Whether slow or fast, high or low, such congrats on your dance, Ken, with extra regards to your Isabelle!

To do is to be. - Socrates

To be is to do. - Sartre

Do-be-do-be-do. - Sinatra

Marilyn

Hi Ken,
Just checking in to see how your faring.Sounds like the "bod" is telling you
what it needs [go slow and rest] whether you
like it or not. Remember ,the dance goes on.
love, Ruth.

It's soooooooooo nice to read you ! You're so positive with such an elegant character. Thank you for all the info you give us, and thank you for getting better every day ! You deserve the best ! Bises, Dalal

Congrats Ken,

I too tire very easily when walking since my surgery on Aug 13. Take it slow and easy since this is a months-long process. Just imagine where you will be 6 months from now. A year from now?

Warm Regards,

Lee Castro

We love you too Ken!

Phil,Janet, and Louise Simone

Phil will call tomorrow AM

You're right on, if not ahead, of schedule good bro. See me smile. And, your No.1Fan sure wrote another fabulous set of lyrics to a fabulous song. Keep moving along in this good and proper manner. Yay and Woo hoo!
'Til later and 'til soon, sending lots and lots of love,
dj/bzzzz

I'm so glad you're doing so well! It's good to know Isa is there taking good care of you!
Love,
C

Hi Ken:: Glad to hear you are doing well, time will rush by and yu will be better then ever before you know it. Thanks for your post and letting us know your progress >>Best to you.>Gary/ Anita

Really sounds good Ken. I was getting a little nervous when we didn't hear from you.
Nancy

Man, you're a popular guy, aren't you?!

As everyone here (in this guestbook) I highly enjoyed reading your tid bits of adventure that summed up perfectly what was going on in your journey. Glad to hear your gown flaps proudly in the breeze as you walk off singing and whistling! You've always had that musical soul.

Love you lots!

Clelie

P.S. My goodness, No.1 Fan, yet another hit!
Surely the entire crowd is fueled by this special journal.

Marilyn

Popping in; perhaps you're en route, Ken. I think of the "G-d please give me patience & hurry up" prayer. Soon the Fall leaves will be brilliantly celebrating your healing walks!

Marilyn

If we could all meet and have a party for you, here's our song:
Hello, Kenny
Well Hello, Kenny,
It's so nice to have you back
where you belong~
You're lookin' swell, Kenny,
We can tell, Kenny,
You'll be glowin', you'll be crowin'
You'll be goin' strong~
We feel the room swayin'
The band's playin'
One of your old favorite songs
from 'way back when~
So, grab his hat fellas,
Find him another lap fellas,
Kenny'll never go away again. . .
Promise you'll never go away again!

Feel the love. . .
Your No. 1 Fan

It was great to see you Ken... scars and all!
I hope everything goes (went) smoothly for your "release"! and that you settle in at home and are able to get some more rest in the comfort of your own bed and surroundings. Do NOT try to do everything yourself.... that's what Izzy is there for. If she says" STOP" then please listen.... and let her do it. I will be checking up on you again!!

Take it easy,
Cathy

I hope one of Cathy's gifts was that dark chocolate Donna was recommending. I went on you tube to hear the song "You Can't Take That Away From Me" sung by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. It was before my time so I wasn't familiar with it. I also went on you tube to see what they had for hospital gowns and dancing. There are an incredible amount of videos of different hospital staff doing dancing and music in the hospitals. It seems to be something of a trend. I would have never thought?! I didn't find anything really amazing yet so I don't have anything worth recommending. I am sure you are looking forward to your exit tomorrow. I hope it will be a sunny day for you. Fortunately here in Alberta we have had 2 really beautiful sunny weeks of summer weather which we are really enjoying. Ariel

Ah, the I.V. stand on wheels, practically the same as Fred Astaire's coat rack. A perfect song and dance prop, indeed!
I've called a local To TV News Crew to video you singing and dancing prior to your departure, so it should hit Canadian News and then YouTube. Ho ho ho ho!
Hey, Ken's No.1Fan, are you ready for international fame as a lyricist?
Ah, this is all a proper celebration for going home tomorrow, Kenny, good bro. I am so very happy you sound so healthy with a renewed vigor. YAYYYYYYYY!
Now, please keep your Journal going for a little more time to chronicle how you are doing at home, for you are still healing up and have physical therapy to do, too, you know. Besides your No.1Fan and I need to put our heads together about more lyrics and Limericks. I need some time to turn my creative juices on. I just got back from the Missoula safari, so gone all day (dermatologist app't -- yeah several actinic keratoses and one barnacle liquid nitrogen frozen).
Hey, Lee needs to join in the song and dance, I do believe. Get ready! Why don't we put on a whole SHOW! Woo hoo!
Tip tap tapping and sing song singing a happy goodnight to you, dear bro.
Love, dj/bzzzz

