My pops - SMU professor - is having triple bypass surgery

ThadFilms · Post by **ThadFilms** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:13 am

Hey Folks -

I spend a lot of time with you guys so I figured I'd throw this out there...

Just wanted to ask that you guys to keep my dad - Dr. David W. Matula, Computer Science, with 30+ years service to SMU - in your thoughts and prayers.

He was taken to Presbyterian yesterday after failing a stress test. He had been complaining of chest pains, and had been weakened for more than a week.

Yesterday the thought was that the test this morning would reveal that he needed a stint, and that would be nothing more than day surgery. "Oh, no... don't change your plans and come up..." The Doc told him not to worry that he would - most likely - be back to work by Monday, to which my Dad quipped, "You're gonna' make me work on a Holiday?" (Not that Holidays or anything have stopped him before, he had my mother bring in his brief case and laptop so he could keep right on working last night.)

He confided in me that he was pleased with the "good as new" by Monday prognosis as he didn't want to miss the game. Needless to say, I don't think he will be making it now.

When I spoke to him last night he was far more concerned about whether Fox Sports Southwest would be carrying the Cards (at Houston) game in the Dallas market last night, than his test this morning.... well, here we go.

Anyhow, I look forward to seeing you all on the 'Vard and in the stands this Monday.

Oh and the prognosis looks good, but I won't know anything for sure until he gets out of surgery... which will be sometime when I am on the road.

Pax,
Thaddeus

p.s. special thanks to the KnuckleHeads for giving me something to laugh and smile about just by thinking about it. Pony Up!

smupony94 · Post by **smupony94** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:16 am

All the best to you and your family

ThadFilms · Post by **ThadFilms** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:21 am

smupony94 wrote:All the best to you and your family

Thanks, and I know that they have gotten pretty good at the whole bypass thingy these days.... but still, it's a concern... and the it's the "triple" thing that gets me.

smupony94 · Post by **smupony94** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:23 am

ThadFilms wrote:
smupony94 wrote:All the best to you and your family

Thanks, and I know that they have gotten pretty good at the whole bypass thingy these days.... but still, it's a concern... and the it's the "triple" thing that gets me.

My boss had the procedure done 3 months ago and I was amazed at how fast he recovered and although his chest hurt he said he felt better than he had in years as the blood was finally able to flow.

ThadFilms · Post by **ThadFilms** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:28 am

smupony94 wrote:
ThadFilms wrote:
smupony94 wrote:All the best to you and your family

Thanks, and I know that they have gotten pretty good at the whole bypass thingy these days.... but still, it's a concern... and the it's the "triple" thing that gets me.

My boss had the procedure done 3 months ago and I was amazed at how fast he recovered and although his chest hurt he said he felt better than he had in years as the blood was finally able to flow.

That's awesome.... and how the heck have you gotten ahead of me by a thousand posts???

jtstang · Post by **jtstang** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:33 am

Honestly these things are pretty common these days, my mother-in-law had one last year. I'm sure everything will be okay. Peace, brother.

smu diamond m · Post by **smu diamond m** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:37 am

I saw him yesterday tooling around 2nd floor Caruth. I hope he gets through this fine with no complications.

smupony94 · Post by **smupony94** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:38 am

ThadFilms wrote:
smupony94 wrote:
ThadFilms wrote:
smupony94 wrote:All the best to you and your family

Thanks, and I know that they have gotten pretty good at the whole bypass thingy these days.... but still, it's a concern... and the it's the "triple" thing that gets me.

My boss had the procedure done 3 months ago and I was amazed at how fast he recovered and although his chest hurt he said he felt better than he had in years as the blood was finally able to flow.

That's awesome.... and how the heck have you gotten ahead of me by a thousand posts???

I am the phantom poster along with Raplh who will be back starting on Monday,

Bergermeister · Post by **Bergermeister** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:52 am

With a triple, he needs to spend some time recuperating. He really shouldn't go to the game... until the 2nd half. I know everything will go well.

MustangIcon · Post by **MustangIcon** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:04 am

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Cadillac · Post by **Cadillac** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:07 am

Good luck to you and yours Thad, we'll be praying for your pops.

-CoS

PonyLove · Post by **PonyLove** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:13 am

Best of luck. My dad had his done at Presby 20 years ago and he is still going strong with no further complications!

PK · Post by PK » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:14 am

Make sure the recovery room has a TV that gets ESPN. Everything should go fine...it's one of the most performed procedures out there. You, he and your family will be in my thoughts for sure.

peruna81 · Post by **peruna81** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:16 am

May God guide the surgeon's hands, and grant David and your family comfort, healing and peace...and have him ready to cheer for the Mustangs Monday.

ThadFilms · Post by **ThadFilms** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:50 am

smu diamond m wrote:I saw him yesterday tooling around 2nd floor Caruth.

Ah, well, he'll be back there soon enough.

So - as you folks can tell, I still haven't left yet... going up with my bro and his fam. Three kids all aged 4 and younger. Herding cats.

Anyhow, I wanted to take moment to thank you all for the well wishes. Truly, I am not "worried", but you have to be there you know, and it does make you think about mortality... and the fact that my Dad may have had gray hair my entire life (well it's been white for the last 10-15). but he turns 70 in a couple months, and that's, you know... well, he's no longer a spring chicken.

Again thanks folks, I thought about whether I should post about this for a good little while when I did, I'm not one for the grandstanding, seeking sympathy posts... but, again, we've got a community here, so ... yeah, there it is.

BTW - My Mom just met Cory Muse - at least I am guessing as such - at the hospital, she was down in the lobby and saw a guy wearing the Pony Up tee shirt, she walks up and says "go Mustangs", turned out to be my old high school chum, and assistant athletic trainer Warren Young. He was there with a DE, who appeared later - my mother said that the DE had said his name twice, but she blanked on it... "Cory Muse?" I say after she described him as a "big, tall, good looking dude." She thought that was right... Really what other big, tall good looking DE would be over at Presby? ... I mean, he is listed as doubtful. (Did I break some sort of unwritten code of coaching gamesmanship by saying a player was in a hospital lobby?)

Bergermeister wrote:With a triple, he needs to spend some time recuperating. He really shouldn't go to the game... until the 2nd half.

A+