Thank you for letting us share in this beautiful wedding, Jamie & Jon!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
20071123 POTD
Ever seen a redneck ride a running engine before? I can always count on a visit to the Stauffers' to bring me back to my roots. If Andrew's pantleg is any indication, it is running a little rich!
20071122 POTD
Very interesting shot from Monroeville, IN. Driving back after a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, it started to snow heavily and I turned around after driving past this monument to soldiers long gone.
20071121 POTD
Captured on the drive to Indiana for Thanksgiving. Light through the windows of the car at a rest stop. Aperture f/1.4, ISO 3200, 1/15s, handheld.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
laparascopic nephrectomy (possibly morcellated)
also known as a kidney removal...
We didn't end up having to return to Cleveland today. That was a relief, as Monday's trip had left me a little worn out.
My nephrectomy is scheduled for Monday, 11/26. I'll probably be in the hospital for 3 days, and then return to Buffalo to recuperate for 4-6 weeks before returning to work.
Before then we will be driving to IN to celebrate Thanksgiving, returning to Buffalo on Saturday for the Mangus/Dalbo wedding (happy pre-nuptials Jon & Jamie!!), and then return to Cleveland Sunday PM or Monday AM depending on the exact time of the surgery.
Thank you for all the prayers!
We didn't end up having to return to Cleveland today. That was a relief, as Monday's trip had left me a little worn out.
My nephrectomy is scheduled for Monday, 11/26. I'll probably be in the hospital for 3 days, and then return to Buffalo to recuperate for 4-6 weeks before returning to work.
Before then we will be driving to IN to celebrate Thanksgiving, returning to Buffalo on Saturday for the Mangus/Dalbo wedding (happy pre-nuptials Jon & Jamie!!), and then return to Cleveland Sunday PM or Monday AM depending on the exact time of the surgery.
Thank you for all the prayers!
20071120 POTD
sparkling, huh?
I'm already dreading this 'lemony' beverage, and I don't have to take it until Sunday.
Monday, November 19, 2007
20071119 POTD
marathon, as in today was a marathon of a day. Six hours driving, six hours with the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic preparing for next week's kidney removal. And I may get to drive back and do it again tomorrow!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Monday, November 05, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Another jaunt to Cleveland...
Michelle and I spent the last couple of days in Cleveland visiting with the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic. They are trying to determine why a 26 year old would have a heart attack, even if the genes are stacked against him.
I visited a vascular medicine specialist, a hematologist/oncologist, and a urologist. Most of the tests are still being analyzed, but there are a couple possibilities for next steps in the process:
1. Perform a spinal tap to evaluate my bone marrow. It is possible that my blood is not being created with the right amount of white/red cells, and this led to my early-onset coronary artery disease.
2. Remove my right kidney. During the initial investigation at the ER, they determined that something was wrong with my right kidney. Subsequent tests have revealed that it is approximately twice the size of a normal kidney and completely non-functional. Urologist #1 in Buffalo said it definitely needed to come out, Urologist #2 in Buffalo said there was no reason for it to come out, and Urologist #3 in Cleveland said it needs to come out. Evidently the outlet of my kidney has plugged up and it has caused the kidney to swell at some time in the past.
We'll be juggling future trips to Cleveland around the REAL important date of September 24. Thanks to everyone for your continued prayer.
I visited a vascular medicine specialist, a hematologist/oncologist, and a urologist. Most of the tests are still being analyzed, but there are a couple possibilities for next steps in the process:
1. Perform a spinal tap to evaluate my bone marrow. It is possible that my blood is not being created with the right amount of white/red cells, and this led to my early-onset coronary artery disease.
2. Remove my right kidney. During the initial investigation at the ER, they determined that something was wrong with my right kidney. Subsequent tests have revealed that it is approximately twice the size of a normal kidney and completely non-functional. Urologist #1 in Buffalo said it definitely needed to come out, Urologist #2 in Buffalo said there was no reason for it to come out, and Urologist #3 in Cleveland said it needs to come out. Evidently the outlet of my kidney has plugged up and it has caused the kidney to swell at some time in the past.
We'll be juggling future trips to Cleveland around the REAL important date of September 24. Thanks to everyone for your continued prayer.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
It's been a while...
What has happened since April 23...
Angiogram #4 happened during our visit to Cleveland. The cardiologist found that the secondary blockage which was found following the initial stent placement was due to one of those stents being placed improperly. The blockage was not cleared, and I'm still living day-to-day with a 100% blockage of my left anterior descending artery. He recommended being seen by a vascular medicine specialist (a hematologist). We spent the month of May and most of June waiting for BlueCross/BlueShield to approve a new referral, and now have an appointment for July 3. There will probably be no more procedures, just a determination of the best drug and diet therapy for the future. I have been feeling good and cardiac rehab is going very well.
We are having a boy! A sonogram on May 1 revealed (in a rather obvious way) that we are indeed going to be blessed with a big brother for the remainder of the Slagle kids. I now have go-karts to build and hunting trips to plan!!
We spent a week of vacation in Nebraska at the beginning of June. It was relaxing, and a great time just hanging out with friends and family. We also camped in the Thousand Islands region of NY over Memorial Day weekend and spent a weekend in the Finger Lakes National Forest.
Michelle's stomach continues to grow at a prodigious rate. We'll take another pregnant pic for the series "Pregnant in B&W" soon, it will be posted to http://picasaweb.google.com/michelle.slagle. I'll also try to post more prego Michelle pictures to satisfy those whining of not enough photo coverage (Dana!!!)
