Update 12-9

I went to see the Doctor today and he said that everything looks great and I am healing well. He is happy with the progress.

As you can see,I have decided to take up a new career as a mountain man or Santa Claus.
I haven't decided if I want to keep the beard or not.
Andrea really likes it(not really). Now I am just too lazy to cut it off.

Getting better

It is nice to be home (although I do miss the sponge baths). I am doing much better than I thought I would be at this time. I am walking more but I do get tired and have to nap. (gives me an clue what I am in store for in about 20 years). I have been eating lots of pizza which I heard makes the healing process go faster.

Home

I have finally made it home!! Thank you all so much for the blog posts and well wishes.
Love
Scotty


ps. Theres no place like home!!

Getting out

Finally at about 10am Dr Ryan stopped by and said I can go home today. They came by to get my pacemaker and I am now waiting for the nurse to come by for one more thing. So I hope to be home this late afternoon!!!

Not so fast.

I was waiting for the Nurse Practitioner to come and disconnect the pacemaker so I could get out of here. Instead he came in to tell me that my heart is now racing too fast and my Doctor neglected to tell me that I will not get out today. I am now waiting on a conduction Doctor to come by to consult with me. They will try beta blockers and see if that helps but now I may need the pacemaker. It would have been nice for him to tell me this before and not wait until I was set to leave.
UPDATE
Dr. Ryan thought I would be going home because the temporary pacemaker has not had to kick in. However, my heart rate is too fast. Since I will be on beta blockers for the rest of his life anyway so they are going to start it now and see how I do. If the beta blocker results in any delays of beat or anything problematic, I will get a pacemaker on Monday. The "conductor" doctor will make the call. He'll be in later today.

Down the Stretch

Well I had another good nite with the pacemaker so I think I am going to get out of here today without one. I still have to wait for the Doctor to come by. It may take all day but as long as I sleep in my own bed tonite I dont care.

Still Here

I had a minor setback. Tuesday night my pacemaker kicked on for 5 minutes, so Dr Ryan said I had to go 48 hours without it kicking on again or I have to get a pacemaker. 1 nite down and 1 to go. So I am still here at least until Friday. Since I am not critical anymore they had to move me to a less critical care room. I am now in 316. It is the same exact room but it has a fully stocked bar..
Geez, did Dorothy have this much trouble reaching Oz?

I Do All My Own Stunts...

Good news today! The docs were literally a couple of hours away from sticking a permanent pacemaker in Scotty's chest - just to be safe. So, Kelly the nurse came in this morning to check on a very grouchy and hungry Scotty (since he was not allowed to eat before this additional - albeit minor - surgery). Kelly happened to notice the temporary pacemaker didn't look right and he discovered it was parked. Scotty's heart was driving all by itself! Dr Ryan happened to be outside and when Kelly showed the doc what he'd found, Dr Ryan said, "Cool. No pacemaker for you." Elated, Scotty turned to Kelly and deadpanned: "Get me a menu."

The Best Medicine of All

Scotty was treated to the best medicine money can buy today when Jeremy stopped by to read Manny's Cow to Daddy.

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Sunday was Scotty's best day yet as they finally got his pain meds balanced and he was able to take several walks. There may still be a drop or two of morphine in his system though. He texted me the picture of Jeremy to be added to the blog. I asked why he didn't email it to me instead. His answer? He forgot my email address, which happens to be OUR LAST NAME @ comcast.net. (Andrea - make sure he's not driving a car anytime soon!)

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Speaking of wacky medicine, Scotty also got a visit from his good friend, Dr. Steve Gadol, who burst into Scotty's room in his Doc Duds and announced, "I'm here for the emergency rectal!!!!"

Amazing Staff

And now for a real update... It's Saturday morning about 11am. Scotty is doing great as far as vital signs and all that go. As is typical in the first days after big surgery, they are trying to get him up walking and, frankly, tooting, to get all the pipes working again. He's got a bit of pain and discomfort which is normal, so he's still taking pain meds. Family, remember the famous story about a sleepy young Scotty falling asleep face first in his mashed potatoes? Well, he's out like a light most of the time. They plan to ease up on the drugs a bit today so he can ambulate. (Jeff, that means "walk around".) Walking will help him clear his lungs and his bowels, which I'm sorry I'm not going to be here for.

He did about 4 laps around the hallways yesterday and here's a shot of Scotty rounding the far turn with his buddy Kelly. Also pictured are a few of the AMAZING PEOPLE here. I have to give a big shout out to the folks at Baylor's new heart hospital. From top to bottom, everyone here has been so caring and friendly. The facility is beautiful and Scotty is in exceptional hands (and that's not just another thinly veiled sponge-bath reference.
I'll be heading back to Baltimore soon and frankly running out of hospital jokes. I'm recruiting for other contributors to the blog. Anyone interested in helping me keep up the Baylor Banter is urged to apply by emailing me at SHTICKshift@baylorhelth.com

Cool Scar!

