A profound criticism

« **Reply #25 on:** December 10, 2001, 05:08:18 PM »

Mike-

You and your family are in my thoughts. I hope that
you and your Dad are once again sharing the wonderful
experience of golfing together real soon!

« **Reply #26 on:** December 10, 2001, 06:54:15 PM »

A wish for your Dad's quick recovery and many more rounds for the two of you to play together - maybe one of them with me in the charity event at The Maidstone next Sept.

« **Reply #27 on:** December 10, 2001, 11:02:37 PM »

Good luck and God bless. This surgery went VERY VERY well for my uncle recently so try not to worry too much. Keep on punching Dad, hope to see you on the links soon!

« **Reply #28 on:** December 11, 2001, 01:47:12 AM »

Hey MikeC, you said you were going to print some of the messages from the Golfclubatlas guys out and read them to your Dad. You might want to rethink that! Look at some of these guys, they're starting to call Mr. Cirba "Dad".

Maybe your Dad doesn't feel like taking on about 30 new "sons" at this point! But if he does tell him I haven't seen my allowance in a while!!

« **Reply #29 on:** December 11, 2001, 03:27:29 AM »

Mike, give best wishes to the DG's Dad. You'll find out over time how many guys you play and have played golf with have had the "Cabbage" CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) surgery.

Many many people do really really well. It is not minor by any means, but they have gotten really good at it.

A small medical chuckle for you Mike at this anxious time

Q: The definition of Minor Surgery?
A: Some other guy's.

« **Reply #30 on:** December 11, 2001, 04:55:02 AM »

Mike,

Best wishes to your father and family during his speedy recovery.

Just to let you know, a couple of the fellas on my staff here have had similar procedures and have done very well indeed. They play golf regularly and give me the needle on an even more regular basis.

Eric

« **Reply #31 on:** December 11, 2001, 07:46:20 AM »

Mike,

Since we have become such close friends I would be remiss not to offer my prayers for ole Dad. I can still remember the smell of Old Spice when we would jump into the Rambler and go to the Tastee Creame for rootbeer floats. Your dad would always make me flex my pitching arm and ask me how that curve ball was coming...he really know how to make me feel special. Good luck our prayers are with you.

« **Reply #32 on:** December 11, 2001, 09:06:32 AM »

Mike,

Your father's condition reinforces the need to focus on relationships while overlooking the trivial. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. As Pat M. and Tom P. noted, heart patients often enjoy a very high quality of life after major surgery. May the two of you find yourselves in the new year enjoying a round of golf at a throwback course where the views are expansive, the ground firm, and the hazards located in all the right places. My prayers and thoughts are with you, your dad, and your family.

Best wishes,

Lou

« **Reply #33 on:** December 11, 2001, 03:45:30 PM »

Mike,
My sincere best wishes to your father having a speedy recovery. I hope you have some time to spend with him in the next week as he recovers. It can be overwhelming to be in an ICU and the presence of family can be reassuring.

I have a background as an ICU nurse so if you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to call (925) 417-1944. I am at UC San Francisco Medical Center and there are some very sharp doctors here if you need feedback.

Best wishes,
Ed Getka

« **Reply #34 on:** December 11, 2001, 07:45:29 PM »

Mike,

That was truly one of the best posts ever on this site, we all wish your Dad a speedy recovery, and hope that you get to enjoy many more days on the course with him, for at the end of the day that is truly what golf is about.

« **Reply #35 on:** December 11, 2001, 09:18:19 PM »

Just an update...

My dad's surgery has been postponed until Monday. In what has already been a week of roller-coaster emotions, this extending news was not what we hoped for, but is evidently a positive sign, as the surgeons feel his case is not necessarily of an emergency nature.

Not knowing of the delay, I drove up there after work anyway, and was thrilled to make the trip with my daughter Melissa. As I mentioned, I brought up printouts of this thread and some other personal emails I've received and my dad wanted me to relay a message to all of you fellows.

He wanted me to tell you all that your kind, thoughtful, supportive messages did a great deal to lift his spirits at this difficult time. He said, "you know...sometimes in the pace of life, it's easy to think that people don't have warm hearts. This kind of thing is so reassuring about people. What a small world it is when a bunch of people who don't even know me offer such heartfelt and sincere words of support and care. Please tell them how much it means to me."

I think it also helped that my brother brought him a new driver, perhaps the most symbolic sign of optimism. To my chagrin, it was a Callaway, but given the circumstances, I let it slide without critical comment.

