Notes from CureIous' at Stanford

peekaboo · Post by **peekaboo** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 4:39 pm

Just heard from CureIous' good friend Don who tells me that he left Op Prep at 4:30pm the op will be roughly 2hrs and recovery about 3hrs. He will be getting double jugs way up high and another set by the shoulder.

peekaboo · Post by **peekaboo** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:16 pm

Mark just got out of surgery 8:15 pacific time...all is well all 4 stents are in. Now he is off to recovery and waiting for a room. Next post tomorrow.

Holly

ErikaSlovakia · Post by **ErikaSlovakia** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:03 am

I think of him so much. More people do, I am sure.

Sharon · Post by **Sharon** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:54 am

I just spoke with Mark's friend, Don....9:00am
Mark is getting ready to exit the hospital....tried calling Mark--he was unavailable. I will post more when I speak with him.

Four stents! WOW
Sharon

mormiles · Post by **mormiles** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:34 am

Mark, we wish you smooth sailing in your recovery. This is the coolest!

IHateMS · Post by **IHateMS** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:10 pm

Wow, here is to a speedy recovery.

catfreak · Post by **catfreak** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 2:02 pm

Mark,

Best wishes and keep us posted on your recovery!

Cat

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 3:20 pm

Mark, dude, that is going to HURT.

It is worth it though mate, stay focused on that.

Loobie · Post by **Loobie** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:40 pm

Ask them for some Lew recommended medicine. Good luck dude! 4 freakin' stents?!? UDAMAN!!!

skydog · Post by **skydog** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:18 pm

Hey Mark I think you would intimidate a saber tooth tiger with all those stents. Wising you a speedy recovery. Peace and health, Mark

Sharon · Post by **Sharon** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:44 pm

I spoke with Mark this evening - he called as he was driving back home (around 6:30 pm Palo Alto time). He sounds great (adrenalin rush?) -- he says he feels good -- no problems yet but he is keeping close to the pain pills. He will post once he gets home.

CureIous · Post by **CureIous** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:51 pm

Hi y'all!

What a wild ride. It was 4 stents but 3 on the left and 1 on the right. The left was narrow and closed off, the right was closed off but was larger which is normal per Dr. Dake, so my left has 3 as stated, but the 1 on the right when put up high opened up the lower stenosis just from the increased flow, so he left well enough alone. I've had 1 perc since 4:30 a.m. , the lefts are sore, but I can swallow normal unlike early this a.m., head turning doesn't hurt anywhere close to last night. About 400 mg advils every 6 hours or so. Feel GREAT. Not hyper just great. Will post more tomorrow, just got home safely (Heck no I wasn't driving!), and made the 400 miles just fine.

Yes yes I'm sure it will all catch up tomorrow but we'll see. lol. I'll get some pics posted of the tangled mess that was my left jug. Worse than an L.A. freeway interchange.

Thanks thanks thanks to everyone.

More details tomorrow.

Mark.

CureIous · Post by **CureIous** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 2:05 pm

Hi all, I've been remiss to post a copious-notes update, and um, am still going to be remiss lol.

I fairly bounced out of bed this morning, usually have my morning coffee and shake the cobwebs out routine but didn't do that til later cause I wasn't tired/sleepy/felt like I didn't sleep at all usual morning.

My left side still hurts but more like a crick in the neck kind of hurt not anything that the advils and about 1/2 a perc can't handle. FYI I specifically asked the good Dr. about Motrin/Ibuprofen vs. blood thinning etc. before I left and he said, "Where did you hear that from?" lol. So I'm taking them because they do quite a bit to cut down on inflammation and we'll see what my first INR shows on Tuesday. I think he's more after the anti-inflammatory part at the stent site than anything.

Also another immediate relief type benefit besides the whole midday fatigue/heat stuff/brain fog which appears to have lessened to the point of what I would call "not even there", is the complete vanishing of this symphony that was playing in my right ear for the past couple of years. During the noise of the day this was most times barely noticeable unless I put my hand up over my ear, or it was really quiet. At night it was positively maddening, and seemed to get worse if my BP was up or I was stressed or whatever. It is gone, completely, I mean 100% gone. This seemed to coincide with the weird Meniere's type symptoms I had, dizziness, balance etc. I don't care what it was or what was causing it, I just know it's gone.

Anyways I had a looksee at the MRI last night and can't wait to post some pics from it. Fascinating. Very busy playing catch up, how does life run you over after just 4 days?

More later I promise but for now I feel GREAT.

Mark.

p.s. also, I noticed on the way home that my ears regulated the pressure changes going up and down the mountains in the car all on their own, usually I would feel them plug up and have to swallow or something to get the pressure back to normal, but they popped on cue. That was weird to experience because it was so normal.

Sharon · Post by **Sharon** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 2:33 pm

Hi Mark!

Glad that you are off to such a good start. I thought you would be having more pain with the four stents.

You wrote:

is the complete vanishing of this symphony that was playing in my right ear for the past couple of years

Lucky you -- I would love to get rid of the tinnitus...maybe in time.
Enjoyed speaking with you while at Stanford..sorry we were unable to meet up.
Keep us updated.

Sharon

Arcee · Post by **Arcee** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 2:51 pm

Mark, glad to hear you are doing so well. I had a similar exchange with Dr. Dake regarding anti-inflammatories for the stent area (you may have read it) and can only say that I took the Motrin and barely had pain. I only had one stent though! Here's hoping that your recovery continues to be so positive! - Randi