Stainless gets a Valve Job

Started by Stainless1, April 19, 2014, 02:48:34 PM

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Stainless1

April 19, 2014, 02:48:34 PM
OK, Max let the cat out of the bag and a few folks have been calling so now that the Mechanic finished his work I will tell y'all what happened
1 Apr... I had heard a little gurgling in my exhales at night, thought I was getting pneumonia from the kitchen remodel I am doing... Blood Pressure pills needed renewed, so I called a doc and got in to see him.  After 5 EKGs, cell phones out of room, lights off, etc... he decided it was telling them the truth and told me I should see a cardiologist.  Said the fast way to make that happen was go to the ER, sent me with a package of info... they were waiting.  Another EKG, doc says I'm in Atrial Fibulation.  They admit me for observation overnight... to the CICU.  They do all the crap they do for a couple of days, then they take me in for a heart catheter (coronary arteries clean), a TEE (look down your throat at the back of your heart) and then shocked my heart back into rhythm. 
4 Apr, send me home after telling me my heart is running at 45%... the cutoff line of officially having congestive heart failure... I needed to see a mechanic, my Mitral Valve is spitting more blood back out than it is pumping.  There were 2 guys he recommended, one in Andover (local) and one in Cleveland.  A friends daughter worked for the on here, and she told him her "Uncle" Bob needed some work.
9 Apr, Take CDs to Mechanic, he agreed, I need work, his specialty is heart surgery, valve repair he does robotically, no chest crack required (faster recovery), if not repairable, he cracks and replaces the valve.
April 14, I finished my taxes and checked into the hospital in the afternoon for pre-op. 
April 15, I am in surgery at 730, things were not as expected... seems I had a lot of scar tissue around the lungs and heart... hummmm... but he stayed with it, managed a performance 5 angle grind and seat, surgery took about 4 hours longer than expected, good thing my "Niece" was there, otherwise he would have cracked me open making the job shorter, but the recovery longer.
I am home today, on light duty for a week, will get in to see the doc and should be cleared to go back to work in the kitchen... good thing, no sink, dishwasher or countertops.
Of course, there is a price to pay...
Stainless
Red Hat 228.039, 2001, 65ci, Bockscar Lakester #1000 with a little N2O

Stainless1

#1
April 19, 2014, 02:51:22 PM
Yes, they did shave me chin to ankles... the only hair they left on, they pulled off my forearms with tape 
Stainless
Red Hat 228.039, 2001, 65ci, Bockscar Lakester #1000 with a little N2O

Seldom Seen Slim

#2
April 19, 2014, 03:01:25 PM
Geez, Stainless -- while we're both glad to hear that all's better now -- upon seeing that photo of your frontal parts - now I'm having heart palpitations.  Did you need to share it with us -- or are you just cranky now that the meds are wearing off?

Good news - thanks for letting us know.
Jon E. Wennerberg
a/k/a Seldom Seen Slim
Skandia, Michigan
(that's way up north)
2 Club member x2
Owner of landracing.com

Milwaukee Midget

#3
April 19, 2014, 03:19:34 PM
Good to hear you're back in the barn, if not in the saddle.

Be glad the artist wasn't the same guy who did Slim's tats - you'd still have it.  :wink:

Been a tough 8 months.  Hospital food sucks, eh?

Rest up, get well, and I trust we'll see you in August!

Chris

:cheers:
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

4-barrel Mike

#4
April 19, 2014, 03:21:41 PM
Well done and welcome back!

Mike
Mike Kelly - PROUD owner of the V4F that powered the #1931 VGC to a 82.803 mph record in 2008!

WOODY@DDLLC

#5
April 19, 2014, 03:23:10 PM
Stainless, the wifey went through similar Subaru 2 years ago! Her's was minimally invasive, too. Still looked like 7 bullet holes to me!  :-o May your recovery be speedy like the lakester!  :cheers:

Ain't it amazing they can do a valve job while the engine is running!  :-o
All models are wrong, but some are useful! G.E. Box (1967) www.designdreams.biz

38flattie

#6
April 19, 2014, 04:16:37 PM
Stainless, glad to hear that things went well!

On the upside, I understand scotch helps thin the blood, making it easier for the heart to pump......
With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. However, this is not necessarily a good idea. It is hard to be sure where they are going to land, and it could be dangerous sitting under them as they fly overhead. -- RFC 1925

You can't make a race horse out of a pig. But if you work hard enough at it you can make a mighty fast pig. - Bob Akin

http://www.flatcadracing.org/
http://youtu.be/89rVb497_4c

Glen

#7
April 19, 2014, 05:25:35 PM
Bob, good news and glad you caught it in time. In 2006 I went in for a check and the did a stress test and called me the next day to schedule a surgical procedure. I was having a little trouble breathing a couple of days later I had a seven artery  bypass. Thing is never had any issues or pain in the heart. I was lucky as they say some times you don't.
Get well sone Bob.See you on the salt. :cheers:
Glen
Crew on Turbinator II

South West, Utah

Elmo Rodge

#8
April 19, 2014, 05:31:41 PM
Man, you'll do just about anything for attention.  :roll: Glad you caught it, my friend.  8-) Wayno

Freud

#9
April 19, 2014, 05:36:26 PM Last Edit: April 19, 2014, 07:35:41 PM by Freud
I'll send you a case of SYMPATHY.

That's a red wine that is made in Oregon.

Let me know how much you want.

FREUD
Since '63

Stainless1

#10
April 19, 2014, 06:33:21 PM
That sounds great... send me a box of that....  :-D wait... forgot I was talking to Freud not Stan, I'm betting the wines you drink come in bottles 
:cheers:
Stainless
Red Hat 228.039, 2001, 65ci, Bockscar Lakester #1000 with a little N2O

4-barrel Mike

#11
April 19, 2014, 06:45:33 PM
They had boxed wine at the NW Reunion?

Mike
Mike Kelly - PROUD owner of the V4F that powered the #1931 VGC to a 82.803 mph record in 2008!

Stainless1

#12
April 19, 2014, 07:29:51 PM
Quote from: 4-barrel Mike on April 19, 2014, 06:45:33 PM
They had boxed wine at the NW Reunion?

Mike

Only if Stan requested his favorite...  :evil:
Stainless
Red Hat 228.039, 2001, 65ci, Bockscar Lakester #1000 with a little N2O

Freud

#13
April 19, 2014, 07:36:45 PM
Sounds as if Stainless is back to normal.................

Sigh

FREUD
Since '63

salt27

#14
April 19, 2014, 08:12:33 PM
Stainless,
  I hope that you took this opportunity to upgrade from stainless valves to titanium valves.

Did they do any flow bench work so we have hard numbers for the port job?

I'm hoping you get a few more RPM and HP out of  this endeavor.

Sandra and Gus both said to say hi and are glad you're OK.

So are we to call you Titanium now?  :-D

See you at Speedweek, Don
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