Duane's Photos

Lewis Garlisi  Hey Duane. I see you haven't lost your sense of humor. I Have not visited this site for some time, so I thought if check in and put in a few words. Life post surgery has been going pretty darn well and I am really grateful. Hope are well too.

Duane Beeman  Thank you Mr. Garlisi !! I am pretty well up here in the North also. So glad to be alive. Never went back to work. Went into "retirement" mode I guess.

Craig Gay  Oh Duane! Prior to joining this sight, I frequently read entries as a guest. Once it was time for Craig to have surgery, I joined. Your journal was one that I followed. I remember praying for you, that you'd pull through. It was such an ordeal you went through. I've thought of you often and wondered how you were doing. Glad you got your humor back :0) Hopefully the sun will shine and temperatures rise pretty soon here in northern Michigan. Take care and thanks for updating. Yvonne (Craig's wife)

Barbara Laurie  Hi Duane! I read your journal, very glad you came out the other side with , what seems like, a better you, a better life. I used to LOVE fly fishing on the little Truckee river, your optimism and humor gives me a bit of hope that I may see that day again! ❤ Best Regards 🌿🦋

Robyn Tatu  Ah hA! Good to hear from you Duane. Here's to the Lake (one of my favorite of your stories, how you jumped in and woke up wet and somewhere else...just before your surgery.) I think about you often.

Terrie Syvertsen  And will Arnold be the one updating us when it is your turn at surgery?!!!!! Quite a charmer! Love your humor like the rest of this community!

Duane Beeman  And yes....I won. Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium was packed that night. "Ain't nothin' to it, but to do it". Man, I wish my dad was still here to watch me win this one. I could sure use him in my corner right now. "I love you dad.....I got this".

Amy DiGiovanni Noack  Duane you've got this! I'm not far from you....other side of the pond up in Windsor! I've been home from the hospital since Feb. 7th. The worst part has been the weather. Good luck:)

Janet R  Duane, you can beat this one too. Your early diagnosis and finding the right surgeon is he advantage. It must be difficult though being asymptamatic. This community offers a wealth of information and support. Be well!

Barry Van Gemert  Does that tag around your neck say "flammable"? The guy on the other side of the ring must have been crapping his pants at that moment.

Duane Beeman  Amy: Love you Canadians. It's the Americans that wont let me back into my own country after I visit you that aggravate me. Janet: I've learned a TON here ! Barry: Actually, he was standing next to me warming up. This was taken behind the crowd, looking out at the ring. But yes, I had won my previous two fights in the tournament by knockouts so he was nervous. And the tag said, "Machine wash and Rumble Dry".

Duane Beeman  Thanks Kathy. Pat: You look and sound like an athlete. I like your attitude. You ever do any ring time? You should have !!!

Bill Hendrickson  Duane ,glad to know you are stIll feeling good with some reserve. Last summer in July I was biking for 14 miles in the heat without feeling any stress or shortness of breath which was pretty good for a 74 yro with two bad valves and 55 yr history of compromised valves. The cardiologist said the av was less than 0.9 and the MV was letting more blood flow backward than forward. My RN wife put a hold on any exertion in November untill my scheduled surgery at the end of Jan. The surgery was not painful, about a 3 on 10 and did not require narcotic meds. The most pain was low back from the hospital bed, and my biggest concern was the possible need for a feeding tube because I lost all taste for food. Once I left the hospital my taste for food increased every day. In short I had a lot of energy and strength up to the day of surgery but I think the best advice
I had was to take it easy prior to surgery. Too many valve patients have had dramatic decline in the quality of life just before surgery. You sound like a good candidate for excellent results after surgery. Keep what you have in reserve and you will do well. Good luck with your journey.

Duane Beeman  I will heed that advice and take it very easy, Bill. But I hope I don't lose my taste for food.................I just bought a new Bradley Smoker so I can kick out some good ribs and smoked beans.

Kimberly Biddick  Gorgeous! My dad is from the Iron Mountain area in the UP. I loved visiting Michigan in the summer more than any other time of the year!

Barry Van Gemert  Going to have a helicopter at the ready incase there is a post-op hiccup? Only downside of recovering in such a beautiful out-of-the-way place.

Duane Beeman  Hey Barry: You might be with me. And as soon as the cardiologist says "go" , I'll be gone. Actually, I'm only about 15 miles from a hospital up there. Worst case is I'll float face down all the way to Lake Huron.

