Alaska Mike needs good thoughts

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 10:06 PM

I spoke to Mike tonight at about 8:30 East coast time, and he was very groggy indeed, and his voice was weak. He recognized my voice, and we joshed a little bit, and then he was tired and we quit.
He's not 100% yet, but it's good to have him back among us.
I don't think I/we should call him again until we hear from Tawmmie or one of this daughters that he's able to carry on a conversation.
Thanks, 'Catters.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: artbrooks
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 12:25 PM

I hope and assume that, since he works for the state, his health insurance will be covering all of this. However, on the off chance that somebody doesn't have them all, Mike's CDs may be purchased here.

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: vectis
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 11:21 AM

I'm very relieved that he is making good progress. Save that super hug for when he's fitter.
Mary

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: bet
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 11:58 PM

Gtreat News! Stay tough and take care. bet

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 03:21 PM

Alaskan Tuxedo--A sturdy wool work suit available in gray, brown or green. When brushed off, it is acceptable attire for anything from a wedding to a wake. The suit is most popular among oldtimers, who often wear it with gold nugget jewelry and a bolo tie.

                   Mike Doogan, ed. How To Speak Alaskan (1993)

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 03:11 PM

But remember, Bill- he did eventually put on some socks.

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 01:30 PM

(well, it got a mite chilly when Mike was at the Getaway, and he seldom deviated from his Hawaiian version of an Alaskan Tux...I seem to remember him admitting he 'would' consider covering up more if it really got cold....which I took to mean "when the sled dogs wrapped their tails around their faces")

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 01:21 PM

I looked at your link, Rapaire, and all I can say is that there is not a single item depicted there that would take one through the winter.

As a matter of fact, about 4 years ago one of the 'big' houses did a shoot on Mendenhall Glacier. They did the shoot, all right, but the crew nearly died from the cold and the house came downtown and bought winter coats from Foggy Mountain Shop for them.

The models, however, had to wear E - oops, I almost mentioned the name...

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: artbrooks
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 01:06 PM

She should check with the doctor first...he may need a longer period of quiet bed rest.....

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 12:55 PM

Perhaps when you take him home you could find a piper to play "The Campbells Are Coming."

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: open mike
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 12:41 PM

like Rip Van Winkle...waking after the long sleep
did his beard grow down to his knees??

welcome back...and maybe he needs a computer connection
so he can catch up on all the threads on here!!

when daylight savings time ends we will all gain an hour..
(for those who live where the clocks change...)

so he can add that extra hour to those he lost track of.
and Tawmmie, you can sleep in for an extra hour!!

best wishes for healingn and i guess yo udon't needto roll
around after all...like they do with horses.

when i read "I'll join the throngs that have been saying,
"Take care of yourself.""
at first i thought it said soon he will be wearing a thong..
perhaps in a tartan plaid....i would think flannel would be nice!!

looking forsard to the day......send pix!!

Laurel

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 12:29 PM

Geez, you guys! Don't even know what an Alaskan Tuxedo is!

Everybody who is everybody in Alaska, male and female, has one. And Mike and Tawmmie undoubtedly have matching ones.

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 12:20 PM

Relieved to hear the good news! Big hugs for both of you and continued good thoughts. Tell Mike I'll make sure to sing "Iditarod" at the Getaway. 8-)

-- Gary

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 09:25 AM

Before Mike is released, I suggest he have the doctor go back and double-stich everything with his strongest thread because if they are going on a January cruis with !!!SEAMUS!!! he may be in danger of popping the incision. Two and a half months is not enough healing time. In fact, a person who never had any surgery might be in danger of hurting himself if Seamus is performing!

The best to both of you. We are pulling for you here in Missouri.

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 04:04 AM

Make sure those care packages contain notebooks and pens chaps!!!

So glad to hear things are getting better.... may this be the first step on the road.

LTS

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Barry Finn
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 02:02 AM

The long sleep isn't to bad Tawmmie, don't you forget to have your rest too. I was put under for 12 days & Mike sounds typical of what happens when one finially comes slowly out of it. He's probably had some strange dreams that'll take a while to remember & he'll most likely have things backwards & upside down for a short while too but he'll be none the worst for it & he'll probably find a lot of writing material too. Those will be some strange songs. When he's up see that he streches, the big stiff has been vertical for too long. Do treat yourself often & rest up, it's a tough go for the care giver. Real glad to hear the progress he's making.
Give him a hug for , will ya.

