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racprops
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Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2450
Location: Phoenix AZ

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:55 am    Post subject: racprops retirement!!! Reply with quote

A WARNING about heart disease.

Knowing my father did not make to past 57 years old due to heart failure I was worried and keeping a eye on my health.

I have just learned that by the time many tests show any problems, you might already be dead. Kind of like the oil pressure light or gauge in modern cars that light up AFTER the engine has already failed.

I have had some high blood pressure for years.

BUT: None of the teats I have helped:

EKG
Whether you spell it EKG or ECG, it's an electrocardiogram. Found nothing
Chest X-Ray

Stress Test

• Treadmill stress test: As long as you can walk and have a normal ECG, this is normally the first stress test performed. You walk on a treadmill while being monitored to see how far you walk and if you develop chest pain or changes in your ECG that suggest that your heart is not getting enough blood.
• Dobutamine or Adenosine Stress Test: This test is used in people who are unable to exercise. A drug is given to make the heart respond as if the person were exercising. This way the doctor can still determine how the heart responds to stress, but no exercise is required.
• Nuclear stress test: This test helps to determine which parts of the heart are healthy and function normally and which are not. A small amount of radioactive substance is injected into the patient. Then the doctor uses a special camera to identify the rays emitted from the substance within the body; this produces clear pictures of the heart tissue on a monitor. These pictures are done both at rest and after exercise. Using this technique, areas of the heart that have a decreased blood supply can be detected.

All failed to show real problems.

Echocardiogram (Ultra sound)
There are several variations on the echocardiogram, or "echo," as doctors call it.
Again no real warnings..

6 heart enzymes tests failed to show any damage no problems.

Cardiac catheterization -- also called a coronary angiogram -- means running a catheter into your heart. It's done to help doctors see what's going on in there, and whether they need to operate.

THIS last test was a winner it showed I was only minutes from meeting god in person.

It was to only test that A) really showing my near death conduction and

B) Saved my life.

So I would suggest if you have ANY problems you get coronary angiogram

OK What is all this about:

I have a Quadruple Heart Bypass Surgery this past Monday after noon.

Due to my health problems I am retiring as of Monday 1 21 2013.

It has been fun.

Thanks everyone.

Rich
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Last edited by racprops on Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:56 pm; edited 3 times in total
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Staar
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Joined: 04 Feb 2008
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 4:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, I guess as we advance in years, many of us are faced with similar challenges and its my sincerest wish that you're able to keep well, healthy and in good spirits for many years to come Rich.

As I have said to you personally and also on various public forums, your contribution to facilitating the acquisition - for the fanboys - of some truly sought after prop replicas is the stuff of legend.

From a BR point of view, while there have been times of volatility and anger, its safe to say that you will always be one of the doyens of the blaster community and you're to be thanked and commended warmly.

Best of luck on the road going forward mate...

Highest regards

MARK
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joberg
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Joined: 06 Oct 2008
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

While I'm glad that you're o.k. and are taking care of yourself health-wise, I'm sadden by the news of your retirement from the hobby.
Your history as a prop maker is the stuff of legend (good and bad, but such is life) and to have enable us to have the definite BR blaster is and will be a treat for years to come. It's still a dream of mine to have one of your piece and display it proudly in my collection.
Long life to you Rich and don't forget to drop by from time to time
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ocd
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Location: Royal Oak MI

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:57 pm    Post subject: Good luck Rich Reply with quote

Speechless.

On a similar note relating to heart health, both my Dad and step Mom had quad bypasses in the late seventy's (77-79 ? 81-82) and early eighty's.

Both lived MANY happy healthy years AFTER surgery.

Your health comes first.

Your skills WILL be missed.
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FETTERBOBA
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for everything you have done.
Live long and be happy.
Rob
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racprops
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:58 pm    Post subject: Re: Good luck Rich Reply with quote

ocd wrote:
Speechless.

On a similar note relating to heart health, both my Dad and step Mom had quad bypasses in the late seventy's (77-79 ? 81-82) and early eighty's.

Both lived MANY happy healthy years AFTER surgery.

Your health comes first.

Your skills WILL be missed.


I know that is a very real possibility but it is something I will only know when I get there.

Even by the best projections a good recovery is still 3 to 4 months away.

So it is day by day.

Thanks everyone for the kind words.

Rich
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Bassnoir
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Joined: 28 Dec 2008
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Location: Olympia, WA

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rich....I came to the "hobby" a few short years ago and have had a number of dealing with you...ALL of which were a delight...I have two of your beautiful blasters one of which was made by you and I consider them both treasures...
I want to thank you very much personally and if I may be so bold...thank you from the "hobby".

...a lightning rod you may be...it has NOT been dull...(big smile)

Take good care of yourself and please keep in touch with this site...

David
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DeckB26354
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Joined: 24 Oct 2007
Posts: 212

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 3:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

All the very best to you Rich.
I hope your recovery is wonderfully smooth and surprisingly speedy. I will miss your expertise, honestly and enthusiasm.

