John God`s Speed Get well soon. I just seen this a few minuites ago. I know the feeling,of the family worried more the the paient. My Gall Balder surgery a couple months ago had ever one worried except me I just wanted out. We got better things to do like racing. See you in Columbus. Harry Hutten

I don't understand how they would make you wait John? I waited a couple days from when I started getting the pain and they said never never never wait, I caused damage to my heart by waiting, now if it will ever heal?

I am now on a rabbit food diet and not smoking, I dont know which is worse, giving up all the foods I loved or the cigarretes I loved, but both at the same time is driving me nuts!

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

I ended up on the "Angio" table in 1992 - and had to have a couple of blocked passages "stretched". One later closed again and I had it re-done in '93 - and OK since with meds. The stents weren't in use then. My doctor pressed me a bit about the "quit smoking" thing and I managed to shake it - but will still follow a guy with a sweet cigar just for a whiff!!!!! Gives you an understanding of the term "addiction".

The Doc's major contribution (aside from his expertise with a choke cable) was a quip about smoking - "You have recieved a message from God - "Do that again and I'll kill you".

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Steve, I don't think John ever did smoke, he hasn't in the 10-12 years that I've known him. But he is diabetic and that's probably the biggest contributor. I smoked for 40 years, so I should be the one on that table. Hard to explain how this works, ayy?

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

As a "patient" you get a heavy duty education about the (multiple) causes of your problem. It turned out (for me at least) that its primarily a hereditary thing - lack of key bio-chemicals so to speak. Not exactly 100% pre-determined, but damn near........at any rate, a whole lot of us are repairable these days. My grandfather passed in 1957 (at age 57) and his death certificate has MY disease listed on it......today they could have fixed him one afternoon. My Dad's been gone two years now and he made it to 85 - so strides have definitely been made.

It came as a shock to me to find that the number one cause of heart disease is the fact that you have a near relative with heart disease - usually a parent, an uncle or aunt, a grandparent ......... I asked the doc how our family survived over the years when faced with such a certain, predictable problem - repair being a relatively new approach - and he said we said we must have some natural ability to suffer the problems and survive or recover. Otherwise, we would have gone by the wayside many generations ago. I think that means we have "symptoms" - and don't just drop over ........

So the survival trait is - find out that your family has a history of problems - and then learn to recognize the symptoms.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

My doctor told me that just because you are given a Chevy body at birth doesnt mean that you wont last as long as a Ford if you keep up the maintenance on it,sounded like good advice to me,also helps if you have blue blood running through those veins Carl

Frank, i think it goes like this. The Good go young! So i think you,r right for a while, ha,ha.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

John, we will be praying for you out here in Winchester, Virginia. His way is perfect.

As far as the smoking thing, I personally have never smoked, but quite a bit of my relatives have been tobacco farmers down in the Cana, Virginia and Mt Airy, NC part of the south for a long time. Great Grandpa smoked a pipe for years and lived to be over 90. Go figure.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Danny, read what Steve said, I really believe he's correct on the genetics/ heredity part. Modern medicine's a huge player also. My Dad almost died from Ulcer Surgery, they used to cut out large portions of the stomach! I had the same thing, and took two weeks worth of pills. Didn't even miss work! A few prayers can't hurt either.

Bill, you could be on to something there!

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Guys:

Yes, heredity plays a part. Dad had heart problems and strokes. His first heart attack was at the same age I am now. Mom had cancer. I'll have to play the hand that's been dealt me. Bill, you mentioned delays causing more damage. I figured they're getting ready for when we have government health care. They will keep dragging their feet with the old people so they will die waiting for treatment. That way the gov. won't have to pay for their medical care and can stop paying them social security.

Frank, I did use to smoke. Started in high school, quit when I was in my early 30s. When I tell the doctors I quit 40 years ago, they all say "good for you". By the way, my family Doc said I could drive my power steering tractor, so I've been planting soybeans. I didn't tell him that the planter tractor has no power steering or that the beans are 60# a bag. I've had no problems so far.

Tomorrow noon is my consultation with the surgeon. I'll post what happen next.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"