BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure

Subject: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 01:22 AM

This evening after supper Tom stepped outside onto the deck. It had been misting all day and the artifical wood (Trex) of the deck was wet, maybe somewhat slimy. It's been an odd winter.

Anyway, he slipped. The important thing here is he slipped ON the deck not OFF the deck.

He was just away from the door to the house. I'd heard a noise and was going to investigate when I heard a pounding noise, yelled, "I'm coming!" and ran down the stairs. (Neat trick as my knee has been giving me grief the past couple days.)

He had the door open and had pounded on the sheetrocked wall to get my attention.

He couldn't right himself, and thought he may have done something to his ankle. So I brought over his heavy antique wood office chair on casters to see if he could pull himself upright. No go.

I called 911.

First a Nottingham police officer and then the EMTs arrived.

They got him into a chair without stressing his ankle and, eventually, loaded into the ambulance to take him to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover. After posting at Facebook and calling my boss (I'm scheduled to work noon to 8 on Thursday), I followed him.

He was somewhat settled in when I got there -- Dr. Trotzky said he'd dislocated the right ankle. Usually in these cases, there needs to be surgery soon after to repair minor problems associated with the dislocation. The last time I talked to him was just before Sue from X-Ray dragged him off for a photo shoot.

After waiting a couple more hours, I encountered the nurses' station. Kelly was off looking for the hospitalist who would admit him and get him settled in a room. It was unclear as to whether a room was available, in which case it wasn't, they'd get him comfortable in the backwater of the ER where he was.

I left at 11 pm, after settling his new insurance cards with the ER admitters, and came home to post at Facebook, send an email to a friend, and call my sister before trying to sleep.

A craving for a taste brought me again downstairs, so here's this post.

This shouldn't be a major setback, but it does mean I have to clean out the living room and find room for him on the couch as I don't expect he'll be able to negotiate the steps for awhile. And I'll have to do basically everything for awhile until he can do his share.

It also means he'll be missing the Press Room evening St. Patrick's celebration for the second time since the first in 1978. And that means Bob Frost, who has only missed one (with the Angel Band) will beat his record. Tom and Bob are planning to hand off the evening entertainment after this year -- hopefully to someone in the Press Room family.

I don't know what pains Tom more...

Whatever, it's going to be a major change, and some major physical work for Tom whom I don't think has broken any bones before. I'm not going to second guess what God has planned...just that it will be different and will probably work out better than we speculate.

Please send some good thoughts in this direction.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 02:12 AM

as large a bunch of good wishes as I can gather are winging their way from Oz to your part of the globe

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 02:37 AM

Just one thing after another, huh! The best aspect of it all is that he - and you - keeps proving that he - and you - can survive a lot of just plain stuff. Congratulations on that part!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: ranger1
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 07:03 AM

Linn, been thinking about you both since you posted on Facebook last night. I have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off and you're not that far away. Call me if you need anything, even if it's just someone to come hang out and fetch and carry for a bit. Hugs to you both from me and Jason.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 07:34 AM

Crap! And good thoughts, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 07:38 AM

Just got off the phone with Tom. He DID finally get into a room last night -- 230B at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, NH.

I'm navigating on less than optimal sleep, probably less than 5 hours' worth. Just talked to him a few minutes ago. He slept until 4 when he woke up in pain -- didn't get pain meds until just a little while ago (7-ish) and they haven't totally kicked in yet.

Looks like Dr. Blitzer who did my arm surgery has been engaged to fix his ankle this afternoon. Two breaks, one long one, so Tom will have hardware in his appendage similar to what I have in my arm.

That's it for now -- not sure when I'm heading over there. Got stuff to do here at home, first.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: maeve
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 08:27 AM

You'll be a matched set!

Hugs for you both, Tom and Linn.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: jacqui.c
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 09:29 AM

Good thoughts coming from Maine - I hope that Tom recovers quickly.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 10:10 AM

Jeez--what a nightmare!
Here's hoping everything improves quickly!
(I'm wondering how he ended up with a Dr Trotzky and a Dr Blitzer.)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 10:59 AM

So sorry, Tom. Any idea how long you'll be hobbling?