Do drop a quick hello once you're back on your feet!
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doppelganger01
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Joined: 05 Nov 2006
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Location: L.V.N.V.

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am sorry to hear this, Rich. I wish you all the best. Please take care.

Sincerely,
Rick
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jameth
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Joined: 02 Feb 2010
Posts: 825

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Minutes after selling my blaster I saw your announcement and I cancelled the sale as I was planning to get another of your blasters from you down the road. I don't want to risk not being able to get another and I had a very cool customer who understands.

You are the Blaster Master and will be missed.

Please drop by and let us know how you are doing.
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racprops
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Glad you were able to hold things.

This is day one of being out of the hospitable, so far OK.

Not eating much (hoping for some great weight loses.)

Chofting up fluid from my lungs is a nightmare of pain but I am alive...

It IS a part of the recovery and should be over within a week.

It just goes to show that even with all tests running, force shields at max, scanners at full "watchout" something can still get in a really mess up your life with almost no warning.

Rich
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Last edited by racprops on Mon Jan 28, 2013 9:55 pm; edited 1 time in total
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panaflex
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Joined: 02 May 2009
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 9:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just wanted to say all the best to you Rich. Thanks for the years of great service to the hobby.

While I had to sell the blaster you made for me due to financial turmoil, I'm proud to say I owned one of your pieces and it is still missed in my home.

Many happy returns!
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phase pistol
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Take care Rich, and my best to you.

Karl
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racprops
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 2:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well at least I was NOT retired by a Blade Runner....
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andy
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Location: Rochester, NY

PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 4:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Get better soon Rich and hopefully enjoy your time off. This past year I lost 2 friends to heart problems, and a 3rd friend had a heart attack and all are/were a lot younger than me. It kills many more people in this country than anything else. I wish you a healthy long life my friend.

Andy
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cratercritter
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Joined: 15 Jul 2009
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Get well soon!
Quad-pass... Shocked that's a brand new engine (nearly).... you will feel great soon with that reconditioned ticker plus the weight loss helps heaps. Keep up the good work. All the best in your new endeavours, "retirement" Rich.

cheers.
cratercritter

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racprops
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am told that I will need about three to six months to recover what I will recover.

I am told NOT to pick up anything heavier than 2 pounds, to not use my arms to get up or to sit down, and not to push or pull any harder than 2 pounds, and at my age this will be enforced for 4 to 8 weeks or longer.

This to allow my sternum to heal, they cracked open my chest to get in.

I am told I cannot drive as long as this is a problem.

I am told that I will never be the same.

I am told I may not be able to do what I used to do.

But yes I am told in a few cases I might end up better than I was, IF my health problems I had before I had this heart attack was caused by my heart illness.

IF I had been sick with heart disease, this could be the outcome, but there is no proof, in fact all tests done over the past couple of years had reported my having a heart like a horse.

So this was either a sudden offset of illness, OR it could have been there most of my life only to pop up within a week and nearly killed me. OR it could have been your everyday heard disease.

Again I have not been able to get any information which it might have been.

Heart disease usually shows up long before the big heart attack, there are normally lots of warning signs.

I had none. I had three days of light chest pain, and if I did not keep a watch on my blood pressure and not felt 225 over 110 should be checked out, I might have not be here to tell this tail.

Working on a computer is just about the only work I can do.

I face major life support problems..how to pay for everything.

A major heart attack is life changing event.

So far I have three friends who have had heart attacks, two died and the third is about 40% of his old self.

So retirement seemed the only real answer.
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racprops
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am reporting what is happening to me.

These are what I am dealing with.

Currently even thought I have hardly eaten anything for two weeks I am not losing any weight.

I cannot lay down, the closer to being horizontal the more pain I feel in my chest, I am told this is normal for quads.

Currently I can only sleep in a chair, sitting up and only when i get so tired i just fall a sleep.

I feel asleep around 7:30 am and just woke up.

Again I am told that totally messed up sleeping is normal.

And again this is supposed to clear up within 4 weeks.

This is NOT fun.

Rich
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corellian77
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Joined: 29 May 2011
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 2:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds like hell Rich... I guess the only "good" news is that these are normal side effects, and that they should pass relatively shortly. Hang in there.

Also, just to echo everyone else's sentiments, I would like to thank you for everything you've contributed to this community. Although I'm somewhat of a newcomer to the BR blaster collecting scene, it didn't take much time or research for me to learn that you were one of the people at the forefront of this hobby. Having owned one of your blasters (which I just sold recently), I can appreciate first hand the amount of skill and craftsmanship you brought to your prop making.

I wish you all the best, and hope you'll remain an active member on the message boards for a long while yet.
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Ki-Djowac
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Joined: 23 Feb 2012
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Location: Belgium

PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Rich,
I've got alot of respect for the craftsmanship and knowledge that is put into your props. I hope you get better soon and keep finding your way to the forum.

Respectfully
Steve
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