Things were better when I got to the hospital. I found Tom sitting up in a chair and, for the time being at least, his BP seemed to be stabilizing. He's in good humor, still feeling quite well, very alert and not as bored. Yesterday he ended up listening to the History Channel, so even though it's not his favorite -- NHPR -- he's still getting something to keep his mind occupied when I'm not there to read to him.

He can't have any food as they don't want his stomach and lower GI to steal blood from his heart, kidneys and brain.

I read to him most of the day -- online articles that I printed out plus a few more chapters of M.F.K. Fisher's "The Gastronomical Me" from "The Art of Eating." That got him thinking somehow about making an orange upside down cake so we discussed modifications to a pineapple upside down cake to experiment with sometime when he gets home.

Had a pretty decent talk with his doctor (well, I guess one of them -- I haven't met the cardiologist yet). He's more or less narrowed it down to his heart, but Tom's been dealing with congestive heart failure for years. Why things changed so suddenly and in ways he couldn't tell it was happening, I still haven't a clue. I still need to talk to a couple advisors -- an old friend who's a doctor (and was actually Tom's doctor before his heart surgery) and his cardiologist of the past 10 years. Also told Dr. Al-Alwan that Tom's cardiologist sent some of Tom's history over to him, so he'll go look for the information. (Why did didn't REQUEST it, I have no idea.)

I think I'm feeling less frantic and a bit more at ease. (For what that's worth.)

I "was Tom" at tonight's Press Room session, sitting in Tom's seat and making sure everyone got a chance to lead a song. And collected a bunch of much needed hugs (which are much better in person than as cyber hugs, although those are appreciated, too.)

Right now I think I should go to bed.

Linn