A scar is born..........heart surgery update

What’s 10 inches long, has a slight curve to it, is shaved, and hella ugly.............but still makes me want to play with it? My new scar!!! I haven’t named it yet, but I will.

Surprisingly calm about what was about to happen, I went to the hospital at 6am on December 14th. They explained (again) what the game plan was, but seamed to skip over the part that said they were going to shave me from my chest down to my knees. They described the 3 phases of anaesthesia, and what to expect right after surgery. When you are under for a long time, you need to come out of it naturally, as opposed to a relatively short (knee surgery?) where they give you another anaesthetic to pull you back into reality. At least that’s what I understood. One was to relax. Then one to forget everything that was about to happen. And the last one to go night night. Shortly after that, I think was when they pulled out a sawzall and went to town. Split me right down the middle. I’ll spare you the gory details, but let’s just say they can’t operate on your heart if it’s still beating. My damaged valve (Mitral) is in the back of the heart, so it (heart) was moved around and what not for better access. There are no stitches or staples holding me together. They use a medical type super glue which has proved to help cut back on possible infection. I wanted to post something before I went in, but my doctors all stressed how much rest I was going to need, and didn’t want me answering my phone. If it makes any difference, my immediate family was allowed to visit 2 at a time, for only 5 minutes out of every hour. My brother snapped 3 pics of the rats nest of wires and tubes before the nurses made him put his camera away. I still haven’t seen them.

Post op, rumor has it that the designer in me spoke first and asked if the scar was straight. I certainly don’t remember, but it sounds like something I would say. Due to the tube causing pain in my throat, I distinctly remember asking for a slurpee, but my request went unanswered. Bastards!!!!!! After that, I don’t recall much of the time I spent in ICU. I know that despite all the specialists telling me there was probably less than a ten percent chance of repair (vs. Replaceing the valve), I finally caught a break. The relief of not needing blood thinners for the rest of my life, along with knowing I would be able to get back in the water was unreal. Some friends were so stoked I’d be able to surf with them again, they pitched in so I could get a custom shaped board. Despite the potential of losing any manliness I may have had, this made me cry for the first time in who knows how long. And I gotta say, surf trips to Costa Rica (and beyond) are way better than heart operations. Friends rule!!!

There were a couple of glitches along the way as well, but all things considered I’m beyond pleased. The day after surgery my right lung collapsed. They did something with a large needle, but I don’t recall any pain.......just a little bit of pressure. I think all the needle work is just part of the process now (and has been for the past 3 months). After initially showing improvement, the next morning it was worse. While awake and alert, they inserted a tube (the size of an index finger) into my chest, and it was significantly more torturous. When it went through the sack around my lung it made a crazy sound like a flat tire. Psssshhhhhhhhhh. That went to a little machine that made bubbling noises, which I needed to carry with me should I venture down the hall on a short walk. It kept company with the drain tube protruding from beneath my rib cage for about a week. I transferred out of ICU and headed to another room. It was the first one I’ve had to share in 3 months. My roommate definitely wasn’t an HAMBer. What a fuckin sissy..............not to mention they never found anything thing worse than an ulcer in the 8 days he was there!!!!

I was released December 21st (I think.........it could have been the 20th) and I headed to my parents place. Perhaps a day or two after Christmas, I was having difficulty taking a deep breath. There was a sharp pain on my left side........but way to the left. Not anywhere near any incisions. After visiting the cardiologist, he said the sack around my heart was a little bit pissed off at the surgery and was rubbing against my ticker. A few pills and cat scan of my chest clearing me of any clots did the trick. For the past 2 weeks I have been learning what I can and can’t do. Although it takes me longer than normal, I can shower, eat, get dressed, and meander for a 5-10 minutes at a time. Getting out of bed is a bit of a challenge, as I can’t use my stomach muscles to sit up like I used to. It’s more of a roll. I’m just beginning to be able to roll onto my side now. I really need to think about it, because sometimes I feel my sternum click. It’s still growing back together and tied up with wires (all on the inside). Opening jars are a pain in the butt, as are heavy doors. Child proof medicine caps are damned near impossible. No driving yet, and I can’t lift anything over 10 lbs for 3 months. Plugging something into a light socket is tough as well, so I use my knee to assist. Of all things, my biggest fear at the moment is sneezing. If I do too much, my body lets me know and I take a little nap. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

After visiting the surgeon, today (Fri) I arrived back home in Redondo. I need to unpack, but expect that to take about a week. I’m off all pain meds, and my hair is unruly. Not even gel can fix it. From here on out it’s recoup, recoup, recoup. Doc says I will pretty much back to the way I was before I got sick in about 6 months. According to my math skills, that should be right around Paso. Sweet!!!!!!

2007 brings me a ton to be thankful for. Far more in fact than what I could possibly even begin to bitch about. Being above ground is a good thing. I hope you all appreciate it.

