BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update

Subject: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 07:58 AM

Tom is halfway to Boston on the Downeaster for a minor procedure in Dr. Zeitels' office which will be done under local anesthetic. Dr. Z found a "spot" near Tom's vocal folds and Dr. Z leaves no spot behind. He doubts that it is cancer, but its presence offends him, so it goes.

We can't afford two round trips to Boston, so I saw him off on the train and will pick him up upon his return, but in between I'll be at work. This past week my hours were cut from 35 to 27 (yes, believe it or not, that's still "full time") and, because of Tom's recent vision problems, he can neither drive nor work.

More on his vision problems: Tom's been having a sporadic problem with glare that has kept him from driving, day or night, for the past several months. He also has sporadic problems seeing anything on a computer screen. So....that eliminates him from working on any projects at the test factory as well as his inability to drive to and from work. Two weeks ago his vision was thoroughly tested, etc. and ONE of his problems is dry eyes, so he has four-times-a-day drops plus a night time cream that helps...up to a point.

Wednesday he has a slew of tests and saw the "problem" guy at the ophthalmic office to figure out what other factors are contributing to his vision problems. Verdict: vascular; he's not getting enough blood to his eyeballs.

So...back in his vascular guy's court. That doctor had been trying to set Tom up with a colleague at Mass General, who ordered more tests (which Tom would prefer to have done locally instead of in Boston), but has not been returning Tom's phone calls. So now we're awaiting a call from the (local) vascular guy's office setting up another exam.

Arghh! If it's not one thing, it's another.

Meanwhile, what's with this weather?!? Why won't it warm up?!? Why do we have to bring in a bunch more firewood after Tom gets home and before the Press Room session because tomorrow is going to RAIN besides being COLD?!?

Happy Easter, everyone!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: gnu
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 08:48 AM

Crap! I hope things go well in Boston and that the eye guy can help. Thoughts and prayers for you both.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 08:54 AM

Thanks, Gnu. Tom's known for awhile he has vascular problems -- it's also interfering with his ability to walk. (And if he could WALK recreationally/therapeutically, that would help improve his vascular problems. Ach!)

The problem is getting his doctor to address it NOW.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 09:00 AM

Linn-

Ah for those days when we were all immortal.

Try to take care of yourself as well.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 09:53 AM

Damn things just compound don't they? You have as always my best thoughts and hopes that you can get the Docs in gear......not always an easy thing.

How about a defibrillator story?

I was in last week for a device check and cardiologist appointment. I asked the factory tech how much longer on the battery and she said 1 to 2 years. I said great and then she told me something about mine (Boston Scientific-Guidant) that I had never read or heard before. She said when it gets to about 90 days of charge left that if I didn't get it changed, it BEEPS! I gotta' tell ya' that if the damn thing had beeped inside my chest I'd have shit myself and called 9-1-1 ........ in that order.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 01:07 PM

Oh, geez, Spaw...you make enough interesting noises as it is!

They didn't change Tom's battery (yeah, I gotta husband that runs on batteries...) last year until about a year AFTER the five the manual said it had. Each time they adjusted it to extend the battery life, it sucked all of Tom's energy -- and then wondered why he was having so many other things going on. Arghh!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: gnu
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 01:12 PM

Nice of them to let you know that Spaw. JEEPERS!

Linn... I recall the hair standing up on my neck when you posted about the battery before. It just did so again.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 07:17 PM

Tom,
That trip to Boston is a pain in the ass but the specialists there are using cutting edge technology. They are the best of the best.
Let us know how Zeitel's tests go today.
Wonder if you might be able to promote an exercycle via FreeCycle. A good way to get the blood flowing without damaging the knees.
ou have had more then your share. I am sorry my friend.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 07:41 PM

No tests at Dr. Z's -- just removal of a spot. It's Dr. Oram's colleague at Mass General who is the go-to vascular guy. Tom needs a carotid stent, probably. Don't know yet whether he even accepts Tom's insurance. CAT scan locally won't cost anything, but a same day CAT scan at Mass General is out of our ballpark.

