Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW

Subject: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 01:52 PM

The latest from Connie. Despite the food complaints, he'd told me yesterday, he wouldn't mind one more day, so...maybe Monday, we'll see. Anyway, here's what she sent:

Talked to P on the phone. INR not at therapeutic level - translaton, until blood is thinner he can't go home.

Meanwhile, he is totally unhappy about the food, and being on fluid restriciton.

K took M up to see P. After church we will all go to Slate Run Farm, not too far from our home. It is an historical 1880's working farm. It is a beautiful day here, cool low humidity (so far)

K will take T up after that to "eat supper" with P. Quotes added due to the fact that P would take exception to the nomenclature - that any thing that looks like that, tastes like that, or is found elsewhere on the planet in this form would not be referred to as supper. I think it is double bad be OSU is 2 *2* 2 institutions in one! ;) both a hospital and a university. I think the theory on the University side is to make you have more appreciation of your mother and what ever she cooks(ed) for you, at an age where appreciation is difficult to even coerce. My theory on the hospital part is that they get really sick people there and I they use the "complaints about hospital food scale" to determine if the patient is alert and oriented. Maybe Swanno can give some insight as to which axis that belongs to. I'm thinking it must be a component of all four axis. Maybe we need to help P come up with a statement to demonstrate orientaion to person, place, time, and the world around him.

chest tube came out yesterday. Pain diminishing.

Complaints of breakfast include little box of honey-nut cherrios - no milk; 2 oz of Orange juice, a 1.5 inch tal container of yogurt and a plain bagel with one small pay of butter ot put over the whole thing.

After all this rehabilitation, maybe he will need to take on a job as "real Food" consultant for hospitals.

later~Connie `

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 02:13 PM

Praying peace in healing...

Patience...

... Appreciation, with all the care surrounidng him, even (especially) the parts that piss him off... praying to relax into it and use it (accept it) for his healing.

... To feel all the love in the universe that homes in on him, so strongly that food, etc., is of no consequence.

... That the physical world pales in comparison to the realization of the love borne for him.

~Susan

(Modem now here is 16.8K with knockoffs due to static-- so prayer here will continue, offline.)

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 02:17 PM

give that lad some bacon, eggs, red-eye gravy and grits with butter! And smear some Marmite over it all!......and watch the doctors turn multiple shades of purple!

Eat the damn stuff, spaw, *grin*...you can get back to excesses later...

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 02:21 PM

Thinking of you.....

XXX

LTS

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 02:23 PM

He must need another day in the hospital or he would be running out the exit. I remember the liquid diet being endless glasses of cranberry juice (I refuse to drink milk) and lemon ice.The first solid meal they offered me was FRIED CHICKEN! Just the smell was enough to make me sick after three days of liquids. So I went home.

Complaining about the food is a sure sign he is getting better. I suspect someone warned the nurses about his being prone to flatulance - hence the breakfast. It won't stop him. And even if it did, when Cletus shows up with Paw there is no telling what damage will be done or permanent wall decorations left behind for posterity (that may be a pun, think about it). You know they will sneak in some foul concoction made of moonshine and 'possum parts.
Spaw, we need you back here. Cleigh O'Possum is getting pretty heavyhanded with the "Golden Shower" Award. Just wasted one on gargoyle. Seems pretty pointless to me. I think ole Cleigh is still jealous of the little pissant and trying to wear him out. Odd that I should be asking you to institute a policy of moderation but...
Take as long as you need to feel better and come back to us healthy. We can be patient now that we know you will be OK.
Love you and Karen and the boys,
SINS

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 03:13 PM

Thrilled to hear Pat is doing okay.
Personally, after being involved running the patient food service business I have come to realize we make hospital in-patients suffer so that they heal faster just to get out of there!!!!
My thoughts are with you Pat.
Kat, thanks for letting us know,
Bonnie

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: gnu
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 03:41 PM

....they use the "complaints about hospital food scale" to determine if the patient is alert and oriented.

Astute and priceless ! LOL !

Kick ass, Spaw !!! In the immortal words of Steve Smith, "Remember, I'm pullin for ya, we're all in this together.", and, more importantly, "Keep your stick on the ice."

Love to you and the family ( and Kat - can't forget Kat )

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 04:16 PM

God bless you Spaw. Please get back home (i.e here) soon.

