BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: KT
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 09:30 PM

Looks like we're joining hearts and hands across the globe for ya, Spaw. Rest well, in knowing that. Love, KT

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Robo
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 09:27 PM

Best of luck with it, Spaw. We're pulling for ya here in Denver, too. I sure appreciate your attitude, and that will take you a long way.

Rob-o

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Banjer
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 09:17 PM

Troll, which natural resource are you refering to? The production of natural gas is at an all time high...If we could just keep 'Spaw from lightin' a match to it and makin' a natural spectacle of himself......BRRRRRRIPWHOOOOOOOSH

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Troll
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 09:11 PM

'Spaw, keep 'er between th' ditches, Bro and keep th' greasy side down and you'll do OK.
Th' way gas prices are goin', we need all of our natural resources in A-1 shape.

troll

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 08:33 PM

Spaw,

Sounds like you've got things under control. Glad to hear it. That attitude of your's is priceless.

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: harpgirl
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 08:21 PM

...you must feel like I do about the medical technology, Pat. I am so grateful that Dr.'s can do what they are doing. I went blind in both eyes years ago from cataracts and without lens implants I would have no eyesight. And thanks for putting in a plug for me on the photos thread. Maybe now I'll get some action down here....*wink* harp

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: ddw
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 08:16 PM

OK, Spaw, here's the deal. Checking out is not even up for consideration. I'm gonna be heading down I-77 or I-71 sometime in the not-to-distant future and you're gonna be verticle to swap some tunes with me, right? Right!

Yeah, yeah — I know. You may be twice my size, but you get me riled, boy, and you'll think you're on the business end of a stepped-on rattler. You check out before I get there and I'll dig you up and do some REAL damage.

Seriously....

Been part of the way there, friend, so I know a little of what you're going thru. Pullin' for ya!

david

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: GUEST,Seamus in alaska
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 08:11 PM

Spaw, any chance of them videotaping the procedure. Then you could have copies made, and sell them in the Mudcat auction to raise funds for your coming-out party, so to speak. That could be more popular than the Mudcat calendar!Get well soon, Pat.

Seamus

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: little john cameron
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 08:04 PM

Welcome tae the Aneurysm club Pat.Three years ago ah fell aff the roof an ended up wi a RUPTURED aneurysm.The next thing ah know it's twa months later.Turns oot the aneurysm must hae been there aw the time.Lucky ah wis at hame an near the hospital,lucky the ambulance made it in time,lucky the ER doc diagnosed it richt an lucky the surgeon did a guid job.There were a wheen o compictions efter that like a blood clot an they had tae go in again.
Then a stroke whaur they said a micht hae brain damage[that is still an option].Then tae tap it aw aff, ah get oot o the hospital a month later and stert tae hae PANIC attacks.Actually,they were the worst.It took a lang time afore they figured oot whit wis up wi me.
The best thing aboot the hale thing wis the dope.BRILLIANT.tOO BAD THEY STOPPED GIE-IN ME IT EFTER AH STERTIT TAE COME ROON.SO there ye pal!Lot's o fun.
Guid luck son,
O aye an the wee nurses lookin efter ye is a bonus. ljc

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Bugsy
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 08:03 PM

Spaw, the description of your complaints makes my heart problems sound rather piddly. I hope all goes well for you, and that maybe, one day we can sit together over a beer and compare notes, (and scars maybe)

Cheers my friend

Bugsy

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Banjer
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 07:07 PM

'Spaw, do ye reckon while there in there they could harvest a little of the gut? I mean hell, from your pictures you wouldn't miss a little bit and I could be the first in my neighborhood to have honest to goodnes Catgut strings on my banjo!!! Damn whatta oppurtunity......Please..??? But, really all seriousness aside...do keep us posted!!

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: GUEST,chanteyranger
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 06:55 PM

Have they tried injecting vegemite? That should send any blockage out the back door.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 06:38 PM

Someone put on the boiling water...we need towels , we need a Dremel and a Black and decker. Jeri , I know you can assist , please scub up.

Pull yourself together Dr Fielding , your his only chance.......

