[slwiser]

There is some good advise about staying positive as much as possible. It certainly is easier said than done but still it is a start. Take care of your self as well as you can.

 

[clc220]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTUCCI1924 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If I can't or dont get it I will have 3 to 5 years to live. Bummer.

you will live a lot longer than that i know you will.
a big heart is a good thing.

 

[909]

Without question, get a second opinion and third if necessary. Also find one, two or even three of the best cardiologist you can find within driving distance.


My little medical scare:

First specialist says surgery is necessary under the tongue;
Second specialist said surgery is necessary, but through the neck under the chin;
Third specialist (and head of Otolaryngology at Cedar-Sinai) said surgery isn't necessary it should pass naturally.

(mind you all highly regarded doctors in Beverly Hills). I didn't have surgery and haven't had a problem to date either.


Sorry to hear about your situation. I know it is very nerve racking, but do your best to be positive and optimistic--it helps more than most realize.

 

[LFF]

I'm with 909 on this one. Get at least 3 different opinions. My brother has had health issues before as has my father. My dad got the same opinions from all 3 but it took my brother 4 different doctors and eventually a panel of doctors to properly diagnose what he had. All is better now but it would have been real bad had we settled on one opinion.

 

[lextek]

There must be something that can be done! Hang in there.

 

[Contrastique]

I wish you the very best Lou. Don't give up. My prayers will be with you.

 

[bhd812]

Lucci-Gucci first and foremost don't freak out man, if you stress yourself out you'll do 10 times worse to your body. i know it sounds impossible now but do it!

second do exactly what 909 said, at least three doctors all together. Sometimes doctors give the worse case like the time I was told I was pregnant..

third, stay positive man, hey if it helps any to think in negative form like "if I have 5 years left then I will enjoy them and live them fully" then do it..

fourth is keep us updated!!!!

(i was never told I was pregnant, trying to cheer Gucci-santucci-Lucci up..)

 

[Barry]

I will be thinking of you and praying for the best. I can only imagine how difficult is was to hear and live with this news. I remain optiistic that things will turn out well.

 

[mrarroyo]

I agree with the previous posters and I hope you can:

- Relax a bit so as not to over stress
- Get a second opinion
- Ask if you can start changing your diet/exercise to make things better
- Be positive

I wish you the best.

 

[Denim]

You've got to believe that you can get through this. I can't imagine what you are going through, but know that everyone here is pulling for you.

Doctors can fix just about anything now. I'm looking forward to your post that says you are all better.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

Thank you for all the kind words. I am just fine with this. I will see if I can get the open heart surgury if not than so be it. I am ready for what ever happens. I have had a very full life and have had lots of fun. I have no regrets and I miss the old days. The life I have now is not so great and I will leave this mess to GOD. May GODS will be done. He has already given me the power to accept it.

 

[KenW]

My father had quadruple bypass surgery, and it was discovered that he had a ventricular aneurysm with a similar prognosis. The 5 year survival rate was 15%. He's now 13 years post-op and even working at 74. The biggest thing is to focus on life and living and not the medical issue. Do the things you enjoy and look forward to each day. Stay busy and active. In short....do your thing and forget about the problem.

FWIW, I am a religious man so you will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers. Should you ever wish to talk about it, drop me a PM and we'll exchange phone numbers.

 

[F107plus5]

I am so sorry to hear about this, Lou.

I'm living with Congestive Heart Failure with an enlarged heart myself, so I have some idea of what you are going through. I went into the hospital for a couple of weeks four years ago, and they said if I hadn't gone in when I did, that I had about two days left! Two days!! Medication and diet and all that other good stuff is helping considerably, and the Dr. even went so far on my last visit as to comment that my heart is actually "healing; getting better"!

My Mother-in-Law had a valve replaced back in the early eighties, and they said it was a simple operation even back then. It worked great!

So there are lots of reasons to be optimistic. Just don't do what I do! When I'm getting a new CD or something that I need to hear better, I stop taking my meds for a couple days so the ringing in my ears subsides......don't do that! Wait till you get better first!

....now we all have to wait till July 5th to learn what happens with the lung specialist, and believe me; we are all waiting with either crossed fingers or prayers all lined up ready for shipment till the 5th gets here right along with you!

Keep the good attitude!
Rich.

 

[Happy Camper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTUCCI1924 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thank you for all the kind words. I am just fine with this. I will see if I can get the open heart surgury if not than so be it. I am ready for what ever happens. I have had a very full life and have had lots of fun. I have no regrets and I miss the old days. The life I have now is not so great and I will leave this mess to GOD. May GODS will be done. He has already given me the power to accept it.

Sir,
I do not know you but am very familiar with your situation. My foster mother had several years until her death. When she first heard the news, she worried. In the last year a calm came to her and her pain shown less. You could see the pain in her eyes but she never did become distraught. God gave her the comfort of knowing that death was part of our life and that she was in good hands. It made those around her strong enough to deal with the tragedy that was to befall us. She was our strength, matriarch and spiritual beacon. She was also my earthly angel. She died in the arms of her family with the sharing of her life and praising of her efforts. It made me realize that as hard as we try to deny it, death will fall us all. As the pain gets worse, remember that death is considered to many as a reward or release from the world's pain. Do take care so that those you touch will gain knowledge and learn by your example. This is God's will that you can provide to others.

As others have mentioned, your lifestyle will help the organ's strength. Once you have the strength enough for surgery, you may find that a miracle has your name on it. Sometimes we have to go through hardship to get our attention. Its what you do with it that measures who you are.

Peace be with you and your loved ones at this time of need. May your music sound sweeter and it's words become clearer. As a member of this fine group of individuals, I will include you in my talks with my master.

To our NZ friend, your "hippie" approach is fine to anybody needing a kind word. I hope it was taken in that vane as I'm sure it was given as such.

 

[PYROphonez]

I'm sure you will be accepted for surgery.