Not A Good Week This! Can You Return A Bad One?

Joe Rooney · June 16, 2007

I have been dealing with Deep Vein Thrombosis, and assorted Aneurisms, clots and such for over five years now.

it really began to look as though I had it in hand. But not so!

My Vascular guy told me at the end of last week, that he wanted some verification of data. So, being the good cooperative kid that I am, i turned up at Calgary Foothill hospital last week.

Once there, I was prodded and poked and a really friendly old Cardiologist casually mentioned that he would give me a Coronary Angiogram which would shed light on the various questions raised by my Vascular surgeon. And by the way, "An Angiogram is no big deal, he just wanted to poke around my arteries, and take a few pictures inside my heart. Since he was going be in the neighbourhood anyway". Never trust friendly Cardiologists. They tend to stretch the facts, just a tad!

At the end of the week, I was called into the tail end of a conference being held by my assorted medical people.

There, after the requsiite humming and hawing, my two lead specialists, (Known to the staff as "Topsy and Turvy.

One looks after the top end, and the other takes care of the bottom end!) jointly told me that my heart condition is the pits.

I have less than 45% of blood flow in various arteries, while significant weakness in some heart muscle make me much less than a stable candidate for any kind of surgical intervention. In other words, "we have done our best, and we wish we could do better". But we can't!".

This was not a good way to end the week. My wife is shocked, my kids are going through the "They have to do something" routine. And I still have too much to do to call it quits just yet. But that is way it is, and there is nothing to be done. So far, there has been no discussion of how, where, or when, which is fine by me. I have got too much to do, and have too many projects on line to waste time on anything else. But I have been effectively sidelined by such things as Plaque, Tired muscles,, and just plain wearing out.

I really don't feel any strong reaction to all of this. I think that I have had a great life, with more than my share of excitement. Plus, when I got out of the Army I got to use my newfound skills to make more money than even I thought was decent. But it was honest, so I am not giving anything back.

Besides which, I have outlived my Father, my Grandfathers, and my Great Grandfathers by some foty five years. So I don't feel that I have any real basis for complaining. I have enjoyed my time. It's just that I really do want more.

It just doesn't look too likely. But I will try anyway.

I don't think that this means that my next six weeks are questionable. But I must go sometime, and no'one seems to have any answers to that. I guess I just expect too much from my doctors. They are all good guy's, ((And two women!) They have done well by me, and I hold no grudge. Life is just not as convenient as I had hoped. But we shall see what we shall see.

Till whenever, I shall keep logging in and sharing whatever news comes out of the site. This has been a Godsend to me, and I intend to keep reading, and if I have anything worth saying, you will hear from me.

Thank you all. and a special thanks to you Alan I am so glad to still have a friend at my age.

regards, Joe Rooney

Brian Cross · June 16, 2007

See above post

Hello Joe; This is sad news for you and your family, and for all that contribute to the forum,I would like to say i think you have many friends who are thinking about you,I don't personally know you but i would like to think you consider me a friend,chin up mate...........Brian Cross

Edited June 17, 2007 by Mr Darn

Vic Patterson · June 16, 2007

Nice to hear from you Joe, great attitude, I thought you had given up on this web site! the moderators are getting the upper hand and its a nice place to visit, I for one am looking forward to your valuable input and comments, hang in there.

Vic

Hamburger Pimp · June 17, 2007

Stay strong, Joe (and Mrs Rooney). All the best.

Joe Rooney · June 17, 2007

Nice to hear from you Joe, great attitude, I thought you had given up on this web site! the moderators are getting the upper hand and its a nice place to visit, I for one am looking forward to your valuable input and comments, hang in there.
Vic

Thanks Vic,

I have never given up on this site, regardless of the occasional scumbag. Bedlington has always meant too much to me to let these junior foulmouths drive me off!

But at the same time, I have never thought that constant posting added anything to the quality of conversation.

So I only post when I think that I have anything of interest to post. Ptherwise, I wait until I have something to contribute.

Thanks to all of you!

Joe

stu · June 17, 2007

Lost for words Joe,hang on in there mate you've got more friends than you think!

All the best to you and your family

Stu

Malcolm Robinson · June 17, 2007

You brought a tear to my eye Joe, you have exactly the same condidtion my "Old Man" had so I can symphasis with your family. As others have said you have many friends on this site, your integrety shines through in your contributions.

Best of luck....

June 17, 2007

Hoping all goes well Joe. Like you say, you've got a lot left to do, so don't give up yet! If the support of your friends on here is any indicator of what you will be getting from friends and family across the pond, then you've got a great deal to hang around for.

Best wishes Joe, you can guarantee that we'll be thinking of you over in Bedlington.

Mr Darn · June 17, 2007

Its always hard to find the right words to say in these situations, and i'm not even going to try to find them...

its regrettable to hear the news, but i'm pleased your not letting it get you down. Keep your chin up mate, enjoy what you have left, however long it is!

i hope to see many more posts from you in the future, as i dont really want to be left wondering if anything has happened! selfish or what?

