Get well Soon Charlie!

[Charlie]

Thanks for all the kind thoughts and well wishes.

After two weeks at St Thomas' Hospital, I am briefly back home before returning for an operation.

As a result of various tests and scans, it has been established that I have badly furred-up arteries and a leaky heart valve which will be sorted out by surgeon Mr Graham Venn. What they call a triple by-pass operation.

In the meantime I will try to catch up on documenting the shows which have been going out on the World Service.

CG

[Papa M]

What they call a triple by-pass operation.

Very good luck with that. My Dad had that op and was absolutely sparkling with good health after.

[NormanD]

A triple, eh? Better than the rest, as ever.

My friend (who was with me at the Last DJ relay) has since heard that he's got to have a similar op, too (though only a single). That was some night - maybe something in Darbucka's drinks.

Ta for the update. You've been good about sharing what's been going on for you. It avoids so much speculation and, like Martin's last post, there's a lot of similar and reassuring experience that we can share.

Keep warm and well.

[Rob Hall]

Best wishes, as ever, to you Charlie.

[Dayna]

It's great to see an update finally. Thanks.

[CantSleepClownsWillGetMe]

a triple by-pass operation

Yip, a friend's Dad had the same op a couple of years ago and there's no stopping him now (much to friend's embarrassment at times)! Oddly enough, he lives in Dunfermline, Fife, but had to go down to London for the operation, so they must be doing something right in your neck of the woods.

In the meantime best wishes, take it easy, and for God's sake put down that bacon butty! ;-)

[Charlie]

Angiogram helps to find out:

if your blood vessels to and from the heart are narrowed or blocked, and if so, where and how badly they are affected

how well your heart muscle is working

how well the heart valves are working

The tests were done and the outcome is, I need a triple by-pass operation as well as repair or replacement for a leaky heart valve.
I'm back home for a couple of weeks, awaiting the call to go in for the operation...
Can't really work in the meantime and will need a rest afterwards, so it feels like I've lost the first three months of this year, just when i was hoping to finish writing a book. So much for best-laid plans.

[Ian A.]

Glad to hear things are progressing, and sincerely hope they go speedily and well. I think that counts as glass more than half full sort of news - knowing what it is, and that it's something so relatively straightforward and successful these days.

there's a lot of similar and reassuring experience that we can share.

Well, Norman and I both recently witnessed the stomping 90 minute set by a wiry, humourous 71 year old Spider John Koerner, who also had a triple bypass a few years back. Good omens!

[will vine]

The tests were done and the outcome is, I need a triple by-pass operation as well as repair or replacement for a leaky heart valve.
I'm back home for a couple of weeks, awaiting the call to go in for the operation...
Can't really work in the meantime and will need a rest afterwards, so it feels like I've lost the first three months of this year, just when i was hoping to finish writing a book. So much for best-laid plans.

1) Did you alert the doctor to your hopeless vinyl dependancy?
2) I make a point of trying to lose the first three months of the year.....think i've got a strong hibernation instinct.
3) I'll finish the book for you - how difficult can it be ?
All the best .........will.

[judith]

Can't really work in the meantime and will need a rest afterwards, so it feels like I've lost the first three months of this year, just when i was hoping to finish writing a book. So much for best-laid plans.

Well then, you've three months to learn the fine art of resting! Seriously though, thank you so much for posting to let us know how you are faring, Charlie. Stay comfy and warm.

[jackdaw version]

All the best, Charlie! I'm sure that removing the uncertainty of what's laying you low feels better. It' good to hear so many other encouraging reports of successful results for similar situations.

Have you thought of perhaps trying to dictate or read into a recorder (can be very cheap for a digital one these days), or even voice recognition software, the parts of your book you're still working on? Added expense for a transcription and such, or a bit of a learning curve on the voice recognition stuff, but it might keep you moving a bit without undue stress. It might even be fun — or lead to fresh insights.

Anyway, I'll be thinking of you.

[jackdaw version]

This will sound far too woo-woo for many of you, but to keep the positive musical energy flowing I am going to play at least one CD of Charlie's many fabulous compilations every day until his health improves.

[judith]

What a great idea, Jonathan. I'll be doing the same. So Charlie, not only are there those of us on this west coast thinking of you, we're also spinning your selections.

[Dayna]

Dear Charlie,
I know it must be depressing since you've been so used to being active & healthy. I sincerely hope you can keep your spirits up & allow yourself to rest & recover.

You have one on the north coast, Lake Erie thinking of you too.

[Tonie]

All the best for a speedy recovery! And looking forward to reading that book, in due time!
Tonie