The Gadfly: Out With The Old, In With The New

The Gadfly:

Out With The Old,

In With The New

By Mike McCarville

Five and a half years ago, when The McCarville Report Online went online, we adopted the format you still see today.

Now, we're just weeks away from a complete redesign of the site, a design that will require less scrolling to read stories and allow us to present the top political and governmental stories in more compelling fashion.

Assisting in the development of the new site is the "Drive Doctor," Internet marketing expert Mark Mayes, who operates near our headquarters. Mark was a listener to "Open Mic Live" when I was on the air and recently established contact and suggested ways we could make TMRO more friendly to readers. We examined a couple dozen possible templates and have selected the best one for our future look.

Mark also has given us a mobile link and is establishing the protocol that will allow more potential readers to find us.

It's my hope the new look and layout will make your reading experience easier.

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The Gadfly: Family Matters

The Gadfly:

Family

Matters

By Mike McCarville

Grandson Kevin Aliff has just celebrated his 21st birthday. Kevin, who just yesterday came to my belt buckle, is now a strapping 6-foot-plus man well on his way as a sheet metal expert at Tinker Air Force Base. Kevin's a trained gunsmith, an excellent shot and a former top airgun competitor who has competed all over the country. Daughter Shelli homeschooled Kevin, who moved on to the Francis Tuttle VoTech Center for his sheet metal training. Kevin has his eyes on Justine, a delightful young lady, and she has her eyes on Kevin.

Grandson Mike Stuck just graduated cume laude from Southern Nazarene University with a bachelor's degree in organizational management. He previously earned his associate's degree from Rose State College. We were proud to celebrate the occasion with Mike's wife and daughter, mother and father, sisters, brother and mother-in-law, and a close friend with his two children. A good cheering section.

Grandson Colby Stuck is making the transition from hands-on-everything home builder to supervisor. Colby's a Seabee veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and has a special friend in Brianna.

Granddaughters Courtney and Faye Anderson continue their work at Sienna, a care facility in Midwest City. Courtney works with dietary matters, Faye is a certified nursing assistant. Courtney's special friend is Anthony, Faye's special friend is Taylor.

Daughter Shelli continues her near-frenetic lifestyle; she's heavily involved in her church, knits "wheelchair shawls" and other items, and prowls resale stores regularly. She also helps husband Howard conduct concealed carry classes (he's a certified instructor). She and her sister have been an immense help as we've coped with Ann's mother's infirmities.

Daughter Cheryl continues as a top bookkeeper for an Oklahoma City firm that handles accounting matters for restaurant chains.

Sister Donna and husband Doug Dickerson are in their 62nd year of marriage and look forward to welcoming their entire clan over the Christmas holidays.

Sister Kaye and husband Dick Halter have been married almost as long as Donna and Doug. They are frequent visitors to Tunica, Mississippi.

Ann and I mark 50 years in February. Little did Ann know, back in 1962, that "For better or worse" would result in her being my nurse; 2011 has not been friendly, with open heart surgery in July leading to almost six months of problems, some of them related to side effects of all the medications...and we're still dealing with irksome side effects. The cost of my care thus far, including three hospitalizations, is somewhere north of $320,000. Incredible.

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The Gadfly: A World Of Turmoil

The Gadfly:

A World

Of Turmoil

By Mike McCarville

Lord, have mercy. Our world is filled with turmoil.

The Thunder won't be playing anytime soon, thanks to rancorous negotiations between team owners and the players' union. Bummer.

Joe Paterno's sterling, six-decade reign as America's dean of college football coaches is tarnished by sexual abuse allegations that didn't involve him. His name has been stripped from a championship trophy. Penn State is moving to eradicate just about every memory of him. Plans to honor him in Washington have been cancelled. At 81, his life is over. Pitiful.

Football great Franco Harris speaks up in defense of Paterno and gets his walking papers from a client. His speech turned out to be "free," obviously.

The lamestream media, eager to protect Barack Obama, is now taking aim at the latest Republican front-runner, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, while they continue to pummel previous front-runner Herman Cain and aim business barbs at former front-runner Mitt Romney.

