BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 06:43 AM

YAH! to every small (& large) victory

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Nancy King
Date: 26 Jan 10 - 11:41 PM

Sounds like a bit of light at the end of the tunnel! Hang in there!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Jan 10 - 10:32 PM

Saturday can't come too soon! Good news, Linn! Enjoy lunch tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Jan 10 - 09:12 PM

Home from work and, I think, have fire in stove started and ready to shut down for the night. It was too warm to run the stove today -- why waste the wood? Got the furnace removing the little bit of chill in the house here at 9 p.m.

Tom had his meeting with Dr. Mendoza this morning -- and he will be finished with the round of antibiotics and turned loose from Dover Rehab sometime on Saturday. Yee hah!

Tomorrow morning he has a modified stress test -- which will help determine if he's okay for surgery as soon as it could be rescheduled.

I'm about to go upstairs and make the "goodnight" call -- hey! Tom and I going out to lunch together tomorrow!!!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Jan 10 - 10:13 AM

I'm realizing though all of this exactly how important it is to NOT be a passive patient. Either the patient (Tom) or the advocate (me) must fight for every bit of information and the right to input on treatment, 2nd opinions, etcet etcet -- absolutely every aspect of dealing with the medical establishment. Especially since there seems to be no communication between various care providers. It's exhausting but it can affect quality of life or even life itself.

Today he has an appointment with the doctor responsible for his incarceration and antibiotics. Tomorrow he's having a modified stress test. Modified because for years he's refused them -- no one seems to come out of a stress test except in worse shape than going into it. Tom's mother was fine until her stress test -- that caused a stroke and it was all downhill from there.

This is a strange day. Not only will I be unable to visit Tom either before or after work, but I have no doctors that need to be contacted or harassed by phone. The weather is perfect for if we'd had to go to Boston for Tom's surgery -- I'm not even keeping the woodstove going during the day and I don't need to bring in any more firewood before starting a fire after I get home around 9 tonight.

Almost sort of "normal" -- except for not having Tom home and having to say "goodnight" via telephone.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 10:42 PM

Linn,

It's okay to hold yourself and rock and moan...if it feels good...it doesn't mean you have lost all control and won't be able to go on. You will...it will just be a way of letting out some of the stress of hanging on and trying to be strong for Tom and yourself.

Breaking down and "losing it" can be healthy for a short time and if you don't go overboard.:-)

I hope you are sound asleep in comfort and ease, darlin'...luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 10:24 PM

Last of the quarter cask Laphroaig gone -- just the one snifter with a dollop of water.

Having trouble winding down after the day working the phone.

Tonight, actually, my drug of choice is chocolate cake and whipped cream. (Although I'm masticating pepperoni right now.)

I'm fantasizing about sitting on the floor with my arms around my knees, rocking and moaning. I'm stronger than that, but it's a nice fantasy. This whole thing is starting to really get to me. I know I'll be okay -- and Tom, too. But it IS such a strain. The thing is, I'm not the only one going through a bunch of shit. My heart goes out to them all -- our strengths strengthen each other.

Thank you all for your prayers, white light, good thoughts, and everything. I really appreciated it -- I (we) couldn't get through this without you all.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 07:48 PM

I can't stay away. Came downstairs for another glass of wine. Reading Sue Grafton's " 'U' Is For Undertow" while a cat (Sabine) stomps around trying to get comfortable. (She's happily purring on my shoulder, but then she decides to move around, keep me from reading the book, stomping over the phone when I'm talking to Tom, etcet etcet.) Laphroaig and another piece of chocolate cake with whipped cream later.

Sigh. That's cheaper than Valium/Prozac/what have you.

Tom is seeing the infectious diseases guy tomorrow morning. On Wednesday morning he is having a modified stress test. Someone has put the fear of the Lord into some of the medicos at Wentworth-Douglass because things now seem to be being scheduled much sooner than they would otherwise be.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 06:17 PM

And Laphroaig! Don't forget the Laphroaig!!! (Boy do I deserve the Laphroaig -- wish Tom had some; he's only got the blended scotch I brought to him in the flask.)

I said "Goodnight", didn't I?

Goodnight!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 06:07 PM

Suggested thread title Curmodgeon's Medical Saga - it goes on & on & on ...

rest well, Linn with wine, choccie cake & cats.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 06:06 PM

Made the last (very wet) trip to the wood stack awhile ago. Have the stove shut down -- may not even need to add more wood before I retire to the bedroom to call Tom, read, pet cats and go to sleep. (I hope my rain sodden hair is somewhat dry by then.)

