Tina and I watched a Heart Ambassador talk about Aortic Valve Surgery last night. We had just gone out for an early ‘last supper’ at Bounty Of The Sun in Balaclava for some izakaya (居酒屋) magic. Ryo Doyama, the chef, is cooking and smiling behind the counter where we sit. Izakaya means stay-drink-place and it fits the bill with a boisterous playlist and much to munch on.
Jim Davis was the Heart Ambassador we watched last night. I had found him late one evening some weeks ago when I was a bit stoned lazing on the couch. The video may look like it was produced and recorded by a University Media program in 1980, but the production was done in 2017.
Let’s talk about bathing. Let’s talk about the heart pillow.
You know these are the sort of topics I guess you have to be happy about perusing because they are better than having a massive heart attack and the trauma that can cause you and people around you. Avoiding an early death is a good thing, isn’t it?
During the lead-up to tomorrow’s hospital check-in, I have been a member of a Facebook Group called Aortic Valve Replacement Group. It certainly is an awkward fit to my nature and musical groups that I belong to, but it has brought some knowledge and humour to my day. People ask some amazing questions to a group not made up of medical professionals.
The questions that are much more entertaining have to do with eating, walking, sleeping, laughing, coughing, exercising, and the like. First-hand stories from the other side of surgery and the healing process are good to hear as they can calm your nerves. Of course, you do not hear from the people who have not made it to the recovery room, but that is the 1%.
Someone even asked if they could take LSD after their heart surgery. Some of the responses:
“Set and setting. Please keep that in mind and maybe wait until your incision is healed so you don’t freak out itching it.”
“Why in the world would you want to do that?”
“So, you are an idiot. You get lifesaving surgery and then decide to mess up your body with party drugs.”
Party drugs? We all know that LSD is not a party drug but it can start a party in your consciousness.
Yes, these are just some of the musings on a chilly Sunday Morning over coffee. I thought I might wake up thinking of something else today. Wishful thinking.
Sky News tool Peter Stefanovic has had to apologise over his interview with Keegan Payne. Payne is a 19-year-old Indigenous man from the Northern Territory who won a million dollars for catching the golden barramundi. Sky had invited him on to interview him, a true feel good story, and the reporter brought up an incident from Keegan’s past (when he was 15) that truly showed the racism that exists in this country. It also displayed a total lack of humanity from the reporter and Sky News.
Below is not the full interview but a bit from Media Watch on the story.
Really, if you want to see some karma come good….put this link below into your browser and listen to this tale. Feel good time from Darwin.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/3808309402723920
Well, time to get away from the keyboard and get on with my last full day at home with my old valve!
Here is some music that I found recently that you may want to investigate yourself!
Enjoy…..
The Hanging Stars-On A Golden Shore-Cosmic Americana from the UK. If you like this sort of thing you will love this. Go on, you know it makes you vibrate.
Phosphorescent-Revelator-I can listen to this outfit do just about anything. Hauck is back with his friends to give us more of what we love. Phosphoescent.
Marcus King-Mood Swings-Simply, this could be his best record to date. Soulful singing and playing, what more do you want from this 28-year-old. I love MK.
Charley Crockett-$10 Cowboy-Crockett turns out records like a bakery rolls out doughnuts. He has baked these songs in the Texas tradition. This is old school, today.
Bill Fay-Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow-Classic re-release of Bill Fay’s work from 1978-1980. I never heard it then, I love it now.
Charles Lloyd-The Sky Will Be There Tomorrow- Lloyd is 86 and is still here and this 90 minutes of jazz will fill your home, head and heart with beauty.
Secret Sisters-Mind, Man, Medicine-The fifth record from these real-life Sisters is one worth spending some time with.
And this idiot will catch you on the other side….the other side of being anaesthetized…with a new valve and rady to rock and stick maltesers anywhere I feel like.
Thinking of you, Paul. Best wishes for your op.
Thinking of you! Holding you close to my heart. Just so you know, YOU ARE NOT AND CANNOT LEAVE! ❤️ Love you, Pb, Pb! ❤️