Attorney General Eric Holder is embroiled in the coverup of the "Fast and Furious" gun scandal and demands for his resignation continue.

In Tulsa, a new Oklahoma Poll finds citizens are pretty disgusted by the constant in-fighting and bickering between members of the Council and Mayor Dewey Bartlett.

In Congress, Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree, sometimes with disagreeable comments and even more disagreeable behavior. Pathetic.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services clearly is in turmoil; children under its care are dead. Someone must answer and changes must be made.

It's enough to make a man long for the simplicity of open heart surgery.

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The Gadfly: Gut Check

The Gadfly:

Gut Check

By Mike McCarville

It is conventional liberal and lamesteam media thinking that Herman Cain should be political toast by now.

He's not, and my political gut says the incessant attacks on Cain have only made him stronger with the conservative Republican base he needs to challenge Mitt Romney in the presidential primaries.

The allegations against Cain remain vague and we still don't know exactly what it is he was accused of doing, and it's likely we'll never know.

Given that, many likely will ascribe revelation of the allegations to an attempt to derail him by liberals who despise conservative blacks.

If that's a prevalent view among conservative Republicans, Cain will gain strength, not lose it.

In short, the lamestream media out to get Cain probably overplayed their hand.

That being said, there are several troubling aspects of Cain's campaign. First is his handling of the allegations, saying one thing one day, something else another day. (Conversely, his lack of a "slick" response plays to his outsider persona.) Second is his wife's apparent refusal to get involved in his campaign. It's one thing for a spouse to be a reluctant participant, its another if there's no participation at all. What kind of First Lady would Mrs. Cain be? We have no way of knowing and to some people, that's troubling.

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The Gadfly: Cutting Edge Expert

The Gadfly:

Cutting Edge Expert

By Mike McCarville

A few years back, while counseling Mick Cornett during one of his campaigns, I met a young man named Ryan Cassin, at the time working for Wilson Research Strategies. Ryan was the computer guru, the guy who knew just about everything about anything dealing with computers and the Internet.

Ryan subsequently became political director of Senator Jim Inhofe’s 2008 reelection campaign, where he grew the campaign’s email list from 6,000 to over 175,000 opt-in members. This list of supporters from over 13,000 zip codes across the country raised over $100,000 for the campaign online. The Inhofe campaign was regarded as one of the most successful campaigns to merge online and offline activism in the 2008 cycle, thanks in large part to Ryan's expertise.

Ryan then moved south, where he managed Lt. Governor Casey Cagle’s reelection campaign in Georgia. That campaign was widely recognized for its integrated new media efforts and voter contact strategy. He also worked in the 2010 cycle for newly-elected Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, creating a platform that fueled the campaign’s grassroots and field programs.

For a long time, Ryan has realized the tremendous potential of the Internet. His start began by developing software that millions across the world use to access the Internet every day. At age 14, Ryan was hired by Netscape Communications as their youngest software engineer ever. There, he helped develop the Netscape web browser and is a credited developer of Mozilla Firefox.
.
A pioneer in political mobile application development, Ryan designed and deployed an iPhone-based field program for a Congressional candidate in the 2010 cycle that powered over 85,000 targeted voter contacts in six months.

Now, Ryan and some partners have put together a new media cutting edge firm, Connect+, that specializes in using the Internet to design materials and strategies and propel campaigns in the digital age.

I relate Ryan's story for a couple of reasons; first, because of his Oklahoma roots, and second, because he's saved my bacon on many occasions, the latest just last week when this site went crazy and I yelled at him for help, which he gave almost immediately and fixed the problem. It's been the same way in the past.

With this background, you can understand why, if you ever are in need of such services, I recommend you call Ryan first at (404) 448-1475.

You can check out the firm's bonafides at www.connectstrategic.com.

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The Gadfly: The Mud-Slingers

The Gadfly:

The Preoccupation

Of The
Mud-slingers

By Mike McCarville

Mitt Romney once hired a lawn care firm that employed illegal aliens. Rick Perry's family once had an inappropriate, racially-tinged sign at the entry to its property. Herman Cain once faced allegations from two women that he made inappropriate sexual remarks in their presence.