Linn,
First Facebook and then work?????
LOL
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 11:18 AM

Now's the time to rally any and all troops over there to give you a hand, an arm, an ankle, an able body!:-) Jeepers, you folks don't do by half-measures, do you?

Much good thoughts and thanks givings for a full and swift recovery for Tom and some respite for yourself. Sometimes I think givers of care should have their own hospital room cum spa for the r&r they need whilst tending to all and sundry.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 11:26 AM

Now I had an adventure! I managed to lock myself out of the house when I took stuff out to the car. Ferretted out secret car key and drove to a neighbor's where I called Jeri who had a key and could bail me out, er, in.

Just talked to Tom (to let him know I was back in the house -- he is on his way to the OR for the surgery.

I'm soon rendezvouing with a friend to get some needed paraphernalia for when Tom gets home and then I'll be heading from there to the hospital.

Oh, and I'm finally eating breakfast -- a roast beef sandwich -- first food since I was up at 6. (No caffeine, either!)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Charmion
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 02:01 PM

Crap!

I have lots of experience with broken ankles and the surgery that goes with -- did both of mine (four years apart, thank God). Tom will be only semi-mobile for some time, at least two weeks for recovery from the surgery and up to rather a lot depending on when (if) he can have a walking cast.

The worst things for me were the boredom of prolonged house arrest, and not being able to cook for myself because I was on crutches and couldn't carry anything. Oh, and getting into and out of the bathtub, a risky business that was half backward push-up and half crawl.

All the best to both of you, and I really hope we'll see you in Connecticut in May.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 02:13 PM

TWO breaks? And one is long? DOUBLE CRAP!

The recovery ward is getting way too crowded for anybody's likely.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 02:55 PM

Just home from the hospital and I'm so tired I can barely see straight (and it's only 2:45 p.m.).

Got to the hospital after he was in the OR so, after walking all over hell and gone, got to the Same Day Surgery Waiting Room. Read one article in Vanity Fair before I got the call to wait for Dr. Blitzer in the consulting room.

What Dr. Blitzer is mostly concerned with is Tom's poor leg circulation -- especially regarding the surgical wound healing. Anywho, Tom's got very similar looking hardware in his ankle that I have in my arm. (Damn! Should have asked him for a copy of the pictures!) Looks like Tom will be in the hospital until at least Saturday. And then they'll decide whether he comes home or goes to rehab. He can't put any weight on the ankle for at least two months. Being able to walk unassisted is four or five months away.

Maybe it's just that I'm exhausted, but I'm starting to be a little bit depressed thinking about, well, Life, the Universe...Everything.

Then again, this WILL get the clutter in the living room dispatched and great incentive to clean the house AND declutter and open up as much as possible...but not today. I think I desperately need a nap.

When I left the hospital a little before 2:00, Tom wasn't expected out of recovery for an hour or so. And I'm sure even after he gets back into his room, he'll be pretty well drugged up. I'll call for an update in an hour or so.

Right now I'm going to call my sister and then take that nap!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 03:08 PM

Aw crap. Steady on, Linn... and Tom. Chin up and all that... crap. I wish I had good words and more than just words to offer. I hope you can get some rest.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Celtaddict
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 03:18 PM

Hang in there, Linn. Best thought for comfort, healing, and rest on the way to both of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: maeve
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 04:31 PM

Sleep is next, Linn, you're right.

You and Tom have a rough go these last couple of years. Do the first thing (sleep), then the next (food), the next (make the call)...and so on.

Then picture me in our new home, listening to our Owl Survey cd in preparation for our annual route- with three house chickens trilling in warning each time they hear an owl they know.

Hugs from Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: GUEST,Paul and Charlene (Albany
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 04:34 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 05:05 PM

Linn, you won't need it just yet, but when it comes to healing wounds, fast and well, even with poor circulation, try what my doc called a "miracle:" Amerigel.