Until now, we've focused on the light and positive aspects of this experience. After all, he's doing great. But, for those of you out there who want gory details, the photo below is for you. WARNING: THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! (YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!)

Hooters Girls Hospital Auxiliary Team

In a slefless act of kindness, Scotty's pal David Silver, at great personal risk, obtained a pair of autographed Hooters menus for Scotty. David's wife Pam is clearly proud of her husband's sacrifice.

Scotty is the king of the tough guys, but we finally convinced him to take some of the edge off. This first shot is sent to us from Scotty's little "vacation" (morphine and zanax).

Scotty has had a couple of visitors. Uncle Jeff swung by and was asked to leave when he hopped into an empty bed and kept asking for a sponge bath. Old pal Dave Ripner stopped by and brought Scotty what every recovering heart patient needs: hockey tickets. (It's rumored that after David's wife endured a 36 hour labor and delivered their second child, he gave her tickets to the WWE Smackdown.) Here is a shot of Scotty and Mr. Thoughtful.

Almost 7 am. Scotty had a bath a while ago and has moved over to the chair. A brief over-indulgence in ice chips led to a bit of nausea but a dose of Zofran seems to have it under control. (Don't mess with the Zofran!) Dr Ryan should be by in a while to check on him. The goofy drugs have now worn off and he's more aware and awake and just trying to get comfortable among the sea of tubes and wires. The nurse just informed us that several of those will be coming out today. He's having a popsicle now and that seems to be helping.

It's just after midnight. Scotty and I are hanging out in his luxurious hospital suite. He's savoring some ice chips with a mild cranberry juice infusion for taste. He wants everyone to know he loves your comments. In case you're wondering, all of his Wizard of Oz references are an homage to the Tin Man's quest for a heart. Earlier this evening they had him sitting up in a chair and he ate two popsicles. (For the record, I had pollo tampico and a couple of Newcastle's.) Anyhow, he's much more alert now but making a valiant effort to sleep it off.

The staff here at Baylor's new Plano Heart hospital are amazing! I want to go downstairs the the cutely named "Heart Rock Cafe" tomorrow and order a couple of bacon cheeseburgers just so I can experience the magic.

This concludes our broadcast day. Glenn signing off...

The docs said Scotty's bloodwork came back looking great. So, after "hittin' the pipe", he's gettin' his nap on.

"Look at me! I'm Florence Freakin' Nightingale!"

Boy, when they say OPEN HEART, they're not kidding. Don't worry - they say the swelling will go down.

The anesthesia has worn off but the expression is left over from the fact that Scotty and Andrea went to see the Cheech and Chong show at the Majestic Theater last Saturday night.

Scotty is obviously feeling better.

Cute doctor!

Just spoke to the Doctor

Dr Ryan (who, frankly, looks like he might me related to Nolan Ryan) just came by and said Scotty did great. He had a big old chunk of muscle meat pushing up against his heart valve and it was very easy to get out. In about 30 minutes he'll be starting to wake up but he is breathing and pumping on his own. As a preventive measure, they have a temporary pacemaker in there just to be safe. It's a rental (you know how Scotty likes to get his miles). Anyhow, the doc says Scotty will be playing softball this summer. However, the violin....

Scotty's Out of Surgery.... EARLY!!!!

Scotty's out of surgery early! All initial reports are great! The doctors will be out to speak to us any minute and then we'll be able to start going back to see him. The hospital is brand new and feels like we're hanging at the Hyatt. However, bad news - waiting room coffee sucks.

Glenn's Cell # 410.303.5632

Well, were off to see the wizard!

Thanks for all the calls and e-mails. We have to be at the hospital at the crazy hour of 5:30am.
The hospital address is 1100 Alliance Plano.

10 More Days.

I want to thank everyone for their well wishes, calls and e-mails it is greatly appreciated. It sucks getting old and I am not even old...am I??
Surgery is scheduled for Thursday Nov 6 at 7:30am at Baylor-The Heart Hospital of Plano. Someone (obviously not me..or Andrea for that matter) will be updating this blog during and after the surgery. Again thank you for the support and concern!!
I am glad the Cowboys are off that weekend. The way they have been playing I am not sure if the Doctor would let me watch..

What the heck is wrong with Scotty?

As you may know, I have recently been diagnosed with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is a genetic heart disorder (thanks Mom & Dad, you know cash would have been better) I will be going in for Surgery on Nov 6. I will be having a Septal myectomy. (sounds like a bad Henny Youngman joke, take Myectomy..please). The Surgery should only take a few hours but since it is open heart surgery I will be in the hosptial for about a week. (looking forward to those sponge baths). Long term prognosis is very good. For more information on the disorder and treatment click this link. http://www.mayoclinic.org/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/treatment.html