The preoccupation of the mud-slingers as they attempt to destroy the character of the leading Republican candidates for president is evident.

Where is a similar investigation into the media's poster boy, Barack Obama? How about the substantive issue of Fast And Furious? How about cronyism in the awarding of federal funds to a "green" enterprise? How about Mrs. Obama's outrageous expenditures to travel the world?

It seems that if you're a liberal Democrat, the eastern media gives you a pass.

But if you're a Republican and a threat to the left, look out. Ask George Bush about all the stories about his youthful use of alcohol. Ask John McCain about all the nasty rumors pedaled about him while Obama's media apologists did all they could to cover his tracks and downplay the importance of anything negative.

Fair play is fair. Unfair play is not.

We're seeing unfair play in this election with the voting still more than a year away.

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The Gadfly: A Charmed Life

The Gadfly:

A Charmed Life

By Mike McCarville

As lousy as I continue to feel following open heart surgery on July 6th (the recovery has been anything but smooth), and having weathered several life-threatening events over my lifetime, I look back and conclude that I have had a charmed life.

Ann and I mark 50 years next February. Our two daughters are healthy and have produced five grandkids, my reward for having made it 71-plus years. I take joy in their achievements, even their struggles. I rejoice when they are happy and ache when they are sad.

The latest event to bring joy to our lives is grandson Mike's adoption of his bride Brandi's daughter, Kaydnce. Look up love story in my phrase dictionary and you'll find this photo of Mike and Kaydnce and note her body language; she loves her new Dad.

There are other prideful events of late: Daughters Shelli and Cheryl taking the bull by the horns and making the trip to Houston to return Ann's mother, thus solving a problem for us since I still can't drive (medical reasons) and Ann hates interstate highways. Grandson Kevin securing a good job at Tinker Air Force Base. Grandson and Navy veteran Colby growing his home construction business. Granddaughter Courtney's thoughtfulness and caring. Granddaughter Faye's success as a certified nursing assistant.

It's been my good fortune to walk with presidents and work with many who now dominate the news. I've hit 46 of the 50 states and countries in Europe and Central America. I've witnessed history and met many of those who made it. I've had the opportunity to help the careers of several who now prosper, some of them on the airwaves, others in business. I've had chance encounters with folks some people would pay money to see: Wilma Rudolph and Rafer Johnson in the Olympic Stadium in 1960 in Rome; Sammy Davis Jr. in a Plaza Hotel elevator; Bob Newhart and Don Rickles on Park Avenue; Linda Rhonstadt and Jerry Brown (yes, "Governor Moonbeam" himself) hanging in a hotel bar in Los Angeles; Jack LaLanne in a San Francisco restaurant; Telly Savalas in the lobby bar at the Universal in LA; Gerald and Betty Ford in a Vail restaurant; John Wayne in the Beverly Hilton; Jerry Springer in an Atlanta hotel; Sonny Bono in an Aspen parking lot.

Thirty-two years ago, I had the idea for this publication. That it has survived this long still surprises me.

Good fortune has given me good neighbors and enduring friendships and the opportunity to take joy from the lives of those I admire.

Good fortune gave me a storybook childhood in a gentler time, blessed my sainted Mother with 98 years of quality life and gave me three over-achieving sisters whose lives I greatly admire.

It was only through Good Fortune that I avoided being embroiled in Watergate. Because I just couldn't see my family living in D. C. as I worked 20 hours a day and not wanting to leave Oklahoma, I declined a Nixon White House job under Communications Director Herb Klein. The guy who took it: Jeb Stuart Magruder. Caught up in the mess, he cooperated with federal prosecutors and in exchange, was allowed to plead guilty in August 1973 to a one-count indictment of conspiracy to obstruct justice, defraud the United States, and eavesdrop on the Democratic Party's national headquarters at the Watergate. He was sentenced to ten months to four years for his role in the failed Watergate burglary and subsequent coverup; he served seven months of the sentence. After his sentencing, Magruder said, "I am confident that this country will survive its Watergates and its Jeb Magruders."