Last year when I was dying, I had an open weeping wound from edema on my leg. Nothing helped. The doc gave me an order for the wound clinic. They couldn't see me for at least three weeks. It was a joke. I happened to talk with a friend who told me about Amerigel; got some. The itchy, weepy, red sore was the size of a quarter. Within a week it was down to a dime; within two weeks it was virtually gone. The stuff 9all natural, no chemicals) works on all sorts of scrapes, wounds, sores, etc. and can be safely used on critters, too. It is not cheap, but a little bit goes a long way. All my docs were simply amazed and now prescribe it for their other patients.

Rest, rest, rest and all the best to the two o'youse.

luvyakat

P.S. And, good going, Jeri!;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: fat B****rd
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 05:09 PM

Bugger! It never rains etc.
Thinking of you both.
ATB from Charlie.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: GUEST,Warped one
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 05:23 PM

I stopped in and saw Tom just as he was brought back to his room. He smiled and said he is not in any pain, but he was still groggy, so I didn't linger. I had hopped to see Linn and give her a hug, but she is taking care of herself with a much needed nap.
Linn, take care and remember that you've got lots of friends you can call on.
Here's to a speedy recovery!

Dianne

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 05:24 PM

Kat, it sounds like that stuff is good for skin wounds. Maybe not so much for bones, muscles and connective tissue? Sounds like great stuff, though!

Hope you sleep well, Linn.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: JennieG
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 05:34 PM

Bummer.....it never rains, but it pours! More good wishes from me to you both. Take time to look after your own needs, Linn, or you will be no use to yourself, Tom, or anyone.

Cheers and hugs
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: GUEST,Paul and Charlene Schurr
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 05:48 PM

My last post, easily 1000words of clever and amazingly sympathetic poetry, did not go through. So, this time: damn! Tom, stop hurting yourself and get well!

We'll sing for your're return to good health.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 07:28 PM

Teach me to post without making a copy first -- Paul, you're not alone. My last post was just eaten.

(Speaking of eating, I really want to go heat something up for supper and then call my sister again.)

Anywho, what I said was, thanks, Kat -- sounds like good stuff. Dr. Blitzer (and I, too) think the bone will heal reasonably well. Tom heals well. But his circulation is really bad in his legs, so he's concerned about the surgical wound healing.

Talked to Tom's nurse, Lynne, about 3 p.m. He was resting (sleeping at the time), but had been awake and wasn't in pain. (Drugged to the gills, I'm sure.) She suggested that if I wanted to talk to him, I wait until about 8-ish. And not come to see him until tomorrow after he's thrown off some more of the anesthesia, etc. (Even after a nap, I'd be dangerous on the road right now.)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 08:11 PM

As has been been said - Bummer !! Shame I am the wrong side of the pond to anything but immoral support !

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 10:01 PM

Rest well, Linn, if you can. You need rest to be strong. My heart goes out to you both. I ain't a prayin man, but God should surely must bless you both. I know all your friends would and that matters too. Take care of each other as best you can. My thoughts are with youse as I end this day and youse will be in my thoughts tomorrow and in the days to come.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 12:08 AM

I'll be praying. What an ordeal for both of you. I hope Tom recovers more quickly than the doctor anticipates.

Aside from that, I was interested to read that you are in Nottingham, NH. My mom was born in Newmarket and I have a cousin who lived in Epping for several years.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Charmion
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 08:56 AM

G'day from the Great Grey North, Linn, and I hope you're feeling a little less crushed after a decent night's sleep.

Again, we're hoping for the best and bombarding the Higher Power for benevolent attention to both you and Tom.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 08:56 AM

Talked to Tom twice in the past hour or so -- first time he was definitely in pain and hadn't yet had meds. A few minutes ago, he was uncomfortable, but had the meds. I'm probably not going to go to Dover to see him until this afternoon.