You will be fine Mr Catspaw we have the best musicians available....

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: flattop
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 06:38 PM

Well, Spaw, I hope that you get as much of the good news as possible, some even better new than you expected, and none of the bad.

Wishing you thunder fortune from Orillia and McGill Country,

david

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 06:30 PM

I know we can count on Mbo to handle the Sawzall too, and to run the tunes in the OR. (NOT gonna make a joke about Oaszak, NOT gonna.... oh crap!)

Naemanson, look, what you gotta do is this. Send YOUR set of bones to SPAW so they can use those to prop him open and get the good stuff out for us. Then later when they need some stock from which to fashion a set of buttplugs (size varying with certain circumstances), your bones can do the honors.

Spaw, you better get some of these opportunities boiled down to put in the Mudcat Testimonials thread. And obviously, you are an inspiration to us all-- why, just look what's been said so far!

Hmmm. I think I'll get Hardi praying for you too.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 06:28 PM

Hey groupp, thanks a lot and I will let you know when we get to this thing......Like I said, probably within the next couple of months, but I feel great right now. You're right too Art as you know....gets teedjus.

To answer a few other questions, Kim, yeah I may be a little young for all of this but look at how much more time I get to enjoy the medical technology! I mean, what's the use of having some fancy ass operation when you're 92? But as the old saying goes, if I'd known I was gonna' live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself.

The medical end? Well, the bypass does not use the same setup you were born with but uses other attaching points including the chest wall which causes scar tissue to form around the old sites and also the new ones. Not a problem unless you have to go back in. The vavle itself is like a multi-part flap, sealing in the middle. The flaps are controlled by string like pieces which are prone to stretch as are the flaps. Blood backs up into the atrium and the lungs and causes congestive heart failure or clots and then passes the clot somewhere nasty! This is controlled by taking thinners like Coumadin (which I do) until the problem is fixed.

I like the Dremel idea, but somehow I'd prefer someone other than Brother Fielding manning the sucker. Rick's a great picker, but someone with a bit more Dremel skill would be nice.

Hey Blondy........I'm gonna' put a few touches on the Chev before I go in and I think I'll actually have her painted while I'm gone......something in a flame job maybe. Maybe we'll run the curve again...........Grease

Thanks again for all the great thoughts folks.....I'll keep you informed as the time comes up. I just didn't want this getting spread around as something more serious or mysterious.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Max
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 06:13 PM

Spaw, if I had an extra heart, I'd give it to you. You can't check out yet, I haven't given you a real hug yet. So hang in there till I can get to Ohio and kick you in the ass in person. Love you and yours. Stay positive man, you know that's more than half the battle.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: GUEST,aRT tHIEME (gUEST AGAIN)
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 06:07 PM

Pat, These little speed bumps do get tedious, don't they. (That's a statement, not a question.) Do well, sir. Our thoughts are with you.

Art

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:52 PM

I can see it now..Dr. Fielding attending...

"well, spaw...if I hold the artery like this...with a barred "F" fingering, I can use the Dremel with the other hand, and with this cross-picking technique that I 'think' I've figured out from my Norman Blake records, I can re-configure that valve in no time...and I have this extra sheetrock mud to patch 'round the rough spots"

Gawd, it's good to have talented friends!!

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Helen
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:43 PM

Joe,

I think you are on to something here. The Mudcatters can all pitch in and do virtual reality surgery on 'Spaw. what a riot!

In fact, I just heard on the news this morning that some mad scientist has invented a cyber equivalent of a plastic woman which can be given specific instructions by someone over a computer connection while the person is having sex with the doll. Scary!

If they can do that, and if they have invented long-distance robot controlled surgery then can be in there and paddling around with 'Spaw's heart, blood, sternum, etc etc. Woo-hoo!

But seriously, 'Spaw (oops, just typed Spay by mistake - Freudian slip??) you know I love you and one day we are actually going to meet in the world-which-passes-for-reality, so no checking out without my permission, you hear?