The Good Lord has blessed me, kept me (mostly) out of trouble and I am thankful.

A charmed life, indeed.

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The Gadfly: Not Ready For Prime Time

The Gadfly:

Not Ready

For Prime Time

By Mike McCarville

Rick Perry proved one thing in Tuesday night's debate among the Republican candidates for president: He's not ready for prime time.

Perry pounced on front-runner Mitt Romney, alleging Romney had hired illegal workers at his home, thus any discussion of immigration by him was the "height of hypocrisy."

Romney responded, explaining he once had hired a lawn care firm that, he later discovered, had illegals among its workers. [As anyone who has hired a lawn care firm, roofer, plumber, electrician, concrete worker or trash hauler knows, the likelihood there's an illegal in there somewhere is strong, but to allege we're "hiring" illegals is illogical. What would Perry have Romney, and us, do? Check the citizenship papers of every employee of every company with which we do business?]

Despite Romney's logical and believable explanation, Perry continued to make the allegation, his petulance becoming obvious and he appeared almost desperate to make the allegation stick. He was unable to do so.

The two talked over one another, and at one point, Romney placed his hand on Perry's shoulder: "It's been a tough couple of debates for Rick. And I understand that so you're going to get testy," he said.

Romney tired to continue speaking, but Perry stopped him, and Romney then said, "You have a problem with allowing someone to finish speaking, and I suggest that if you want to become president of the United States, you've got to let both people speak," Romney said.

Perry's attack on Romney allowed Romney to score, and he clearly outscored Perry and got his goat in the process.

In contrast to Perry, hard-charger Herman Cain appeared totally in control, logical and likable. He may not go the distance, but Cain clearly has proven himself a national figure with a future.

Six weeks ago on a television show, I said Perry would do very well in Oklahoma and he may still do so. However, I sense his star has fallen mightily, and his performance last night surely won't do anything to arrest his fall.

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The Gadfly: The Error Of Their Ways

The Gadfly:

The Error

Of Their Ways

By Mike McCarville

Election Day 2012 remains more than a year in the future and today, there's a clear, new front-runner among the Republicans.

His name is Herman Cain.

Cain's rise is due in part to his own doggedness, personality and ability to articulate, and in (larger) part to the petty, juvenile conduct of the other candidates.

Having been in a few (dozen) campaigns, I can attest that it is sometimes necessary to shoot at the other guy; however, the shots must contain substance and cannot fall under the category of "sniping," or become just a series of attacks that only belittle the attacker.

Thus it is with front-runners Rick Perry and Mitt Romney, both of whom are dealing with their own political issues while sniping at Cain, Perry more than Romney, who at least at times tries to stay out of the fray.

Michelle Bachmann and Jon Huntsman have joined in, bringing no credit to themselves but only helping push Cain to the top of the heap. Ron Paul, God love him, makes a lot of sense but has no traction beyond his conservative base.

The latest attacks on Cain have come over his "9-9-9" tax plan. He would impose a 9 percent tax on personal income and corporations and a 9 percent sales tax. His plan may be flawed, but at least it is a plan and it has catchy title that has attracted attention. Quick: Tell me the tagline for either Romney's plan, or Perry's plan. If you can't come up with one, you're not alone.

I see this race now as one in which the once-front-runners have made the classic error of criticizing, repeatedly, one who was not at their level. That has served only to elevate that person, in this case Herman Cain, and give wider exposure to his views. Cain thus far has measured up to the increased exposure and comes across as likable and sincere.

Can Cain stand the added exposure? Time will tell.

Time also will tell if Perry and Romney continue to err with their attempts to pile on Cain.

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The Gadfly: Memos

The Gadfly:

Memos

By Mike McCarville

Memo To The NBA: Quit your bickering and let's play ball! (Remember the mistake MLB made and lost half it's following as a result.)

Memo To The Congress: Quit your bickering and get to work.

Memo To The GOP Presidential Candidates: Quit squabbling like kids over who did what when and show us why you should be the party nominee and the next president.

