Hello, this Is Susan posting for Don. He is recovering from his double by pass. Things are going as well as expected. He is still in ICU and very weak so no visitors or telephone calls right now. He wants to thank you all for your support and concern. It is amazing to be loved by so many friends...we are blessed

Godspeed !!

Good to hear da man's doing well. Keep on keepin' on.

Great news, Susan...pass on my best wishes to Don.

Ian

Get well wishes and prayers from the Philly 'burbs ...
Ciao,
Jerry

Quick recovery and may the good Lord watch over you. Lloyd

Wishing you a quick recovery and Gods Blessings. Lloyd

I hope you get well soon, Don.

Susan... our prayers are with you and Don ...
Lydia and Tony

Don is doing much better now, he said the pain has subsided, his chest tube was taken out today, the nurses had him up and walking, and he will likely go to a regular room with a monitor tomorrow. He still has a long way to go in order to fully recover, but he's a tough old buzzard and should do just fine.

Gary

Hope Don gets to feeling better real soon. I'm one of the newer members at SZ. I enjoy reading his posts. He is very quick witted, and always enjoyable to read. Being a fellow golfer, I know he won't be down long.

Thanks so much Susan for keeping us updated. Please give him our very best wishes and let him know we are praying for you both.

Susan and Don,
We just heard from one of your friends in LA about the surgery and how it all happened. Wow!! We are pulling for you and wish you all the best. Susan, Please keep us updated. We will have both of you in our prayers.

Deane and Glenda

Wow! I didn't even know Don was sick! I have been away from the forum for a while but this obviously comes as a real surprise that Don needed bypass surgery. I extend my well wishes to Don and wife Susan. I'm glad he's recovering nicely but the main thing is to rest up and obey the doctor's orders. Many things can lead to heart problems but hopefully the cause(s) can be remedied so it doesn't happen again in the future.

Changing one's diet and getting regular exercise can do wonders in some cases. My brother has had three heart attacks in recent years but it's never too late to address the underlying issues that can lead to heart problems. For instance, the Mediterranean diet is one of the best methods to help achieve and maintain a healthy heart, along with regular exercise and good lifestyle choices. Quitting smoking (I don't think Don smokes though) plus drinking adequate amounts of water and cutting down on sweets that contain large amounts of sugar and/or preservatives can also help. Consuming large amounts of red meats that contain large amounts of fat can also lead to problems according to medical research. Okay, I'll quit playing doctor now. Get well soon Don! Keep us updated!

All the best, Mike

Susan, this isn't any country or Jazz but play them for Don. This is how I feel and I'm sure others here feel the same way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbX75DU47Dc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5De5rdg51uk

Thanks Susan (Saint) Mason, putting up with that character for all of these years.

Don,

Wishing you the best for a speedy recovery! God bless.

Don,
Get well soon and may God Bless you. Lloyd

I am praying for you daily and Thank the Lord that you are doing better! Thanks Susan for keeping us informed, He doesn't know me, but will appreciate all or our interest.

I talked with Susan this morning, Don is still in the ICU, but with luck will be transferred to a private room later today. He has experienced a few minor setbacks, but generally, he's on his way back to normality. Hopefully, the bed in the room he is being transferred to is a bit better than the one he had to endure for the past week.

Gary

Hi Don,

Get well soon mate.

Henni

I just talked with Susan and Don is still having some problems and kind of a tough time right now. Hopefully, some medication changes will resolve his issues. He's also in a lot of pain from an allergic reaction to tape that was placed on the catheterization site, making it very painful for him to walk.

Gary

Gary ... thank you for the update, but so sorry to hear Don isn't doing as well as he could be ...
Without a doubt, this is a very trying time for him, Susan, and the family ...
It is also tough to not be able to help, but we will keep praying that they all get the strength to get through this, and that Don is returned to full health very soon ...

So sorry to hear this. Don is a true gentleman and an inspiration to me and many others in this community. Please accept my prayers and best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!! -Ted

Gary......keep the reports coming......please!

Hey guys. Really rough day yesterday. Much better so far today. So encouraging to see your posts and prayers. I love you all!