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:36 PM

THIS JUST IN...Canadian Folksinger to perform mitral valve repair surgery in Ohio. It was announced early this morning that Rick Fielding, a folk singer from Toronto, is preparing to tackle the daunting job of repairing the mitral valve of a US citizen, Pat "Catspaw" Patterson. When we spoke to him, Fielding said "Well, if I can figure dry wall out, this oughtta be a cinch. Spaw's a pal, and I want to help." Mr Patterson was unavailable for comment after hearing the news, although he only took out a small table lamp when he went down, and should be regaining conciousness at any moment.

Spaw, we love you.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Don Firth
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:30 PM

Spaw, when I first joined Mudcat back in Nineteen-ought-Ninety-Nine, you were one of the first to give me a warm welcome. I really appreciated that, and still do.

Can't say as I'm very fond of hospitals, as I've had my share of them, but they do a pretty fair job of keeping the old bod glued together when necessary.

Hang in there, and keep us posted.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Gervase
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:23 PM

Bloody heck, Spaw, I can't understand how a heart as big and splendid as yours can keep going wrong. Were you conceived on a Friday afternoon or summat? Keep your pecker up and your ticker ticking over - and we'll keep rooting for you.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:21 PM

Spaw, instead of doctors, why not try the Mudcat Precision Dremel Team?
All the best to you.
-JoeBro-

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Giac
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:18 PM

Love ya, Spaw, and love to Karen and the youngsters.

Mary

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: GUEST,khandu
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:11 PM

My dear Asshole of Ohio, Mississippians do not like to get pissed off! So don't go pissing me off. You won't like me when I'm pissed off. So ye damned well better not go belly up, aye gonnies!

Good attitude there, old Spaw. This ain't gonna get you! Whatever your beliefs (or non-beliefs), I'm am gonna be talking hard, hot and heavy to the One I believe in on your behalf. My heart is with you, my dear Spaw. You are a treasure to me and many, many others.

Keep your bucket balanced, and your chin up.

And, aye god, keep us updated!

khandu

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:10 PM

Friendly reminder:
DON'T SNEEZE!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:06 PM

Good luck, 'Spaw. Let the Doctors do their work and we'll send as much positive energy in your direction as we can. Get healthy, will you? You're extremely valuable, you know.

JIM B.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:06 PM

Basically I'd say it's the kind of job you could tackle with the Dremel, if you had the occasion to. Straightforward enough if you know your way round.

One good thing, having been in there once, they should have a fair idea of where everything is in there.

And your big problem is going to be the one Bill Sables had with his crash - they'll tell yoy that you'd best not laugh for a while once it's done. And then you'll start reading the threads on the Mudcat...And the get-well messages.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Clifton53
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 04:49 PM

I'm pullin' for 'ya pal. No, I'm not pullin' that!!! Get your mind out of the gutter!!

Clifton

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: CarolC
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 04:41 PM

Good luck, Spaw. Thanks for letting us know. I'll be pulling for you from my little corner of the world.

Carol

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Wesley S
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 04:17 PM

Thanks for letting us know Spaw. When I first saw the title of the thread my reaction was "Whats RIGHT with Spaw" ?

Now my suggestion is that if there are any leftovers after the operation that they be auctioned off on the Mudcat. I'll bet there are a lot of us that want to get a shot at owning some real Spaw dulcimer hammers. Who knows maybe those leftover ribs could take care of your co-pay.

Seriously I hope you know that you will be in the thoughts and prayers of a lot of people. Creditors are like that y'know.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: JenEllen
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 04:04 PM

And here I was thinking your heart couldn't get any bigger? *bg* Be sure and tell the surgeon to have a waste gas plug for your bum, eh? We can't have his eyes watering now, can we?? Take care, ya big lug. Big ol' smooch sent on the first easterly breeze I find.

JE

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Sailor Dan working??
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 03:55 PM

Spaw -

I have been lurking for a long time and reading just trying to stay out of peoples way. Also to keep my big mouth shut.

You know if your gonna make this sternum splitting a habit have them put a couple of latches or a zipper in it to make it easier.