All the best Joe!

Denzel · June 17, 2007

Best wishes for the future you curmudgeonly old !*!@# !

Joe Rooney · June 17, 2007

Best wishes for the future you curmudgeonly old !*!@# !

Apt, Pithy, much appreciated!

Thanks Denzel'

Joe

Symptoms · June 17, 2007

Joe - Brian Cross is right to say that you've many friends here; I always look forward to seeing if you've posted. When the old site closed down I felt disappointed at (this may sound daft) losing a friend. When I discovered the new site, and your presence on it, I was glad.

Best wishes.

Pete · June 17, 2007

Hang in there Joe, I will be praying for you, just keep living the dream.

Pencil_Neck · June 17, 2007

All the best.

Mrs Pencilneck · June 17, 2007

As bad weeks go, I think this one qualifies as a fairly epic bummer and I truly admire how sanguine you are in the wake of such rotten news. Take care and love to you and your family x

Sw@lnalla · June 17, 2007

I remember some years ago you asked me how I handled having my illness, my reply at the time was 'I can't', not much help was I? You seem to have got on top of your problems since then Joe and long may that continue, hang in there mate.

Joe Rooney · June 18, 2007

I remember some years ago you asked me how I handled having my illness, my reply at the time was 'I can't', not much help was I? You seem to have got on top of your problems since then Joe and long may that continue, hang in there mate.

Hi Alan,

From our first meeting up North of Barrie, you always impressed me with your grip on reality, and a pragmatic approach to life and it's bumps.

I have known, and know, other people facing major life problems. From each of them I have taken the best in attitude, and the reality that we don't ask for the problems. But when we have them, we can't let them control our selfesteem. As I see it, we must always maintain our sense of self. And not let trouble of any kind diminish who we are, to ourselves, and to those around us.

You do it well, and I would expect nothing less from myself. I have a herd of children and grandchildren, and I want them to remember me as who I was, and never as a pathetic person broken by circumstance. If I want my kids and friends to be proud of me, then I will be damned if I will mar their memories, or betray my self image. I owe them at least that!

You take care, and thank you again for your company and your generosity of spirit.

Joe

Mr Darn · June 18, 2007

I have a herd of children and grandchildren, and I want them to remember me as who I was, and never as a pathetic person broken by circumstance. If I want my kids and friends to be proud of me, then I will be damned if I will mar their memories, or betray my self image. I owe them at least that!

My father has the same attitude, in his late thirties he had his first stroke, which gave him a shock, but he got over it. since then he has had another 4 strokes, suffers from angina, and has had 2 heart atacke, one of which took away his speach and all the movement down his left side. he never let it get him down tho. his brother has had 1 heart attack which had the same results. the difference is my father never gave up, and is now as mobile as he was before the attack with his speach and movement up to about 95%. his brother, who lets everyone do everything for him, is still in a wheelchair and cant talk.

i honestly believe attitude is a great healer, and those that dont let it get them down seem to recover quicker or have better lives until the end.

"live each day as tho it was your last" is a phrase that we should all live by, not just those that know its coming early.

although i find it hard to be positive about my life at times, i do admire people like joe, alan and my father, who 'just get on with it', and their stories often inspire me to do better things with my own life.

the one thing my father wants to do before he dies is say the words: "theres nothing i wish i'd done before today, i'm happy with my life" and by god i think he will say them!

Ms Hair · June 18, 2007

Joe, wish I could give you a hug right now! I thought today might have qualified to be the most emotional day of my life. I'm sure of it now! All the best xx

PS Are you planning to visit UK in the future?

Good on you for not letting the scummers spoil this place for you.

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EDIT: The next few 'off topic' comments from this thread have been split and can now be found HERE

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Edited June 19, 2007 by Mr Darn

Joe Rooney · June 19, 2007

Thank you for your kind thoughts. My wife will be getting a little suspicious about these young attractive females offering to hug an old curmudgeon (Quoting Denzel!) Like me!But thank you all, I have been surprised, and a little overcome by all of these unexpected good wishes.

As for visisting the UK. I would like nothing better than to see Bedlington again. But it is another of those ironies of life. No sooner do I find myself financially and professionally able to afford anything that I might want, than I am stricken with Deep Vein Thrombosis. (A serious blood clotting disease!) Whereupon, my doctors announce that because of the dangers of further clotting in long distance air travel, I am strictly forbidden from taking airline flights in excess of four hours. And Calgary to the UK can be up to 10 hours. So, for my sins, (Mostly of omission, I thinki)

I can never have the one thing I long for. One more time in Bedlington, walking down the woods, going in the Bank Top for a few beers, and meeting face to face with some of the great people whom I have met through this site.

" It ain't fair, but it is life!" so I will substitute words for personal experience. and get on with it.

I don't want to see anyone falling out over which forum we use most. I think that the present system of moderators is quite successful, and has greatly controlled the problems which were threatening the enjoyment of the entire website.