Don we're here for ya buddy, hang in there,....
get well VERY soon,...& before you know it you'll be back on the golf course & giggin' on stage at Earnests again!

Don,

Man it's great to see you posting and knowing you're on the mend.

Bill G

Don ... that's the best post I've seen on this forum in a looooooooong time ...
get well quick, friend ...

Amen to that, Tony. Build a bit every day, Don.

Hello Don,

So the power of prayer is real Welcome back.

We heard that you have "trouble with tape". You really should be using digital these days

Ian

What a joy it is to see Don posting and to know he is improving, I have prayed daily for him as many of you have! I will pray for you Don, until you are out-of-the-woods!

One day at a time. Great to have you back! Get well soon.

Don and Emma Lee

Great news, Don. Glad to hear you are recuperating.

Ian

Great stuff Don, be good to see you back in harness again.

Col

I talked to Don this morning, he's progressing, lots of young, attractive nurses in their mid to late 20s taking care of him, and he's walking a few laps down the halls and back several times a day. Docs said he might be able to go home by possibly next Monday if he continues to progress at this rate.

Keep your fingers crossed,

Gary

good news gary

Great news.

With all those 20 something nurses- do you think he's strolling the halls with the back of that gown tied??

Don

Get well soon!

Not good news. Everything looking good except I have a blood clot in lower left leg. Waiting to hear course of treatment, trusting God to help me .

Don ... we continue to pray for a full and rapid recovery ...

Praying for God's divine intervention to get rid of that clot and give you the healing and strengthening that you need! God bless you, Don!

God bless you Don . Keep your head up .

Worth

Once again, my best wishes for your recovery, Don.

I sure miss seeing your posts.

Ian

Ditto.

Get well soon, Don.


Dan

I just talked with Don, his spirits have improved quite a bit and hopefully, things will go smoothly enough to allow him to go home by Monday. The blood clot in his leg is very, very serious, and he is well aware of the situation. Hopefully, the anticoagulant therapy they are currently providing will dissolve the clot and allow him to get back toward some degree of normalcy.

Good luck old friend,

Gary

Don't know why you are being tested still. I am praying daily for your recovery. I went through this scenario 14 years ago but had quintuple bypass and no blood clot. I really did not have much to forewarn me. It just developed and suddenly I had to deal with. Well that procedure saved my life and my prayer is that the Lord will lead you back to full strength. He's not done with you yet. Still needs you as part of his earthly choir.
Here's something I wrote a while back. Hope you can take strength and encouragement from it.

https://app.box.com/s/glnlpenuhue5zizffos3

God Bless,
Don from Canada

That's encouraging news you have for sure, Gary, good to hear. Wishing for more good news to come.

Don, that is wonderful! Totally inspiring. Bravo!

God Bless you, my friend!

Two years ago I had blood clots on both lungs and spent 10 days in the hospital They used Heparin to dissolve the clots and then I am on Warfarin for life! I know they can help you, but patience is needed to see results. I still pray for you each day, and want you healthy and back to your family and music!

The news today is very positive. They are treating celllulitis in the leg with antibiotics. They aren't overly concerned about the clot and have told me I can resume walking some.
I will of course remain on blood thinner for quite some time. Since the clot is below my knee the chances are better that it will dissolve without problems.
Your encouragement and prayers mean more to me than you could ever know..

Fantastic news, Don!

I'm glad to hear that you appear to be on the mend.

Don't chase too many nurses (at least try to limit yourself until you get your strength back ).

Dan

Good to hear the inspiring news. Hang in there and this will all be old news soon

All right Don - you'll be back on the golf course before you know it.

Bill G

Don,

I've been absent from the forum for quite awhile, but checked in today to find out you are recovering from bypass. It's a tough procedure, but know that everyday it gets better, and soon you'll feel like new again.

" The greatest healing therapy is family, friendship, and love. "

Awesome ...on the way to healing!

Don ... that's great news, my friend ... our prayers continue for your return to full good health ...

Don. Best Wishes from the UK

WTG, big guy. A friend of mine had a quad bypass a couple of years ago and you'd never guess that now. The doctors told him he'd feel like a new man, but my mate said he'd settle for a new woman.;)

Don, you're going in the right direction man and that's wonderful for your whole family and friends too. The best to ya man!

