PVGP 2017 - 40th Celebration of the Euro COTY July 14 - 16
07-08-2017, 06:25 PM
#211
Not the sharpest tool in the shed
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Ed, Rick, and all you guys who are going to be visitors to Pittsburgh for the 40th year celebration at PVGP,
It is with great regret that neither Jim Heisick nor I will be able to attend this great event. We were both very much looking forward to a great weekend of catching up with all of you and your lives again, but the plans have changed.
Fifteen days ago I had emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma. It seems this pint and a half of blood I was carrying around in my skull was rapidly pushing the brain into the right side of my skull, which meant I had essentially no communication with the left side of my body. I had gone from feeling great to having NO strength or stamina and very little ability to do anything over a period of about 1 week. The MRI and CAT scan indicated this hematoma was what needed to be corrected!!!
Great surgeon removed a top section of the skull, sucked out most of the excess blood, drilled a hole in the section and re-installed it with about 40 staples and a drain tube to get about half of the remaining blood to exit into a small vacuum bag (I was informed that the body absorbs any remaining) over the next 5 days. After a week in ICU at the hospital - with phenomenal care - the drain tube was removed. I then had four days of Rehab at a local facility then discharged and am now home. Still limited in quite a few things (can lift up to 10 lbs!), and no driving is one of them. So, I had to cancel my registration with our neighborly MB group for the PVGP event.
As further information - these hematomas usually occur from a fall or a severe blow to the head. I have not fallen in over 10 years, and the last hard fall was over 25 years ago when skiing in CO. Even though the symptoms had developed over about a weeks period of time, the surgeon said the blood looked like it was about 2-3 months old. I have no memory of striking my head hard in the 1st Qtr of '17. The symptoms I was experiencing are all those that usually relate to Parkinson's disease. So, knowing that going into the MRI tube, I'm one of the few people who was happy to have brain surgery!!! Prognosis for essentially full recovery is excellent in this case.
So, the bottom line on this is: it's OK to carry a spare quart of oil in your car, but DO NOT try to carry 24 oz of spare blood in your skull!!!!
Hope everyone has a great time at the 40th, and I'm planning on being there for the 41st.
Cheers to all,
Gary
It is with great regret that neither Jim Heisick nor I will be able to attend this great event. We were both very much looking forward to a great weekend of catching up with all of you and your lives again, but the plans have changed.
Fifteen days ago I had emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma. It seems this pint and a half of blood I was carrying around in my skull was rapidly pushing the brain into the right side of my skull, which meant I had essentially no communication with the left side of my body. I had gone from feeling great to having NO strength or stamina and very little ability to do anything over a period of about 1 week. The MRI and CAT scan indicated this hematoma was what needed to be corrected!!!
Great surgeon removed a top section of the skull, sucked out most of the excess blood, drilled a hole in the section and re-installed it with about 40 staples and a drain tube to get about half of the remaining blood to exit into a small vacuum bag (I was informed that the body absorbs any remaining) over the next 5 days. After a week in ICU at the hospital - with phenomenal care - the drain tube was removed. I then had four days of Rehab at a local facility then discharged and am now home. Still limited in quite a few things (can lift up to 10 lbs!), and no driving is one of them. So, I had to cancel my registration with our neighborly MB group for the PVGP event.
As further information - these hematomas usually occur from a fall or a severe blow to the head. I have not fallen in over 10 years, and the last hard fall was over 25 years ago when skiing in CO. Even though the symptoms had developed over about a weeks period of time, the surgeon said the blood looked like it was about 2-3 months old. I have no memory of striking my head hard in the 1st Qtr of '17. The symptoms I was experiencing are all those that usually relate to Parkinson's disease. So, knowing that going into the MRI tube, I'm one of the few people who was happy to have brain surgery!!! Prognosis for essentially full recovery is excellent in this case.
So, the bottom line on this is: it's OK to carry a spare quart of oil in your car, but DO NOT try to carry 24 oz of spare blood in your skull!!!!
Hope everyone has a great time at the 40th, and I'm planning on being there for the 41st.
Cheers to all,
Gary
Regarding the cause, Mrs. S4ordie read your post. She explained that high lateral pressure can cause the sort of hematoma you experienced. She said if you had spent some extended time on the track racing about this may have been the cause. Even if you haven't been on a track, might not want to do so in the future.
Please keep us informed on your recovery.
Dan
07-08-2017, 10:55 PM
#212
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Hope you'll find what the problem is soon.
Probably nothing major. Maybe a fuel pump relay? Just saying...