Friends dropped off what sounds like a lovely bouquet of daffodils and pussy willow, but, alas, Tom can't SEE well enough to see it and enjoy it. (I'll find out exactly where it is when I get there.)

Started cleaning off Tom's side of the table -- at least that's not quite as frantic as when he had his heart problems in 2004; I'm not desperately searching for needed documentation, etc.

Mostly what I've been doing this morning is planning...the day, the next few days...the future. Figuring out who I need to call (such as Dr. Zeitels' office), what I can cook in advance to make my life a bit simpler (Tom does almost all of the cooking, so besides DOING it, I have to reorganize my life to INCLUDE doing it and the shopping), even a new breakfast routine since for 30 years (with a few breaks for hospitalizations, etc.) Tom has brought me my morning tea or coffee in bed, then brought breakfast to me. This morning got my tea (and computerized while waiting for the water to boil) before my shower. Just came downstairs awhile ago to do a few things AND make myself breakfast. So here I am.

I plan to do some de-cluttering this morning, etc., maybe pull out some more stuff for Goodwill which I can drop off either fore or aft of going to the hospital. Then the Press Room session later this afternoon. Don't know how much voice I have and I know the session-count will be low due to pre-St. Pat's gigs. And my evening may turn out to be more social than singing.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed -- it comes and goes. This is going to change a lot of things (including my search for a replacement for my problematic job situation).

Better go get dressed and set to face the day.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 11:40 AM

Just got a call from one of the hospital social workers -- looks like it's pretty definite that he'll be going into rehab until he can navigate on crutches.

I'll find out more when I get there this afternoon. Have a couple places I need to research, but I haven't a clue as to what his insurance (or Medicare) might cover and for how long.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 01:13 PM

Lots of stiff to think through. Best of luck with this. Hope you have some time this afternoon to sit back and enjoy the music.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble and JudyB

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 01:44 PM

Linn I'm sorry to hear about Tom's fall, and the subsequent damage caused. Please tell him I'm asking after his health, and give him my best wishes.
NOW........ Tom is being looked after by professionals, so YOU need to look after yourself lass. You need to be strong and fit to cope with him when he gets home, so wearing yourself out will do neither of you any good.
Take care y'hear?

Giok x

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 04:54 PM

Rehab is probably best for both of you, Linn. Tom will need watching and meds on a regular basis. Physical therapy as well.

First order of business is to see that he heals properly.

So sorry this has happened.

Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 07:19 PM

And me too.

You know you have all my best but I'm sorry to see you guys go through this. Everyday it seems its something else......and that part I understand. I agree with Sins on the rehab. The "rules" on that end of things are really nuts so find a good caseworker (yeah, there are some) who can navigate all the ins and outs......and there will probably be plenty.

After that disastrous appendectomy last year, I had to be weaned off all the tubes and even had to learn to walk again. The rehab hospital had a really great caseworker who watched out all through the process and took care of stretching things out when the time was running out. The hospital did a great job for us and Linda, the caseworker, made sure as much as possible was covered and that all the bases of home care services/equipment were set up before I went home. After a month in the rehab hospital and three months of home health care to check the open belly wounds and the like, we came out with only $500. out of pocket.

We'll all be following along here and if there is anything we can do, even from this distance, let us know.   Best to both Tom and yourself....Take good care...........


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 09:23 PM

Tom, old buddy, why the hell can't this sort of thing happen when we are young and flexible? All I did today was pound the hell out of a shaft with a 4 pound hammer to free it from a snow blower part, and I wrecked my wrist.
Take care and do as you are told; you have a lot of support here.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 09:33 PM

Just back from the Press Room session, which I got to a bit late (after leaving Tom settled in the ICU), but which I desperately needed, I think. Good friends and good music. Had a really nice haddock burrito for dinner, too. Smuttynose Robust Porter -- did I mention I really needed a beer, too?!?

