BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 05:40 PM

Linn - your stamina is admirable...

Please take your rest when you can.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: KathWestra
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 05:30 PM

Oh dears. Just read this update and all I can say is ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Linn & Tom))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Sending you both light and love through this dark, scary time. If there's anything we far-aways can do to help, please let us know. xoxo

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 11:41 AM

No one said it couldn't be fun Tink!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Tinker
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 11:39 AM

Karen and I have everything available crossed and are thinking of you a lot.......


Hmmmm interesting image.

In any event, Linn I'm lighting a candle and sending off smoke signals.... Big hugs all around, and I think you should plan on taking John up on that visit to Scotland....when the nasties have cleared and the sky is blue.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 11:05 AM

While you're right Kendall, the problem is a bit different.

Tom is in the medical equivalent of a box. He has several different medical conditions that force a patient into different solutions which are not compatible with each other.   Every Doc is worried about his or her own problem but they won't move unless they think they can be successful. Blame it on the medical profession, lawyers, the insurance companies, the government or whatever combination you like but the case is that no one is going to take a risk. Like it or not, patients like Tom and I present them with GREAT risk.

So Tom has CHF, COPD, an artificial heart valve, an ICD, some amount of artery disease, high blood pressure.........I have the same stuff. Now things are very tough when something new comes along as it always does. It can be a comparatively easy problem like the a sinus infection or something major but all of a sudden its serious because certain decisions medically will foul up something else. Its like walking a tightrope.

What Tom and Linn need here is a strong case managing Doc who will act in the best interest of them as well as medically. This Doc gets to fight alongside them with the other Docs and sometimes with them in the about their decisions. Karen and I have always been lucky in that respect until this last pneumonia thing back in September when we had to change doctors because our wonderful family Doc had gone on into education (I hope she can train others to be like her).   It was a disaster and trying to get the cooperation and understanding we were used to, we instead got a bunch of Docs who wouldn't talk to us and were all busy covering their own asses in case I died on their watch.

Almost everyone falls into some size of medical box for one reason or another but when you are severely medically compromised.............well..............you're fucked. Tom and Linn are doing their best and Linn is truly the "Energizer Bunny." But I was not at all surprised that the surgery was cancelled. I'd have been surprised if it hadn't.   If I were the Dr. Z here, I'd want a VERY CLEAR picture of Tom's arterio-vascular problems and his pulmonary function as well. Plus I was sort of amazed that any Doc would consider surgery until Tom was 100% cleared on the infection. Even though the anticipated surgery is done in the very least invasive way imagineable, the risk of infection is still there and Tom's heart is far more at risk for this than most other people. But it could have gone on as Dr. Z knows a helluva' lot more than my dumb ass.

Linn, I am so sorry this is all happening to you guys. When I say "I can feel your pain"......I can.....really. Karen and I have everything available crossed and are thinking of you a lot. Hang in......I know you will.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 09:50 AM

This reminds me of that story about the terminally ill patient in severe pain but the Doctor refused to give him morphine because he might get addicted!

That cancer has to go! These doctors are good at covering their ass.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 08:47 AM

Sorry, Linn, I just read your post more carefully. Easy to get angry with the cardio guy.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: GUEST,Margery
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 08:45 AM

Why won't Tom's regular one countermand? Professional courtesy or something real? Is he just averse to any liability if he signs off? Is there ANY way to browbeat the hospital cardiologist if the regular guy disagrees? I'm so glad you've got Dr. Z at least, who will do his best, of course, and with every year techniques get more sophisticated.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 08:28 AM

Double dog damn!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 08:27 AM

Horrendous night at Dover Rehab -- Tom didn't get much sleep.

The toilet is broken in his (shared) room -- so they were in at pre-3 a.m. doing plumbing things with all the lights on. Then they left -- leaving all the lights on. Tom shut the lights off; tried to get back to sleep. They came back and turned all the lights on. He now has to go way down the hall to a toilet.

Last night his antibiotics were an hour late (he was still waiting when I called him at 9:30). This morning his breakfast was again a child's portion.

GOT to get his car to him tomorrow. I don't have time today to clear the snow off and get a friend to help with the transfer. We'll do that tomorrow. (Logistics will be planned at Press Room tonight.) At least with a car, he can even just go out and sit in it and listen to real radio -- or drive not far away for some good coffee (and real food).