« **Reply #36 on:** December 12, 2001, 06:11:48 AM »

Mike,

Wishing you and your family all the best. We'll say a prayer for your dad and keep in our thought.

John Foley

« **Reply #37 on:** December 12, 2001, 08:45:52 AM »

Mike,

If I may be forgiven a tiny bit of attempted humor -- My father has had two successful multiple-bypass surgeries, and my only advice is...

Don't let him get more strokes from you when he gets back out to the course! It can get expensive!

You, your father, and your family are in my prayers.

KC

« **Reply #38 on:** December 12, 2001, 07:56:01 PM »

Mike,
My best wishes to your father and a quick recovery. Don't rule out Pinehurst, it may be just what the doctor ordered to inspire his recovery, although Jan. will probably be a little soon for his sternum to heal.

I am a nurse with ICU experience so if you have any questions don't hesitate to call 925 417-1944. I'm out near SF with Gib, Tom H. et al.

« **Reply #39 on:** December 13, 2001, 04:39:17 AM »

Mike

Please keep us updated on your Dad. Hope that all went well yesterday.

« **Reply #40 on:** December 13, 2001, 06:21:28 AM »

Bill,

I'm not sure if you caught it above, but the surgery has been postponed to Monday. He's in good spirits, and the notes he's read from you guys have done a great deal to contribute to his optimism.

Thanks again to all of you for being there for us at this difficult time. I'll keep everyone posted.

« **Reply #41 on:** December 13, 2001, 06:40:17 AM »

Mike
Just got back on my computer, and I'm anxious and concerned for you. Having been through a heart attack, I know what pressure it puts on those you love.
I want you to know we all wish your family the best.
Willie

« **Reply #42 on:** December 13, 2001, 10:54:33 AM »

Mike,

To you, your father and your family I extend my heartfelt wishes for the best outcome. Your father (as mine has done for me) has added meaning to your game that will be a playing partner for years to come.

Hopefully, you, your father and your memories will get the chance to play Pinehurst.

« **Reply #43 on:** December 13, 2001, 04:19:22 PM »

Mike Cirba,

With your dad being an ardent golfer, sometimes the biggest impediment to a speedy GOLF recovery depends on the vessels used for grafting.

The saphenous vein is sometimes used when they've run out of mammary veins and the like. After the surgery, many golfers complain, not of chest discomfort, but pain and draining problems with their legs. Your dad's leg or legs may prove to be his biggest impediment to playing golf comfortably, afterwards.

Sometimes, when we explain to surgeons, important elements of our life styles, it assists them in making decisions that will affect us for the rest of our lives. If you haven't done so already, I would suggest that you communicate with the
SURGEON, not their staff, your dad's lifestyle and the important role that golf plays, physically and mentally.

Unfortunately, to a degree, we all have to be are own patient advocates, Good Luck

« **Reply #44 on:** December 17, 2001, 05:29:09 PM »

An update..

My dad underwent his surgery today and things went well with only a concern about the thinness of the aortal wall and its ability to hold the sutures effectively being the short-term concern. That being the case, they are keeping him sedated a little longer than anticipated, and watching that there is no hemorraging from the graft.

He did wake long enough to show us he is in incredibly good spirits, telling us how wonderful everyone involved in the surgery was (can't imagine how he knew

), and sharing his amazement for their superb, professional efforts.

He's a fighter, and although he knows the closing holes of this course are tough ones, he's clearly in this one to play the full 18.

« **Reply #45 on:** December 17, 2001, 05:31:09 PM »

one other thing...

THANK YOU all so much for your support. I can't tell you how moved his was by your messages of concern and caring words.

God Bless each and everyone of you and yours.

« **Reply #46 on:** December 17, 2001, 07:07:05 PM »

My prayers are for your father. Please continue to keep us update.
My father got cancer last year, and this point, seems to have recovered from surgery and treatment. He suprised us by choosing to play six holes while he was still weak. He said it was good therapy, even though it hurt. It may take longer, but I look forward to hearing about your fathers next game.

Good bless your family.

Ian Andrew

« **Reply #47 on:** December 18, 2001, 02:31:34 AM »

Sounds good Mike.

« **Reply #48 on:** December 18, 2001, 06:18:58 AM »

Ditto. Whew. Thanks for the update, Mike - please do continue with such. Hopes and prayers continue to be with you and your family.

TH

« **Reply #49 on:** December 18, 2001, 08:44:09 PM »

Mike,

Glad to hear the surgery was a success and the road to recovery has begun. Please keep us posted and continue to wish your father a speedy recovery from all of us.

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