Earlier today Tom was pretty much out of it. Scared the crap out of me talking to him on the phone around noon (he couldn't hear me -- found out later it was because the phone wasn't near his ear; he couldn't hold it there), then when I got there, he wasn't responding to conversation. When I'd ask if he was okay, he said yes, but it didn't seem that way. I kept asking if he was okay; he kept answering "yes", but it didn't much reassure me. And the nurse was having trouble getting his blood pressure.

The hospitalist figured out that he'd had too much of the pain meds or something and gave him something to counteract that. He also figured Tom would be better monitored, etc. on the cardiac floor than in the surgical recovery wing where he was. So, while I was there, they took him to the ICU until he could find a bed in cardiac. By the time I left to go to The Press Room, Tom was Tom again, thank God.

I just got home from the Press Room session and talked to him and he seems okay, but I talked to his nurse just before I talked to him, and he said they're giving Tom antibiotics because they're concerned his chest congestion might be or turn into pneumonia. I told him he has a cough normally because half his vocal cords are missing, etc. and that before the Gore-tex medialization laryngoplasty, he couldn't sneeze, yawn or hiccup or easily cough. And that he's recovering from a cold which has him coughing up a lot of phlegm.

Ach! I'd like to see him out of the hospital because hospitals are dangerous places. Don't know yet where a bed in a short-term rehab facility will be available. (St. Ann's on Dover Point Road would be the most convenient; Edgewood gets the most recommendations.) Don't know whether they'll spring him tomorrow or Sunday (or maybe Monday). Lots I don't know and nobody can tell me yet.

Good friends and good music at The Press Room. I needed that.

I'm going to bed.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 09:38 PM

Kendall... linament and wrap it up tight at night. Gentle exercise and stretching three times a day. Take care. Been there, done that.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 09:56 AM

Saturday morning -- I've talked to Tom several times this morning. Early, I talked to his nurse who said he was confused, but otherwise doing okay. When I talked to him, he said he remembered very, very little of yesterday and asked when I saw him last. He remembered me being there, but not exactly when. He also seemed to think he'd been there since Monday rather than since late Wednesday night in the ER.

I'm pretty sure the confusion, etc. was the result of the pain meds, etc. I gave him a synopsis of what has happened from Wednesday night, through his surgery on Thursday, yesterday afternoon's move to the ICU and up to this morning and he seemed very pleased that he could now understand better what was going on. The doctors are also pleased that he knows where he really is and not in the back room of a convenience store in Nottingham, which is how his drug-befuddled brain was trying to comprehend things. I know how out of it I was after my arm surgery and how unclear and patchy my memory of the day of surgery and the next day when I was released from the hospital, so all this, I think, is pretty normal. I was home and in familiar surroundings. Tom's been moved about a lot.

He's Tom again. And he's eating and drinking coffee and getting enough oxygen (which had also been a problem). Anyway, I feel a lot better and more reassured about his situation this morning than I did even last night.

Still don't know when he'll go to rehab or where, for that matter.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 10:15 AM

The list below is of a group of benzo relatives that are classified as hypotics and are pretty widely used post surgically to relieve pain by inducing sleep. I have a very powerful negative reaction to them, simlar to what Tom is going through but even a bit stronger, or maybe they just loaded me up more. Confusion, lack of responce, and believing you are somewhere else or have completely different scenarios to current reality, are also in the picture.



Ezopiclone§
Lunesta

Zaleplon§
Sonata, Starnoc

Zolpidem§
Ambien, Nytamel, Stilnoct, Stilnox, Zoldem, Zolnod

Zopiclone§
Imovane, Rhovane, Ximovan; Zileze; Zimoclone; Zimovane; Zopitan; Zorclone,

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: maeve
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 10:15 AM

Thanks for that cheering update, Linn. Hello to Tom.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 11:15 AM

They may have just figured out (despite MY telling them numerous times) that Tom has limited and sporadic vision. It just occurred to me that I need to put it in large letters on his meds list handout. Maybe they finally figured it out this morning when he told them he couldn't see his breakfast.

