I'm back---I think

[Bearcarver]

Hi gang,
Sorry I've been missing for awhile. I hope you all missed me

. I've been feeling lousy for weeks. Didn't know if my aneurysms grew, or my aortic valve got worse (smaller), or what was going on. I got blood work done---Showed no change. Moved up my annual echocardiogram----No major change either. Saw my cardiologist----No change he could find. He had me cut my BP meds in half (Diovan). A couple days later I started feeling better, but then my BP went up. Now I'm trying to regulate the Diovan to reach a happy medium between high BP & feeling bad. It's not easy to do, because the main problem with my BP is a tortured aorta with a coarctation I was born with. We didn't know about the coarctation, until I was 59, when it caused two aneurysms. I don't feel too bad right now, so we're thinking it was too much Diovan that caused me to feel like a truck ran over me. Eventually I'm going to have to have two different open heart surgeries.

Meanwhile I had ordered a belly for bacon, but I felt so bad I cut it in 3 pieces and froze it. I thawed it out the other day, and got a 6 pound Boston butt to add to the smoke. They should all be done curing by Sunday, so I'm planning on smoking some BBB and some Belly bacon on or about Monday, weather & health permitting.

So at least for the time being I'm back. Expect some Qview around Tuesday, if I can figure out how to post pictures with this new "iMac".

Bearcarver

 

[the dude abides]

Welcome back bear. I had no idea you had these health problems. Thoughts and prayers headed your way that you'll be feeling great very soon.

I'm no doctor, but should bacon be on your menu? I know we've all heard that bacon makes everything better, but I don't think we should all take that seriously.

Speedy recovery to ya pal.

 

[acemakr]

Wow, we all hope you are able to cope and get better. My prayers are with you and your family.

 

[old poi dog]

I hope you're feeling better. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[buffalosmoke]

Glad to hear you are doing better!

 

[scarbelly]

Welcome back Bear - glad to hear you are feeling better. Hope you get that pesky BP issue under control. I went thru 4 meds before they found one that did not make me cough and gag every morning so I know how that can be -

 

[gnubee]

Bear , so glad you've re-surfaced, kind of missed you in the Chat.

I had to have two stents put in my heart and they did some work on one valve and now the old pumper seems fine. Good luck with Your operations I hope they turn out as well as mine did.

My GP doctor put me on nadalol (sp) which levels out your BP and heart rate. The trouble is that it makes your heart slow to react to an increase in exercise or exertion it doesn't let the heart speed up quickly as needed like it does if your not taking the stuff. When the cardiologist read that I have been put on nadalol he told me to quit taking the stuff. As soon as I quit it I felt far better. Getting your meds right is often the whole battle.

 

[tjohnson]

Thoughts and Prayers Your Way!

TJ

 

[Bearcarver]

Thanks for all of your thoughts & prayers. I plan on hangin' in there awhile.

Hey Dude,
I make a lot more bacon than I eat. So far I gave most away. I only eat it on average twice a week, and only about 2 pieces at a time, not a pound at a time like I used to. My problem wasn't caused by how I eat. It was caused by mechanical problems I was born with. Since I spent 3 years in the Army, did a tour in Vietnam, worked construction all of my life, and was MVP 4 years in a row on a Bethlehem Steel championship ball team, I often wonder how I would have done without these problems.


BC

 

[jacksmoke]

Welcome back, get well/better, and smoke healthy eats!

 

[chefrob]

welcome back and hope you start feeling better.........