Sounds very positive Don. That's great. And don't even worry about the blood thinner. I am on Coumadin for life but it isn't that big a deal.

I'm with Nigel another Coumadin for life guy.
God Bless,
Don

Sorry to hear about your problems Don, glad to hear you are doing better. Wishing you the very best!
skude

Just finished our daily devotions, Bible time, then prayer. You were on our prayer list and will be until you are back to normal! I take Warfarin ( generic for Cumadin ) and it is no big deal! Get better soon Don, you are an asset to any forum!

Don hang in there, best wishes!

Just talked with Don, not going home today because of the cellulitus, which can be quite serious, and still some concern over the deep vein thrombus. Maybe a couple more days, just to be on the safe side.

Gary

Thanks, Gary.

Don ... whatever it takes ... go slowly, friend ... still praying for all of you ... and that includes the medical team ...

May God bless you Don, hopefully you will recover quickly.

And do check the gown again- make sure they didn't do "the change" as a bonus.....

Wish I had a keyboard up here. I'd have these nurses rockin!

lol sounds like you getting better day by day Don!!

Now THAT is the best post I've seen on here ...

Yup, that's as good a sign as any.

I want to include my wishes for a speedy recovery. Lloyd

NOW, Hold on "old man"! Emma Lee and I may bring you one! If we know where you are! GIVE INFO!

But as far as those nurses, Susan will be going up side your head! You don't need any more trama in your life!

Get well my friend. Tell us where you are.

Hi Don, I'mstill in Willis Knighton North in Shreveport.
I may get to move tomorrow or next day.
I don't believe these critical care heart patients would appreciate the noise.
Maybe Your Cheatin Heart.

Nice to see your witty post again country boy. You were country when country wasn't big. I'm learning that now and will do it on my next gig, if I ever get one.

Hey Don........I'm watching the "word content" in your posts. You went from a single smiley face icon to 35 words in this last one (36 if you include your name).

Das ist ein gut sign dat u is on the rode tu recovereeeey!

I had an ethnic transplant.......I'm now half-human and half-German!

Don, don't play "Back in the saddle again"! lol give it some more time friend!

Surgeon just came by. One or two more days on IV antibiotics then HOME if all goes well.
Your prayers and well wishes are getting me through this. It is day12.

You know a musicians getting and feeling better when: he starts writing a song to the beat of the heart monitor.

I guess we'd better not close this yet. Now they say I may not have blood clot at all, but there will be several more days of Iv antibiotics to fight the infection PLUS the staph that is still acting up. Also they are still giving blood thinner and lasix so hard to go an hour without having to PEE.
What an ordeal. Good news is heart and bp and lungs doing great. I'm climbing the walls in this little room.
Thank God, the staff here and my friends for success so far. Most of all Susan.

Man, ... I, and I know the rest of S-Z, really feel for you Don ... and for Susan as well ... this HAS to be a very trying experience for her also ...

While I pray for your full and rapid recovery, I also pray that God gives you, Susan, and your family the strength you need to face whatever may come your way ...

May God Bless you all ...

To which I say hearty AMEN! Well said Tony!

God Bless,
Don

Lord is watching over you Don. You will be fine.

God Bless,
Don

Don.......I've come to a conclusion. You're the 800 lb gorilla in the room. They're going to have to cut you down with an axe or you'll go on forever......like the Duracell batteries advertisement.....they keep "running and running and running!"

You are too valuable to all of us to see you sidelined! Still praying for your complete recovery! God is able!

Don,

No doubt being a very active person, you need to get up and get out, but for sure you want to do that when you are at your best.

Hospitals are the worst for infections and many have a poor record in that regard. This time they didn't have the luxury of your being completely prepared for the procedures you've had.

So just hang in there and keep walking.

Bill G

Maybe home today! Will know soon.

good new Don.....

Yes! Going HOME!

GREAT news ... that automatically will make you feel better ...

Good to hear you are going home, Don.

Stay well, please.

Ian

just click your heels together and say " there's no place like home"

Way to go Don!!!!

Will be looking for some music from you soon too! ;-)

... nice job by this Oklahoman too ... more to Don's style ...