I wish I could be there when you sing "You
Can't Take That Away From Me". . .your
ICU-issue-gown blowing in the breeze! I
have no song lyrics for you tonite (it's 7:45p
in Palm Springs & I just read your update,
it made me cry). . .you sound soooo happy!
Finally, after a week, it's all good news. I
will miss your friends and family, they have
given ME a gift also, just reading everyday
their words of encouragement to you, & their wild sense of humor.
And thank you
for the compliments on re-writing song
lyrics. . .when you are inspired, the words
just seem to flow. Donna, I hope Ken
doesn't close this wonderful journal before
I can read one of your limricks. . .it's been
fun!
Kenny's No. 1 Fan

Ken,

We are so happy you are doing well and going home ... Big hugs from us.

Suzanne and Pierre

Gown flappin in the breeze, you sound happy must have gotten a few whistles.

We are glad that you are on your way home and for good health.

Cozin hugs Elizabeth and Art

After one week away with no computer, I read this great news ! I am so pleased. Congratulations ! You should be our example to all of us.
Keep up the good work and continue giving us your news. Cheers and bises, Dalal

Ken: Glad you are going home. And especiallly glad you are doing so well>>Will talk atcha soon/////Love Gary/Anita >>>>>>

Hmmm... dancing in hospital gowns ... I'm sure there's something on youtube about that. I'll have to check it out. Hope the blood work goes well today. I guess we're going to have to start following your no. 1 fan and write you in limericks... something creative to do today.... Ariel

Argh! ANOTHER day! It's probably just retaliation by the doctor for that bad joke about the blood letting.

It's what we hams used to refer to as "Murphy's Law". So far it seems to be manifesting itself at every turn.

You should look on it as just another day to polish your farewell dance routine. I have a mental image of you dancing down the hall sideways in your peek-a-boo, x-rated, hospital gown (open at the back) tapdancing and singing the lyrics of one of the show tunes by your No. 1 fan. It would be a wow finish to a very bad movie!

Hang in there and Illegitimi Non Carborundum.

Regards,

Lee in Reno (Not your No. 1 Fan, but perhaps your No. 1 Critic).

Ken
Suzanne and I have been following your posting and progress with great interest.
Nous espérons que tu pourras venir nous voir pour des petites vacances au bord de la rivière Hudson dès que possible. Nous irons te voir à Toronto à notre prochain voyage.
With all our frienship and toughts.
Pierre (and Suzanne)

Hi Ken,
I finally figured out how to send you a message after 3 rejections from "reply".
I've followed your daily journal and it has
brought back Jack's bipass so clearly of
25 years ago.
May you have 25 years more to dance.
Love Ruth.

Wow, Kenny, your No.1Fan is also an expert at Limericks. Fabulous Limericks!
Hey, Ken's No.1Fan, you have a way with words!.
Sorry you have one more night be fore going home, Wzzzz, but sure happy to hear you are feeling healthy.
More L8R. Love and prayers and happy thoughts, dj/bzzzzz

Offer to supply your own leeches. Be verrrry, verrrry serious. Love, C

Hi Ken : Glad to hear you are felling betterI knew you would very soon, The A fib undoubtedly a nuisence but it will pass I'm sure, This is sure a great resource for communication but I'm sure you are looking forward to your own Bed again !!!! Take care and I'm sure next time I talk atcha it will be at your home>>>>>gr

It is just 2pm in Palm Springs and I enjoyed
your sisters comments. . .I have changed
from re-writing song lyrics to a limerick, a
coincidence that Donna mentioned her
talents in the same area. Here goes:

There once was a man so rare,
With charm and talent to spare:
He could sing and could dance
If given the chance--
Might even perform on a dare!

There once was a man so inclined,
To having his heart re-aligned:
He was brave through it all
Many walks down the hall--
To dance was his goal. . .so sublime!