I have to take his amber glasses over to him today. His super UV shield we won't trust to the hospital, and he managed to break his yellow ones (but I ordered two more pair this morning), so those are out. (I fixed them, but they really needed epoxy and I haven't had the time.)

I'm just not getting a lot accomplished this morning and I'll probably have to go to the hospital earlier than I'd planned. Which means in order to perform with the gang at The Press Room tonight, I'd have to go back home, then back to Portsmouth, etcet etcet. Makes me tired just to think of it. (Actually, I'm pretty tired right now.) So I think not only will Tom be missing the show tonight, but I will be as well.

Talked to my boss this morning -- and I HAVE to work Monday and Tuesday. Tom should be in short-term rehab by then, I hope.

Ach!
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 01:22 PM

Okay, just talked to his nurse and to Tom.

Looks like he's not going anyplace today and probably not tomorrow.

Tom sounds a lot better than even the last time I talked to him earlier this morning. I'm taking his amber goggles and his talking clock to him when I go. Got a few more things I want to do around here before I head over. (Like take another batch of shortbread out of the oven -- a friend is coming over tomorrow morning to fix the cellar door that Tom broke the last time he fell. He's been lucky. Up until Wednesday night, each time he's fallen he's only broken inanimate objects.)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 02:23 PM

Not the best, but better. Glad to hear it.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Midchuck
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 05:33 PM

Tom, old buddy, why the hell can't this sort of thing happen when we are young and flexible? All I did today was pound the hell out of a shaft with a 4 pound hammer to free it from a snow blower part, and I wrecked my wrist.

It does happen when we're young and flexible. We just never notice it. I think about the falls I took in high school and college, learning to ski...the same exact sort of fall, now, would put me in the hospital for weeks and in several casts for months, IF I was lucky.

Peter

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 05:52 PM

Midchuck... yup. The lowest three joints in my spine are messed up. Constant leg pain. Did it when I was young and never felt it then. I was gonna live forever.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 06:07 PM

My left knee has been screwed up since I slipped on a piece of lettuce in a Kohl's grocery store when I was four years old. Back's been messed up (lower and neck) since I was in my twenties.

Just home from the hospital. They didn't have him up practicing with the walker today because his blood pressure was very low and they couldn't figure out why. He won't be going to rehab until at least Monday. I HAVE to work Monday and Tuesday...but they now have my work phone number.

He's looking good and is in good spirits. The phone number for Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is 603-742-5252.

I just warmed up the meatloaf I made earlier today along with a baked potato, so I've just eaten. I am sooo tired. Think I'll go upstairs and watch some more "Boston Legal" and call Tom before I go to sleep.

This is the strangest St. Patrick's Day in over 30 years.

My heart's at The Press Room.

Speaking of things one did when one's body was a lot younger, I remember wrapping the evening up at The Press Room well after midnight (Tom's band played every St. Pat's since the first in 1977)...and then Tom, Bob, Jay Smith and myself would go over to the Victory Spa on State St. for a late supper or early breakfast around 3-4 in the morning. Those were the days...

Linn

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Mar 12 - 08:59 AM

I guess one of the things that will be in short supply for awhile is my first-thing-in-the-morning tea-sipping, reading, cat-petting time. Unless I consciously insist on it. Came downstairs upon arising to heat water for tea, computerized a bit, got behind schedule so decided to postpone shower and hair wash -- so, not having the excuse of waiting for my hair to dry, I didn't go back to my bed and book (and cat, don't forget the cat!), I got dressed and dove right into the day.

Called Tom. He's doing well and, now that they seem to have gotten his low blood pressure under control, expects to start navigating with a walker today.

The friend is coming over this afternoon to repair the door, so I probably won't get to the hospital until 4 or later, but I'll talk to Tom over the course of the day.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: maeve
Date: 18 Mar 12 - 09:06 AM

That's all progress, Linn! Thinking about you and Tom as I reclaim the veggie garden.