Well I had great plans to write a little summary of how we got to this point. Given my last long post you can imagine there is a lot more to tell. Today I was planning to sit back and write a "
Coles Notes version" type of post where I could expand on things later when I have plenty of time trying to ignore the pain etc.
Unfortunately, we don't have any
internet access at the hotel we're staying at tonight. In fact the
internet is down over a 2 or 3 block radius so I'm now frantically trying to reply to emails and write this post on my
wifi access at Starbucks. Unfortunately you only get one, two hour continuous free bee and time is running out.
So here's what you've got to look forward to if you continue to tune into this blog over the next few weeks.
First, it won't
necessarily be real time updates but Denise will make a post tomorrow letting everyone know how the surgery goes. The word today is that I have to be at the hospital at 4:45 AM - what the hell is up with that, can't a guy get to sleep in a bit on a day like this! Oh well that means everything should be done by noon although I just spoke with the
anesthesiologist who said I'll be fully out for about 12 hours so it might not be till late tomorrow before I see my lovely wife tell me all is good!
Next I'll finish putting together the story about how we got to this point including being told by Dr. Ada that I could not dive! Those who know me know that was not a pretty day!
Then on to sorting out insurance and plane tickets for the whole family to head out on an all day marathon trip to CA through Tokyo (and Nagoya). Remember we had a 2 &1/2 year old and a 7 month old - and a guy with a bad heart wondering if he was having angina pain!
Once in LA there was a series of tests with the cardiologist, lots of waiting in a small hotel in downtown LA.
A full house with Nana added to the mix. No complaints, I'm not sure what we would have done without her!
Living in downtown LA and using public transit while trying to keep a 2 & 1/2 year old occupied provides for it's own book of interesting stories and I have a few.
Finally, after getting a diagnosis and a plan it was time to send Denise and the kids up to
Kelowna for a week or so while I tried to fight off the cold they all got. Have you ever seen a 2 & 1/2 year old sneeze a string of snot so long it almost hit the floor! This at the airport as I saw them off, only one bunched up
Kleenex ready to go - it wasn't enough.
Kudos to Denise for being able to make the trip up north, sick as a dog with two little ones just as sick as her so daddy could have a week on his own to get his thoughts together and avoid getting sick himself.
So what does a guy facing open heart surgery do for a week in Southern California without the wife and kids? Road Trip to San Diego of course.
More to come on that but it was exactly what the Dr. ordered.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder and it didn't take long to be missing everyone including that 2 1/2 year old mucus machine!
A 4 day trip up to Canada, a golf game with the closest of friends and a couple of days with my sister and her kids while being on hand to watch Morgan settle in nicely with grandma, grandpa and
Auntie (and the kitties too). Then of course getting to watch the
Olympics on Canadian TV was just a bonus!
With only 4 or 5 days left it was time for Denise and I to get some very much deserved alone time. It's been tough without the kids but I'm thankful for getting the time we've just had together. She's the best! It was the first time in 2 & 1/2 years that we didn't need to worry about anyone except ourselves! Throw in a nice room (complete with upgrade) overlooking the Pacific on
Redondo beach and I'm almost ready to get this over with and start the process of recovery!
So here we go.... Wake up call at 4:15, probably not much point in having a shower since they apparently shave you from head to toe for this type of surgery. You're welcome, I hope you enjoyed the visual as much as I'm going to enjoy the itching and scratching for months afterwards!
Cheers for now! Lots to come and thanks for all the wishes, prayers and good vibes!
Once a year the Rotary District Governor makes his way from Japan to the islands of Micronesia stopping on Saipan for dedication ceremonies and of course the golf tournament. The charity event helps raise awareness and funds for the Rotary Club whose motto is Service above Self". This year the governor was on hand to officially open the Skateboard Park in Garapan giving youth a safe place to skate rather than see them utilizing busy roadways and sidewalks.
Twenty-nine golfers took part in the double Peoria style event on the West course of Lau Lau Bay. This format is really all about luck and is designed to give all participants a chance to win regardless of skill level. With the help of the District Governor, Saipan Rotary President Ben Babauta kicked off the event at precisely 7AM shot gun style. With this type of start each group begins play at different holes technically making it more likely they will all finish at about the same time – LUNCH TIME.
Hole # 7 was designated the closest to the pin and since there were many volunteers hard at work at this one that is where I ended up getting most of my shots of all the participants. It’s a pretty par 3 with water at the side of the tee box and an uphill climb to a green that is surrounded by bunkers. By the end of the morning only 4 or 5 of the 29 actually hit the green giving them a shot at one of the only prizes requiring any skill.
Lau Lau Bay Golf Resort has two full length courses. Our tournament was played on the West course which is the less spectacular of the two. The East course lines the cliffs of the Pacific and although it costs a little more to play it is definitely worth it. Our course for the day may not have had the views but with plenty of man made water hazards and bunkers it is no less challenging and always well maintained. On the West course the 18th hole tee box provides the most spectacular view of the bay.
(The new club house being built)
Here's a few action shots including the Governor sort of doing a fist pump as he goes to pull his ball from the hole. A couple of good outs from the trap on 7 and even a few putts disappearing into the cup.
When it was all said and done I’d say it’s safe to say a good time was had by all although some seemed to win an exceedingly high percentage of the raffle prizes! The overall winner on the course was Vince Attao who pocketed the $500 first place prize while Yasu Irinaka finished 2nd winning $400 and Ed Manibusan rounded out the top 3 poketing $300. Other big winners included Rotarian Angelo Villagomez who took home one of two $500 gift certificates good for any flight on NWA. Not so bad for a mornings work!
Thanks Governor and to all those who participated and volunteered, it was a fun day with proceeds going to good causes!
Posts
