The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #95666 Message #1887568
Posted By: Alaska Mike
18-Nov-06 - 08:39 AM
Thread Name: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
Subject: RE: Alaska Mike needs good thoughts
OK here's the story. In July, I had gastric bypass surgery to overcome the health problems of being a "jolly giant". My weight loss was coming along great, but I began to experience some problems in September. On October 16th, I drove myself to the emergency room because I was feeling a bit lousy and wanted to see if anything was really wrong. After arriving at the ER, I was quickly diagnosed as being a "sick SOB" and whisked off to surgery.
The doctors determined that the gastric bypass surgery had come unravelled. I had burst the surgical connections where my stomach reattaches to my intestines and several liters of undigested food, gastric fluids and bowel contents were released into my abdominal cavity. Everything was infected, parts of my gut already contained dead tissue, and I was on the very fine edge of death. No one knows how I was able to drive myself to the hospital in the condition I was in.
For the next 10 days I was enjoying a magnificent coma. I was kidnapped by the North Koreans, got into trouble with the authorities in Caracas, Venezuela, and was tortured (hung upside down in the hold of a ship). I don't recall why all these things happened, but you should know that I was victorious in all actions.
As I started to come out of my coma, even more wonderful events occurred. HBO offered me a multi-concert performance contract to be televised and syndicated. I was a bit confused by all this interest in my music since I was unable to sing or play or even keep my bowels contained, but I gladly accepted the offer. For the next week or so I happily told everyone about my HBO deal until somebody finally told me that I was halucinating. Then I got depressed.
But its hard to stay depressed with all the miraculous drugs available in modern hospitals these days. As reality fought its way back into my brain, I gradually came to realize what had happened to me and so began my slow and painful recuperation. I worked hard with the physical therapists to learn how to walk again, I started doing crossword puzzles and sudokus to improve my brain function and I redoubled my efforts to do what ever needed to be done to leave the hospital.
Now I am finally home. Its 4:00 am and I can't get to sleep, but I'm feeling nearly like my old self again. When I arrived home, I read through this thread and was overwhelmed by the love and caring that you all have shared. I cannot thank you enough for the help you provided to Tawmmie during these dark days. I was too far gone to help in her suffering, but you were there to give her the support she needed. You are truly great friends. My love and sincere appreciation go out to each of you. I've got a couple months of recuperation before I can return to work, so I will keep you posted on stuff that comes up.
Love to you all, Mike