Good luck George and hope to see you next week end.
From my side, drove the car today for about 350 miles.
Looks good. For now...
07-09-2017, 07:58 AM
#213
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Thread Starter
That's great news Bertrand! And George, keeping fingers crossed!
07-09-2017, 09:46 PM
#216
Rennlist Member
What time? Earlier the better! By 9:00.
We'll talk Thursday and Friday.
07-09-2017, 11:28 PM
#220
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Thread Starter
All Attendees - also note, we usually send out an e-blast, but I'll tell you now - Cars start arriving at about 9:30 am or so, up until around 11:00 am or so, with stragglers rolling in after that. You enter Schenley Park at Schenley Drive up top of the hill, off Forbes Ave (look at Google maps). Drive down the hill on Schenley to gate E, where you'll be directed onto the lawn. We have a bunch of volunteers led by Rick who will direct you to the appropriate spot to park. All 928s will be specially configured, so come early if you can - about 9 am. After you park, walk over to the registration tent and get your envelope with dash card, lunch bands, and other items, including the People's Choice voting ballot - don't forget to vote for your favorite cars and turn it in by noon. All Porsches in the corral are eligible, but damn, we better see a 928 win a few of these (there will be 10 awards).
If it is raining, there will be special instructions, as the golf course people will not allow us onto the course until it stops raining and the course dries out. As of now, the weather is supposed to be spectacular!
As Rick said, we'll talk more about the best way to get in to the Park on Friday evening. Note - I 279 south bound is under construction. However, it will be fine on both mornings as there will be little traffic from the north (which is where Cranberry is and the hotels are). You'll take I-79 south to I-279 South, to the the Veteran's Bridge, go over that and bear to the right to Blvd of the Allies (Monroeville signs). Stay on that until you see the Forbes Ave exit to the right (do not get off at I-376). The Forbes Ave exit dips under the Blvd and goes up into the Oakland section of town, past Univ of Pitt and then past Carnegie Mellon Univ, then up the hill to Schenley Drive where you'll make a right and into the Park.
Just remember, driving in Pittsburgh can be a challenge - there are no grids; just hills and roads weaving all over the place in fairly random order. Ain't easy to get around!
Best bet, follow Otto (or Glen - he's been here too).
If it is raining, there will be special instructions, as the golf course people will not allow us onto the course until it stops raining and the course dries out. As of now, the weather is supposed to be spectacular!
As Rick said, we'll talk more about the best way to get in to the Park on Friday evening. Note - I 279 south bound is under construction. However, it will be fine on both mornings as there will be little traffic from the north (which is where Cranberry is and the hotels are). You'll take I-79 south to I-279 South, to the the Veteran's Bridge, go over that and bear to the right to Blvd of the Allies (Monroeville signs). Stay on that until you see the Forbes Ave exit to the right (do not get off at I-376). The Forbes Ave exit dips under the Blvd and goes up into the Oakland section of town, past Univ of Pitt and then past Carnegie Mellon Univ, then up the hill to Schenley Drive where you'll make a right and into the Park.
Just remember, driving in Pittsburgh can be a challenge - there are no grids; just hills and roads weaving all over the place in fairly random order. Ain't easy to get around!
Best bet, follow Otto (or Glen - he's been here too).
07-10-2017, 01:34 PM
#221
Couple questions...
Thought about PMing you...but others may have same questions...if they are trailering their car to the event.
1) Are cars left on the grounds over night?
2) Can a canopy and chairs be put up behind the car (would be taken down at night or lowered if it is to windy)?
Brian.
1) Are cars left on the grounds over night?
2) Can a canopy and chairs be put up behind the car (would be taken down at night or lowered if it is to windy)?
Brian.
07-10-2017, 10:19 PM
#224
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thought about PMing you...but others may have same questions...if they are trailering their car to the event.
1) Are cars left on the grounds over night?
2) Can a canopy and chairs be put up behind the car (would be taken down at night or lowered if it is to windy)?
Brian.
1) Are cars left on the grounds over night?
2) Can a canopy and chairs be put up behind the car (would be taken down at night or lowered if it is to windy)?
Brian.
Also, cars can be left on the grounds overnight, and some typically are. While there is light security, by roving patrols, you assume the risk. We have never heard of anything bad happening though.
As to the canopy, there will be places for that, but not next to the cars. It is too tight by the cars. We have had canopies in the past, over near the registration tents.
07-10-2017, 10:24 PM
#225
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Thread Starter
Also, activities have started and PVGP is in full swing.