BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery

Subject: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 10:39 AM

Figured I'd better start this now because I won't have time either tonight when I get home from work or tomorrow morning.

We have to be at York (Maine) Hospital tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. It's a little over an hour drive, so we have to be on the road before 6. I don't get home tonight from work until 9-ish, so I guess I'll have to wind down fast and sleep fast.

But Tom's defibrillator/pacemaker battery is -- at long last -- going to be renewed tomorrow.

Not sure how long it will take. It's a multi-part procedure (he can probably fill you all in on it) that involves a mid-day lobster roll. (That part I get to share in! That and the driving him home.)

Then, supposedly, the defib will be reset so he has some ENERGY, which he hasn't had since they started readjusting it to extend the battery life.

All good wishes for an uneventful procedure welcomed! As with any number of friends these days, we're getting pretty sick of hospitals.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Bill D
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 10:54 AM

Since I can't think of any good battery jokes right now, I'll just say..... hooray!

(one bad joke: if they don't do it right, there's grounds for assault with battery)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 11:01 AM

Maybe he'll get around to asking them to modify the defibrillator/pacemaker so he can download music to it -- I've been suggesting that for years. After all, it's just a little computer (that gets downloaded every 3 months).

When I asked one of the Mass General docs why, if the manual said the battery needed replacing after 5 years, and this April (next month) will be SIX years, why his cardio team hadn't replaced it before this, he said, "Good battery."

Hope Tom's life (and coping with anesthesia) improve with the newly charged power supply!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 11:08 AM

Here's to a simple procedure, a speedy recovery and getting the hell out of there before something else goes wrong.
Good luck, Tom.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: gnu
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 11:51 AM

Me too!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: ClaireBear
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 12:05 PM

Best of everything -- luck, food, spirits (both kinds), recovery experiences, futures, and so on.

Does this mean Tom will have to make a CD, to be sold in a boxed set with Kendall's, called "A Salt and Battery"? (You could then call the set "A Dose of Salts.")

Getting coat...

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Amos
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 03:19 PM

I think SOME mp3s --the kind that help the heart--would definitely be a valuable addition. Would they have to put in Parental Controls to make sure you only downloaded the right stuff?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 04:04 PM

Replacing the battery does sound like something Tom should get a charge out of, and long overdue.

Lobster rolls also sound good.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Tinker
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 04:15 PM

Yeah!!!!

I am so glad to hear this is finally scheduled. Here's to a recharged and renewed energy for you both.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: My guru always said
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 04:26 PM

Good news! Will be thinking of you both tomorrow, candle lit!
Love & Hugs,
Hil xx

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 05:57 PM

Åt last! When you know something's got to be done, it isn't easy to wait. Here's to a fast, uneventful process but with immediate happy results.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: jacqui.c
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 07:31 PM

Good news! Here's a wish for all to go well.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Lorraine
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 07:40 PM

Oh this sounds good. more energy and lobster roll-Reds? or is it too early. Pace yourself please.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 07:44 PM

Mine isn't due for replacement for awhile yet so let me know the details! I'm sure it'll go well and I'll be thinking about y'all!

Looking forward to details!


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 09:07 PM

I'll be able to breathe again when it's safely replaced, Tom's feeling more of his old self and he home safe and sound.

This winter (which prolly started with his cancer diagnosis in September) has been a long haul.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 09:19 PM

That is GOOD news. I hope you both get some restful sleep tonight, though I know that isn't always easy before a procedure. We will be there with you in good spirits, peaceful breathing, and quiet assurance that all is well for the highest good of all concerned.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Janie
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 09:39 PM

Hurray! Good wishes. Enjoy the lobster roll, then get home and be well.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Nancy King
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 12:43 AM

Hoping all goes well!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: open mike
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 01:06 AM

take a lickin' and keep on tickin'!!
you bunnies have good one, ya hear?

http://www.energizer.com/energizer-bunny/Pages/bunny-center.aspx

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 01:58 AM

adding my good wishes

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 02:57 AM

aww... open mike beat me too it. I had visions of Linn trying to keep up with Tom in energizer bunny suit.


Concentrating on health and energy for Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Becca72
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 09:43 AM

If a lobster roll is part of daily procedures I think Kendall will be switching hospitals soon! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 11:18 AM

Good luck with all of this, and a speedy return home, Tom and Linn!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 02:15 PM

Linn, just be sure they get the battery in right; you know what happened to the Energizer Bunny. He burned up and fell apart; seems they put his batteries in backwards and he just kept coming and coming...I'll get me hat.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 03:20 PM

Apparently, Kendall is still on the good meds. LOL Awaiting news, Linn. And not about the lobster roll.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 03:24 PM

Don't know how many AAs fit in that little contraption, but I know Doc Cunningham got 'em facing the right way.

