So, for the few of us that still post here...

**TonyT** · 06-21-12, 09:11 PM

I've been 56 for 22 days.

**Mad_Haggis** · 06-21-12, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by mnosteele52

44

Found Speedguide long ago in the Windows 98 days, I was learning how to optimize my connection for broadband.

44 here.

G O <<< R E D S K I N S ! ! !

**blebs** · 06-22-12, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by Randy

blebs wtf is wrong with your lungs!? with all the medical advances today did they ever give you a correct diagnosis? is there a name for that?

Yes I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis after bronchoscopy and open lung biopsy. It didn't stop there. In 95, I had a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm, which should have killed me then, but somehow I survived it. In 2002, I had my aortic valve replaced, a cyst removed from the apex of my heart and well, I'm all screwed up now. Last Oct and Nov had me really thinking this was coming to a close soon. 3 major hospitalizations in 31 days. Afib with rapid ventricular response, Renal Failure, then a major upper GI bleed.

You just never know when the other shoe will drop. You learn to appreciate each day.

**mnosteele52** · 06-22-12, 09:14 AM

Wow blebs, you have had some serious medical issues, you are a true miracle and I can see why you appreciate each and every day.

**YARDofSTUF** · 06-22-12, 09:45 AM

Proof that we DO have the technology to rebuild blebs.

**RoundEye** · 06-22-12, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Paft

25 here. Since I joined, I've graduated high school, held down multiple jobs in three different states, gotten married, and joined the Navy. It's been one hell of a trip.

You’re lucky you got married before you put those glasses on. Does the Navy make you wear those BCD’s or is that your choice frames?

**RoundEye** · 06-22-12, 03:07 PM

"Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis" damn man, do you think they could've thought of a longer name?

Hey man I heard they're using pig valves now, did they do that to you?

**blebs** · 06-22-12, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by RoundEye

"Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis" damn man, do you think they could've thought of a longer name?

Hey man I heard they're using pig valves now, did they do that to you?

No. I was already put on Coumadin for what they thought was a blood clot in the apex of my heart, but it turned out to be a cyst instead. They took the cyst out, which left the apex paralyzed, so my heart doesn't fill with blood fast enough to keep up with oxygen demands. I have a St. Jude Mechanical valve and Dacron aortic conduit. My woes haven't stopped. I now have a 4.3 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm. I'll be getting my next echo in September. If it's grown more, it's time to take action. Hopefully it can be stented by catheter. I'll never make it through a major surgery again.

In 1993, I was called into my doctors office and told that I wouldn't be around in 10 years. I'm still here. I can only tell you that I've been through hell and back and honestly, I'm getting very tired of it all. I'm not saying this for sympathy or anything else. I just want those that are still able bodied to remember that all of that can change in an instant.

**RaisinCain** · 06-22-12, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by blebs

No. I was already put on Coumadin for what they thought was a blood clot in the apex of my heart, but it turned out to be a cyst instead. They took the cyst out, which left the apex paralyzed, so my heart doesn't fill with blood fast enough to keep up with oxygen demands. I have a St. Jude Mechanical valve and Dacron aortic conduit. My woes haven't stopped. I now have a 4.3 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm. I'll be getting my next echo in September. If it's grown more, it's time to take action. Hopefully it can be stented by catheter. I'll never make it through a major surgery again.

In 1993, I was called into my doctors office and told that I wouldn't be around in 10 years. I'm still here. I can only tell you that I've been through hell and back and honestly, I'm getting very tired of it all. I'm not saying this for sympathy or anything else. I just want those that are still able bodied to remember that all of that can change in an instant.

And you'll be around for many more years. You are a fighter (obviously). I hope and pray that you and yours are alright and if you need ANYTHING please let me know- I will help if I can.

**RoundEye** · 06-22-12, 08:20 PM

Damn blebs you've been through hell. Not many people have had more surgeries than me, ………….. but damn!

I’ve had five orthopedic, screws, plates etc. (18in 10out). One other surgery. Luckily no heart.

**Russell** · 06-22-12, 11:11 PM

43 here. Don't post too much anymore, but still browse through quite a bit.

**Paft** · 06-23-12, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by RoundEye

You’re lucky you got married before you put those glasses on. Does the Navy make you wear those BCD’s or is that your choice frames?

I could get new ones, but it's not worth it right now. I figure when I get back from deployment, I'll get my eyes checked again (on the Navy's dime) and get a new pair or two (also on the Navy's dime).

**YARDofSTUF** · 06-23-12, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by Paft

I could get new ones, but it's not worth it right now. I figure when I get back from deployment, I'll get my eyes checked again (on the Navy's dime) and get a new pair or two (also on the Navy's dime).

Tactical Contacts.

***YeOldeStonecat*** · 06-23-12, 07:12 AM

On the northern 1/2 of my 40's.

**blebs** · 06-23-12, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Russell

43 here. Don't post too much anymore, but still browse through quite a bit.

Hey ya young punk, nice to see you!

**The Dude** · 06-23-12, 09:19 AM

54

**Randy** · 06-23-12, 10:07 PM

Blebs Wow! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiopat...haemosiderosis

thats a rare one! about 1 in every million has Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis

and you have survived past expectations with added complications. Your one tough SoB!

**Randy** · 06-23-12, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by Paft

I could get new ones, but it's not worth it right now. I figure when I get back from deployment, I'll get my eyes checked again (on the Navy's dime) and get a new pair or two (also on the Navy's dime).

I remember you used to have a fro like the dude lmfao... you joined SG when you were 14 ish!

**blebs** · 06-24-12, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by Randy

Blebs Wow! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiopat...haemosiderosis

thats a rare one! about 1 in every million has Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis

and you have survived past expectations with added complications. Your one tough SoB!

Not tough. Just incredibly lucky. As the heart surgeon put it to me after surviving the ruptured aneurysm, "Someone upstairs is looking out for you, that's for sure. There is no medical reason on this earth that you should have survived that surgery." I don't mind saying that it's getting tougher and tougher to breath, so .............

**cybotron r_9** · 06-24-12, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by blebs

Not tough. Just incredibly lucky. As the heart surgeon put it to me after surviving the ruptured aneurysm, "Someone upstairs is looking out for you, that's for sure. There is no medical reason on this earth that you should have survived that surgery." I don't mind saying that it's getting tougher and tougher to breath, so .............

You are a survivor! Good for you, just not your time to go yet.

RaisinCain said it best.

And you'll be around for many more years. You are a fighter (obviously). I hope and pray that you and yours are alright and if you need ANYTHING please let me know- I will help if I can.

Ditto!