Monday, August 25, 2008

Thanks to GOD and his son Jesus Christ for their continued miracles!

I found this picture after reading and article today about a surgeon who had performed a three heart valve surgery  on a patient. The patient was only 44 years of age. After reading the article, I researched the surgeon, Dr. David Jayakar, MD and found his website. I really and truly believe that these surgeons, who literally have the ability with the help of Jesus Christ at their side to determine our fate as to a chance to continue on living or literally, having Jesus there to say.... "It's time for he/she to come home" and I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt, that when Dr. James Brevig was doing my surgery, Jesus was there helping him along with all the prayer requests coming in asking him to guide the surgeons hand in the delicate surgery.  I truly believe that our surgeons are some of the best people we have on this earth.

I received a call this Sunday morning from a man, speaking of miracles, who was giving a toast at his families Thanksgiving dinner. It was then, while standing a sharp stabbing pain hit him like a mac truck and he was sent to the hospital. He just happened to live 5 minutes from Columbia University Hospital. And, the really big miracle was that Dr. Allen Stewart just happened to be there that Thanksgiving evening checking on a patient when this gentlemen of 70+ arrived. Dr. Stewart replaced his valve with a "calf" valve and his entire aorta with a dacron tube. All this without any kidney or other issues. That's a miracle... A true miracle in which Dr. Stewart's hands worked through Jesus Christ to keep this man alive and bring him through the surgery to be able to say those perhaps forgotten, "I love you's" or items her had perhaps neglected to have done.. but now was giving a new appreciation for life.

I am so thankful for my life, my family, my friend and hopefully my new job (this Wednesday is my final interview) and really am so blessed.  Many people don't make it. Many people are in the right place and the right time.. Or is it that Jesus is there with them and the surgeons? I think it's your faith and belief that your life is not controlled by you, and that the GOOD LORD is your ONLY choice as to when you will see him face to face or you will be allowed to continue to live a few more years on the earth until you are called home. These surgeons, and although extremely well trained, need that helping hand to guide them and so do you!

Brian

Friday, August 22, 2008

August 22nd, 2008 - My 5 year birthday since Aortic Dissection

Well, today is my 5 year anniversary or birthday since my aortic dissection back on 8/22/2008. I remember it as if it were just yesterday. I had started out the day still trying to negotiate this "semi-wrecked" motorcycle and how much I was going to pay for this site unseen bike from my customer who happened to work at Microsoft. Then, I was also trying to line up a truck to pick it up with as well. I had planned to use my other friend at Microsoft (my former customer) truck. On top of that, I was also going to play tennis that next morning at 0700am as well. I was also playing tennis on 8/22/2003 (Friday - most AD's happen on a this day!) at 4:00pm with my usual buddy Jack. In the meantime, I had went to get some teriyaki lunch (high in sodium) and I know my blood pressure was high as this motorcycle negotiation was consuming my day. Not to mention, I was late for my 4pm tennis match and realized I had forgot my shoes, so I had to return home and grab them and hustle back. I stepped out on the court, played about 2 games and "wham"  that's when my life changed forever. That's when you realize that you are not immortal and that the GOOD LORD has a plan for your life and can take you out when he's ready for you.  I remember that GOD had to be looking over me as my survival was a miracle. My first miracle was that I did not take my partner's advice and have him drive me to the ER department at 5pm on a Friday afternoon in rush hour traffic. Not to mention, in and AD situation like mine, (Type A), you don't have time on your side. Had I gone that route, I could have been held up in the ER check in process and waiting in the lobby for all I know. Furthermore, when you ride with the paramedics, they get you through traffic quicker and get you right into a room - at least that's what happened to me. My second major miracle I would find out 3 years later was that in this same ER department, and the same ER doctor would see a man 54 years of age come through with similar symptoms exactly 40 days before I arrived there and get "miss-diagnosed" for an anxiety attack and essentially die in the ER room from an Type A aortic dissection. They (ER Department) flat out missed the diagnosis. Did they have that heavy on their minds when I arrived? I  was 40 years old and in pretty darn good shape and healthy. I heard the 54 year old man was in good shape as well. What I would later find out is that apparently the last thing that they did was a blood test (possibly a d-dimer) that came back high for a pulmonary imbolism and that's when I remember being shot down this tube -completely inside it and they were taking pictures of my heart. I just wanted out of there! Next thing, a tall man, my surgeon, Dr. James Brevig would be telling me that I had a 50/50 chance of living due to my aortic dissection and needed surgery right away.

This day is very special to me as it reminds me just how lucky and thankful I am to be alive. It's been 5 years today and that in and of itself is another major hurdle.  No matter how things might look, and in my case, being laid off on 5/2/2008 - just 6 days short of 20 years, nothing is too bad that can not be overcome with the "FAITH IN GOD" that he's got you in the palm of his right hand and is your savior. I am absolutely living proof that miracles DO happen.

Speaking of miracles.. I am also about (I believe) to land a new job, I just have one more interview to do next Wednesday and I should get it. How I found out about the opportunity was a fluke, but it turned out to be GOD'S way of using his power to find me the job that he wants me in.

