Happy Re-Birthday to Me

[Superbob]

Guess I'll go buy myself a big box of chocolates today (sugar-free of course). There ought to be plenty of bargains in left-over Saint Valentine's Day candy.

Today's the first anniversary of my RE-birth. Exactly one year ago today as I write this, I was being prepped to go into the operating room at the Heart Institute of Inova Fairfax Hospital.

From that moment I had one of my most vivid memories -- my 6-5 son standing near me. a look of concern etched on his face, and garbed in a bright red jacket of the St. Louis Cardinals. Now he's always been a competitive sort, so he's always rooted for a team other than the old man's. But here he was decked out in the reddest Redbird red! I guess he thought if I was about to check out he wanted me to have a vision of him converting to Redbird Nation.:p Or maybe he just wanted me to feel good -- anyway, it was quite a vision.

And my Wonder Daughter was in charge of the computer controls, ready to tell the world how the old man did. Five hour surgery, found to have a "severely enlarged heart" and a valve "leaking catastrophic amounts of blood" -- the problem had been expertly fixed but was still on the vent because of breathing problems. Further prayers needed. Thanks goodness the vent came out the next day. During my recovery, my daughter took weeks off from work to help me. That's a special memory, too.

And speaking of prayers, there were many of them that came my way via vr.com, thanks to a thread started by Mary that I'll never forget. I'd never been a particularly spiritual person, but I know now the power of prayer. I am eternally grateful.

Without prayers and a marvelous surgeon, I would not be around today, but now I'm headed out in quest of my box of sugar-free chocolates. Because to quote Forrest Gump, "life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." ;)

[geebee]

You sure write well for a one-year old. ;) :D ;)

Congrats on this first. I am sure you will have many, many, many more.

[Karlynn]

Congratulations!

Wishing you well on this big, sentimental day.

[Granbonny]

On your first year...Ann.:) :) :) Have a piece of chocolate for me.:D Bonnie

[twinmaker]

Congratulations! It's a great feeling isn't it?:)

[PJmomrunner]

I think it's beautiful that, in looking back on a major medical emergency in your life, you recognize and appreciate the love and support of two stand-up adult children who were there for you in their own ways, as well as the support and concern of our online community. This speaks volumes about you.

Congrats on your special day.

[Mary]

Does this look familar, Bob??


Bionic Bob's surgery Wednesday--Good Luck

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bob,
I'm starting your very own thread (!) to wish you a successful operation on Wednesday. It sounds like it will be a go after your pre-op visit today, so know that my well wishes go with you along with a host of others.
Let me know how you like your Heart Hugger!
Mary
__________________
There is no remedy for love but to love more.
~ Thoreau

Hey Bob,
Did you think this time last year you would be seeing the original "best wishes" thread resurrected?:D :D
That's a funny story about your son. In my case, two of my five kids went to the Riverboat and gambled while I was undergoing surgery!:eek: :eek: There's no telling what goes through their minds, is there??:p :p
Congratulations on your first anniversary of being reborn and resettled, and I wish you many, many, more seasons of Cardinal's baseball!!:) :)
Go RED!:)

[sue943]

Happy anniversary. Funny how that date sticks in your mind. :)

[Marguerite53]

Congratualtions and thank you so much for sharing your memories with us. Enjoy the day!!

Marguerite

[hensylee]

Happy birthday. Isn't it something how our children's faces and expressions as those times of their stress remain imprinted on our minds/hearts til we die.

Bonnie, I get TWO pieces of cake? Okaaaay!

[Wise]

Happy Anniversary/Re-birthday!!

Enjoy your sugar-free chocolates, but don't eat the whole box at once. It may not bother your sugar count, but it bothers something else.....

[Cooker]

:) :) :) :) Happy Birthday:) :) :) :)

[Superbob]

Thanks to all for all the good wishes. I ate a piece of chocolate for each of you! (Well, not really, not yet -- but I'll get around to it! :)

And to think: a year from now, I'll be a Terrible Two! No telling what kind of mischief I'll get into. :p

[Mary]

Thanks to all for all the good wishes. I ate a piece of chocolate for each of you! (Well, not really, not yet -- but I'll get around to it! :)

And to think: a year from now, I'll be a Terrible Two! No telling what kind of mischief I'll get into. :p

Hey Bob,
I'm on a diet so would you mind eating the whole box for me? I would sure appreciate it!:p :p :p

[Superbob]

Hey, Mary -- I deserve to splurge! Just got back lab report from my doc showing that my A1C (diabetic check) is down to 6.4% (with the goal being lower than 7.0). And that's a three-month average that takes in those big-eatin' holidays.

So it's time to PARTY!!! :D :D :D

[gadgetman]

Rob,

What a good post. What a difference a year makes. Glad the good Lord saw fit to leave you around with the rest of us. Sounds like you are even getting that SUGAR down. For such a SWEET guy it must be hard!!!!!!:D :D

May God continue to richly bless you and everyone else at VR.COM.

May God Bless,

Danny

[Mary]

Bob,
Our Sunday newspaper carries the supplement, Parade, that has a weekly column by Dr. Michael O'Shea titled, Better Fitness.

Today's column dealt with strength training benefiting those with type 2 diabetes. In case you didn't see it, Dr. O'Shea referenced a study of men in their late 60s with type 2 diabetes. The study followed the men during a 16-week supervised, twice-weekly sessions of strength training. The men exercised their major muscle groups by using weight machines for 45-60 minutes. There was no modification to their existing diets; however, their insuline sensitivy and resting blood sugars levels improved substantially. Their total body fat decreased by about 10%; plus, their leg strength increased by 17& and their arm strength by 18%.

Just think; you could not only lower your numbers but also beat most of the VR guys at arm wrestling.;) Of course, you'd still have to get past me.:p :p

[Superbob]

Thanks, Mary! Our local paper also carries Parade but if you hadn't pointed out that fitness article I might have missed it.

Coincidentally, I got some instruction at my health club this month on how to use the Nautilus weight machines along with a little motivational lecture via phone from a nurse with my health insurance's preventive program on the importance of doing weights every other day. So I'm trying, though I enjoy the cardio workouts much more.

But, hey, no matter how buff I get, I refuse to model a Speedo. :D

On the other hand, dare I hope, since you say you are on a diet, that you are preparing to model for Ross' bikini calendar? :D :D :D

[Mary]

Thanks, Mary! Our local paper also carries Parade but if you hadn't pointed out that fitness article I might have missed it.

Coincidentally, I got some instruction at my health club this month on how to use the Nautilus weight machines along with a little motivational lecture via phone from a nurse with my health insurance's preventive program on the importance of doing weights every other day. So I'm trying, though I enjoy the cardio workouts much more.

But, hey, no matter how buff I get, I refuse to model a Speedo. :D

On the other hand, dare I hope, since you say you are on a diet, that you are preparing to model for Ross' bikini calendar? :D :D :D

No, sorry to disappoint you Bob, but no.
We are subscribers to Sports Illustrated, and the swimsuit edition arrived yesterday. I skimmed through it, thinking surely there would be a one piece suit that I might want to buy later in the summer.
Of course there wasn't.
My husband said I was too naive!:eek: :eek:
Anyway, after seeing those gals, I think I'll pass. . .
I'd hate to be the only one with a scar!;) ;) ;) :p :p :p :D

[Phyllis]

Sorry, I missed your birthday party, Bob- I must have been off somewhere indulging in too many sweets or something myself, but we wish you many more anniversaries, sweets, and joy from your children- that's the sweetest part of life, isn't it!:D