Rich

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: lady penelope
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 04:26 PM

I'm not jewish, but I am a great believer in chicken soup. Or any kind of light soup for those recouperating. Surely the doctors wouldn't mind if you took him some? Over here it's practically the norm. to send out for food!

Well if he complains about the food, other stuff isn't bothering him. Keep going 'Spaw.

TTFN M'Lady P.

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 04:42 PM

Give the man a beer...get home soon Pat, hospitals are fer sick people. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Amos
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 07:00 PM

Spaw:

Quit yer whining!!! Get yer ass back on the modem where it belongs. If you'd get over the luxury of being allowed to sleep all day (to make up for being woken up ten times a night!) and moved your butt back home you could be eating ham steaks and home-fried potatoes with red-eye gravy by now!!!

Anyway, we all love yer furry little ass and want it back among us -- figuratively speaking of course -- as soon as can be!

A

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Morticia
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 07:09 PM

So, Cletus turns up, and he has in his possesion, 12 cases of the cheapest beer, 2 pints of suppin' whisky ( his standards, not ours) and six jars of vegemite.He figures anything he has is clear gonna make our Spaw better.........so Pat swallows up the two pints of suppin' whisky ( Cletus' definition...not ours) and a jar and a half of that there and vegemite ......omigawsh.....he's about ready to part company with the bedsheets......and the bed........and the ward.......and possibly the hospital....somebody get ready to catch!!

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 08:22 PM

If I lived a bit nearer I would bring you a pizza! Get well soon Catpaw.john

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Bert
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 08:35 PM

OK Spaw. enough is enough. You're just malingering now. Git yer sorry arse back here or it'll be kippers and black pudding for ya.

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 09:33 PM

Gosh Bert. Now you're making me sick!

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 09:35 PM

I'll throw in some haggis, Bert! We'll have him flingin' his way home in no time! Get well soon Mr. Spaw.

LL

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Amos
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 09:59 PM

At least let him put some of that Vegemite on top of the lime jello -- that way, it'll at least SMELL like the Mudcat Tavern!!:>)

A

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Barry Finn
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 10:21 PM

Spaw, the food is all in the big plan to help you get better. I found the food so bad that I wouldn't die until I could kill the cook first, they just keep the cook out of sight untill it's all over. Good luck. Barry

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: momnopp
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 10:25 PM

I've missed most of the grit of this whole incident, but I'm sure glad that 'Spaw's doing OK. A sure sign of gettin' better when all ya can do is complain...

Love you, Pat and many hugs to all your wonderful family.

JudyO

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Mrrzy
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 11:25 PM

Glad he's hanging in the hospital another day, and is well enough to complain about the food!

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: mousethief
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 12:39 AM

Hmmm. All he does is complain, moan, and bitch. Sounds like the ol' Spaw we know and love! Must not be too far from recooperatified.

Get better now, you old poser! You can't stay in the hospital just because the nurse with the low-cut scrubs and the habit of bending over you doesn't come back until Tuesday. Besides, she found out you were married and traded in her plunging neckline for a mock turtleneck. So get your ass well, and out of there, you old sinner!

Alex, who's delighted to hear you're almost home.

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Mudlark
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 01:02 AM

Complaining is good for the soul...so glad to hear you are up to it!

Hospital food is sort of like banging your head against a stone wall...it feels so good when you get something ELSE (ANTHING else) to eat.....so hurry home and heal up fast.

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: roopoo
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 02:46 AM

My (retired nurse) neighbour said she knew her husband was getting better when he started to criticise!

C'mon, Spaw, stop enjoying being waited on hand and foot. There are people at home who will do it for love, not for pay!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 04:09 AM

I don't know why hospital food is so bad. You'd think they would have more concern for what goes inside you. You should be able to bring food in for a patient. That home-made chicken soup sounds like the ticket, and split pea soup contains protein w/o the bad stuff. So hang in there, it won't be long til you're home, where the real recovery will happen.

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Sam Pirt
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 05:00 AM

Good to see your getting better Catspaw, the UK's thinking about you.