Even the doctor at Dover Rehab said he needs to get out of there. Nancy is setting up an appointment with Dr. Mendoza on Tuesday.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: jacqui.c
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 08:18 AM

((((((((((((Linn & Tom)))))))))))))))))))))

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 08:14 AM

Linn,
Part of me is sorry and part of me is relieved. With any doubt about Tom's heart the surgery would be just too dangerous.
I wish I knew how to make it all better. No one does. But we are all here.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 07:10 AM

Oh, Linn- just a <<< HUG >>> for you...

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 05:55 AM

What Deborah said. Except those nice peeps in Mass. decided to make it harder to achieve now.
Linn, you DESERVE a holiday after all that crap. The two of you, get a plane to Scotland, and we'll give you a holiday. When all this medicrap is sorted.
John

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 05:46 AM

he cat was set at 5 this morning -- alas, I didn't get to sleep until well after 11.

More stuff for my long suffering boss to cope with, sleepy optech... ;-)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 10:52 PM

Oh Linn - don't know what to say........this country needs a DECENT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SO people how get sick can concentrate on GETTING BETTER.....the whole thing makes me sick. Take care of yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 09:55 PM

It was quite a day -- and more praise for my boss who is understanding and patient and put up with my emotional roller coaster and all the phone calls to and from doctors' offices this afternoon.

Tom is NOT having surgery on Tuesday. Yes, this is a MAJOR disappointment.

The cardiologist at W-D who saw Tom twice will not sign off on the surgery. And Tom's cardiologist of the past 6 years will not countermand his decision. Even though the vascular guy has already signed off on it.

Dr. Zeitel, of course, will not proceed with the surgery if there's any chance that the surgery/anesthesia, etc. would be a risk for Tom's overall health.

But Dr. Zeitel doesn't feel continued treatment can be postponed any longer, so what he has proposed (and we're waiting for dates, plan, etc.) is radiation -- but not to panic about that; it will be very controlled & specific. Not like Kendall's radiation of 7 years ago.

I have to believe that whatever is happening is happening for the best in the long run. If I didn't I'd be tempted to slit my wrists.

Meanwhile, a friend and I are working to get Tom's car to him on Saturday. And the head honcho nurse is working to get Tom an appointment on Tuesday with the doc who is in charge of the infection treatment to see how soon it can be declared finished and Tom can be set free. AND I'm springing Tom long enough on Saturday in between his dates with the antibiotics so he and I can spend some time at a singing party friends (part of the Press Room circle) are having at their Dover home.

Today I did something I've never done before -- I bought wine (cabernet sauvignon) in a box. Partly because I wanted as much palatable wine for the least amount of money and partly because I wasn't sure I could trust a glass bottle of wine in a freezing car from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.

I'm emotionally drained.

I'm going to bring in the firewood on the deck, stuff the stove, grab some of that wine described above and go to bed and see if I can wind down.

Goodnight, dear friends.
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 10:26 AM

The defibrillator battery is scheduled to be changed at York Hospital on Feb. 18th. Tom has his defibrillator read and this schedule firmed up the day before he landed in Wentworth-Douglass. And he'll have been sprung from his incarceration at Dover Rehab well before that time.

Talked to Kim in Dr. Z's office and things seem well under control, although they're still trying to touch base with Dr. Ettinger, the cardio guy at W-D because he saw Tom last -- for the signoff on Tuesday's surgery.

The wash is in the dryer, Rufus's claws trimmed (after he poked one through my hand), festival crisis attended to & papers gathered, more wood brought in, some more of Tom's papers looked through. As he says, most of those piles get shredded. I just wish he'd do that on a regular basis so I don't get stuck trying to make heads or tails out of his filing system. Got some errands to do on the way to work, but I hope to actually be there "on time" (by which I mean my usual 15-20 minutes early) for a change. My boss is great.

Just got a call from Tom's cardiologist's nurse. I just gave her a whole bunch of info she should have had -- she seems exceptionally competent, too, and is now going to call Tom directly.

I have a lot more confidence right now that nothing is going to interfere with Tom's vocal cord surgery Tuesday morning. I just need to know some of the logistics as soon as possible so I can plan, but, I suppose, worse comes to worse, I should have no problem walking into the Holiday Inn Beacon Hill and getting a room for Monday night. Since Tom has to be at Mass General at 6 a.m. Tuesday, I'm sure he'll be brought down from Dover Rehab sometime on Monday.

Boy, so I need a vacation!!! Reminds me of after Tom's heart surgery in 2004 and I kept saying I was scheduling a nice, neat Teutonic nervous breakdown for August -- it never happened, of course. By August I was working a temp job with all the overtime I could stand (it was our only income for the year) and then scrambling for another job, the WORKING the high stress other job... My vacation, I fear, will just remain a fantasy (but a really nice fantasy).