Memo To The Oklahoma Democratic Party: When you stretch the truth, it almost always snaps back in your face.

Memo To The (New) Big 12: Well, at least you didn't cancel any games.

Memo To Self: The next time you get  to 71, turn around and go back.

Memo To Oklahoma Heart Hospital Staff: I love every one of you, but after 21 days (three stays) as your "guest," I've had enough for a while.

Memo To Doctors Amin, Ahmed, Baber, Cobb, Peyton, Wlovader: We've got to quit meeting like this.

Memo To My Wife: Fifty years later and you're still taking care of me. I am blessed. (Bet you never thought the "or worse" part would include giving me IVs twice a day, did you?)

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The View From Oklahoma Heart Hospital

The Gadfly:

The View From

Oklahoma Heart Hospital

By Mike McCarville

TUESDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Walked out of Oklahoma Heart Hospital at 8:30 tonight. Examination does not indicate any compromise of bovine valve. Will be on antibiotic at home for six weeks.

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: I am admonished: Carry this antibacterial hand sanitizing gel with you and use it every time you touch anything, human or not; wash often with soap and hot water; avoid crowds. At 4 p.m. today: a TransEsophageal Echocardiogram (TEE), which may tell us if my bovine heart valve has been compromised.

UPDATE: I have been diagnosed with MRSA, methicillin resistant staph aureus...in other words, a serious staph infection that the usual antibotics won't kill. Prognosis: More time here, then a PIC line (semi-permanent IV) for home health administration of antibiotics for God knows how long.

It is now Day 3 of my Third Stay at Oklahoma Heart Hospital since open heart surgery on July 6th. I've previously shared details of my previous two stays (1st stay, 12 days; 2nd stay 6 days), the second and this one due to complications.

This stay began on Friday morning with cold chills and a fever. Fever, of course, indicates infection and infection can do serious damage to the replacement (bovine) valve in my heart. When you've had open heart surgery, fever is a quick ticket to the ER.

I expected an overnight stay. Hasn't turned out that way. Antibiotics haven't yet killed the infection, the source of which we don't know. All my other vitals are good, but until we locate and kill the infection, I suspect I'll be here at the mercy of those in the medical field.

The last day I felt like myself was July 5th, the day before the open heart surgery. Nausea, dizziness, lethargy have been on my back. I've ascribed all that to the myriad drugs I am taking since I had no such problems prior to July 6th.

Time will tell. Meanwhile, I'll keep you posted on any important developments; have no intention of boring you with minor details.

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The Gadfly: Life Is Good

Photos by Faye Anderson

The Gadfly:

Life Is Good

By Mike McCarville

Joy is one of life's great emotions; it wipes away the blahs, inspires the mind, rejuvenates the spirit. Witness above the latest reason for joy in Clan McCarville.

The sweetheart in the center of this photo is Kaydnce. She came into our lives a few years back when grandson Mike Stuck and her mother, Brandi, began dating. The photo was taken in a Cleveland County courtroom last Monday when Kaydnce's name officially became Kaydnce Stuck, our second great granddaughter.

When Mike first told me a few months ago he was going to adopt Kaydnce, I confess I was...surprised, I guess, is the word. Getting married was a huge step for Mike and this, on top of that, totals a huge emotional investment, a lifetime commitment. And although Mike's been an adult for a few years now, I sometimes still think of him as that chubby kid we took to raise 17 years ago. No longer that kid, now a grounded adult. Quite a transition.

There were other adoptions last Monday morning; most included the parents, the attorney, and perhaps one set of grandparents. Our joyous band was 15 strong: Brandi's mom, her aunt, her grandparents, Mike's dad and his wife, Mike's brother and sisters, his mother (daughter Cheryl), Ann, me.

When Mike and Brandi married, I said I hadn't seen a grin like that on Mike's face since he got his driver's license.

Matching that grin is the one you see in the above photo of Father and Daughter. It almost matches the one on my face, reflective of the joy that continues to sustain me.

The judge let Kaydnce rap the gavel
to make her adoption official, and done.

