A Near Miss/There's No Place Like Home

George Grand
George Grand Posts: 12,258
edited November 2008 in The Clubhouse
1. The heart thing was totally unplanned.

2. It doesn't hurt as much as a good kidney stone.

3. A kidney stone won't kill you but one of these will.

4. Thanks for all the kind words. This should've finished me off but didn't, and to the few lovers I have out there, HA-HA, eat me!

I was sitting reading the newspaper about 8 in the morning 14 Nov. No acrobatics or anything and something like "ripped" horizontally across my chest, and then vertically. That's what it felt like. I thought it was just a kinked muscle or real good charleyhorse, so I spent a few minutes twisting my shoulders around thinking I could unkink it. No dice. Now ever since retirement, my primary response to just about everything is to take a nap. THAT would've been the end for sure. When my right arm went completely numb I woke Stephie up, and told her I needed to get to the ER. While I was getting dressed Stephie called Theresa up on the 4th floor, and she met us down in the ER. I barely remember anything after that. Theresa was given a choice between Deborah Heart & Lung Center here in South Jersey, or HUP (Hospital University Pennsylvania) across the river. She picked HUP, and if it wasn't so overcast they were going to helicopter my **** over there, time was that much of the essence. I had 4 hours from the onset before I'd bleed out internally. 4 hours is not an unreasonable nap for me, so enough on that subject. I was on the table for 9 hours. I had a whole bunch of **** that had happened, some of it there since birth. Instead of three aortic valves I was born with two, and one wasn't fully up to speed since birth. They gave me a new plastic one of those. The "ripping" that I felt at 8 AM was my aortic dissection, which I understand is really just the damn thing unravelling.

What basically followed was 12 days of absolutely terrible food, and trying to sleep with needles, tubes, hoses, and all other kinds of **** going every which way. The only cool thing was a Georgian (ex-Soviet type) roommate named Valery that I missed like crazy as soon as he checked out.

Don't go messing with this stuff cause it'll **** you up good, but still doesn't hurt like a wicked kidney stone. I finally started to come around out of the grog on my birthday believe it or not. I did not know that it was my birthday, or that somebody had tied helium balloons to the foot of the bed. Through the haze they looked like guys who were trying to get over the top onto me so I started kicking the **** out of them.

And that's that. I can't lift more than 10 lbs for a few months so I'm out of vinyl and audio circulation for that duration, but **** it, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Post edited by George Grand on
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2008
    Glad you're ok George!
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited November 2008
    Welcome back - glad you are ok and it is something you can recover from. Take a nap for the winter and you will be back to your old self by spring. (or maybe summer)

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited November 2008
    Glad to hear you're back, George.
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited November 2008
    Phew, welcome back-Glad you're OK. :cool::cool:

    So when you're all better, are you planning on doing those things you never did, such as skydiving or travelling the world or anything? Or something less insane like selling all of your stuff at insanely low prices? :eek:;):D
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited November 2008
    Good news. Makes for a better Thanksgiving. Glad you got better, George.
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited November 2008
    George - good to hear and glad you have kept your attitude, based on your post. The physical healing goes faster when you have a kick-**** attitude. Hang in there, I want to see you at the next PolkFest!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2008
    Double G,, man, you don't mess around--dissecting aortic aneurysm--that is some serious shite,,, glad you ok GI,, Take it easy and enjoy the holidays,,careful driving,,if you are able/allowed.

    George
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited November 2008
    George, man, I TOLD you....trying to keep up with Wendi will kill you. Do what I did, hire a subcontractor.

    Seriously, glad that you are ok.....we like having you around.

    T&W
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited November 2008
    Great news George. Glad you were in a place where you could get help and your daughter was there to help you. :)



    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited November 2008
    Don't make me come up there and bat you on the head, do what the doc's tell you. . . and oh yeah damn Sam I am glad you are okay.
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  • jtgranby
    jtgranby Posts: 887
    edited November 2008
    George

    Glad to hear you are almost back in the saddle. I know you realize you are one lucky SOB;) This is great news to hear.

