I am posting this here in the event that there are any regular Nitcentral posters who may not have heard of Benn Allen's condition.

About ten days ago, Benn checked himself into the hospital after experiencing chest pains and shortness of breath. What was first diagnosed as an irregularity in his heartbeat was unfortunately found to be full-blown congestive heart failure.

But the news got worse. It was determined that Benn needed heart surgery in order to survive. However, his heart is too weak to be operated on at present. He's going to have to wait a few weeks to have his condition re-evaluated. In the meantime, he's going to have to have extensive dental surgery in order to prepare himself for that event. In short, it's not a good situation to be in.

Benn is one of the old guard here at Nitcentral, one of the most active posters from the very earliest days. In the past, he has consistently made invaluable contributions in the topic categories of several different TV shows, comic books and the music board. I realize that those of us from the old days on this board have passed into a slumber reminiscent of Lovecraft's gods, but whatever legacy Nitcentral has to offer on the overarching landscape of popular culture, however miniscule, Benn has been an integral part of. Although we've never met face to face, I consider him a friend and a kindred spirit.

Anyone here who knows Benn from his presence here in the past and who wishes to offer him good thoughts, here is his Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Imaginos

And, oh yeah. Benn has no medical insurance to pay for his upcoming medical bills and his family has had to resort to setting up a Gofundme account to raise the money to see them through the coming days. While I would normally never post anything remotely solicitious in this forum, I make an exception in this case and trust that the powers that be at Nitcentral will approve of me posting this link, under the circumstances:
https://www.facebook.com/Imaginos?fref=ts

Woops, wrong link for the Gofundme. Here's the right one.

https://www.gofundme.com/bennsheart

I've donated, and I hope he gets well soon. Let that be a lesson to everyone that keeping good dental hygiene is important, not just for your teeth!

Donated as well.

Didn't know this was here. Should've guessed from a couple of the people I've been hearing from on facebook.

First of all, I want to thank Todd for posting this and Callie and Scott for donating. I really appreciate it guys!

On Monday, January 4th, after spending about two weeks being short of breath (I mean, just walking up one flight of stairs could leave me panting for air) and having a heaviness in my chest and increasingly waking up having trouble breathing, I went to the hospital. It was quickly determined I was suffering from congestive heart failure - my heart had become enlarged. Further tests, including an echo-cardiogram, concluded I had aortic stenosis, which means my aortic valve needs to be replaced. The operation is supposed to take place sometime in early February. I'll probably find out for sure this Thursday when I meet again with the surgeon, Dr. Raja R. Gopaldas ("Dr. G.").

The dental work, at least what needed to be done in preparation for the operation consisted of cleaning my teeth and having four teeth, including my two upper wisdom teeth, extracted. Later on, there may be some fillings done. (That presumes I voluntarily go back to the dental clinic. I'm not real happy with them. I mean, don't tell me if I swallow some of the anesthesia it won't hurt me, then I find out after the operation I have chills and the shakes and a friend, who's wife is a dental assistance, tells me it was the anesthetic that caused that. Don't lie to me.) (And yeah, I've been noticing a few lies like that in the medical profession since all this started. I'm particularly angry that after being given a fairly large dose of lasix on my first night at the hospital, I suffered agonizingly severe leg cramps. [The South Park kids would have blushed at the language I was using.] The nurse, who did give me a pain pill, claims she never heard of lasix causing cramps. You're an idiot or a liar or incompetent. Because lasix removes excess potassium from the body, cramps are a side effect. If you do not know this, you do not know your job. End of rant.)

Anyway, I actually went to two different hospitals. Initially, I had gone to Sarah Bush (aka Sarah Butcher. Yeah, it doesn't necessarily have a great rep, but it was closer than any other hospital.) in Mattoon. From Sarah Bush, I was sent to St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. (You do not want to know how expensive the ambulance ride was. It gives new meaning to the term "outrageous".) St. John's is where the operation will be conducted.