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The McCarville Minute

The McCarville Minute

As broadcast at NRANews.com

and on SiriusXM Satellite Patriot Plus Channel 852

I am living proof, and I stress the word living, that open heart surgery and the right to keep and bear arms can go together.

Let me explain: on July 6th, a heart surgeon opened me up to replace my defective aortic valve with one made from cow tissue.

While recuperating, I watched a lot of tv shows, Top Shot among them. I'm watching Top Shot one night when the RN on duty came in to check on me. Nice young lady, 25 or so. She looked over her shoulder at the tv.

You into guns? she asks.

Oh yeah, I reply.

You belong to the NRA? she asks.

Oh yeah, I reply.

I'm loving this: Lifetime NRA member, member of the NRA broadcast team for seven years.

I'm taking a shooting class, she says.

What's your gun? I ask.

Thirty-eight special, she says.

She explained that, seven months earlier after marrying her husband, they went to Montana to visit his family. The 80-year-old patriarch of the family took her into his den and began opening drawers filled with sidearms. Take your pick, he told her. Then learn how to use it.

She picked a vintage .38 caliber revolver, snub barrel and light in weight.

Word soon got around the second floor that I could talk guns. In comes the physical therapist for my nightly walk. He owns a 1911 his grandfather brought home from World War II, official papers and all. His brother has the Luger his grandfather liberated.

Just goes to prove that we are everywhere, even in the most unexpected of places.

I'm Mike McCarville here on Cam & Company.

NRA commentator Mike McCarville can be heard at www.NRANews.com and on SiriusXM Satellite Radio Patriot Plus Channel 852 Monday nights at 8:15 ET; the  satellite program also airs 6-9 a.m. weekday mornings, with Mike at 6:15 a.m.

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The Gadfly: Renewing Life

The Gadfly:

Renewing Life

By Mike McCarville

Having experiened firsthand in the past 30 days the fine edge between this earth and what awaits, I was delighted to hear that three friends and their spouses have renewed life with the birth of two healthy boys and an equally healthy girl.

This is Jonah Michael Lloyd, son of my KTOK compatriot Brian Lloyd, Clear Channel's Oklahoma City production manager, and his wife, Becky. Their second boy.

This is Oliver Dutcher, son of Brandon (Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs) and Susie Dutcher. I think this boy is going to love water. Many more photos of this loving family at www.brandondutcher.blogspot.com. This is their sixth child. Regular readers may remember that Susie and Brandon lost their Anne Marie  to birth defects in November 2009 shortly after her birth.  

This is Jessie Carter, daughter of Jennifer and Ray Carter. Jennifer is School Superintendent Janet Barresi's right hand, Ray is the House Media Director. Jessie's their first. I'd like to see a baby picture of Jennifer for comparison; I'm inclined to believe it would be hard to tell them apart.

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The Gadfly: Update

The Gadfly:

Update

By Mike McCarville

Day 6 of my second trip to Oklahoma Heart Hospital ended today. The edema in my legs and feet is gone, the fluid around my heart is almost gone. My right foot looks like someone took a tire tool to it, but I can walk.

Having now endured 18 days of hospitalization since July 6th, I am ready for calm waters.

A few more days and I'll be pack on my pins, Lord willing.

Again, my thanks to the hundreds of you who have sent get-well messages and called.

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The Gadfly: Aftermath

The Gadfly:

Aftermath

By Mike McCarville

The view from my hospital window is of a McDonald's sign. The view from my first room, which I vacated on Monday 12 days after open heart surgery, was of part of the Oklahoma Heart Hospital parking lot.

My return to the hospital yesterday was prompted by severe edema and an irregular heart beat, the latest in a string of complications that has made my July a month to forget.

The aftermath of major surgery, I am assured, sometimes is littered with complications. Put me down as a believer.

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The Gadfly In...His Dreams

The Gadfly In Your His Dreams

By Mike McCarville
Dreams are not usually the stuff of commentary on this blogsite, but since It's my site and that's what I choose today, bear with me.

