Update to Brain surgery thread.

[the ringo kid]

Carl,

This certainly sounds like great news, especially since it could be a definitive milestone towards eliminating most, if not all, of these medical problems. Will you be having the surgery at Brackenridge in Austin?

My only question for the surgeon (or surgical team) would be concerning their number of surgeries completed in the past, and their successful outcomes (this should be as close to 100% as possible).

We certainly hope that all of the procedures will be very successful so that you can return to full-time work in your profession. That will also permit you to make more meaningful contributions to your "Gun Budget"!

Please continue to keep us posted.

Hi Bill,im not fully sure yet? They said most likely it will be here in Corpus,but if they think better? then would be in Austin. They said if its here? most likely ill be at either Spohn Memorial, or Spohn Shoreline. Part of the if--is on what date they will actally set me up for? They only have two Neurosurgeons here in Corpus--so that's why Austin is open in case.

That was something I forgot to ask--how many surgeries they have done. When I had my gallbladder removed, the surgeon I had had done fifteen thousand during her time and only lost one patient who had some preexisting condition. She had asked if I had any concerns? I told her I couldnt think of any and she said I was going to be operated on at seven the next morning. All I remember is the trip down stairs and the gas--then waking up sometime later. This lady was fantastic.This operation ususlly lasts upwards to about ninety minutes--and mine was only half that time.I was told I was easily the easiest patient she ever had. Sadly, I dont think she is praticing any longer? Not only did Ithink she did an excellent job--but she had a great sense of humor.

Speaking of gun budget.For now thats down to zero but--I do have a bit of good news. Since I was missing all day Sat and most of Sunday--I was at the gun show. I had brought trading material with me--which consisted of several bayonets I wanted to get rid of-and a few boxes of ammo. Well, I had been lugging this stuff with me but not really trying to sell or trade yet-came across a guy who had about a hundred handguns on his table and I looked about.While looking he asked if he could look at my bayonets--which I handed over. After a few minutes,he asked if I was letting go of the small collection-and I said yes. He said--he was interested in the whole schmoo.

None of these bayonets was worth much in my opinion--which was why I was cutting back on my collection. I still have four or five. anyway,he asked what I wanted--I said I had no set price in mind and just make me an offer. He said he could give me slighly over two hundred in trade for anything on his table. AllI had paid for those bayonets--was about thirty dollars. These except one--were the worst of what I had at home.

I said well,im interested in that Heritage Arms SSA Rough Rider twenty two he had.His was priced with atx--about two eighty-five. He toldme that someone who just left his table before I got there-was interested in a few certain bayonets--all of which were the ones I had with me. This guy was a Marine vet from the Vietnam war--also been in Law Enforcement for thirty-five years. Well,I still had some trade ammo with me and he was interested in it too. I paid about nineteen bucks for the three packs of CCI Stingers, and he said he would give me fourty for the three. The average price for them at this show was roughly sixteen to about twenty five per fifty. He gave me seventeen per pack in trade. So basically,, I got a NIB Rough Rider for less than twenty five bucks. While we were making this deal--the guy who wanted bayonets came back and ogled those blades. Once he found those had been mine--he asked if I had others I wanted to get rid of?I said I still had four or five and could possibly sell them. I told him I had two I would give to him if he gave me an address to send them to? I toldhimI had two AK-fourty seven bayos from Nam--one with brown and the other with black handles.These probably aint worth much--I think I got them about ten years ago for about ten each? These are minty-no dings etc. So,as of Tuesday--these will be going out to someone who can appreciate them more than I can.

Next show is in August and im HOPING all the militaria I want to sell off-is sold by then.I want a Henry in fourty five--or three fifty seven--and in a bad way. Also I "need" another GI fourty five. I found an Auto Ordnance GI.NiB for about four-fifty. The dealer gets them in allthe time-sowill have them at the next show. Im also hoping another member here--will be at that show--because he has a Luger im interested in providing it doesnt sell by then? Ill buy that before I buy that Henry I want.

 

[the ringo kid]

Praying and rooting for you, Ringo. We need your vast knowledge of old movies here, so get well quickly.

State of the art for that kind of surgery is most impressive, so you should do fine with one more hole in your head.

Thank you sir and, if my dad were still alive? he would have a field day on this one. He always said I had too many holes in the head-guess he will be right on this one. Yes-my family has a sick sense of humor.and I think I inherited it.

Thats what im best known for--having a vast knowledge but--usually on things I cant make a living with.

 

[BigBill]

Prayers and thoughts are sent, your going to be fine.

My son had brain surgery at 10yo, he's 40yo and still a PIA nothing changed. He has two degrees in engineering and is starting to rack up the patents now.

Modern technology is unbelievable now since then. You will be ok.

God bless, bill

 

[the ringo kid]

Ringo, are you having DBS surgery? My wife has DBS surgery 11 months ago to address her Parkinson's symptoms and the results were miraculous.

Im not sure of the proper terminology for it but,this one is where they insert a wire of somekind which sends electronic signals to the brain to keepit from giving me the shakes. Tonight im going to watch that dvd i was given and will see what allut says. Ill be trying to get here tomorrrow to post anything good I canget from it.

Im glad it did wonders for your wife. My older sister and a Cousin have the samething I do,only mines worse.I remember people telling me as far back as ninety six--that they noticed my shaking--which I nerver noticed myself. It was nine years later when i was diagnosed with it. Even then--I still never noticed anything was wrong.

 

[soFlaNative]

Thoughts and prayers from here along with hopes for a successful outcome and speedy recovery.