Ben Hyman  Hang in there Duane. I'm in the same boat. I have a leaky Mitral Valve that needs repair. I'm also 58 and never even been in the hospital . I'm not a boxer but I do Kettlebell 3 days per week. I'm asymptomatic but probably going to have it done this summer. Kinda scary but if they can fix it, you're basically cured. Get Adam's book. It's a great read and will help prepare you for what's to come and what to expect. It put me at ease for what I will eventually go through. You are in great shape and you'll do fine. Keep the faith

Ben from Minneapolis

Bill Cherry  Duane, with your excellent physical condition, you will do fine. I had aortic valve replacement 2 months ago at age 72 and am recovering really well. I've completed 7 weeks of phase II cardiac rehab, and feel better, stronger every day. Bc

Duane Beeman  Cybergenics ? No, I'm the guy from the Bacardi and diet Coke program. This indeed is all about mental preparation, focus and determination. For me, conquering fear has always been about deceiving myself if necessary. I talk myself into believing that I'm not afraid. It works. Strange but true

Duane Beeman  Mike is helping me focus and prepare mentally for this "event". Next to him is Stevie "D" Darnell, long time sparring partner of Marvin Hagler. I get NO sympathy in this process. Only drive and direction on the proper method of mental preparation under stress. Good guys to have around. Mike had 168 sanctioned fights, won three national amateur titles and hit the Golden Boy as hard as he's been hit. He knows a little about preparation.

Mary Myers  The monkey picture made me laugh. So cute, I teach preschoolers and immediately thought of curious George!!!! Hugs , Mary

Terry Shermeister   Hi Duane: Nice to hear from you again. Great comment and picture! Yes I've never thought about all this stuff, the tests, and the probes and what other stuff. I thought I'd have a nice month to relax before the slice and dice!!

Nancy D  LOLOLOL!!! There is such a thing as excess! However, who knows if he would have lived 6 months if he had no wheel. Life is uncertain-- do the best you can!

Terry Shermeister   Hey Duane I love your attitude and humor. Thank goodness for you!! I visit my surgeon Wednesday. Hope you are doing well!

Bill Cherry  So that's what happened! I'm missing a few parts. :)
If anyone finds a few extra valves laying around the operating room, please let me know.

Barry Van Gemert  That looks like something straight out of an old alien movie. Maybe it is a good thing to be knocked out during the surgery, who knows what happens.

Terry Shermeister   Bill and Barry I love it!! Yes, Duane, I'll plow a head for you. Thanks so much for your message. I feel a positive energy between you and I. Let's bring it. I miss your communications when a time lapse happens. We will talk soon.

Lewis Garlisi  Yes, I don't see much value in being awake during surgery. Not like we could prevent something like that from happening, or do anything about it if it does.

Duane Beeman  Thank you both. Those girls were raised on mashed potatoes and......mashed potatoes. Even today you have to pass the mashed potatoes to them with a long stick so you don't get bit.

Jennifer Miller  Wow! What gorgeous daughters you have! You sure are a lucky man to be blessed with three great kids, Duane!

Kimberly Biddick  I agree Lewis! It's 1 of 2 shows I watch... and with 2 1/2 men, it's only the Charlie Sheen re-runs I will watch!

Terry Shermeister   He's a good lookin kid. Sure you don't want him in the stock yard when they choose your valve?? Any sightings of Marlin Brando? Now that would be an animal to consider for Aortic Valve!

Deborah Flaherty  Duane, your posts and pictures make me smile! Thanks for helping me stay positive before my date at the heart spa this Thursday!

Duane Beeman  Deborah: If I don't laugh and joke my way through this whole thing, I might actually take it seriously and wind up getting nervous. There's not a THING we can do to change our circumstances (and there are SO many people who would gladly trade places with us) that we need to be grateful.....not scared or angry. WE are going to get fixed, Sixty years ago we'd all be funerals waiting to happen. Now I'm a sunny day on the lake (with a drink in my hand) waiting to happen. Don't you DARE go negative on me !! You should be dancing around the house with a smile. I'll lead....and I HAVE been know to cut a little rug in my day !!!

Tammy Pilcher  Lol! Duane, I bet you're going to be so ready to get this over with, you'll be there a day early! :-)

Duane Beeman  HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL MY FRIENDS ON THIS SITE. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.....
"May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand"

Tammy Pilcher  Happy Memorial Day to you too, Duane! Thanks for always bringing the best humor, too! Love the cartoons!!:-)

Terry Shermeister   You are right, it's from my mom that I haven't gotten since she passed away 30 years ago. Sorry for not communicating. I will tell you this. Get ready for a fight. I thought a lot about you while in recovery at the hospital those 4 days. For me, there were punches arriving that I didn't see coming. You think you prepared for the fight, but then he'd get you with something you were not ready for. I had it under control but surprises were aplenty.