Going home he smiled with glee,
Knowing soon he would be pain free,
And his No. 1 Fan
With a dare of a plan. . .sighed:
"Change Partners and Dance with Me!"

Your No. 1 Fan

Cuz,
Thinking of you today. Glad you will be getting home. That will make you feel better. Take it slow and easy. Kinow dancing just chil out. Wishing you warm
smiles, bright flowers and lots of sunshine.
Love you,
Ray

Great fun reading all your friends' comments, Kenny, my wonderful Bro. Lee's sense of humor is almost identical to mine, however I have been trying to behave myself on this forum. But, yeah, the brute force to yank out the copper wires gave me a huge chuckle. The long slow pull of the drain tubes, too. Not funny to you? Hey, there are old fashioned, non technological techniques that are just simpler and they work! :)
Now to No.1Fan. More "way to go" and great work. Kenny, I am flattered you thought it might be me, and I am ashamed that it is not. I haven't been able to get myself into funny lyrics mode. I also am ashamed that I haven't written you a single Limerick. I'm inundated with promised work to people and in a few minutes I have to go do "doggie duty" to let neighbors' dog out to pee. Oh, well. ANYWAY, I hope you are finding entertainment on this long, slow Sunday for you which is disappearing way too fast for me.
As you and some folks know, I have mitral valve prolapse and sometimes my heart does the most amazing dances and jigs into tachycardia (don't gasp, other readers, it has been doing this all my life and I am still here 73 years and 8 months later). You, Kenny, can't do what I do to make it behave because with your healing incisions it would hurt more than you can possibly want to find out. But, I deeply cough in a way that squeezes on the heart, which is like a slap upside the face of an out of control individual, and. voilá, it starts behaving!
Supplement those meds with 80% (or greater) heart healthy dark chocolate to keep your platelets slippery, your arteries and veins relaxed, your mood elevated, your brain happy, your bio-flavin levels high, and remember that cocoa butter tastes way better than fish oil and does the same thing.
Woo hoo! Laughter keeps the mucous out of your lungs and boosts your immune system, SO, let's have another set of lyrics from your No. 1Fan, and I'll try to write a Limerick in my non-existent free time.
Love you wonderful brother, Wzzzz. dj/bzzzz

Hi Ken—S’more congrats to you n’yours !

Yes, Lee in Reno,... am picking myself up off the floor from some of the descriptions.

I feel for the circumstance, Ken, of your friends being geographically farther away. Skype can add to conversation at least, for those having access to it. Surely Apple has a “beam me up Scotty” application in the making !

One moment at a time to life opening up to whatever wonder is in store for you. I have more faith in what I don’t know than in what I do know; redundant, but...

Signing off for now while my iTunes (computer) radio station plays a country gospel song the chorus of which is “G-d is great, beer is good & people are crazy” :)


Marilyn

After breakfast, just one last thought about Atrial Fibrillation.

As I always tell my doctor when he chides me about my High Blood Pressure.... "High Blood Pressure is better than no blood pressure at all!".

Perhaps the same philosophy applies to Atrial Fibrillation...

Later,

Lee in Reno

I have to observe that your descriptions of this procedure sound almost mediaeval. "Cutting drain holes, attaching jumper cables to the heart and then yanking them out".

I think just one more good "blood letting" and you should be ready for discharge.

I'm beginning to have my doubts about this Canadian Universal Health Care system....

Seems like the sooner you get back home the better off you'll be. A little dose of French Bordeaux should do wonders for your "vital signs". It always does for mine.

It's Sunday AM - Time to head out for breakfast - still searching for that Perfect Strawberry Waffle.....

Later,

Lee in Reno

Hi Ken, should just about be lunchtime. For me my day has been different, stayed home and made a great big batch of Stir Fry and it's pretty darn tasty if I say so myself. Other than the staff telling you you have A-Fib have you been able to detect it yourself. When my A-Fib kicks in I feel lightheaded and a bit dizzy and today I woke up with it and it's still going even after my meds. Enjoy your day and I'll CUL.

John

Nonno mi raccomando riprenditi presto così verrai da noi

(Post script to my message within a message to Isa:..... I'm mixed up on what day it is!!! Today is already Sunday.... so call me if you can make it up to my place later today, maybe stay for dinner and you can be back at the apartment by 9pm). .. If that's not stealing you from Ken for too long!
Cathy

Hi Ken!

