As you can see, Scotty's pacemaker is up and ready to go! He's awake and preparing to order breakfast, but a little grouchy becuase they have him on a limited menu. He's also a little tired, being kept awake half the night by all the monitors that kept beeping as a result of the now CONSTANT, PERFECT RYTHM OF HIS PROPERLY BEATING HEART, which is why he went there in the first place.

It... Is... A-LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scotty's surgery got off to a late start but he came through just fine. The doc says he absolutely needed the device, commonly known as a "pace-maker" but described by the hospital staff as an iPace. Andrea says he's resting comfortably and will go home tomorrow, be able to shower in three days, and will now be able to open garage doors anywhere in North America.

A brief delay...

Scotty just called and apparently there's a backup in the OR, so while he was supposed to go in at 11am, it may be another hour and a half or two hours before they start. So, we'll post an update as soon as I hear from Andrea, but likely not until 3pm central time.

-Glenn

Down the Yellowbrick road once more

Well I thought I was done with surgery but I have been having some issues with irregular and skipped beats. (with this economy I was trying to cut back) and I will be get a combination pacemaker/defibrilator (they were running a special) on May 11. This time it will only be an overnight stay and about a week recovery. It is probably result of scar tissue from the heart surgery that is growing and covering some conductors--that is a very dangerous situation. Kidding aside we are very lucky to have caught this early. I will still get to play softball but it will have to be (like the Cubs always say) Next year...

Follow Up Jan 16

I went to the doctor on Thursday for another follow up. He wanted to see a sonogram of the heart. He said everything is back to normal. All the numbers are within the normal range. He said that if he showed the pictures to another cardiologist without telling him about my history that he wouldn't be able to see any problems. But I still need to wait for at least 4 or 5 months till I play softball.


Ps. I got rid of the Mountain man look because Jeremy didn't like it. But he was very upset when he saw me without it and and now wants me to grow it back... kids...

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!)

.

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...