Cheers, Sam

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Lyndi-loo
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 06:55 AM

What he needs is his oats! Good Scots porridge oats. Clinically proven to keep cholesterol levels down and give you the energy to dance a Strip the Willow and Draps o' Brandy

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Áine
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 09:07 AM

Oh pishaw, you crabby ole varmint! You just never mind all these vegemite, oats & soy milk eejits, now. What you need is a good Texas truckstop breakfast -- Four eggs fried over easy topped with a big helpin' of Two Alarm Chili and a generous sprinkling of tabasco sauce, two pieces of Texas toast grilled in butter and a bowl of hot gravy to dip 'em in, a big ole piece of fried ham, three pieces of crisp bacon sittin' on top of a mound of hashbrowns, and a great big bowl of hot grits with a big pat of butter sitting on top and oozing down the sides. And don't forget your 12 oz. cup of chicory coffee with sugar and real cream to wash it down. Oh, and if you want some ice water, that's a $1.00 extra...

Now there's a meal that'll fix ya up and get that hinder of yours in gear! So give those nurses (well, the female ones anyway) one last glorious glimpse of your glutious maximus and then hawl it back to the 'Cat!! You've been gone too long and we need that saggy dimpled shiney smart ass of yours back right now!

Love, hugs, snogs & noogies to you, Karen and the boys (even Cleigh!), Áine

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 10:24 AM

Perhaps a Mudcat banquet on Spaw's behalf (on the chance he could take pleasure in others eating what he can't). Make mine a double order of biscuits and gravy.

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: mooman
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 10:33 AM

Dear Aine,

If that's what you have for breakfast in Texas I'm on my way!

mooman

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 11:10 AM

Well, I just talked to the man, himself and BOY! does he sound GOOD! Much better than the other day! He says "Hi" and "love ya."

They are just waiting for the numbers to come up to a suitable level, as they adjust his meds, and then he will be on his way home. He said probably won't make it for Mudcat Radio, as they will go to Connie's first, but it should be out of the hospital tomorrow or the next day, as long as the numbers look good.

Oh, and he got to have some Wendy's yesterday and he is off fluid restrictions, so he is MUCH happier. He actually sounded like he was chomping at the bit to get going, but of course, not pushing it.

He said the pain is just normal "I got beat up" pain and easily dealt with; he got to see each of the boys and the docs are all really pleased.

Did you know they've even replaced the valve in a 94 year old there?! Saw it on their website!

Anyhow, a couple more days and we should have him back. He's got PLENTY of material, has had the nurses in stitches with his wit and humour about the food and other things. It'll be great to hear from himself, won't it?!

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: MMario
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 11:21 AM

Good! I certainly hope he goes through as quick a recovery as Barry Finn.

(Amazing to see him this weekend. I took longer to recover from a stupid little tonsillectomy then he appears to have taken to recover from a liver transplant!)

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: jeffp
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 11:24 AM

Glad to hear that Spaw is getting _real_ food at last! **BG** (or should that be **BSEG**?) Keep on getting better, Pat! Looking forward to the stories.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: mousethief
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 11:25 AM

I've heard tonsillectomies in adults are pretty gruelling. My wife even found a "get well card" EXPLICITLY for adult tonsillectomy victims! Of which we knew one, of course, and sent it to her!

HOT DANG, Spawmeister, so good to hear you're on the mend! Now quit sewing the nurses and get out of there!

Alex

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Kim C
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 11:36 AM

Still hangin in there for ya Spaw! (even though you did make that comment abount putting a cat up my ass.........)

Luvya------ Fiddlebum

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 12:01 PM

Just got a crank call from a hospital in Ohio. Seemed like some crackpot was going to buy a whole lot of networking equipment. Took me a minute to figure out it was Spaw! So here I sit at my desk, tears streaming, all excited because he sounds GREAT! I do love that man!

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 12:23 PM

Maybe we could find the pizza delivery place closest to the hospital, and...nah.

Spaw's probably not complaining about the pain, because it could have been worse with a full chest-splitting Spaw-taco sort of procedure. Innards heal more quickly than outards - blood supply's better.

Take no dred to lie in bed
Better there than elsewhere dead
The guy before you slept there
And the guy before him too

Heal and go
And stomach rumbelo
He was up
Long before the dawn-o
To welcome in the nurse,
She wants to stick his arm-o
For Spaw he is a-mending,
It's almost time to leave-o

Tris and Mike and Karen
Have gone to Burger King-o
But Spaw he feasts on cardboard
And dreams about a hot wing-o

What happened to the last guy
Who complained the food was hell-o
It's now he eats the feathered goose
But Spaw's still stuck with Jell-o

At least that's what they tell us
They gripe and then they go-o
But liver's on the menu
And there's no more Uncle Joe-o

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: MMario
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 12:26 PM

Brava ! Brava!

