I haven’t seen Phil yet, but the doctor just told me all went well. No complications, other than the vein being small, where he needed to insert the third lead, so he went ahead and used the smaller lead that’s still on clinical trial (Model 4396 Left Ventricular Lead). He now has a combination ICD-CRT device implanted, which paces his heart in both ventricles to improve his heart’s pumping ability and does the job of that man bra (which he’ll no longer need now that he has a built-in defibrillator).

Just wanted to update you all, and express how truly thankful I am for all your warm wishes and prayers. You’re such a comfort to me.

The doc told me I should be on the watch for some other changes that I notice in the coming weeks. "I don’t want to bias you," he said, "but YOU’LL be able to tell me if you notice any changes with him."
"Positive changes?" Phil’s mother asked.
"But it’s not like he’s had any symptoms to begin with."
"Yes, positive changes, and it’s not what you think. It’s not like you’ll see him running really fast around the block or anything."
"Does this involve his penis?" I asked, "Because the way you’re talking, all ‘OH, YOU’LL notice a difference in him,’ well, my mind goes downtown."
"Ha! No, that’s not what I meant, but again, I don’t want to bias you. You just tell me what you notice that’s different about him in the coming weeks."

I’m on the watch.

A YEAR AGO: Endorphins and Other Lies, Today Show