I'm eating a lovely dinner -- white clam sauce (canned, alas -- Tom's not here to cook for me) on thin spaghetti with lots of freshly grated parmesan. And a glass of the white wine Micca left. But it's sort of a sad commentary that I'm eating it here in front of the computer, isn't it? (Well, at least I'm eating with friends!) Oh, and I have chocolate cake and whipped cream for dessert. And, in honor of Robert Burns' birthday, I will, of course, have a wee dram of Laphroaig a bit later.

Right -- there's nothing else I can do today. Or tomorrow, for that matter (except go to work), while Tom deals with Dr. Mendoza.

I'm probably shutting down the house and retiring very early.

Goodnight, all,
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 03:48 PM

PICC site infestions are very common but also very dangerous if not caught early and treated. One more thing to worry about - great!

You have done all you can today for today, Linn. Try to relax and whatever you do - BE CAREFUL ON THE ICE.

Let the medical types sort themselves out and you sit and sip wine.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 03:42 PM

Very worrying that infection at PICC site at this stage of treatment. Makes me think that improper care is being taken by staff handling the PICC.

This nursing home? Does it have other patients on intravenous? If none, I wonder how practised and diligent the staff are regards Tom's care.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 03:17 PM

Okay. After a fairly full day on the phone, including waiting, etc., here's where things stand:

Dr. Oram, the vascular guy, who said two weeks ago that he would fax his approval of Tom's surgery to Dr. Zeitels' office hadn't. His surgical coordinator got on it this morning, and he dictated it today. She will have it in 48 hours (with luck, on Wednesday) and she will immediately fax it to Dr. Zeitels' office. Christine did not know what is in this report, so neither, of course, do I.

Ultimately, the decision isn't so much with Dr. Z as it is with the anesthesiologist at Mass General. We KNOW there is risk. There was risk during the surgery in October. There was risk during the biopsy in September.

Meanwhile...Nancy at Dover Rehab got Tom an appointment with Dr. Mendoza for 10 tomorrow morning. This is the infectious diseases guy who is in responsible for the antibiotic treatment. There is also now a question of some infection at the site of the PICC. (Are these people idiots or incompetent or what? Do we need a lawyer?!?)

I'm going to call Kim at Dr. Z's and let her in on what's going on. After that, there is nothing else I can do about any of this today.

The rain, warmer temperatures, and fog are melting the snow at an incredible clip, but the ice around the stacked wood and the care is treacherous. Fortunately, I have a lot of wood ash. (But with the rain I have to keep applying it.) Went out a little while ago to pick up a couple prescriptions and get some spaghetti so I can have the white clam sauce I really wanted for dinner last night. Already grated the parmesan and have a bottle of white wine left from Micca's visit.

In between phone calls, I managed to get some papers archived in my yearly scrapbooks of our musical and other adventures and bake a chocolate cake. (I NEEDED a chocolate cake!!!) Still have to grate zucchini for the zucchini bread I probably won't get made until Wednesday and to put in the freezer for the next batch.

I'm emotionally drained, but I've been able to put some nervous energy to some positive uses.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 11:26 AM

Reasonable question given that it's a nursing home, Linn. Otherwise Mrs. Murphy might be off wandering the neighborhood because no one questioned where she was going - happened to Aunt Mid. She was found an hour later looking for her girlhood home. She seemd so rational the receptionist didn't question her as she left.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 11:22 AM

Another funny thing from yesterday. There was a new person at the desk when Tom went to sign out until his next treatment. The woman asked who was taking him; he said he was leaving by himself. She said, "But how?" He said, "In my car." She said, "In your CAR?!?"

They really don't know how to deal with a healthy person who is only there for treatment every four hours.

Arghh!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 09:35 AM

Just sent off all the info to Dr. Zeitels' office. I'll give Tom a quick call, then wait for Dr. Z's call.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 08:59 AM

Just before 7 a.m. when I wanted to post this, Mudcat was down. Looks like Max was working on it.

So here goes –

When I was visiting Tom last night, his dinner came. It was laughable – the total meal – chicken, mashed potatoes and onion ring (yeah, that's what it looked like; ONE onion ring) was about the size of an order of medium fries. Maybe smaller. He said later it was tasty, but there wasn't much there, and sometimes it's too much bother to try to get more. If the head of the kitchen is there, Tom gets normal sized meals (they got that worked out earlier last week), but if he's not there, Tom gets served the same size meals everyone else gets – and everyone else must be old, sick and not eat much.