Barry

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Janie
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 12:18 AM

What everyone else has said, Tawmmie and Mike.

Will keep holding all of you in my heart, thoughts and prayers.

Janie

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 11:29 PM

Great news Tawmmie!
You and Mike both take care!

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 09:20 PM

Tawmmie-

Thanks again for keeping us up to date. We do also care about the big lug and it's hard not to worry what happens to those we love who are "captive" in hospitals. However, it certainly seems as if Mike is getting good care.

When you get a chance to collect, there's a three-lobster special waiting for you and Mike in Maine.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 09:12 PM

Happy news, friends!

How much sweeter your trip will be.

You deserve it, and each other.

Hugs.

Dani

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: skipy
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 03:23 PM

It is amazing, some days we can (well some of us) be an aruging bunch of vitriolic pratts, then something happens to one of "ours" whom most of us don't know and we pull out the stops and hold our collective breath, we prey, we hope, we read, we sit with fingers crossed, in the sometimes desperate hope that something will go right for a stranger on the other side of the planet. I'M PROUD to be a member of this caring community. Thank God (your God, that is if you have one) that we seem to have won this one.
Now what do you want to argue about?
Skipy

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: GUEST,Melani
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 03:19 PM

All the best, Mike. Get well soon!

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 02:16 PM

It's good to find progressively happier news in this thread. When I did my hospital chaplaincy we were always encouraged when the patients started to get grumpy. If they're annoyed at their nurse, doctor, etc., it's usually because they're annoyed at the illness, and now have the energy to combat it emotionally as well as physically.

And Tawmmie - remember to eat, even when you're not hungry, and sleep as best you can. Things will get stressful anew when he gets home, and you need to be rested. As we sometimes used to say, "Don't just do something - stand there!"

Good luck and good wishes. I'm so sorry you all have to go through this, but glad things are going as well as possible.

Dan Schatz

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Don Firth
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 01:12 PM

EXCELLENT!!!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 01:04 PM

Hee hee, I'm still chuckling at the mental picture of Tawmmie with Mike over her knee, I envisage two broken legs at least would be the outcome of that, our Mike's a big guy!
Giok

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 12:39 PM

"An Alaskan Tuxedo is de rigeur"

But, Mike already HAS an Alaskan tuxedo!

This what we want, Mike! Get MUCH better very soon! The world needs your sense of fashion.

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 12:38 PM

Relief !!!!!!!!! Glad he is REALLY on the up now !

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Carly
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 12:23 PM

Such great news! Tawmmie, I will add my voice to the choir; take care of yourself. Mike is going to need to have you fit and happy while he recuperates.

Don't worry right now about memory problems; fever and drugs can do strange things to your mind, as can extreme stress, but they are temporary. I know how it feels; I spent several weeks once on VERY heavy antibiotics and who-knows-what-else, and at one point I could not remember my mother's name, or that the thing I wanted to eat soup with was called a spoon!

Much Love
Carly

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 12:14 PM

Mike, I have been offline for over a week, so I have missed everything up to now. I am looking forward to having you back as much as anyone. There's a good heart in there and we want it back here soon. Good to hear you are on the road to recovery.

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 11:16 AM

OK, he's earned another trip to Sherwood Forest!

Glad to hear the news, Tawmmie. Look after each other.

Luv

Rhiannon and Mick

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: karen k
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 10:48 AM

Welcome back Mike! I can breathe now. I'm so glad that you are awake and on the mend. We need you around, my friend. Tawmmie, I'll join the throngs that have been saying, "Take care of yourself." Glad the blood pressure is down and that you will see your doc. We need you both back on the east coast for the Getaway next year or definitely the year after. Be well both of you and I'll keep watching for more good news.

love to you both,
karen

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Megan L
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 10:29 AM

Great news


1. Take care of YOU you are special and very necessary just now so make time for yourself do something nice totaly unrelated to what is going on. you will both feel better for it.

2. If he grumps threaten to put him over you knee.It will either scare him into behaving or cause him to heal quickly with a gleam in his eye.

thoughts and prayers
Dauvitt and his Meg

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 10:07 AM

WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: JudyB
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 09:47 AM

Great news!

Hugs to you both,
JudyB

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: rock chick
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 09:35 AM

Wonderful new, keep improving Mike, and take care Tawmmie.

shelagh x

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 09:20 AM

GUEST,Tawmmie, My prayers are with you and Mike. I read about your collapse at work and it sounded very familiar to me.