Congratulations to admin for making the changes, and to the volunteer moderators who have put the benefit of all site members ahead of their personal interests. A good and valuable job. Thank you all!

Regards, Joe

Symptoms · June 20, 2007

Thank you for your kind thoughts. My wife will be getting a little suspicious about these young attractive females offering to hug an old curmudgeon (Quoting Denzel!) Like me!But thank you all, I have been surprised, and a little overcome by all of these unexpected good wishes.
As for visisting the UK. I would like nothing better than to see Bedlington again. But it is another of those ironies of life. No sooner do I find myself financially and professionally able to afford anything that I might want, than I am stricken with Deep Vein Thrombosis. (A serious blood clotting disease!) Whereupon, my doctors announce that because of the dangers of further clotting in long distance air travel, I am strictly forbidden from taking airline flights in excess of four hours. And Calgary to the UK can be up to 10 hours. So, for my sins, (Mostly of omission, I thinki)
I can never have the one thing I long for. One more time in Bedlington, walking down the woods, going in the Bank Top for a few beers, and meeting face to face with some of the great people whom I have met through this site.
" It ain't fair, but it is life!" so I will substitute words for personal experience. and get on with it.
I don't want to see anyone falling out over which forum we use most. I think that the present system of moderators is quite successful, and has greatly controlled the problems which were threatening the enjoyment of the entire website.
Congratulations to admin for making the changes, and to the volunteer moderators who have put the benefit of all site members ahead of their personal interests. A good and valuable job. Thank you all!
Regards, Joe

Joe - what about getting the train down to New York, liner over Atlantic, train up to Newcastle? What a great trip that would be!

Mrs Pencilneck · June 20, 2007

Joe - what about getting the train down to New York, liner over Atlantic, train up to Newcastle? What a great trip that would be!

That does sound like a fabulous way to travel

Denzel · July 22, 2007

That does sound like a fabulous way to travel

Send him a cheque then. Your student grant should cover it. You'd only spend it on White Lightning, Pot Noodles and Woodbines.

Joe Rooney · August 3, 2007

Joe - what about getting the train down to New York, liner over Atlantic, train up to Newcastle? What a great trip that would be!

Nice thought! Pity US reality gets in the way. When we went to visit our kids in Ontario, my wife and I decided to cross the border into New York state. This is only about a hundred KM or so from Oakville, Ontario.

When I made Hotel reservations at the automobile association, I decided to take out a few days health insurance, what with the exorbitant US doctors and hospital fees. Bad move, and very good move!

When I completed the questionaire, the lady read it and turned white.

You can't cross with your health record, she exclaimed. It seems that there is some kind of points level, at which the insurnace company cut you off as uninsurable.

And with four separate potentially fatal conditions in my answers, I was not the healthy, profitable candidate the company longs for. She talked to her manager, said manager officially declared me uninsurable, and personally begged not to risk crossing into any US territory. She assured me that US care, especially with my plethora of pre-existing conditions would amount to enormous amounts of money, in no time at all.

I hadn't even thought of it, let alone worried about the cost of any type of health costs in the US.

In the end, my wife went across on her own, returning the next morning, and we spent a more reasonable amount of dollars in Ontario and New Brunswick. The loss of the US health system was our gain.

While I was in the CAA office, I decided to ask the inevitable question. Yes, she replied, I could probably obtain health insurance to visit the UK. But no, she did not think that it would by any means affordable. So it seems that I will not be going home, ever!

Thanks for the thought though!

Regards, Joe

Dave · August 3, 2007

Nice thought! Pity US reality gets in the way. When we went to visit our kids in Ontario, my wife and I decided to cross the border into New York state. This is only about a hundred KM or so from Oakville, Ontario.
When I made Hotel reservations at the automobile association, I decided to take out a few days health insurance, what with the exorbitant US doctors and hospital fees. Bad move, and very good move!
When I completed the questionaire, the lady read it and turned white.
You can't cross with your health record, she exclaimed. It seems that there is some kind of points level, at which the insurnace company cut you off as uninsurable.
And with four separate potentially fatal conditions in my answers, I was not the healthy, profitable candidate the company longs for. She talked to her manager, said manager officially declared me uninsurable, and personally begged not to risk crossing into any US territory. She assured me that US care, especially with my plethora of pre-existing conditions would amount to enormous amounts of money, in no time at all.
I hadn't even thought of it, let alone worried about the cost of any type of health costs in the US.
In the end, my wife went across on her own, returning the next morning, and we spent a more reasonable amount of dollars in Ontario and New Brunswick. The loss of the US health system was our gain.
While I was in the CAA office, I decided to ask the inevitable question. Yes, she replied, I could probably obtain health insurance to visit the UK. But no, she did not think that it would by any means affordable. So it seems that I will not be going home, ever!
Thanks for the thought though!
Regards, Joe

Aye the NHS is a great thing really

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