Where have I been?

[REDACTED 4/28 BY TRAVELER BILL] here folks. I am the creator and driving force behind all the crazy characters of Traveler Bill Industries. Normally I would never break through the proverbial “Fourth Wall” but unexpected developments…err…developed in my life and I needed time to reflect.

So, I know it’s been a few months since my last real post. About a week after I visited the BBG I noticed that I was experiencing a slight shortness of breath after walking unexpectedly short distances and slight inclines. As someone who has been monitored by a cardiologist all my life due to a congenital heart defect I found this, no pun intended, disheartening.

So I visited my cardiologist, a great man Dr. Eric Kirschner, who said he noticed a difference in my echocardiogram and recommended that I lose weight. He also referred me to a specialist – I know a specialist sending me to a specialist!

The man he sent me to is Dr. Marlon Rosenbaum of Columbia Presbyterian. One of the foremost experts on adults with congenital heart problems, he ordered a battery of tests including another – more detailed – echocardiogram, a 24 hour halter monitor, a cardiac MRI and a stress test.

Without the boring details of each test the net result is that he believed that cardiac catheterization was a procedure that I ought to undergo, and that it may be necessary to install titanium stents in to one or both of my pulmonary arteries.

Luckily, as I hope the photograph above shows, I have been losing weight. Down from ~282 pounds at my last post to around 237 when today’s picture was taken. A mere four days after my procedure. Performed by the excellent Dr. William Hellenbrand of NY Presbyterian Pediatric Cardiology Dept. The catheters was by all accounts a complete success. I received the stents on both pulmonary arteries thereby initiating my transition into a cyborg of some sort, or perhaps a bionic man.

What is next, I find out next week. It appears as though I am looking at Valve Replacement surgery in early 2007. Which will either increase my machine/man percentage or transform me into a Man – Machine – Dr. Moreau Animal Hybrid.

Regardless of what sort of abomination I am destined to become I wanted to take the time to explain to the three or so fans who actually monitor this site why I have been so derelict lately and why I will be so derelict in the future. If anything newsworthy pops up, I will add an update.

Until that time though Happy Holidays and compliments of the Season.

Bill