That’s it for now, just wanted to fill you in. Happy new year.
Coby


This is about 10 days after the surgery. You can see the super glue instead of stitches or staples. A few days later, it peeled off, and with it came the dried blood that makes this pic look worse than it actually is. The red dots at the bottom are from these little electrical wires they put in in case there are problems. Then they can use them like jumper cables to hook up a temporary pace maker without splitting you back open. Out of frame to the bottom is another small scar (1 inch?) from the drain tube. Then about an inch under my right nipple is another one inch scar that was from when they inserted another tube after my lung collapsed. Oops.

 

i'm glad to hear your on the road to recovery
good luck and take it easy
Zach

 

COLBY!!!
Glad to see you on here hun!!!
2007 is gonna be a great one for ya hun...
Still in my prayers every night...
xoxox
PV
(burb's gal)

 

Opps sorry for the name mispell...
I was typing while answer questions from my assistant...
xoxox

 

Yikes, doesn't sound or look like any fun. Glad to hear your doing better and will be back to "normal" in time for the upcoming cruzn season.

 

Hey Coby, glad you are doing so well. That rules!

 

Hang in there, man

 

Flesh Welding… Cool!
God bless, Coby.

 

Hey Coby, glad to see you are making it through this....youch!


Marcy

 

That sure does not sound like the best way to spend the holidays, but I am glad to hear you are on the mend and will be better than before with the repaired valve. I had a hernia surgery and it was only like 4 inches long, but I know exactly what you mean about the stomach muscles and not able to sit up out of bed, you have to roll on your side and then bring your knees up, then push your arm to make you into sitting position. Any laughing or coughing hurt like hell at first. Keep getting better and look forward to Paso!

 

Coby, glad to have you back!!!!........OLDBEET

 

Welcome to the club! I had Mitral valve replacment in '99,after, what I thought was a bad cold. The local hospital said they were gonna knock me out and put a camera down my innerds to see what the problem was. I woke up 4 days later, with tubes,wires etc. hanging out my chest. I heard a strange clicking noise,then they told me what happened.. 10 days after I went home,I got a endocardia infection, and had to have the bubbler tube inserted in my chest,kinda uncomfortable,but worth it.. I have nothing but praise for Dr. Tedder, and all of St. Thomas(Nashville )Hospital..every day IS a gift sparky

 

Holy shit dude, that makes me cringe to just look at it. Now I know how my wife felt when I came home from my open heart surgery (7 by-passes) and she had to clean the thing. Sure glad we have this technology today. It saved my life and let me find the HAMB

 

WOW. I am at a loss of words Coby. You have been in our thoughts, and I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to read your update. Typed and posted by you no less. The world isn't ready to lose you yet. Keep healing! *hugs*

 

been there...done that, I had my mitral repaired (not replaced), in 2001. Just relax and recover. Looking back, it was a full year before I returned to my normal asshole self.

 

Kick-ass man. Glad to hear you are home and getting better after all that.

 

So glad to have ya back, my friend!!

You're one of the GOOD ones...hope you keep on keepin' on for a LONG time to come!

 

SEE OH BEE WHY!!!!

Glad to see you'se back gettin on your feet bruddah... hang tough man...

 

Kick ass. You are a tough SOB. Yesterday I wore the Tshirt I bought off of you... I put it on and was wondering how you were doing. I guess I know now.

 

The 1st thread that I read this morning and it is of Coby! Awesome is all I can say. I will remember that if I am having a bad day or get a little booboo and want to fly off the wall about it, I will think of what you had just gone through and not be so selfish and think, shit, it could be worse. Glad to have ya back on here bro. We all have missed your presence at the local get togethers, the big events and on here as well. To a speedy recovery!!!!!!!!!!!! KNUX!

 

Coby, Real glad you are on the mend. I hope 2007 brings nothing but good health and all the surf you can ride !

41 Dave

 

I've had by-pass surgery twice 8 years apart, on different arteries. Six months later I was playing hockey at age 64. Last year a teammate had valve replacement at age 45. He was back on our team 4 months later. Proof that you can return to a very active life after these procedures. Good luck with your recovery.

 

I am aroused, THANKS!

Been praying for you man, happy your better.

 

glad to hear that your recovering.

 

I don't know you but glad things are okay. Hope the healing goes well. I have had a bad heart since I was 2 yrs old. 24 now and have had 5 surgeries over the years. I thank God for Modern medicine. It's amazing what they can do these days...

you'll be in our prayers...

 

My sentiments exactly. Glad you made it through. Get well.

 

Get a tattoo of a hand, a needle and some thread. You probably won't feel a thing after what you went through.

 

Man- Couldn't they just put a zipper on that damn thing? Velcro maybe? It'd be a riot at parties...expecially on Halloween. Chicks would totally dig you!

Anyways- Glad to see you back at it, and I'm thankful you're well and looking forward once again. I want to work with you some more, so when you feel up to it, let me know and we'll get things rolling. Maybe some drawing will be about all you'll want to do for awhile...!

Take care Amigo - Glad to see you back !

~Scotch~