I left St. John's Saturday, January 9th in the afternoon. (While we were getting our first real snow fall of the season.) Since then, I've been at home, resting, which means basically being online, watching TV, listening to music and reading books/magazines. Just finished David A. Goodman's The Autobiography of James T. Kirk. (Yeah, it's flawed, but still a fun read for us Trekkies.) Now, I'm working on the November, 1939 issue of Astounding Science Fiction, specifically, the second installment of E.E. "Doc" Smith's novel, The Gray Lensman. After that will be the second short story by Robert Heinlein, "Misfit". (Second published ever or by Astounding? I'm not sure.)

I'm also on a restricted diet. I especially have to watch my sodium intake. Can't have more than 1500 grams a day. Chocolate and caffeine are out, too. (It ain't easy. I'd kill for a pizza or a couple of bean burritos from Taco Bell right now.) If there's a plus to all this, my weight has again gone down from about 225 to 197 lbs. Of course, about 15 lbs. of that was pissed away that first night or two of getting shots of lasix. (The fastest weight loss program I know of. And the most painful.)

Anyway, that's the update. Again, I thank Callie, Scott and Todd for their help. I do indeed appreciate it. I'll try to keep everyone updated.

I'm also on a restricted diet. I especially have to watch my sodium intake. Can't have more than 1500 grams a day.

1500 grams a DAY? That's over 3 pounds! This has to be a typo.

You're right. Should be miligrams. Thanks for catching that, Francois.

I've donated. Not much, but what I can afford.

Thanks, Butch! Every little bit helps.

You're very welcome. :-)

I donated as well. Coming from a family with heart issues (my dad had a bypass at 65; that bought him 22 1/2 more years) my (still OK) heart goes out to you. Best of luck, Benn.

Thanks, Adam! I appreciate it!

In about 15 minutes, I'll be going to Springfield to see my surgeon and will probably be learning when the operation will be performed. I'll post what I know later this evening when I get back.

I meant to post this earlier, like yesterday evening, but while the doctor was impressed by me keeping to my diet, weight loss, etc., his schedule is full so it looks like I'm going to be waiting a while longer before the operation happens. There's also the fact that Dr. G wants a BNP and another echocardiogram performed before setting up the operation. Those tests will be done on Tuesday.

Those tests will be done on Tuesday....
Maybe your doctor is an ancestor of this guy. (Sorry, but I couldn't resist.)

We now have a date for the operation: March 1st, 2016 at about 5 in the morning. 'Bout damned time.

You have to wake up early so they can put you back to sleep?

Lol Yeah, that's about right, Francois.

Wake up! It's time to take your sleeping pill!!!

And... Because I don't have insurance, the date for the surgery has been cancelled. I am trying to get on Medicaid and have a phone interview with them early this week. I really don't have much hope of getting accepted, but I gotta try. Have I mentioned I really hate the medical profession?

We now have a definitive date for The Operation: March 22, 2016. Yep. William Shatner's birthday.

That's...... a..... verygooddate.... to.... have.... TheOperation!

Good luck, Benn!

Thanks, Scott!

Benn's surgery appears to have been successful. At least Benn is posting on FB....

Yay!

As it out, there were two operations. The second one performed yesterday, was to put in a pacemaker due to the rhythms of my upper and lower heart were not in synch. I'm told I'll be leaving later this afternoon.

The bad news, for those who do not know, the above post will be Brian Fitzgerald's final post. According to his brother-in-law (in a status uptake on Brian's facebook page) Brian passed away Thursday. No cause of death has been given. If nobody beats me to it, I'll provide the link when I get home. (Which I'm told may be tomorrow instead.) RIP, Brian. You will be missed.

Awww cr@p

I misread that. Let me make things clear. It is Brian Fitzgerald, not Butch Brookshier who passed away Thursday. (Can I blame the error on the drugs?)

So Benn, how's the health going? Recovery proceeding well?

Yes, as a matter of fact last Thursday, I went to see my surgeon. He took me off all restrictions. I can drive again. And more importantly, I go back to work on the 2nd. So yeah, overall, it's all going well. Thanks for asking.

(And I apologize for not posting this update sooner. )

Good to hear, Benn.