Linn

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 09:19 AM

<<< hugs du jour >>>

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 09:13 AM

Dare I ask - the battery? Have they changed the battery????

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 08:41 AM

Linn-

Sounds as if you've won some improvements. Yah!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 08:24 AM

Well, I just talked to Tom and things have gotten better.

I think his primary care doctor may have called yesterday evening, too.

Anyway, his meds have been on time and he's gotten all of them.

Tom spoke yesterday with the kitchen manager who is no longer starving him. Plus this morning was the weekly buffet breakfast and not only was the coffee fresh, but there was bacon, sausages, etc. and he could have seconds. I don't know what will happen after his surgery on Tuesday when there is so much he can't eat or drink while he's healing -- the kitchen doesn't seem to have a menu that varies much. But we'll worry about it then.

I need to call Dr. Z's office this morning from home because I can't call from work. They seem to be trying to get a sign-off from the heart doc at the hospital who not only saw only twice, but has a reputation for not returning phone calls. If they need a cardiologist's sign-off, it should be from his regular cardiologist.

From work, I'll call the ADO at Dover Rehab and see what she knows about Mon/Tues. And I think Tom's primary care doc was talking to the doc at W-D who ordered the round of antibiotics. Maybe HE can get a straight answer.

Linn

And Tom's

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 06:57 AM

Right on, Janie!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Nancy King
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 12:42 AM

I think Janie really hit the nail on the head -- pick your battles and keep at them. You do have one really huge advantage (aside from the fact that Tom's stay is of limited duration, even though longer than he'd like), and that is that he is an intelligent, articulate (albeit a bit soft-spoken just now...) patient who can keep track of his own meds and the timing of them, and can report accurately on what goes on -- or doesn't. Just think of all the nursing home patients (my Mom was one for 2 1/2 years) who are too out of it to know what's going on or to speak up for themselves.

Anyhow, hang in there, guys. We're all pulling for you!

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 09:01 PM

Sleep well, my dear. You are giving all the appearances of an amazingly strong woman who is coping incredibly well despite enormous challenges. Tom loves you, we all love you.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 08:44 PM

Thanks, Janie -- some good advice there. I had a long talk with Tom's primary care tonight -- who had been unaware of most of this and will be contacting the doc at the hospital who ordered this. Tomorrow I'll again speak with the nurse administrator (can't remember her exact title) at Dover Rehab who was so helpful Tuesday and also with Kim at Dr. Zeitels' office in Boston. We'll get this all accomplished -- and maybe get an answer that doesn't change daily about the antibiotics.

Maybe I'll even be able to do my job -- my boss is a very patient and understanding man.

I'd intended to be winding down with a book, a couple cats and a glass of wine some time ago, but I just finished eating, bringing in firewood and sorting through Tom's papers for some necessary information. Ah yes, and paying a couple bills.

Glass of wine poured...I'm outa here.

If I thought my snow day Monday was bad -- this, I think, has been my worst "day off" ever.

Good night, all.
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Janie
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 07:44 PM

Tom & Linn,

Please take the following as coming from the FWIW department. I don't know either of you, and certainly don't know the nursing facility in question.   I have had significant experience with nursing homes though, both personally involving family members, and professionally, early in my social work career.

Tom (and you) need to be a real pains-in-the-butt there regarding any issues that are real important to his health and medical care. Document when meds are actually administered vs. when they are due. Complain loud and long to the charge nurse and administrators if critical medications are routinely late. Make sure they know you are documenting. Be nice to caring aides, compain about indifferent or neglectful aides, and continually insist that the medically important areas of care be attended to in a timely and appropriate manner. Most nursing homes are significantly understaffed - even the good ones. The reality is that he is competing with other patients for care. Choose your battles, but where lack of care, or prompt attention to care has significant medical implications, you must be very proactive.

Repeat, direct complaints to the charge nurse and/or administrator. Unless you are dealing with a bonafide crappy aide or tech, make sure your complaints are not about the aides themselves, but about the facility's not meeting requirements for necessary care. Could be that good and conscientious aides simply are too overloaded to get meds out to all who need them on time. It is all well and good to understand that aides might be doing the best they can, but staffing shortage at the facility is not your problem, it is the facility's problem. If it is very important that Tom's medications be administered on time, it is his job to insist that happens, whether conditions at the facility make it hard for staff to do so or not.

