To my peers, friends and associates...
I just wanted to drop by and to all of you say hello. As some of you know I have been dealing with a heart condition for a while now. I was in the hospital right before the 06 Phoenix Forum but released in time to go to AZ for the golf Tournament. Upon returning to LA I was admitted to the hospital and well from there it has all been downhill. I have been here for a while but wanted to reach out to the people I miss (you know who you are) and give you an update.
I am doing much better and getting better everyday. I am still awaiting a heart transplant at UCLA Medical center and have had some close calls but not quite the "perfect match". I am on a machine called a Bi-VAD created by a company called thoratec
www.thoratec.com, which has kept me mobile and stronger each day. It is what they call a "bridge" device so it takes over for my heart and keeps it running until they are able to find me a match for a transplant. Unfortunately I was to sick to wait without doing something drastic so two open heart surgeries later here I am. I am currently waiting at what you call 1-A status, which is at the top of the heart transplant list. The machine is amazing and has really made a HUGE difference in my condition as well as status, I look and feel better than ever I just need a new heart so we can take me off of the VAD.
I actually may be going home in early October to wait for a heart from home. They recently changed the laws so I can stay at 1-A status while at home as opposed to dropping down to B-1 status. This is obviously very exciting for my family and me. I will be the very first transplant patient to go home and wait on a Bi-VAD from UCLA as well as one of the first to go home and remain on 1-A status, pretty cool. Plus I basically run this place now and a few people want their jobs back lol
So I am starting to spend a few hours a day online and getting back in the swing of things now that I am feeling stronger. I have kept in touch with quite a few industry peeps as well as had the opportunity to do a lot of planning and research regarding the biz. Thank to all who have visited, prayed or sent me gifts ;o)
Oct. 3rd is our target date for me to go home and await a new heart it also is the date that will mark the 26th-week or 182nd-day or 4,368-hour exactly half of a year in the hospital depending on how you look at it. Not that I am counting or anything.
Please feel free to ICQ me at 258214660 or email
[email protected] (I am only using the bugbee@ address right now) if you have my cell # use it or even come and see me before I head home.
I just want to say thanks to everyone?s thoughts, prayers and support whether I know you or not. I would not have been able to get thru this without my immediate family, my other family Alec, Elli, Mike and Moe Helmy (who mind you have all been amazing thru these incredibly horrific times) and my peers, friends and associates.
Well I will bid you all ado for now but I miss you all more than you know (ok most of you) and can't wait to swap stories and see you all. If anyone has questions or comments etc. regarding anything personnel or business do not hesitate to hit me up I would love to hear from any of you. I also am usually on ICQ I am just always invisible and lurking around he he he.... Keep me in your thoughts and pray for a new heart but until then look forward to seeing me around and after my transplant look forward to seeing me around for a LONG LONG TIME!
Best regards much love and respect