God Bless

 

[the ringo kid]

All is going according to plan,may not be our plan,but The Lord has a plan. You will be fine.

I do totally believe in that. Case in point--when I was still living in Austin--I collapsed twice--the second time I didnt passout competely. My brother discovered me laying in the front yard at about nine PM,and called the ambulance. They got there about three minutes later and the guy treating me--took my BP--said it was at thirty. He said since I was on the ground for thirty minutes--that it was more likely at twenty five. He told me people almost never survive BP that low and he has lost many and frankly told me--I should have been dead. I wound up in the hospital for about five days to be tested--and they still couldnt really figure it out? I was taking Propranolol--which is a high BP med--but it was prescribed to calm my shakes. They THINK that that was what causedmy collapse?but never really proved it.Anyway ,they cancelled that medicine and I havent collapsed since then. I still get dizzy when doing exercise walks.

 

[loknload]

Thoughts and prayers your way Ringo, I hope all goes well and I'm sure that it will!

 

[keith44spl]

Prayers offered up....Get well soon


Dave

 

[the ringo kid]

Hope your surgery goes well, Physical therapy and occupational therapists are your guide to a quick recovery.

Consult your physician about taking a laxative before surgery.
There is Nothing worse than bearing down for a bowel movement with a migraine headache.

Papa

I know well about that.I used to have migraines when i was about ten or so? I never felt so much pain before-almost like my skull was being ripped apart. Thankfully I havent had one sinse.

 

[the ringo kid]

Here's another Texan keeping his fingers crossed for you.

Thank you sir. With all your thoughts--I see nothing bad happening at all. I dont know if the Lord listens to the British but--ive a few there putting in a good word too. A friend of mine is mailing me a few boxes of Westminster tea.

 

[the ringo kid]

Ringo, you might wanna tell 'em to take a few before pictures so they don't cross any wires when they put you back together!

All your friends here will be there for support and prayers before, during and after. We definitely got you covered buddy.

Thank you sir and, maybe thats my problem? a few wires crossed and out of place? I dohope that one thing does go wrong--in that I hope my metabolism gets set on maximum overdrive. Id love to be skinny as a rail in a year.

 

[the ringo kid]

It sounds like your mentally ready for this. It would scare me half to death! Hope everything goes well and you come through this OK. All of us on the forum will be thinking of you and waiting for your results.

I am.They were originally supposed to set me up for surgery in oh five--but never got around to doing it. I saw two different Neurologists back then.Both agreed on surgery--but the one who wasgoing to set it up--moved his practce to Scottsdale, Arizona. The other--wanted me on drugs for another year. I did for one month then said no more as they were not working.After that,I stopped the visits--wound up eventually moving to Houston-then Austin and back here in eleven. I started up with another Neurologist here-who was the only one who was against surgery, and wanted me on the same drugs I had taken before--and to which he even said--would not help me any. I stopped seeing this guy and he wound up retiring a few months later.

 

[the ringo kid]

You will have prayer support from here, for sure. I hope you don't mind a Baptist praying for you!

Thank you Dave and I dont mind. The more the merrier. I know several good people who are Baptist and even went to their services a few times even though im a Methodist.

 

[the ringo kid]

My neurologist convinced me to get a brain biopsy when my CNSV flared again. She was looking for markers (or whatever they look for). It scared me. But a week before the scheduled operation, the neurosurgery department took the time to make an appointment to explain the operation and any questions I may have.

On the day of the operation, the anaesthesiologist asked me to count from backwards starting from a 100. I got to 98.

The surgeon woke me up to tell me the surgery went well. Other than the tube I had to remove in order to relieve my bladder, the entire thing was fairly easy. Fear made it bigger than it actually was.

I have a quarter size hole above my right ear just like Ladder13's brother. The hole is now covered by harden scar tissue. It feels like the same as regular bone.

The results of the biopsy was they couldn't find anything.

Heh heh,I hope I fall asleep as quickly as that. I was kind of wondering about scars and hopefully my hair will grow enough nearby to kind of hide it...

 

[the ringo kid]

Prayers your way. Hope they get all the parts where they belong. Wouldn't want to come out with a screw loose. God bless before, during, and after for a quick recovery.

heh heh,I already have a screw loose but hope the wires are put back correctly? Wheres Dr.McCoy and Mr.Spock when they are needed?

 

[the ringo kid]

Prayers sent from Southside VA. Trust your Dr., everything will go just fine! Hope you are not missing from here very long.

Thank you and me too. Im not yet sure which hospital ill be at? but if here in Corpus?im hoping it will be Drs. Regional as they have the best wifi. They also have a much much better cafeteria too.

 

[Pop's2]

Good luck....will say a prayer for you.

I taped my visits with the oncologist and surgeons ( they didn't like it) but when the Dr says CANCER your mind doesn't focus on much else.

 

[JayAychOh]

.....Praying for you, Ringo. You're on my list.

 

[the ringo kid]

Good luck....will say a prayer for you.

I taped my visits with the oncologist and surgeons ( they didn't like it) but when the Dr says CANCER your mind doesn't focus on much else.

I hear you on that. I lost a brother to it and he never smoked--lung cancer at thirty three. A friend of mine lost his voice due to it but seems to be doing well with his treatment. I wouldnt wish cancer--even on my worst enemy if I had one?

 

[the ringo kid]

.....Praying for you, Ringo. You're on my list.

Thank you sir. One thing I am really looking forwards to--is getting back to the gun range. Right now my hands just shake too much to be safe with anything other than a rifle. I have been wanting to test out the last two revolvers I managed to get. One is a thirty eight special--the other a twenty two.