My Bleedin' Heart

hey folks - what a show! I tell ya I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that card, MY card pop up out of that can of dog food. I saw a few lunatics on youtube saying it was bad sleight of hand... what the hell are they talking about? I was RIGHT there. people are losing it.

A bunch of press is gonna start showing up for the new record, and this "What I Can't Live Without" came out the other day, and I think it's a pretty funny read. I was at a loss, because I'm not a very materialistic kind of guy, in that I don't collect much or have things I need, but the writer got me talkin and I rambled on about my particulars. I think it's a pretty funny read.

So, the reason for our evening show this week...

Earlier this year, I had an insurance physical for the Jordan Peele movie in Albuquerque... I have had high blood pressure that comes and goes and on this day it was high but also the doctor was having a hard time getting a reading at all. My heart was skipping beats and making things go haywire. She made a note that I should see a cardiologist as soon as possible. Oh great.

So in between my many trips back and forth to Toronto for Shadows, I managed to squeeze in a visit which didn't lead to much except better blood pressure meds and an appointment to get a full echogram and stress test scheduled in between more travel.

I got the tests done but another visit was scheduled for the doctor to review them with me. But by then, I was off to New York for a movie, where they required another insurance physical... I had to call the cardiologist and convince him I was good to go. He signed off but also gave me cryptic sounding concern about the tests. He gave me some numbers and percentages and some terminology I didn't understand and said he'd go over it with me in person when I was back in town. NOT AN EMERGENCY, YOU'LL BE FINE was the key line I took from the conversation. But... fuck.

Finally back in town after a month in new york and italy waiting for my heart to explode at any moment, I had the follow up appointment. The good news was, my stress test was normal, and there wasn't much blockage to worry about but I had Premature Ventricle Contractions happening... extra beats which has been over time, weakening my heart. I'd been feeling it to be honest... at night mostly, I felt the palpitations and the thumping of my heart like i'd just downed a double espresso. He said it was fairly normal and treatable, but needed to be addressed so the heart could start repairing itself. He recommended I undergo a procedure called an ablation... where they send a tube up your artery, into your heart and zap the nerve tissue that's sending the extra beat. This involved another doctor and another appointment to ensure I was a good candidate for the procedure.

I met with the new doctor who reviewed my tests and said I'm good to go. He explained it's a fairly routine procedure where they send a camera up along with the laser, find the tissue and blast away. Apparently my abnormal nerve tissue is genetic and not derived from years of bad dietary decisions, which made me feel a little better. He said after the procedure, I'll experience a noticeable difference if how I feel. Perhaps a miracle sure situation. But it's a little more involved than say getting a cavity filled, so it's a full on night in the hospital, anesthesia... the works!

So that's happening Wednesday. And while the procedure should only take a few hours, I'll have to stay over that night. The doctor said I should feel right as rain the next day. Can you imagine me with a ONE HUNDRED PERCENT FUNCTIONING HEART?!! LFG!

Anyhow, needless to say, it's made for a stressful year - considering all my travel and uncertainty. And while I grateful to have incredible insurance thanks to my union, the healthcare system is often a byzantine maze of confusion. Many many phone calls and follow ups and forms to sign and information to remember...   I certainly don't love the idea of some wire running up my arm and into my heart, but I'm really looking forward to getting past this whole saga.

Look out for the post op hospital bed thumbs up pic coming wed or Thursday morning. Or a CNN Breaking News Alert: "Bridesmaids Actor Dies During Routine Surgery"

But please whatever you do, do NOT pray for me, unless you are a trained professional in prayer.

Peace and Love to All!

PS: TICKETS FOR TOUR TICKETS FOR TOUR TICKETS FOR TOUR!  I know you have to talk it over with your partner, but get em know and beg for forgiveness later.

Someone asked if I'd sign things at the VIP Meet and Greet... my answer is: SURE!