Terry Shermeister   Hi Duane: How are you doing? Each day is better for me and it's a relief to have this behind. As for the Character Ref., you got it: To whom it may concern--Duane is a certified Character!!!

Barry Van Gemert  Being an ex-boxer had to have helped keeping the hounds away from that gorgeous daughter! Not just one, but two.

Terry Shermeister   Thanks for your post in my guestbook. Looks like you are enjoying the beach and nice weather. I grew up just over the pond there in Sheboygan, our house was right on Lake Michigan. It will be two weeks on Thursday. The pain really has never been an issue. Just hitting tired spells. My goal today will be to walk 30 minutes. One week from today my son and I have John Mellenkamp VIP tickets first five rows. Not sure if I'll be able to join him.

Duane Beeman  Barry: You only have to knock out a couple and the rest fall right in line. Terry: Go pick up that money I found for you and give it to your son so he can enjoy the concert in style.

Terry Shermeister   Don't worry about the cash!!! It's going to his college fund! Nice photo of you and your twin girl! I love the lake.

Tammy Pilcher  Duane, I don't know if it's worse to get that response or one like I got. An older gentleman that goes to my church said to me before my surgery, "You know they're going to saw completely through your sternum, open you all the way up, and cut your heart open. Don't you?". He's actually a nice guy, just one of those people that you kind of expect anything to come out of his mouth. But the funny thing were the looks on everyone's faces that were standing around us. They were horrified that he was telling me that! I just laughed and said,"Yeah, I think that's pretty much what happens."

Duane Beeman  “Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that." -- George Carlin

Christine Pittelli  So true, both of you. It just shows that most who have not gone through it, really have no idea what the correct thing is to say, or how difficult the process is before or during recovery. They really have no clue, and they are glad it is not them going through it! :)

Christine Pittelli  Hi Tammy! I am doing well, thank you for asking. I am visiting my surgeon in NYC tomorrow to "check in" as he requested. They did a chest x -ray, results are back, all looks good. But I know he is going to ask me how I feel - which will be a life long thing - every 6 months he wants to hear from his patients. I am happy to do it - I always have questions. :)

Life is getting better and better each day. :) I continue to get stronger even at 8 months post op.

I hope you are doing well yourself. :)

Mary K  THANK YOU, Duane.

And "things are so much better now than they used to be". Oh wonderful. So now they only saw through half the sternum, and then spread you open. It's a matter of perspective. My perspective is looking down at my chest.

One person actually told me that the danger of open heart surgery was no greater than driving into the city. Really???? In what fantasy world is she living?

I have come to the conclusion over the past few weeks that people tend to say whatever pops into their heads first. Sometimes it is simply ignorant, or detached and I try to brush it off or ignore it.

The people who have been the most supportive for me are the ones who simply stop for a instant, our eyes meet, and I can see the deep empathy that they have. What a gift. What a lesson.

May I have the presence in my life to do the same for others.

Tammy Pilcher  That's great Christine! Yes, I'm still doing well too at 7 months post op! Take care and God bless you! :-)

Duane Beeman  Mary: Absolutely correct on all counts. "Stop for an instant". That applies to so many areas of life. I too, have learned from this experience.

Tammy Pilcher  I agree Duane and Mary! And most, by far, of my experiences through this have been wonderful! Even, the older gentleman I wrote about was very supportive. That's just his personality and that's why I could just laugh about it. I have, though, tried to remember what has helped the most so that I can help someone else when needed.

Tammy Pilcher  Thanks Pamla, I just saw your comment. Yeah, but he's actually a nice man, just older and a character! I think his wife probably told him later that wasn't the best comment to make.:-)

Wendy Brown  My surgeon told me he was doing a full cut. I asked him the recovery time between a full or
Partial . He said none of its a big deal. I laughed. That's a surgeon for you. Just routine for them. I guess that's a good thing.

  I had the full one, and have done very well since I came home. No pain. Healing well. Very minimal decrease in my range of motion with my arms. God is Good.

Duane Beeman  "Or maybe we should run on down to Mamby, Pamby land and have us a little heart attack, you miserable excuse for a patient !!!"

Denise Cockayne  I am just loving your sence of humor and so wish your bed was gonna be near mine for a laugh....then again it might hurt a bit. All the very best what time are you off the rank. I will be walking the walk the night b4 on the 8th and hoping they have some good ways of getting me some rest that night. Blessings

Terry Shermeister   I'm sure that you've got your platter full and will over the next few days my friend. Well, my plowing is about to end, and you can take up the next phase. I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you these days leading up to your surgery. It's time to get this in your rear view mirror!! Look ahead to the beauty of what's ahead and enjoy the rest of your life. My prayers, great thoughts, and just take care!!!!