A few years ago, before I went in to treatment for Chronic Pain management, I was severely sleep deprived as you must have been. Sometimes, when sleep deprivation goes beyond a few days and into weeks, you can have some odd symptons such as you did. It can be very disconcerting to those around you and even doctors can mistake it for onset of a mental illness or onset of a numer of physical conditions. When it happened to me, my lood pressure would sometimes and inexplicaly get so high I thought I was having a heart attack.

The good thing is, your doc gave you something for it, you seemed to have gotten some sleep and are back on track. Mike is doing better and in time, both of you will be fine. Just remember that you need to take care of your own self too so that you can be in tip top shape to care for Mike when he comes home.

So, don't forget to eat and sleep! Sounds silly but those are two things spouses and family members neglect when a loved one is critically ill. When I am so stressed that I cannot sleep, I listen to a special cassette tape I made when going thru biofeedback training. My instructor told me to choose music that I knew note for note and that I found soothing. He said the familiarity was important because it enables you to not have to actively listen.

I chose a few Roger Eno compositions that I have always loved. I made a 45 minute continious tape of them back to back which is more than enough. I just put earbuds in, switch it on, put a lavender eye-pollow over my eyes (the slight weight seems to help), lay down and then go into my biofeedack routine. You don't need to really have a routine but if you do, it works faster. Within 6 to 10 minutes, my blood pressure and pulse drop significantly and I either drift into sleep or in to a meditative state. Using the tape works for lowering pain too.

You may not need to come up with a sleep aid such as I've described but there it is in case you do. At least your doctor is aware that it was a prolem and will likely be supportive if you need help in the future.

Take care and keep us posted on Mike's progress. We are holding you oth in our hearts.

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 09:05 AM

He'll need travellin' clothes. An Alaskan Tuxedo is de rigeur anywhere in the world, but especially on a cruise ship with Seamus. I suggest a green one.

Ladies, on the other hand, look exquisite in anything.

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: nutty
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 08:28 AM

Although I've not previously posted I've checked this thread daily.

So pleased to hear good news ,,,, I'm thinking of you both and hoping for another cuddle next time Mike comes to the UK.

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: kendall
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 08:23 AM

That's GREAT news! I was very worried because I had a friend who's dog had that problem and it killed her.(The dog) The vet said it was quite common in dogs. NO I'm not saying Mike is a dog!
Tawmmie, give him a hug for me, willya?

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 08:21 AM

What wonderful news! Please give him a big hug from us in Maine!

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: KT
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 08:19 AM

Tawmmie and Mike, I agree about Bruce. He's a treasure! So's Robin! And the whole family for that matter!!

So glad to hear you're both doing better. To celebrate, what say we ALL join you and Seamus on that cruise!!

KT

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Tinker
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 07:45 AM

Impatient men, they always seem to want to move things along too fast for their own good... Tawmmie, even if you have to sit on that man, you tell him it's time to slow down and enjoy.

tink

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: artbrooks
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 06:45 AM

Huzzah!

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Jeri
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 06:43 AM

I believe the confusion's somewhat normal after being unconscious for a while and coming off some heavy-duty drugs. It takes a few days for some drugs to clear out of the body.

Tawmmie, this is wonderful news, and I can only imagine the relief you must feel. It's a great start to MY day too! May all things just get better from here.

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: gnu
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 06:25 AM

I know what's in both my eyes... tears of JOY!!!!! For Mike and for 147/96.

Well... looks like time to clean out the fridge, thank goodness!

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 05:29 AM

I have no eye problems nor lumpy throat, I'm just so glad to get some good news in what has been a week of ARGH!.

Keep it together Tawmmie, things can only get better!

LTS

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: skipy
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 04:39 AM

Same as Amos & Giok!
Got to go now, need a tissue.
Skipy

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 04:26 AM

that eye problem is catching.

sandra

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 04:21 AM

Bloody great!!!!
I have the same eye problems as Amos seems to be suffering from, and a bloody great lump in my throat too.☻
To a Campbell, from a MacKenzie, get well soon and let's have a real gathering of the clans. Now we have something to celebrate.
Giok

Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
From: Hawker
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 04:21 AM

Lots of love from Cornwall for a speedy and full recovery, kindest thoughts and prayers winging their way daily!
Cheers, Lucy