First thing on the schedule this morning is to call Tom, then I have a phone date with Dr. Z between 8 and 8:30 to try to get the surgery back on track. He'll have been briefed by Dr. Bryson, with whom I spent a substantial amount of time on the phone on Saturday.

Yeah, I've taken the day off from work.

I'm sure I'll have phone calls to make after talking to Dr. Z. Tom, too. I'll report in between.

8:57 -- I've talked to Kim at Dr. Z's office. Dr. Z will call me between patients. Right now I'm sending Kim a long email delineating everything that's been going -- full background, etc. plus phone numbers of ALL his doctors, just in case there's some piece of information they don't have.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 08:51 AM

You could do some of those bawdy ballads I heard a few years ago in Linn's living room. Then you could be the Coarse Brothers.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: My guru always said
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 08:21 AM

Oh kendall, are you allowed in the cellar or is it the outhouse for you? LOL BTW!!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 10:40 PM

If his and my surgery fails to give us a voice, someone suggested we could form a new duo and call us The Hoarse Brothers". A play on "The Morse Brothers" a bluegrass band.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 11:13 AM

Tom HAD an earring. I think it got taken out during his heart surgery 6 years ago. I tried to put it back in for him, but I think the hole closed up.

Yeah, he NEEDS an earring. Just can't afford it right now. (Maybe a thought for a significant gift-giving occasion.)

At this point, I think one thread part is okay. New thread when he finally a) finishes with this blood infection thing, and b) is on track for the vocal cord procedure.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Jeri
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 11:00 AM

Mary, click the 'd' (next to the number of messages) to get the last page of posts in decending order, or click on the number and go forward.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 10:51 AM

This thread is a bit cumbersome, Linn. How about Tom's Medical Saga: Part II?
I see Tom as more of a pea coat and stocking cap type, Kendall. Good thought though.And I think he needs an earring.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 10:38 AM

Here's to music parties!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 10:08 AM

Tom's in good humor -- last night's music gathering and camaraderie helped a lot, I think. Also that we have some positive work to do Monday to get this surgery back on track. AND today he will take his car out, escape in between antibiotic treatments, and even get to WALK a bit somewhere (nice, I hope, like down along the river). He's been forced to be so sedentary for two weeks -- first tied down (literally) by various monitoring devices and intravenous drips in the hospital, and now by the situation at Dover Rehab. He does walk in the halls when he can, but it's not a particularly pleasant experience.

Right now I'm off for some exercise -- bringing in firewood. Who needs my free weights? Leg lifts? etcet etcet?

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 08:10 AM

New thread, old thread, whatever works for you, dear Linn.
Last night's party sounds lovely- so glad both of you could go! Hope you can have a fairly stress-free day to gird your loins for the phone tomorrow!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 07:47 AM

why not have Truth in Thread Names?

you have my vote (& a few more hugs!)

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 07:34 AM

Oh, I've been wondering -- how about changing the name of this thread? Or starting a new one, linking this one to it?

That fall turned out to be totally irrelevant to anything else; and this has turned into more about his continuing blood infection/vascular & pulmonary health/ and continuing cancer treatment.

How about Curmudgeon's Medical Woes - Winter 2010?

Whadyathink?

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 07:31 AM

The famous trained cat alarm actually let me sleep until 7. (But not before standing on the humidifier and loudly worrying the controller, then proceeding across the bed (and me) to see what he could knock off my nightstand. THEN Sabine decided she needed to be under the pillow I rest my (formerly broken) arm on -- so I let her under the covers. She not only wouldn't settle, but then Rufus decided that, since her tail was sticking out, he absolutely HAD to bite it. Sabine retreated under the bed. Rufus, maybe not at that exact moment but soon, curled up on the side and waited for a while before magnifying his weight so I would wake up.

Anywho, haven't sipped my tea, showered or washed my hair, or talked to Tom yet. After I do all that (and then some), I'll be back.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 06:46 AM

still watching the thread, mainly for your posts Linn. still thinking good thoughts at you and Tom.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 06:39 AM

Tom, there is life after voice! Get a leather jacket.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: My guru always said
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 06:22 AM

Sending love & hugs!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Donuel
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 11:40 PM

You guys make me smile, curmudgeon or not. Singing circle and all, you have a wonderful life.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 10:35 PM

LOL....Well, remember when I talked about the "box" for even simple problems?   Yeah....just got back from the ER because my box collapsed in unexpectedly. All's well but one of those moments where you wonder if this "stupid thing" is the last stupid thing. And once again, I owe it to Karen who said, "Time to go" while I was himhawing around.