Glad to hear you are doing so well and that all those scary sounding issues are "normal" for what you've been thru! Sounds like a good thing that Izzy is bringing in some better tasting food for you and coming in lots to see you... that's why she came after all!

I wish I could have come to visit you in hospital but that just isn't in the cards. Speaking of cards.... do you have a deck? (Are you playing with a full one?? LOL!) Are you up to some light amusements like that yet? Ask Izzy to bring some in if you like, even if you just play crazy 8's or old maid!

I shall come and have another visit with you and Izzy at the apartment once you are home and feeling up to some company. I left a little something to welcome you home.

Interesting lyrics to some of those songs by No. 1 Fan....

Keep up the "good work" of recovering. I remember my Mom having to use the spirometer thingy when she had pneumonia last year. I'm sure it must still hurt to cough or laugh, but laughter is the best medicine! "How many Canadians does it take to change a lightbulb?.....
None. Canadians don't change it.... they accept the lightbulb for what it is!!!" (Hear that on radio yesterday).

Ok.... I'll leave you with that!

(Isa: call me later.... I'd love to have you come up to our place if Ken is not coming home till Monday, maybe you can come for the day tomorrow? or later today and stay till lunch tomorrow? Let me know)
xoxoxoxoxo

I am learning for the first time, what Phil experienced during his heart procedure. Somewhat hard to read emotionally. Happy all is going well.
Dixie

Good to hear you might be out as soon as Monday. The best way to heal is outside the hospital and back home where you can really get some rest. Who is your number one fan anyway?

"You Can't Take That Away From Me"
(not ready to go home)

The way you wear your mask,
The way you grip your fee,
The mem'ry of all that--
No! no! you can't take that away from me!

The way my scars have seams,
The way you stitch and flee,
The way you flaunt my screams--
No! no! you can't take that away from me!

We can never, never meet again
On the road to ICU,
Still, I'll always, always keep
The mem'ry of---

The way you held that knife,
Kept me in a trance 'till three,
The way you changed my life--
No! no! you can't take that away from me...
Just keep me one more day, my plea!

Your No. 1 Fan

Wishing you the best and to see you at our next CCF dinner in November - my best Janine

Food - the way to a man's heart apparently - it works for you though!! Keep smiling. K3

I'm really enjoying your daily reports, BB. Tell Izzy that I ate a chicken Boca burger -- and liked it. (Shocking!) I'm so glad she's bringing you tasty food!
XXOO
C

Your No. 1Fan has done it again! Fantastic! You must sing that to the staff, too.
Too bad the food quality reverted to typical hospital fare. Oh, well. Hooray for the East Indian food Izzy brought. That's yummy!
Glad the Atrial Fibrillation is easily controlled and an expected occurrence for your procedure, so not super scary. The visit with the shrinks sounds interesting. This whole "valve job" is a complete adventure in so many ways.
Onwards and forwards to complete recovery and back to slaying dragons! Love you good brother mine. dj/bzzzz

Atrial Fibrillation.... So much to learn. Such complicated reactions. I think I had a car once that developed that problem.... Ran for years and was still doing it when I traded it in.

Izzy should be smuggling you in some treats to tide you over those bad meals.... I assume you're not on a restricted diet? I was always partial to a chocolate bar.

I'm assuming you're getting some good nap time or are busy walking the halls.... time better spent that way instead of texting on your Blog.

You're probably hoping for Sunday release but maybe not so anxious to be on your own until all the vital signs settle down.

Maybe it sounds more scary than it really is....Or not.

73

Lee in Reno

Good morning Ken, well I'm wondering if they'll send you home tomorrow with those unstable BP readings? Have they suggested any blood thinner meds? I'll give you my take on those also.

John

You must be on the mend as you are talking about food and conversation. This is wonderful.

Please mention how long until your are discharged, then what happens?

Keep on Trucken, Elizabeth

Glad to hear you had a good egg. I believe eggs are a comfort food and I still enjoy them often. See if they have some bananas too - those can really hit the spot too. I made some delicious banana oatmeal muffins yesterday and banana blueberry cake this morning. I'm sending you a piece by wish mail! Thanks for the updates. How long do you have to stay there? Ariel

Hydro Morphine Explanation:

You do something to me
Something that simply mystifies me.
Tell me, why should it be
You have the power to de-sensitize me?

Let me live 'neath your spell
Do do that Voodoo
That you do so well. . .

For you do something to me
That no other drug can do!

Your No. 1 Fan