Have a great day! Remember.. you have a lot to be thankful for! Don't forget it!

Brian

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Having Faith... It's the ONLY way!

 Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. Hebrews 11:1. It's amazing what Faith can do for you and how we don't even know how much it goes on in our daily lives.  As many of you know, I was laid off on 5/2/2008 and have been looking for a job since 5/3/2008. Up until a few days ago, I was at my wits end and really thinking that I was going to get this job with TWTelecom.com and was told that I was one of the final candidates. I was also told I would hear by Monday of last week that the decision would be made. As of 8/17/2008, I still have not been told.  About a week ago, I got an email from a friend of my wife who had sent her something about things women at 45 years of age should not be doing. Anyway, I had my wife send me the email and I saw on the email header a name of a gal that my wife had played on a soccer team with a few years ago. I had actually remember meeting her and speaking with her as we both had worked on the same account, Microsoft. Well, when I got the email from my wife, I decided to email this gal and tell her what happened to me and ask her to send my resume around. On Saturday, the 16th of August, while out on the boat (my sister in laws) on Lake Entiact, I got a call froma recruiter about an opening for their Seattle market.  I would have never heard about this opportunity had I not sent this gal an email about asking for help and hoping (faith) that something might become of it. It turns out that after speaking with the recruiter, they think I am perfect for the job and I have one more interview to go! I am supposed to hear from the hiring manager on Monday.

I have been watching the Olympics and they have really been exciting. We had a great few days over in Lake Chelan as well. It was 103 the last day we were there. They kids had fun! We floated down part of the Wenatchee river as well one day - that was super fun! The kids love intertubing at their aunt and uncle's house and seeing their cousin's Mathew and Adam.

I have also re-launched my website, http://www.fastman.com and I am back in business again!

 

**Oh yah... Listen to this, it's amazing!

Take care!

Brian

Friday, August 8, 2008

A Simple painless test could save your life

I got this news article today titled, "Baby boomers may face a silent killer" and watched the video. This is a great message again to the general public to get an "ultrasound" test done.

Not only should you check for an AAA, you also should request an "echo cardiogram" or a "stress echo" as it's another very simple test that can reveal a possible issue with your heart and/or ascending aorta.

This stat alone is enough for everyone to get it done quickly!
 Dr. Back says AAA is the 13th leading cause of death. Nine out of 10 patients who have AAA that ruptures will die. However, it may not be deadly if it's caught early.

 

My daughter had a photo shoot the other day, check this out! My neighbor is a great photographer if you are anywhere in the Seattle area, I'd recommend him. He's on my blog roll.

Still hoping to hear something today about the TWTelecom.com opportunity. I have done everything I can and it's in their hands and GOD's.

Have a great day!

Brian

Monday, August 4, 2008

The "Big Day" is tomorrow

I am hoping tomorrow that I find out if I am going to be able to get my life back on track and start working again. Since being laid off on 5/2/2008, I have been kind of "off track" in that I am feeling like I have no real purpose in life without being able to work and feel like I got something accomplished. Don't get me wrong... I love being home with my family during this summer, but... after searching and searching, I am at the cusp of finally getting the job I really want - a job that a friend told me about out of the blue. 

Tomorrow at 0700am in downtown Seattle I have my interview with the regional vice-president of the company for the West Coast. I am hoping that it goes well and it should as I've beenthrough a few of them lately and feel more confident after each one. I was lucky enough to have a friend on the "inside" help me with a few tips and I am feeling really best prepared and ready to sell myself and my skill set as to why I am the best candidate for the job.

I went for a long walk yesterday (played tennis too!) and today as well for over an hour and my legs are feeling better. This Friday will be two weeks since my varicose vein surgery. I am thinking that they are going to need to do something to my left leg since they were only able to get like 8 inches of my greater saphenous vein.

More to come...

Brian

Friday, August 1, 2008

Update on News Story about Gene found for detecting Acute Aortic Dissection

I published this post yesterday about a press release that I received about a possible detection of a genetic link to diagnosing an "acute aortic dissection" and after further review and checking around with some of my very well known experts - I am not so sure this isn't just a bunch of BS!  This has been underway here in the US for a few years and led by one of the top genetics's Dianna M. Milewicz, M.D., Ph.D.

Dianna and her team at the Department of Internal Medicine,Division of Medical Genetics,The University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston,  have been working on this for quite some time and they published this article -Life-threatening gene defect located by UT-Houston researchers  back in November 11th, 2007.

I also tried to email this person salah.mohamed@herzchir.muluebeck.de) and it didn't work. I also looked up the hospital and apparently he's not even known there.

So, it appears that this Mr. Salah Mohamed's findings are really nothing new and perhaps he himself is a mystery as well.

I am sticking with Dianna's research. By the way, you can actually sign up for the genetic testing here and get the testing done. I had this information already posted on my site, http://www.aorticdissection.com the day that this press release came out from Dianna's team back in November of 2007.

**UPDATE** This was just released today  with a bit more "meat" to the original publication. And somecomments from a recognized aortic expert.

Brian Tinsley