AFTER ALL!!! WOOO HOOOO!!!!!! I am leaving to hunt in west AL. in the morning, I am so excited! :) :) :) :) :)
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Good Luck Josh...and be careful but have a great time...and lets see some Venison!
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That's awesome to hear Josh. There'll be steaks on the grill in no time.
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Happy Thanksgiving Josh ! ' Frank