Linn, I wish you luck and have my fingers crossed for you. Remember that whatever and however, it can always be worse. Actually that's just a set-up for this quick story.........

Karen has been a Histotech for over 25 years and has processed damn near every kind of tissue from brains to fingernails. She's had lots of assorted genital parts of course but the other day she had a necrotic penis come in. Had the occasional penis before but this one was necrotic, black , rotting, and as hard as glass.   Feel free to fill in the jokes on your own, but for me, well, folks if I have a condition/infection that completely rots my dick........shoot me.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 09:20 PM

Just got home from the music party -- lovely smallish gathering around the fireplace. Tom sort of stayed out of the singing circle for awhile, but when I was requested to sing "Lovely Agnes", I wouldn't do it unless he accompanied me on concertina. Got him to accompany me on a few more songs as well as play along with others. At one point Justine was whispering in his ear and they were both laughing loudly.

It's really nice to see him smiling and laughing -- he hasn't had much to smile about lately.

He's got his car now, too, so he can escape in between antibiotics infusions. I'll see him again tomorrow after work and then we can both gird our loins for battle via telephone on Monday.

Right now I'm going to shut down the house for the night, take a glass of wine upstairs and call Tom to say goodnight.

'Night, all.
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 05:30 PM

Just checking in to administer a round of


<<< HUGZZZ >>>

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 04:32 PM

Tom told me if one of them is on the phone, it goes straight to answering machine.

In the military, I had a primary care doc who sort of managed everything. Referred me to specialists and followed up on the specialist's findings. Of course, THAT was socialized medicine...

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 04:20 PM

Just got off the phone with Linn. She is getting a bit fed up with the "He said; she said..." of dealing with multiple doctors. Can't blame her.
One of those Stop The World I Want To Get Off! moments.
First step is to get Dr. Z's views and work from there.
Remember when your primary doctor did the tests and read them? Delivered your baby? Nursed your aged mother? Even made house calls? One man (they were all men then despite Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman), one opinion, one everything.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 02:24 PM

That was me Linn. I just got your message and will leave your phone free. MagicJack is persnickety today. You call - I answer - dead phone.
I left messages earlier. Stragnge. No ring just Tom's message.
The NEW news sounds promising. Hang in there. It is a roller coaster ride right now and you can't afford to fall off.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 02:14 PM

My R&R right now involves removing snow from one end of the woodpile so I again have access to that side. (On one side the wood is more dry than on the other end.) This is best done in daylight -- and I don't have a lot of daylight in the course of the week.

Was bringing a load of wood in when the phone started ringing. By the time I got to the phone, there was no one there -- and it didn't seem if they had left a message, although Comcast might not see fit to actually NOTIFY me of a message until, say, tomorrow. (That's what they did with Dr. Z's message yesterday.)

Meanwhile, more wood schlepping -- great exercise!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 02:02 PM

Max made the Shake 'n' Bake, but I helped.
Glad your getting somewhere with the communication between doctors thing. Sounds like things might work out.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 01:54 PM

Yee hah!!! This actually posted!

Thank you, Mudcat wizards!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 01:53 PM

Let's see if this works --

Sins, just left message on your voice mail -- can't talk right now as have a whole bunch of stuff that's got to get done before I go pick Tom up at 5 (not forgetting the concertina).

Just got off the phone with Dr. Bryson of Dr. Zeitels' office and I think I feel a lot better. At least I'm reassured that Dr. Z hasn't abandoned us (not that I thought he had).

But I've got my work cut out for me on Monday (I'll have to take the day off) first talking to Dr. Zeitels first thing in the morning, then all the others involved.

Found out that Dr. Ettiger (hospital cardiologist) wouldn't sign off because Tom not finished with antibiotics, even though everybody else didn't seem to think that was a problem. Also that Tom's defibrillator battery hadn't been changed yet, even though no one has objected until now that it will be changed on Feb. 18. I've got lots of questions for Tom's regular cardiologist, Dr. Cunningham, as well. (Logging yet more phone time.) And the report and sign-off from the vascular guy may not have been received at Dr. Z's office -- more phone calls there.

Tom's primary care Dr. Thompson is working to get things straightened out, too -- he seems to think that Tom is actually at LESS risk for anesthesia now than he was during the original surgery in October.

