| Author | Message | ||
     Crusty |
One year ago today, I checked into the UMass Memorial Hospital where a team of Surgeons and other Specialists cut me open, chilled my blood and attached me to a machine to keep me alive. They then sliced my heart open, removed my Aortic Valve and replaced it with a Carbon and Stainless Steel mechanical valve. Then they reconnected my heart to the rest of my body, disconnected the machine, warmed my blood and stapled me closed. It's been a very interesting year since then. My Heart's in great shape, but I'll have to take medication for the rest of my life. I feel better than I have in years. Modern medicine is truly amazing! It sure feels good to be alive! This is how I looked a few hours after the Surgery:  The surgeons asked me to shave before the surgery, since they were going to have to put a catheter into the Carotid Artery in my neck. So I had my barber take the beard down as short as she could a couple of days before, then I shaved for two or three days until I went in. That morning was the last time I shaved. If you look at my neck in the picture, you can see the fitting and line that they used. | ||
| Chauly |
Happy anniversary, Crusty! It's great to have you amongst the living, still...:-) | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Yes! happy anniversary! I can't wait to see you again so we can load up with healthy BBQ foods. Gotta lube that valve, you know. | ||
| Jumbo_petite |
Happy Anniversary Crusty and many more!!! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Congratulations! Sounds like you got the Boysen reed upgrade! | ||
| Kenm123t |
GREAT ! Enjoy life more every day | ||
| Etennuly |
You are correct sir! It is great to be alive! Congrats on the stats!  I hope they put in a dump valve for greasy spooge from the BBQ. It should work just like the modified oil breathers on our Uly's. A dump hose down the back of your shoe and all will be good! | ||
| Two_seasons |
Congrats and many more! Sounds like a good time to grab a great tasting microbrew  | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Big thumbs up from C-bus! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
amazing the ways technology and medical can come together when they work right Another year of Riding ! wooohooo ! | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Congratulations on your anniversary Crusty! Your tenacity and success is an inspiration to me and the timing could not be better. Thank you for posting. Dan | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Glad you're still with us brother! Keep on livin' and do it with quality. | ||
| Rich |
Keep on keepin' on! And as the late, great Warren Zevon said, "Enjoy every sandwich!" | ||
| Treefrog |
Happy Anniversary Crusty. I hope we get to meet again sometime out on the road. If you're ever passing through Arkansas, holler at me. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Happy your still here, and maybe we'll get to ride together sometime soon. | ||
| Thesmaz |
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| Mnrider |
Great to hear your feeling good. Wishing you many more riding years! | ||
| Xdigitalx |
I had some surgery too back on 2/29/12, I gotta wait 3 more years to hit that date though haha,... Are you riding to Daytona this year?? | ||
| Prior |
Keep on truckin Crusty!!! | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Happy Birthday dude! | ||
| Griffmeister |
If I had to guess when I rode with you to the IMS in Jan. I would have said no way that was less than a year ago. Now it's officially one year, awesome recovery, hope to see you on another ride.  | ||
| U4euh |
Awesome, glad to hear your feeling better than ever!! | ||
| Daves |
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| Blake |
Who is that young man? Great story John. I like the happy ending ones.  | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Yeah. Good stuff John . Keep your motor running . |
