Bear,
Will be cranking out double-humbuckers of positive thoughts for you and your family.
If anyone can overcome this latest hurdle, it's you, bud. 
Sometimes it doesn't rain but it pours...
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- Rated: 11 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 3:23 p.m. Tux:
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- Rated: 56 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 3:38 p.m. fieldhdj:
Hang in there Bear. You'll get through this.
Last week my Father-In-Law had an operation that removed most of his cancerous colon. After the anesthesia wore off he opened his eys, looked around, and declared "This is just a temporary setback".
This is just a temporary setback.
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- Rated: 31 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 3:44 p.m. Suprdave5150:
Bear, You are not dumping at all. We're here for ya guy. Besides, we would all wonder what happened to you if you disappeared for a couple days. You're on my prayer list.
Dave
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- Rated: 51 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 4:02 p.m. The Norm:
Do your homework...
Remember there are no such things as dumb questions. ASK!
Doctors aren't gods. They're human and most of them want the best for their patients.
Sounds like yours is being honest about the pro/con aspects. Honesty can be scary too, but at least it's honesty and he's not minimizing it.
It's OK to be scared. Medical Voodoo is always scary.
god bless...
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- Rated: 13 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 4:12 p.m. sroux:
Hey Bear....like someone said, we're brothers here (or so I feel), and it's definately cool to post something like this. Wishing you the best, and I hope that whatever you and your doctor decide to persue, will be a positive outcome for ya!
Prayers sent for you buddy....!
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- Rated: 61 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 4:17 p.m. Bear:
I am so glad I found the GDP. You guys are AWESOME!
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- Rated: 33 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 4:33 p.m. FrequentFlyer909:
Hey, big brother Bear,
It sounds like you have the best doc for the job -- one who gives information squarely and openly. That's halfway to peace of mind right there.
As everyone else has said: become an expert on your condition. It's the only part of medical school you have to get good at, and there's nothing more important to learn over the next several weeks anyway.
I'm pulling for you!
Paul/FF909
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- Rated: 27 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 5:32 p.m. Deke Martin:
Best wishes and good thoughts from this side of the pond, Bear ol' buddy.
Keep us posted on how it goes, we ALL want to know and we're all pullin' for ya!
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- Rated: 47 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 5:32 p.m. Timthom62:
Bear, there's not much I can add to what has already been said but my best wishes for you and your family.
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- Rated: 19 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 6:12 p.m. CnW:
We've been pulling for you Bear, and still are. Of Course. You have two challenges here.
One is deciding what to do. You'll come to a solid descision, I'm sure.
The other is coming to grips with the additional bad news. This seems to be a setback, but actually is a more accurate understanding of where you are in the recovery process. Proactivity is still an option and that's a blessing! I know that there are many sending best wishes and/or prayers your way. And many here have faith in you---for good reason. Give it your best---and then give it to God. That's all you can do. But it's enough---his shoulders are big.
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- Rated: 19 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 6:42 p.m. Adam:
I'm pulling for ya Bear. Let us know how the meeting with the Doc goes, sounds like he's a good guy and I'm sure he'll help you make a good choice.
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- Rated: 212 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 6:43 p.m. Proteus:
Man, you gotta stop delivering your big news when I'm away from the computer for the day; I get all out of the loop! Nothing much to add - forewarned is fore-armed; it's good to have options, maybe you can head it off at the pass (if you jog rather than run in that direction), and we're all here for whatever good we are. Remember mortality sucks, and my advice is to have nothing to do with it.
I'm headed toward Lvl at this moment; if you want to get together to go kick some ass and pick up chicks - or just rage against the big ol' machine - email me your phoneno and we'll hang out.
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- Rated: 22 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 6:46 p.m. MrAstroJet:
Only in this place would someone refer to a stent as a "mod"
Be careful, Bear! After the operation, you might wake up with pinup girl decals and gold-painted underwear...
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- Rated: 47 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 6:51 p.m. Timthom62:
...with a bar bridge and a Bigsby!
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- Rated: 13 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 7:24 p.m. farmerbrown:
Wishing the best for you Steve, will be thinking about and praying as well. Don
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- Rated: 13 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 7:55 p.m. Rex:
I'd get as many second and third opinions as I could get. More than one way to skin a cat as they say. Good Luck and Godspeed Bear.
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- Rated: 41 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 8:02 p.m. bwallace1:
hi Steve, it seems that everything has already been said. as someone mentioned, and I can't remember who, ask questions. do like I do, take a list in with you. sometimes you forget to ask questions that you think of. so, make a list and take it in with you. it sounds like you have a very capable Doctor. you're going to be fine. you and I both know that attitude is 90 % of the recovery. and "old" bikers are too mean and onry to give up.
brent
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- Rated: 10 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 8:06 p.m. Daddy-O:
Bear I.ve had a couple of friends you have had that operation and came though with flying colors. I know as tough of and old cuss as you are you will be OK
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- Rated: 7 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 1:10 a.m. fbama73:
Steve,
I agree with all of the people (starting with Ratrod) who say get a second opinion.
I also VERY seriously agree with those who say not to feel like you shouldn't have brought it up. Dude, if you can't come to us with something on your mind, what good are we?!
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- Rated: 74 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 1:38 a.m. bonedaddy:
Bear, hang in there. I just had a close friend, a coworker I've known for 10 years have a stent put in. He was back to work on Tuesday, after having the procedure done on Saturday. I notice a difference in him. His color is better, he seems to have a bit more pep.
The procedure you're talking about, is carotid endarterectomy. The procedure is pretty much as Ric12string explained it. Before I was an engineer, I was studying for PA school. I worked in the Critical Care step down unit, specifically taking care of patients who'd had coronary angioplasty (balloon surgery) or coronary endarterectomy (the same thing as with your carotid artery, only in the heart).
2nd opinions are always a good thing, and stents and all the other stuff have come a long, long way since I was doing that kind of work nearly 15 years ago. My mother in law is a CCRN and is the hospital supervisor at a hospital here in California. She refers to this stuff as though it's almost routine these day.
Keep a positive outlook, and keep the faith.
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- Rated: 18 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 1:52 a.m. CharlieL:
We're all glad you posted this Bear -- never feel bad about "dumping on" us. This is a strange little family -- a group of folks that have (mostly) never met, but still really care about each other.
Some good advice here. Read, ask questions, find out your best options, and stay strong. You've got family and friends that care.
God bless.
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- Rated: 22 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 3:11 a.m. gretschiam:
Best to you, Bear. You're obviously not done with your duties here, so trust that you won't be going anywhere else for awhile.
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- Rated: 15 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 3:55 a.m. T.K.:
I have known many people that have had the same same issue and the recovery was much less than they thought it would be. We'll add some extra prayers in hopes of strength.
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- Rated: 16 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 4:50 a.m. Gigatron:
Good luck, Bear! My dad had one of those done a couple of years ago, and he's still chuggin' away.
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- Rated: 12 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 5:41 a.m. aussiepete:
You are not dumping on anyone Bear. We aren't a bunch of self-obsessed teenagers on a BC Rich forum
Good luck, do everything you can to increase the odds. All the best Bear!
