Hey, guys.

I have some…pretty shocking news. This is hard for me to say, which is ironic, because I am speaking this through my phone–There is no way I would be able to type all this out without my computer.
As most of you know, I’ve had congestive heart failure for a long time. I was referred earlier last month to see a new specialist who could help determine what actions I would need to take to improve my lifestyle. My new doctor requested some procedures be done to give him a better assessment of what my problems are specifically. Yesterday, I had a heart catheterization done to look inside and determine the exact damage. I was told it was going to be an overnight stay, and then I will be released the next morning. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Saying I’m out of options, my doctor has now suggested that my next step would be to receive open-heart surgery in order to install a device which would help my heart pump its blood through to the body. They wouldn’t follow device called a LVAD which would pump the heart, and would be battery powered. Apparently, a long cord will lead from my heart to my stomach in which a portal will be cut open the house a battery pack that I will have to wear over my stomach 24/7. In ADDITION to that, I’ll also have to undergo a gastric sleeve surgery which will cut my stomach and Health to help me lose weight. The end goal is to become healthy enough or fit enough to qualify for a heart transplant further down the road…which is going to be an even further radical life change… either way, I will be stuck in the hospital for weeks—possibly months, on one day’s worth of personal items.

So, I won’t be here for a long while…

I had no idea it was that bad - I'm so sorry to hear this. I really, really hope this works out - I can't even imagine what you're going through right now.

I hate 'Hopes and Prayers' more than almost anything I see on social media these days - but I'm not sure what else I can send from here.

If you think of something, let me know. In the meantime, I'll be pulling for you.

Sending prayers your way. Let me know if you need anything, we're rooting for you!

You're technically going to be a cyborg for a while!

In all seriousness, though, rooting for you, mate. You've made through a lot these past few years, you'll get through this too

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I had no idea it was that bad - I'm so sorry to hear this. I really, really hope this works out - I can't even imagine what you're going through right now.

I hate 'Hopes and Prayers' more than almost anything I see on social media these days - but I'm not sure what else I can send from here.

If you think of something, let me know. In the meantime, I'll be pulling for you.

That’s certainly enough — for me at least. It’s definitely been a trying situation, of course. I was filling out some forms yesterday, and there was a section that asked me to list four people who could provide caregiving services to me for up to 6 months, 24/7 round the clock. I asked mom and of course she accepted, and one of our neighbors was willing to help, but that left us without very many options. All of my family members live out of state, and all of my mothers friends are basically so old that they practically need caregivers themselves! To be truthful, I am terrified of the permanent and long-term effects this will have on me….and I’m already wracked with guilt over how much everyone else will be forced to change their lives too.

So your well-wishes keep me grounded—and I need them now more than I’ve ever needed them in my life!

Boy, if only…it would be a pretty kickass upgrade. But thanks for the thoughts and good vibes; knowing people care is a big boost to my day.

I’ll keep you guys updated later on.

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Anybody have any Pokémon Go codes, hit me up!! I think I have a remote raid pass or two and I am going nowhere.

Thoughts and prayers for you Morph.

I’ve had my own health challenges so know a portion of what you are going through, and signs are pointing towards me having more soon—specialist says I need cataract surgery if I want to see out of my right eye again and I have a foot infection right now and suffering low blood flow to foster healing so doctor is looking at surgery there too to restore blood flow.

Tough news. Looks like you've got a rough road immediately ahead of you. It seems as if the plan is to have good outcome at the end of that road. May it be so. That's my prayer for you.

Like many, I've hit some bumps in the road this past year. One thing that's helped me is to remember is that as bad as things seem, I'll usually feel differently about my situation a few days, and most of the time it takes only a few hours (and some sleep) to make a substantial difference. Discouragement is normal but not permanent. Keep us posted.

So, I won’t be here for a long while…

We love ya, and can't wait to see you when you come back.

Jeez, that sounds worse…I honestly and genuinely don’t think I would have the will to live if I ever went blind. I know that’s a terrible thing to say, but there is far too much value in the world to lose the ability to experience it fully. I’m going to pray for you, too; hopefully you can keep the sight in your right eye and stop the infection as well.

Pulling for you mate.

Ooof. That is hard to process and handle. I'm so sorry for the stress and anxiety that inevitably accompanies this type of procedure. You have all of my best wishes. I remember being a teenager when my dad had open heart surgery followed eventually by having a pacemaker placed in him. I remember feeling rather helpless as the doctors took care of him in the next room. Your situation is even more complicated and I imagine the sense of losing control is unnerving. If you need to talk feel free to reach out to me. No worries if you have a support system to talk to already in place. We're pulling for you in our home. My hope is that you are able to experience a sense of peace in the midst of this.

Echoing what everyone else here has said. Best wishes going forward. Take care and try to update us when you can!

Jeez, that sounds worse…I honestly and genuinely don’t think I would have the will to live if I ever went blind. I know that’s a terrible thing to say, but there is far too much value in the world to lose the ability to experience it fully. I’m going to pray for you, too; hopefully you can keep the sight in your right eye and stop the infection as well.

Well… it’s gotten worse.