Let the doctor know if it is a problem, for the sake of documentation, but the doctor does not have any hand in the running of the facility, and complaints to him will not result in changes.

Since Tom is there short-term, and is ambulatory, don't complain about anything that is not significant to his health and medical care in the short term. It will dilute the impact of your demands that important issues be addressed. If either or both of you can, practice 'radical acceptance' of what is, figure out what really is important, and try to let the rest go.

Toss this whole post in the mental trash if it is not relevant to your situation.

I rarely post to this thread, but check in every day, and to silently offer care and concern.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 06:40 PM

Tom finally got to talk to Dr. Thompson, his primary care physician -- he hadn't talked to him since he saw him not long before he landed in the hospital. The hospital didn't seem to want to pass any info on to him until just recently. Anyway, Tom told him to call me and we just spent a LOT of time on the phone going over my concerns and filling him in on what the hospital either didn't tell him or gave him wrong info.

Gotta go -- got too much stuff on my plate right now. Maybe will get some supper sometime before I finally head off to bed, a book, a glass of wine and a bedtime phone call to Tom.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Celtaddict
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 06:35 PM

Linn, hang in there; we know you have a more than full plate right now; take care of yourself! Thank you for keeping us posted both at the 'Cat and on Facebook; I am on FB oftener but the 'Cat is a better place for longer posts, discussion, and such. We are rooting for both of you!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 06:34 PM

He's not been getting his heart meds on time and sometimes they've been withholding some -- these are meds he's been on for 6 years.
================================
any "reason" given for withholding medications?

more hugs to you both

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 05:01 PM

After every one more thing, there's ... one more thing.

AND it's fucking snowing again!!!

I'm very depressed right now -- Dover Rehab is a very depressing place. I sprung Tom for a few hours. We went for a ride to explore Rollinsford, went back to Dover for him to pick up a lottery ticket (it could happen...), stop at McDonald's for coffee and Dunkin' Donut for some doughnuts to take back to the prison.

He's depressed there and I can very well understand why -- even discounting that they want to keep him until Feb. 2. He's not been getting his heart meds on time and sometimes they've been withholding some -- these are meds he's been on for 6 years. And they're wondering why his blood pressure has dropped? His meals have been very skimpy and not particularly appetizing.

Nancy, the woman who seemed to be getting things done yesterday, has been unavailable today.

I'm starting to wonder, too, if Wentworth-Douglass is just trying to milk Medicare.

I am not happy.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 11:49 AM

Talked to Kim at Dr. Z's office -- she's waiting for a sign-off from Dr. Ettinger -- not Tom's cardiologist, but the guy at Wentworth-Douglass. And she's working on coordinating with Dover Rehab as far as getting Tom & me to Mass General so he can continue the antibiotics while he's there. And getting back to me so I know whether I need to book a night in the hotel or whether Tom will go down and come back on the same day. This surgery shouldn't take long -- it's scheduled for first thing Tues. and he would have been released the day of the surgery. Except for his current incarceration, we would have taken the Downeaster down on Monday, seen Dr. Z in his office Monday morning, spent the night at the Holiday Inn again, gotten to Mass General Tues. AM for his surgery, been released that day, spent another night at the Holiday Inn and taken the Downeaster home on Wednesday. Sigh.

Just brought the car down, cleaned & refilled the litter box, dealt with some other maintenance around here, brought in some wood and brushed snow off more. Still have to shovel around both ends of the woodpile, but that doesn't have to be done all at once. Oh, and have to bring in the 2 bags of kindling which is the real reason I brought the car down. Gotta do that right now. Cleared out the front seat for Tom. Now have to get the stuff I'm taking him into some kind of bag. I should have brought the overnighter he has home with me yesterday.

Meanwhile, I talked to MY doctor this morning. I'm way behind schedule as far as my yearly exam, etc. but she understands completely and just refilled all my prescriptions for another 3 months while things sort out. Including the clonazapam which is really helping me cope with all of this. Just knowing it's there reduces the anxiety level.

Gotta go. I'll say hi to Tom for everybody.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 11:25 AM

Wish we could take some of that snow for youse. Might help a bit. We have been hovering around 0C daytime and had one slight snowfall in three weeks. Might get about 4" today.

Not normal for here but not unwelcome either.

T&Ps continue.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 11:21 AM

Linn-

Just coping with the snow is wearing me out. We've got nowhere left to shovel it.