My prayers for you and the family and I know I'll be reading your remarks for sometime to come. But I hope no one gives you a laptop in the hospital bed, it will take away from your driving the nurses and doctors nuts.

All the luck and prayers my Irish ancestors can bring and give.

Sailor Dan

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Kim C
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 03:25 PM

Spaw, aren't you kinda young to be having this kind of fun? ;)

Several family members have endured similar problems so I sorta know what it's like. Smoochie woochie to you.

KFC

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: annamill
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 03:24 PM

LOVE YA 'SPAW!

Love, annamill

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 03:17 PM

You know, Praise, if they pull enough bone out of him I could use a set of bones made of real bone. My maple set is great but Spaw bones would be a neat idea! *G*

Take care of yourself old man!

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Quincy
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 03:16 PM

All the very best....

love Yvonne

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 03:10 PM

Spaw....you know...luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Lox
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:57 PM

Sorry to hear about it dude. You are clearly a good man and don't deserve to have to put up with shit like this.

Of course you realize that this would never have become an issue if you hadn't let yourself get involved with us stress-mongers in the first place .

Get well - your heart is your most endearing facet.

lox

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:57 PM

Maybe sidesplitting is possible, as an alternative approach to get in there. But how would we all get back out?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Mrrzy
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:56 PM

Y'all come back now, y'heah?

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: MMario
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:49 PM

Opened this expecting either something side splittingly funny or the beginnings of another round of anonymous bashing and flames. Glad it isn't the latter, sorry it isn't the former.

I think Mrs. Duck has a pretty good viewpoint

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:49 PM

Pat, you know some of us pray in a way that is highly visual. The amount of detail you already gave, I am sure, can make a difference. Can you say even more about what it is about the bypass situation that makes the less-invasive fix problematic? And can you say more about just what the faulty valve does wrong in your partiuclar case, and should do right, in terms of describing the structures?

Once this is known, I would think that a single outcome prayed for in concert could do an awful lot.

IMHO.

And I'm sure you know-- anything, from me? Ask, here or via other lines of communication. Anytime, any size of need, anyway of meeting it-- YES.

And BTW-- Karen is perfectly relaxed about all of this, right? *G* And the kids? What kind of support would help them be even more OK on this?

And hey-- about that sternum split. I need some hammers made for my electric autoharp. Like a cross between a hammer dulcimer style and a long silver tea spoon. If they have to go spelunking, could you grab any leftover bone and make me a set? I been wanting to play witchoo, and I got some pretty funny stuff we could try out!!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: GUEST,LEJ
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:42 PM

Valve job, huh? Well the one I got sure made my vette run smoother, Grease.

Meet ya on the track

Blondy

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:41 PM

Yeh 'spaw you're going nowhere without written permission from every mudcatter!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: Megan L
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:31 PM

Spaw you take care now. But I think you did right to post we care about you.

Mind you there comes a point where you just wish folks would haud their wheesht and let you get on with life, 21st November lost my Dad, 21st December lost my Mum in law.

Ifone more person tells me how well I'm coping I might be of line for quite a long while, don't think they'll let me get mc in the jug.

Seriously though mate your an institution around here, they're even thinking of naming the padded ward after you.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: jeffp
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:30 PM

I'm glad to hear that you're not in immediate danger of checking out. I will, however, reserve the right to be concerned about you and pray for your well-being. You've become a good friend and I hope to meet you in person some time. Take care of yourself.

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:28 PM

Thanks for letting us know Spaw.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Wrong With Spaw????
From: InOBU
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:24 PM

Well, ol pal, Genie and I will light a candle for you... and as I just told my cousin Gini, going in for surgury, just think about how mundane a day's work it is for the doctor. When ever I get on a plane, I used to think about being on a little scrap of aluminium at 35,000 feet, then I got to thinking about the pilot's point of view, he is just an airborn bus driver. I hope you find that comforting and that you enjoy all the legal drugs they pump you up with after - one of the few legal trips back to the sixties.
Stay well, eat beans (good for the heart... ) and we exepect you back in perverse form sooner than latter!
Larry