For those of you in NV, you'll have the opportunity to see the belly in person, as Michelle will be visiting from July 17-31. I'll be joining her for the weekend of the 28 and 29 to attend Cassidy and Erin's wedding.
I think that about does it (congrats to you if you made it through this entire post!)
Angiogram #4 happened during our visit to Cleveland. The cardiologist found that the secondary blockage which was found following the initial stent placement was due to one of those stents being placed improperly. The blockage was not cleared, and I'm still living day-to-day with a 100% blockage of my left anterior descending artery. He recommended being seen by a vascular medicine specialist (a hematologist). We spent the month of May and most of June waiting for BlueCross/BlueShield to approve a new referral, and now have an appointment for July 3. There will probably be no more procedures, just a determination of the best drug and diet therapy for the future. I have been feeling good and cardiac rehab is going very well.
We are having a boy! A sonogram on May 1 revealed (in a rather obvious way) that we are indeed going to be blessed with a big brother for the remainder of the Slagle kids. I now have go-karts to build and hunting trips to plan!!
We spent a week of vacation in Nebraska at the beginning of June. It was relaxing, and a great time just hanging out with friends and family. We also camped in the Thousand Islands region of NY over Memorial Day weekend and spent a weekend in the Finger Lakes National Forest.
Michelle's stomach continues to grow at a prodigious rate. We'll take another pregnant pic for the series "Pregnant in B&W" soon, it will be posted to http://picasaweb.google.com/michelle.slagle. I'll also try to post more prego Michelle pictures to satisfy those whining of not enough photo coverage (Dana!!!)
For those of you in NV, you'll have the opportunity to see the belly in person, as Michelle will be visiting from July 17-31. I'll be joining her for the weekend of the 28 and 29 to attend Cassidy and Erin's wedding.
I think that about does it (congrats to you if you made it through this entire post!)
Monday, April 23, 2007
The Slagles: 1 BlueCross/BlueShield of WNY: 0
All-
After some wrestling with our insurance provider, BlueCross/BlueShield, we are finally headed to Cleveland tomorrow to get an opinion from an expert cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic.
The doctor is not sure that he will perform an angiogram. During his initial review of my case, he said that I would be a good candidate for what I believe is the Frontrunner catheter. However, he reviewed my angiogram films today and was not as sure that he would be able to get through the blockage.
All the same, I will be glad to get advice from him. The Cleveland Clinic is reputed to be the #1 heart center in the nation, so if a doctor there tells me to go ahead and live my life with a 100% blockage, I'll feel a little bit better about it.
Our appointment is at 1 PM tomorrow (4/24) afternoon, and if they do go ahead with an angiogram, it will be scheduled for sometime on Wednesday.
Please pray for wisdom for the doctor, patience for us, and safe travel to Cleveland.
Thank you to everyone for their support throughout this process,
Travis & Michelle
After some wrestling with our insurance provider, BlueCross/BlueShield, we are finally headed to Cleveland tomorrow to get an opinion from an expert cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic.
The doctor is not sure that he will perform an angiogram. During his initial review of my case, he said that I would be a good candidate for what I believe is the Frontrunner catheter. However, he reviewed my angiogram films today and was not as sure that he would be able to get through the blockage.
All the same, I will be glad to get advice from him. The Cleveland Clinic is reputed to be the #1 heart center in the nation, so if a doctor there tells me to go ahead and live my life with a 100% blockage, I'll feel a little bit better about it.
Our appointment is at 1 PM tomorrow (4/24) afternoon, and if they do go ahead with an angiogram, it will be scheduled for sometime on Wednesday.
Please pray for wisdom for the doctor, patience for us, and safe travel to Cleveland.
Thank you to everyone for their support throughout this process,
Travis & Michelle
Saturday, April 21, 2007
about that angiogram no. 4...
BlueCross/BlueShield of Western New York decided that they weren't so sure that I needed to go to Cleveland. I went for a second opinion on Thursday, and the cardiologist agreed with my initial cardiologist's determination. Hopefully that will be enough to change the mind of the insurance company, and we'll be heading to Cleveland on the 24th and 25th.
Please pray for patience, I know that this will happen (or not) in God's timing, but it is awfully hard to remember that sometimes.
Michelle's tummy continues to grow, we will find out if Jr. is a boy or a girl within the next couple of weeks!
12 week sonogram and Michelle+baby pics can be seen here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/michelle.slagle
Please pray for patience, I know that this will happen (or not) in God's timing, but it is awfully hard to remember that sometimes.
Michelle's tummy continues to grow, we will find out if Jr. is a boy or a girl within the next couple of weeks!
12 week sonogram and Michelle+baby pics can be seen here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/michelle.slagle
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Angiogram #4
Quick update:
I have returned to work (started March 21).
We will be traveling to the Cleveland Clinic (#1 heart Center in the nation) for my fourth angiogram on April 17. They will do some tests on the 17th, and the angiogram will be on the 18th. Please pray for safety for me and Michelle, as the Clinic isn't in a very safe neighborhood.
Michelle's tummy is getting bigger ;)
I have returned to work (started March 21).
We will be traveling to the Cleveland Clinic (#1 heart Center in the nation) for my fourth angiogram on April 17. They will do some tests on the 17th, and the angiogram will be on the 18th. Please pray for safety for me and Michelle, as the Clinic isn't in a very safe neighborhood.
Michelle's tummy is getting bigger ;)
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