We're all hauling away for Tom as well as we're able.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 10:35 AM

Okay, here's the post I couldn't make at 7-ish since Mudcat wasn't loading, but I wrote it anyway. ("Error Occurred While Processing Request")

The problem with alarm cats is they can't be reset. Rufus is set at 6 a.m. – whether I get to sleep at 10 or at midnight (as last night). First he knocked something off my nightstand, then he stood on top of the humidifier and tried to remove the thingy that regulates the mist. (He really likes to do this; then he can stretch his paw into the tube and lick water from it – much more fun than a boring old water dish. If I don't remove the regulator first thing in the morning, he worries it off, then hides it and won't tell me where it is.) Of course, he tried to wake me up several times during the night – he wanted to be petted. Can't get upset with a cat that demands petting (complete with loud purrs). He was in my face, climbing over my head, sitting (heavily) on my shoulder, licking my hand with his teeth. "Mom! Wake up! My chin needs rubbing!" He misses Tom. (Me, too.)

Then the kitchen light burned out when I turned it on – and in the bathroom I discovered that both of the gallon jugs that I'd filled Monday when the power went off were leaking all over the floor.

Gotta get some stuff together to take to Tom. Underwear and another pair of jeans (he can wear street clothes! Yay!) Some more reading material. Make sure my cell phone is charged so he can use it – he can't call Dr. Zeitels or other long distance calls (even billed home) from the phone in his room – plus there's no real privacy on that phone.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 10:01 AM

Two weeks in a nursing home...poor Tom.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 06:44 AM

Oh, Linn- what a time. I feel so near and yet so far. Keep on keeping on, and have a wonderful date with Tom today. Give him a loving (gentle) hug from Hunt and me, ok?

Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: maeve
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 06:05 AM

You are doing a great job of keeping on, Linn. The heavy snow is working against us too, yet I am hoping the glimmers of hope will grow into a fine, even light ahead for you and Tom.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 10:42 PM

No update earlier because I was at work until 8PM.

Up at 6 this morning and, as usual, hit the floor running. Besides all the usual morning stuff, I had to (wanted to!!!) visit Tom at Dover Rehab. And I had errands to run on the way. AND IT WAS FUCKING SNOWING!!!! Phoned my boss and warned him that I might be late. Sloppy, slippery driving. Overshot a driveway despite slow speed and all wheel drive Subaru, but it worked out okay. Found Dover Rehab despite no sign at the end of the road. I'm basicly not impressed with the place, at least on first impressions. (Plus Tom tells me he's not been getting his daily meds on time.) But when I got there, the woman in charge of Tom's case was there trying to get more information from Tom since Wentworth-Douglass had not given her complete information and, in some cases, conflicting information. (Don't get me started!)

So I was able to give her history, phone numbers, background info, etcet etcet. And she called me at work early in the afternoon and had evidently been working very hard for Tom in the meantime.

But what she told us was ultimately very disappointing. Instead of being turned loose probably on Saturday with the antibiotics over with and being able to go to Boston as planned for Tom's pre-op appointment with Dr. Z and then the procedure at Mass General on Tuesday morning, the infectious diseases head honcho at W-D is insisting on the antibiotics every 4 hours until February 2nd.

Okay -- but the Tuesday surgery is still on. We still need to get Tom's cardiologist to sign off on the surgery (the vascular guy already has). Then the van from Dover Rehab will take Tom (and me -- I ride free) to be directly admitted to Mass General -- whether on Monday or Tuesday -- and then transport us back to Dover Rehab (on Tuesday? under normal circumstances he would be released the same day). When she talked to me, she said she hadn't yet talked to Tom and said that she was a little afraid of that. (I don't blame her.) But I suggested she tell him she'd talked to me and it's okay. Not ideal, but we can cope.

I need to talk to Kim at Dr. Zeitels' office tomorrow and see what it looks like from their end. I also need to know when we're going to Boston and when we're returning so I can book a hotel room if necessary.

Tom's depressed (understandably) and I could be if I thought about it. Right now I'm keeping my sanity and my brain in my sock drawer -- they're a lot safer there. And trying to laugh about it all. (Not easy.) Thank goodness for clonazapam!

Tomorrow I'm taking Tom out (out!!! into the real world!!!) for some decent coffee, etc. (just being unchained for awhile will do him a world of good), but he'll have to be back for the next dose of antibiotics. I also hope to spring him for a little while on Saturday so we can go to a music party with friends in Dover.