We're home/ Everything went right on time, right as planned. Procedure took about an hour and he was awake and talking (or at least able to be talked at) by the time they wheeled him back into the room.

That's another cool thing -- I didn't have to pingpong back and forth to waiting rooms, etc. After he signed in this morning, they put him into a room with a bed to change out of his civvies, meet the doc and anesthesiologist (for the second half -- testing -- of the procedure), etc. And they left me there to sit and read while he went through it. Actually, I shook off my shoes and climbed into the bed and propped this month's Vanity Fair in front of me. Then for a little bit I rested my eyes -- coasting (not asleep, but not quite awake, either). Then they came and got the bed to bring Tom back into the room about 9:30-ish.

He rested, napped, etc. until he was awake enough for lunch. Alas, their usual lobster roll wasn't on today's menu, so he was "stuck" with a Cuban panini. The food at York Hospital is wonderful. If anyone is in the vicinity at lunch time, stop in to their cafeteria. They do their own baking, buy their produce at Golden Harvest, etc. The food is GOOD.

The doctor said it was okay to leave around 2 -- Tom was dressed and impatient by 1 and we were out of the parking lot by 1:45.

Got yesterday's laundry drying, groceries put away, will bring in some firewood (Tom shouldn't lift over 10 lbs. for a week or so) and then I'm going upstairs to finish a book.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Nancy King
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 04:22 PM

Sounds good! Hope all continues to go well!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 04:33 PM

Thanks for the update, Linn. Sighs of relief all round.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 05:21 PM

Good! Is he energy improved then? Must be by the sounds of it.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: maeve
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 05:39 PM

Welcome home, Tom. Get some good rest, Linn.

m

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 06:15 PM

That sounds like it was a good trip!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: ranger1
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 07:46 PM

Yay! Been thinking good thoughts at ya, even if I'm not posting 'em.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Tinker
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 11:31 PM

Good to hear sounds of life.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: bbc
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 06:32 AM

Sounds good, Linn. I hope life gets downright boring after this!

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 07:30 AM

I have a picture in my mind of Tom marching around, beating a drum, like the Energizer Bunny!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 08:40 AM

Linn and Tom-

Welcome home to a new and brighter day!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 10:35 AM

He's got some incision pain and generalized discomfort in the area today, but that's to be expected. He's curmudgeoning about it, of course, but that's his prerogative as a curmudgeon.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 11:13 AM

As long as he isn't wearing flip-flops like that bunny Allison linked to!*bg*

G'morning ya ol' curmudgeon-with-your-own-goddess.:->

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 11:43 AM

Gee - Spaw just told Kendall to go F himself. Does Tom need a talking to?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: gnu
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 01:36 PM

So, have the new batteries got him all charged up? Has he been out cutting and splitting firewood a la Paul Bunyan or what?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 01:57 PM

he has a 10# limit so a 9# hammer should be OK.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: gnu
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 02:06 PM

As long as he doesn't get blue in the axe. (Two puns with one post.)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 09:11 PM

Our firewood doesn't need cutting and splitting -- just schlepping. And he does have to be careful about how heavy something is, and today some movements are painful because of the incision and the general removal and reinsertion of a small computer into a pocket of skin on his chest.

He's in better humor tonight -- I think he took a pain pill, which he didn't want to do this morning.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 09:46 PM

That all sounds a bit good ! Can we all relax now ?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: My guru always said
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 07:55 AM

So very glad to hear it all went well!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 11:52 AM

Not too good a humour I hope, that would necessitate a name change!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: olddude
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 11:26 AM

I am so glad to hear he is ok and it went well. Thank goodness, now continue to get better
blessings

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: gnu
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 11:33 AM

Waiting for an updating I am.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 12:05 PM

Battery swapped out last Wednesday -- everything went smoothly. Tom had no problem with the anesthesia for this procedure. He does have an appointment with the tech next Thursday and I think he wants the defib adjusted a bit higher than they set it at. But now that the residual surgical/puttering about inside his body pain has gone away, he does seem to have more energy.

F'rinstance, he stayed at The Press Room session last night a LOT longer than I did (all day headache) despite the high ambient noise factor which made it impossible for him to be (vocally) heard (although his concertina came across just fine).

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Gets New Battery
From: gnu
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 12:07 PM

That's what I was airing to hear... good news! Thanks Linn.