    Jim
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  • Ron-P
    Ron-P Posts: 8,516
    edited November 2008
    It's great to have you back on the board brotha. I'll tip one back for ya right now for a speedy recovery. No more then 10lbs? Got the misses lifting that thing when it's time to go wee......:)
    If...
    Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
    Ron loves a film = don't even rent.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,456
    edited November 2008
    Welcome back and glad to hear that you're still older than I am.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited November 2008
    Amen.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,066
    edited November 2008
    Great news George. Kudo's to you for quick reaction to the situation. Other guys would try to be macho & overlook it. That would have been the last thing they would be doing.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited November 2008
    Welcome back. I'm glad things turned out as well as they did.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,411
    edited November 2008
    Welcome back, glad you are on the road to recovery
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited November 2008
    Glad you're ok and still you're old self. :)

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,185
    edited November 2008
    Glad to hear you are ok, Looks you have something else to be thankful this year.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • fossy
    fossy Posts: 1,378
    edited November 2008
    Glad you made it through, that can take your life easily if you had not been on top of the situation.

    Ya have plenty of listenin time.Enjoy some tunes & take it easy.
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  • Fireman32
    Fireman32 Posts: 4,845
    edited November 2008
    Geroge glad to hear that your ok. You gave us all a scare. It's good that you did not take a nap. Do what the DR says and get better. Let me know if you need anything.
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,806
    edited November 2008
    God damn George!

    You were extremely lucky. Your aorta, think of it as the main valve body on the hydraulic system in an airplane. If that decides to **** the bed on you, your plane crashes out of control. I think somebody was watching over you that day!

    Glad to hear you are OK. I'm still rootin' for ya! Yeah and Happy Thanksgiving you got alot to be thankful for this year. I'll be sure to pay Casa De No Concerno a visit before Christmas rolls around.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • tentoze
    tentoze Posts: 133
    edited November 2008
    Jesus, you're trying to up the scar factor to the point that you beat me- no deal. Get out of bed and get on with it, you sponge-diving fool.
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited November 2008
    [QUOTE=Jstas;I'll be sure to pay Casa De No Concerno a visit before Christmas rolls around.[/QUOTE]

    Deal John. I should have plenty of time to be a bitchin' host.

    Jesse you suck. The first crack about the older thing you made to Stephie's post had my stitches stretched to the max.

    Thanks very much to ALL you guys. See you @ PolkFest!!

    I didn't know you had one of these Eric. Serves you right for being an **** and selling **** titles.
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  • Roy Munson
    Roy Munson Posts: 886
    edited November 2008
    Welcome home George!
    2 Channel:
    Amp/Parasound Halo A23
    Pre/Carver C-1
    Tuner/Carver TX-11a
    CDP/Jolida JD 100A
    Turntable/AR XB-Shure V15 III
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited November 2008
    It's good to have you back George. Take it easy. Just think of it as another great story to tell your grandkids. Not worse than a kidney stone? Then I guess I've seen it all.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited November 2008
    George, thanks for sharing your story. I am so glad to be reading this thread instead of your obituary. You have something to be really thankful about this year. It's good to know you're back to being your old self. Get well and kick ****!

    BTW, Happy Birthday young man!
    Carl

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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2008
    Damn George, you stared death in the face and laughed at it.. you are one lucky SOB!

    Glad you are feeling better... take it easy for a while... we need you around for a lot longer. :D
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • joeparaski
    joeparaski Posts: 1,865
    edited November 2008
    Wow, amazing story....I'm glad you're around to tell it. Take care of yourself and use the remote.

    Joe
    Amplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited November 2008
    George! Welcome back I'm so glad you are on the road to recovery! Take it easy, follow MD's orders, STOP SMOKING!!!! And have a great Thanksgiving! You truly have something to be thankful for!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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