Back in the day, when I burned up air miles consulting candidates and corporations, I often would dream about a problem, and the dream would suggest an approach to solving the problem. I kept this to myself, thinking that the reputation of a consultant who relied on dreams as the source(s) of his suggestions likely is one with a shrinking list of clients.

Often, I'd dismiss what I dreamed about. In 1979 the tiny town of Broken Arrow just outside Tulsa decided that to grow, it needed support for a sales tax. Cogman & Associates won the consulting contract and my longtime friend Don Cogman assigned me to handle the account. In one of the many meetings I had in Broken Arrow, a prominent businessman with a lot riding on passage of the measure made a remark that had me sitting straight up in my chair. "We don't need a huge budget (for the campaign) because I dreamed it is going to pass by a huge margin" was his remark as I remember it. This guy went on, telling us his dreams had never let him down.

After the meeting, I headed for the usual best source of opinion on the meeting; a stall in the men's room.

There were a few laughs about the dream comment; one guy said he'd heard about the power of dreams before but he didn't want to take any chances on passage of the sales tax, so the group needed to raise all the money it could to fund the campaign for it.

We raised and spent the amount first contemplated and the issue passed with overwhelming support in a record voter turnout. That dreamer's dream was spot on.

So why is it that today, 31 years later, I find myself writing about that event?

Answer: Since my open heart surgery 18 days ago and the resultant stress over complications being handled with more and more drugs, I find myself awakening to sort through what must have been multiple dreams. Among the most vidid of the dreams has me screaming that we've got to fix public schools or the future is bleak, that every problem we face today is man-made and that anyone who spends 55 years sucking on cigarettes despite the damage they do (as I have) is an idiot.

In many of my dreams, I'm lost and can't find myself to a safe place. (Boy, the shrinks will have a great time with this.) Sometimes I'm in a room with multiple doors and I can't find the door that opens. And then there's the "capper" dream, the one I recall vividly, in which God tells me I have much yet to do with my life and I can see dead friends giving me a thumbs up in the background. I awake with optimism.

Perhaps this dream is the one that follows near-death.

Perhaps it's just the sub- or un-conscious brain operating on multiple drugs.

Perhaps it is nothing.

And perhaps, just perhaps, the dreams suggest that despite all the closed doors and can't-find-my-way-back-home episodes, solutions remain for every "problem" I have.

I can't wait to see what next chapter my brain dreams up.

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Part VI: There's More Of Me

The Gadfly On His Back

In Which Mike McCarville, still slightly incoherent, describes his open heart surgery and its aftermath

After being yinged and yanged by my body, I was pretty insistent I was ready to leave Oklahoma Heart Hospital after 12 days and recuperate from open heart surgery at home. I'd gone in at 127.5 lbs, had not eaten well at all, and left the hospital at 135.5. Edema yet another problem to be faced.

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Part V: I've Got Rhythm(s)

The Gadfly On His Back

Once my heart wouldn't stay at its normal rhythm, it was obvious my hospital stay wasn't going to be the 5-7 days we'd discussed.

My open heart surgery at Oklahoma Heart Hospital had gone well, by all appearances. The new aorta was working properly, although the popping noise from my chest was my primary concern.

Slowly, one thing at a time went south. My heart's electrical impulses couldn't make up their minds if they liked the regular rhythm or the scary stuff.  

If there was silence in my room (not likely, those who know my family would agree) the popping noise as I breathed was two sheets south of scary, as evidenced by the looks on the faces of Ann and daughters Shelli and Cheryl.

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Part IV: Rattling Bones

The Gadfly On His Back

There's nothing much mysterious about what happens when the air in your lungs goes away.

The best thing is that you know it.

The worst thing is that your body knows it and shuts down.

My body shut down a number of times last weekend as I tried to recuperate from open heart surgery on July 6th at Oklahoma Heart Hospital. The easy answer as to why my body shut down is that I'm a lifetime smoker.

But there's more to the story. As I'd begin to lose air, I'd gasp. By Sunday night, gasping for air had me sounding like Odell Underwood playing the bones. My bones, of course.

Next: Part V

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