Arghhhhh!

I'd REALLY like to have a more or less normal day off sometime -- you know, one that actually involves R&R.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 12:17 PM

From Bat Goddess, but I got the error message too. Here it is now, as she may be headed out of the house:
------------------------

First I got an error message saying this didn't post, then it "posted" but didn't show up. Here it is AGAIN. Cat alarm still set, I think, at 6, but I managed to ignore the heavy weight of Rufus napping on my side until 6:30. I'm running the furnace. The fire didn't catch last night, but that left me a stove-full of wood just ready to be set off by a warm breath. (Plus I could remove some ashes to spread over our icy deck and steps.) AND I've got my hands wrapped around a mug of hot (well, it was when I made it) tea. (Now how exactly do I type with my hands around a tea mug?) AND I microwaved a small Betty Crocker Warm Delights Minis -- Chocolate Raspberry Decadence. Yes! Tom gave me a couple packages for Christmas -- just a quickly made bite of flavor when you need it. Now I can toast my zucchini bread, reheat my tea, and retreat back to my bed, cat(s) and reading material for a bit of a luxurious lie in.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 12:13 PM

Tried to call you Linn but got your answering machine. Hang in there. I will catch up with you later.
M

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: gnu
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 11:07 AM

Can't add to what kat said. Except maybe what maeve said in her thread.... just walking along side is sometimes all one can do.

T&Ps.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 10:25 PM

Linn, first of all...REST. You have done a HUGE amount of stuff since this all started.

Second, some things our loved ones have to just go through and there isn't a lot we can do other than the things you already have done AND hugs, etc...loving. I hated being in the hospital after surgery without Rog at night, etc. It was so scary, painful, etc., BUT I had to go through it, no one else could do it for me.

Third, if you don't take care of yourself,i.e.

REST

WHO is going to help Tom? He'll make it through a few more days, esp. with his car and some good food, as long as it's okay with the doc's orders.

Fourth, I know you know all of this, so forgive me for being a pushy you know what...remember it's YOU who taught me about AFGOs!:-)(I know this one you did NOT need!)

Rest, darlin', please.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 09:55 PM

Just got home from visiting Tom. Brought him some more books. I guess the toilet is fixed and he had a good lunch (for a change), but when I left his meds were late. He also said some of the aides don't take his blood pressure properly -- so no wonder it's often low.

He's depressed -- and I'm depressed especially because he's depressed. Dover Rehab is a VERY depressing place. And feeling as if the future of his voice is at risk certainly isn't helping. But his primary care doc and Nancy, the nurse administrator at Dover Rehab are working FOR him, at least.

We still haven't a clue as to why the W-D cardiologist won't sign off on the surgery. Unless, maybe, it's in retaliation for Tom taking his cancer care to Mass General. And after 6 years, Tom now lacks confidence in Dr. Cunningham, his cardiologist -- who will be changing his defib battery in a couple weeks -- because he can't get an answer from HIM as to why he won't sign off on the surgery.

Keep in mind, what postponed the surgery from last Dec. was a vascular problem -- carotid disease. But his VASCULAR doctor says the disease is not bad and he not only has signed off on the surgery, but can't think of a reason why it shouldn't be approved by the cardiologists.

If this jeopardizes Tom's chances of regaining his voice, I'm going to do SOMEBODY some major damage. (Like Calvin, in the book -- the fictional autobiography -- I have a flamethrower. And I'm fantasizing about gelignite suppositories.)

Collected hugs and good wishes at The Press Room (as well as indigestion; I shouldn't have ordered the fried fish), sang a few songs, and gathered greetings for Tom, but, ya know, it's difficult for me to be there without him.

I'm confused, angry, frustrated...oh yeah, and tired. I need to talk to Dr. Z -- the prospect of radiation makes me very nervous. I need more information, more reassurances, and maybe some ANSWERS from both cardiologists. I desperately need to see Tom in a better frame of mind. And now, of course, it's the weekend, and I don't know what if anything can be accomplished. (Other than getting Tom's car over to him tomorrow, so he can escape in between antibiotic treatments.)

Tom is both looking forward to the party tomorrow and afraid he really just doesn't want to be around people. I feel so damned helpless -- I don't know what I can do for him.

Maybe I can lay abed a bit tomorrow, get caught up on some of the local free papers, and pretend life is somewhat normal.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon Fell -- On Way to Hospital
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 05:45 PM

Kath, you might join in on SUNDAY.:-)


{{{{{Linn & Tom}}}}}