Driving was slow tonight on the way home from work (after clearing the #%@#% white stuff off the car) but not horrible. For a change, Rte. 4 got better after Lee Traffic Circle rather than worse, although Freeman Hall & Priest Road sucked -- the town is waiting for the snow to stop, I'm sure. I left my car up at the head of the driveway because I didn't know if I had turnaround room, but my plow plow person had not only come and cleaned up (moved) the piles of snow from last night giving me plenty of turnaround space, but had even stacked some firewood on the deck.

Nancy, your suggestion sounds really good -- and it's good for the cats to run madly for corners occasionally.

I'm reminded of the Calvin & Hobbes cartoon where Calvin is telling his father about his fictional autobiography. Dad asked what's fictional about it. Calvin said, "In the book I have a flamethrower." Uh huh -- in MY book I've got a flamethrower, too -- aimed at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital right now. The fantasy helps my frustration and stress level right now. So does another glass of wine...

Goodnight, dear friends. Thanks for all the good thoughts and encouragement.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 08:59 PM

No update?
Maybe that means all is well or at least under control.
My drive home from work tonight was horrendous. The worst I have ever had. Narrowly avoided rear ending other cars by inches. No matter how slow you are going you can't stop downhill on ice and slush. In fact if you are stopped you slide.
Tomorrow's commute is supposed to be worse. I hope Linn gets home safe and sound tonight. And I hope Tom stays put until the driving improves.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Nancy King
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 12:40 PM

Somehow I think that running twice as fast would be counter-productive. Jeez, what a miserable saga. I can't really offer much help other than keeping you both in my thoughts, willing everything to work out well for you.

I'm glad you got that (unplanned) day off, Linn. I can't imagine how much worse all that would have been if you'd had to be at work. How are you feeling physically, BTW? Surely the stress doesn't help. Just TRY to relax -- though I always thought "trying" to relax was sort of self-defeating -- and enjoy your new skinniness. Also sometimes just standing in the middle of the house and yelling at the top of your lungs is helpful. It might scare the cats, but they'll deal with it, and it might release a bit of tension. Just a thought.

Good luck and lots of love to both you and Tom,

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 11:10 AM

As the Red Queen said to Alice:

"Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!"

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: KathWestra
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 10:47 AM

Love to you both. What a time you've had, and are having. I dearly hope your burdens ease very soon, and that Dr. Z is able to do his magic, and Tom returns to full health quickly. If you need a cadre of advocates to help with the bureaucrats down the road when the bills show up, we're standing by! xoxo

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 09:30 AM

Linn-

Here's to Guinness!

It just doesn't look like shirt sleeve weather out my door this morning.

Charley Noble, back in Maine

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 09:11 AM

Department of Small Victories --

On a happy note, a couple days ago when I was putting some stuff away, I tried on a Guinness St. Patrick's Day t-shirt from a few years back. Now, for years I wore 3X, but lately, thanks to an active job, I'm down to 2X although I can fit into generously cut 1Xs.

This Guinness shirt was a Large, but looked as if it were "husky" cut. I tried it on -- AND IT FIT!!! Not only that, it actually LOOKS good on.

Now all we need is short sleeve weather...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 09:08 AM

Merde! Sometimes I get really annoyed with Facebook.

HERE is what I posted and when I copied and pasted and it was RIGHT THERE in the Mudcat post (but disappeared sometime after I hit "Submit Message") --

I don't know what's worse – having insurance or NOT having insurance. Tom didn't have insurance through his heart surgery 6 years ago nor did he with the blood infection from the inflamed bursa 3 years ago -- that one was Workers' Comp, though, and we had to SUE the insurance company!

Linn (one more thing...sigh)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 07:27 AM

I just posted this as a comment at one of my FB posts of the past couple days and thought maybe I should post it here, too, what with all of the aggravation and frustration of the past few days --

<>

Back to Mudcat post -- in all fairness, his treatment(both medical and financial) were STUPENDOUS during his heart valve surgery, etc. All of the hospitals (especially HCA Portsmouth Regional) and doctors involved were absolutely amazing and gave us both all of the assistance we could stand. I have nothing but praise for every institution and person involved (including, too, the non-profit organizations I dealt with).

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 07:26 AM

show?

SNOW

bloody typos

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 09:09 PM

Linn-

Would it help if we threatened some of the "caregivers" with bodily harm? I'm sure we could assemble a Mudcat Flying Squad that would better focus their attention on Tom.

Charley Noble, back in Maine

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 08:15 PM

wot a saga. Add to that the show.

rest well, Linn & cats, & Tom

sandra