I spoke to Vince today by phone. He had just been through a stress test and his doctor advised him to have bypass surgery asap. It will either be a triple or quadruple bypass and the procedure will happen tomorrow morning.

It was originally supposed to be today, but the hospital sent him home as the operating rooms were already taken. As he left for a day at home to think about it, the doctor advised him against doing anything strenuous, he should not stay up late, couldn't eat a big dinner, and advised that he not drink.

Vince shot back, "Then what the %&$# am I going home for?"

Keep good thoughts for Vince. He is the best!

Vince has my prayers and best wishes.

If he's that unstable he shouldn't be home...

Good luck Vince!

Obviously, to sit around reading PW and the good wishes and energy we are all sending his way!

I'm sorry to hear the news... "bypass surgery" is a scary phrase indeed, especially when modified by the words "triple" or "quadruple." The good news is that cardiac surgery has really advanced in recent years. I'm guessing Vince will be back on his feet within days and will soon resume his helpful role of informing newbies that their "valuable antique" uprights are really worth less than the cost of moving them to a dump...

Our thoughts are with you, Vince. Hope it goes well for you tomorrow.

All the best Vince.

I had a triple in 1999 and look at me.
Ok, maybe that's not the best example :-)

The first thing I did when the nurses got me up to walk
was ask where I could find a computer with an Internet connection, so I could
check Piano World (I kid you not).

They let me use the one in the nurses lounge.

It's ok though Vince, you can wait until you get home.

Seriously though, you'll be fine, but trust me when I tell you...
DO WHAT YOUR DOCTOR(s) TELLS YOU!

Eat the way they tell you, exercise the way they tell you.
Get the rest they tell you, take the meds they prescibe.

Before you know it, you'll feel better than new.

"Vince shot back, "Then what the %&$# am I going home for?"

Sounds a lot like a memorable quote from Woodie Guthrie; unfortunately not the kind of thing you could reprint on Piano World.

Any kind of big surgical procedure is scary, but this is one that can really give you a new life. My best wishes.

It's 4:15AM, I'm due at hospital at 5:15AM. Only a 15 minute drive. A wonderful niece stayed over and is driving me.
I would like to thank Rich and all of you for the well wishes, and prayers.
Vince

All the best, Vince.

Vince,

Get well, and get back here. soon!

It is amazing what medicine can do to make things right again.

Best thoughts will be with you today and no chasing after the nurses during your recovery!

I hope all is well--remarkable what doctors can do. You'll be entertaining the nurses in no time!

Holy Cow. Sending loads of good thoughts your way.

Jodi

Vince,
Do take care.

Rich

Any updates on how it went today?

Hope all is well - you're in our thoughts and prayers.

You're in my prayers. (After all, you're one of the few that are MUCH older than me!)

s

All the best to you, Vince.

Vince, all the very best. We're in your corner. Looking forward to seeing you back here soon!

Any word? If he had the surgery yesterday, they probably have him walking already...

Good morning all,

I know that at this moment he is in the ICU. The hospital would not give me any other information over the phone but I have left a message for his niece, who he is close to.

I am sure she will give us the straight deal.

Mark, you have me nervous. Is this out of the ordinary if they did a bypass yesterday??

He will be in the post cardiac surgical ICU for a day or two and then will be stepped down to a more regular ICU unit. The first 24 hrs he will have one on one nursing. Most of the tubes will also be removed at this time and they will have him walking before you know it. Sounds normal to me. My guess he's at JSMC which does a nice job. I did some training there in the past.

Just got more info.,

Mark is "spot on". Vince is in a cardiac ICU and will be stepped down later today. They would like to get him up and moving, but at this point there is no timing for that.

Thanks all!

I will keep you posted as I learn more,

Hang in there Vince. Do your rehab and you'll be fine. We're all pulling for you.

For those who don't know Vince personally, here he is with his friend, Andre Watts:



This was taken at Cunningham Piano Company just before this past Christmas.

Our best wishes from Florida to Vince!

Rich - Get that man some piano music in there! He'll recover much quicker!

In my thoughts and prayers as well, Vince. There's hundreds of people thinking of you. You'll be better in no time!

Hey Vince!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery from all of your old buddies in the National Piano Traveler's Association. I know you will be back on your game in no time and hope that you can make it out to NAMM in January (maybe one of your old colleagues will invite you out to work their booth and pay your expenses and commission for orders). Then you can attend the annual party!

Warm regards,

Good luck on a speedy recovery Vince! I hope you like vegetables

Thanks for keeping us all informed Rich.

No problem Jeff.

I just got off the phone with Vince. He is now in the stepped down ICU and can have visitors. He was surprisingly pleasant and mentioned that it did not hurt nearly as much as he imagined it would, although he said a martini would be delicious right about now.

I read him the posts so far and it really lifted his spirits to hear them. Please keep them coming.

He would have told me more to say but his throat was still sore from the tubing they had inserted, so I am sure I will have more later.