I was walking the other day visiting a doctor when I heard a *pop* and then couldn’t walk straight. The doctor noticed a lot of blood coming from my foot which needless to say is not good so first I went to urgent care and then they sent me to the ER. They did X-rays and that popping sound was my heel bone splitting right in two. ☹️ Now I’m sitting in the hospital while we assess what to do. It does not look good for my foot, it’s a sign my bone has become infected and it’s real hard to heal them from that. Removing my heel bone means amputation so it’s either heal it or lose it. I’m not showing outward signs of infection so right now we are exploring options and performing tests. Plus I have a severe case of thrombosis in both my legs but especially my right, doctor doesn’t think amputation is safe unless we get the swelling down a process that could take weeks.

I really really don’t want to lose my foot as I’m rather attached to it, we do everything together. So hope a solution comes together but I’m not going to lie it looks bleak.

Have no idea now when I’ll get my eye examined or dealt with.

I... I don't even know what to say to this. I wish I had a way to help.

I'm so sorry this has happened - I'm really hoping for the best!

Oh man, that’s terrible…I’m left speechless about it. I’ll still keep you in my thoughts—I know the doctors will do everything they can, and hopefully they can find a solution to heal your foot without any drastic measures. If nothing else, make sure to mention your eye problems to them; they might be able to offer a solution for that. All I can do is pray that the best solution becomes available and that you pull through!

Jeez, that sounds worse…I honestly and genuinely don’t think I would have the will to live if I ever went blind. I know that’s a terrible thing to say, but there is far too much value in the world to lose the ability to experience it fully. I’m going to pray for you, too; hopefully you can keep the sight in your right eye and stop the infection as well.

Well… it’s gotten worse.

I was walking the other day visiting a doctor when I heard a *pop* and then couldn’t walk straight. The doctor noticed a lot of blood coming from my foot which needless to say is not good so first I went to urgent care and then they sent me to the ER. They did X-rays and that popping sound was my heel bone splitting right in two. ☹️ Now I’m sitting in the hospital while we assess what to do. It does not look good for my foot, it’s a sign my bone has become infected and it’s real hard to heal them from that. Removing my heel bone means amputation so it’s either heal it or lose it. I’m not showing outward signs of infection so right now we are exploring options and performing tests. Plus I have a severe case of thrombosis in both my legs but especially my right, doctor doesn’t think amputation is safe unless we get the swelling down a process that could take weeks.

I really really don’t want to lose my foot as I’m rather attached to it, we do everything together. So hope a solution comes together but I’m not going to lie it looks bleak.

Have no idea now when I’ll get my eye examined or dealt with.

Really sorry to hear this. I'm pulling for you, my friend.

Just wanted to reply to this message so you'd get a notification. I wanted to check up on you and see if there's any news. I'm still thinking about you!

So far, the doctors have told me that before I get suited for these surgeries, I had to be sent home in order to see how I operate with a new medicine outpatient. Long story short, I was sent home with an IV drug that needs to be continuously pumped into my system. I have a little machine that I carry in a bag, and a long piece of tubing leading to my arm. So while I'm lucky enough to temporarily enjoy the comforts of home again, I have to be very careful with this device and its maintenance. But again with my gratitude, it's temporary. At least until the surgery...well, I guess it'll be practice for the LVAD.

Nothing on the eye.
No changes on my foot yet but it’s very unlikely I can go without amputation

Wow. Take care.

Surprised about the iv at home treatment. I was told a few years ago when I had to be treated similarly that it was absolutely not an option and I had to spend it in a facility. Hope this works out for you as I learned being able to be around your stuff was great.

Glad to hear you are home for a bit! Praying all goes well with the IV. Keep us posted on progress/schedule.

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My open heart/gastric band surgery will be on August 5th--this Thursday. I'll be going back in Wednesday. Pray for Mojo.

I'm pulling for you!

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Send us an update when you can!

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Prayers not for Mojo, but for you.

Just saw everything. Hope you're doing well today. Praying for you AND Mojo.

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Really sorry to hear that. Pulling for you.

My open heart/gastric band surgery will be on August 5th--this Thursday. I'll be going back in Wednesday. Pray for Mojo.

Man, that is going to be a lot of adjustment and recovery. Keep working at it, don't let up.
Continuing to think of you and hoping you have a speedy bounce back


(I never have the right words, in any given situation. Others in here have captured it better than I can. So I echo those others that have stated it better, clearer, and with the appropriate language for the feeling/sentiment.)

Also FWIW, I know someone who's had a gastric band for a few years, and he's been really happy with the changes in his health.

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Praying all goes well with your recovery and that it will be as speedy and complication-free as possible.

I’ll have to update you guys later, my whole day I’m either run ragged or passed out.

But I’m alive. ;-)

Hey, that's more than good enough for now. Glad to hear it!

;)

Rest up and recover. Hopefully the worst is behind ya but it’s still gonna take time to heal.

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Sleep, Morpheus! Sleep is healing time.

I’m still waiting in the hospital for some rehab to take me in and teach me to live with the consequences of my own surgery. Surprised they didn’t find anything last week. Think it’s been my longest hospital stay.

I can send you my number if you like.