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 12:29 PM

bRAVA! bRAVA! jERI. bUT YOU'RE TOO LATE. hE CONNED kAREN INTO GETTING HIM spICY cHICKEN FROM wENDY'S! Damn Capslock!

I was so shocked to hear from him, I am only now remembering bits and pieces of the conversation. Imagine forgetting that he had Wendy's grease for dinner!

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Noreen
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 12:44 PM

Brill, Jeri! Singing along for Spaw...

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 12:52 PM

I think he once called annamil pretending to be a vinyl siding salesman. I'm safe - he doesn't have my phone number.

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 02:52 PM

A little accounting to take care of here, from an email from Connie:

regarding the "fund" - I am so grateful for what people are doing and how generous they are...such "sweeties". I am so honored to be able to help in this small (to me) way of setting up an account, receiving, depositing. I don't know if I told you or not, K is aware of what is going on and we are putting the account in both of our names for the time being. Later it can be changed to their names.

Thanks so much to everyone for all of the support you've given, in all ways. I think Connie, Wayne, Karen, and Pat are pretty amazing people. I wanted to share a bit of what I sent to Connie:

I am so grateful that he is okay and that we all work so well together to get him there, not the least of which is what you have done, dear lady. You are a very special person and have been an incredible friend to Pat, Karen, the boys and to the rest of us. Thank you for that. Just think what this man has done with his love, humour, and outlook on life, bringing all of us together in a common bond of love for himself, and by extension, each other. Just wonderful.

Thanks,

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 03:00 PM

Oh CRAP! I'm all misty again.

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 03:07 PM

It's that MudLove Circle thing, again, huh, Sins? We ought to buy shares in Kleenex!

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: GUEST,skarpi Iceland at home.
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 05:35 PM

Halló all,Again all the best to Catspaw I hope you get well soon , more thoughts from us here In Iceland. all the best skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Sourdough
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 06:05 PM

Whenever I check in to Mudcat, I look for the current C'paw thread and read it taking pleasure in his progress and in the caring of all the people who go to the trouble to write some message for him to enjoy.

So, best wihes to SPAW, his family and the friends who are with him and helping as well as a quiet thank you to the physicians and nurses who seem to have taken such good care of the guy and let's hear it for The daVinci, the foe of chest cracking.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: DougR
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 06:23 PM

kat, thanks for updating us. He'll be back to his old self soon.

DougR

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Banjer
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 06:46 PM

I'm still flabber-f-n-gasted over all of this. Imagine replacing a heart valve in a body and a week later walking out of the hospital!! I remember when I was a lad about twelve years old our neighbor, a nice man that took time to talk to us kids and help us with various projects and problems, developed a heart problem like 'Spaw and his quality of life (and length of life) were drastically reduced. He couldn't do anything but sit around the house even though he would have liked to have gotten out and done things. I got in trouble once for going over to show him a box I had built from scrap wood using some techniques he had taught me. His wife hollered at me that I should know better than to disturb him. He was only 62 when he passed away, and I know that if some of todays medicine was available he would have probably survived much longer. That was in 1961, forty years ago. My how times have changed!!!!

Way to go 'Spaw...get the hell outta there soon. The staff at the NYCFTS all miss you and look for your quick return!

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: bbc
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 07:44 PM

Pat,

Sitting at the campground at Old Songs on Sunday, Duane & I sang "Deep Settled Peace" (the only song Mudcatters think I can sing!) & thought of you. Wish you could have been there w/ us, but thrilled to pieces to hear how well you are doing! Keep up the good work, friend!

love from us,

Barbara & Duane

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: Amos
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 08:27 PM

Peeece on you, Senor Spaw!!! You wanna Suddern Californica Beer? Beer's on me and peace on you!!! We love ya man!!!

A

Subject: RE: Not Home Quite Yet - CATSPAW
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 08:37 PM

Looking good for tomorrow to Connie's. He wants to be home for Mudat radio, but will not push it.:-)

Ah, Mudcat....the best drug going...gotta have our Mudcat!**BG**