We've had two exercycles over the years -- they make great clothes racks. No floor space for them anymore, either.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 08:00 PM

When I had dry eyes, my ophthalmologist was going to put in a dam kind of thing which would keep the tears in my eyes, rather than however they usually drain away. I stopped him as I didn't want anything so evasive for a temp. problem, but it might be something for Tom to ask about. He said the only problem with them was possibly popping out.:-)

Anyway, Love, Light, and Lots of Hugs to you both. Things have gotta turn around for you now!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: kendall
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 08:24 PM

Linn, maybe this will cheer Tom up. I heard that the Energizer bunny died. Someone put his batteries in backwards and he just kept coming and coming...

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 08:31 PM

KENDALL! CELLAR!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 01:36 PM

Keep us posted!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: gnu
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 01:44 PM

I second that, SRS.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 06:19 PM

Tom's a bit perturbed today. Very curmudgeonly. His voice is raspy because of the laser surgery yesterday, but he's "screaming" that he has no voice. He is very impatient (but that's nothing new).

It's not helping that the weather is depressing -- cold. It started out raining this morning, then the rain got thick...and white. Sigh. Daffodils blooming through the snow. It did stick for awhile, but then went away. Now it's just cold...damp...gray...did I mention cold?

Because it was as gray as it was today, he was able to drive to the store and back. And he had no real problems reading the computer today either. This is GOOD news. But it's cold. And gray. And his voice is a bit quieter and raspy (but no discomfort; he doesn't have a sore throat).

Ach! But Tom's made a lovely Mexican "lasagna" for supper which we'll eat in a few minutes -- I mean, right now.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: gnu
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 08:07 PM

Well, that sounds a bit better. Thanks for the update.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 12:40 AM

Hoping for improvement on all fronts!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: bbc
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 08:16 AM

Oh, my, Linn; too much! Sending love to you & Tom & good wishes that things will stabilize out for both of you!

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: olddude
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 08:59 AM

Linn
You wonderful people are in my thoughts and in my prayers always
I am so sorry to hear this news.

Love Dan

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Apr 11 - 11:14 AM

Biopsy results on the spot?
You guys missed an amazing evening Saturday. Get better Tom...NOW!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: curmudgeon
Date: 26 Apr 11 - 06:31 PM

No biopsy, Mary; he just removed the spot with his laser;fairly quick, if smelly, process, no residual pain or discomfort, but voice still a bit raspy.

The vision problems are something else. Because it's been so overcast this week, I've been able to make store runs. But bright lights or sunlight can render me nearly blind.

My dr. had tried to set me up with a specialist at Mass General, but they won't give any financial aid to non residents and I can't afford the co-pays/deductibles. So we will probably end up at Dartmouth-Hitchcock for the stent placement.

Thanks all - Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: ranger1
Date: 26 Apr 11 - 10:58 PM

If you end up at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, let me know. I'm sure my mom and gramma wouldn't mind if you wanted to stop in for a snack or a cup of tea. I'd say coffee, but mom makes the world's worst coffee, trust me on this one!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 May 11 - 10:32 AM

June first (which I hope is a Wednesday) he'll be having, I think, a CT scan and ultrasound plus meeting with a doctor. I'm not sure whether it's the same Mass General colleague of his local vascular guy or someone else. Mass General and Dartmouth Hitchcock are affiliated teaching hospitals.

Stent placement sometime after that -- he'll have to spend the night in the hospital and I'll need to find an inexpensive motel room closeby. Right now I'm not sure which Dartmouth Hitchcock location, but Tom thinks Lebanon.

More details as we know them.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 May 11 - 10:39 AM

Yep, it is a Wednesday, on my calendar. It will be good to get it all taken care of. You are both in my thoughts and thanks givings. Thanks for the update.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 May 11 - 11:30 AM

Hope that solves the vision problems -- he mostly is unable to see well enough to drive and can also only sporadically read the computer. Not only can he not work, he's feeling isolated and frustrated.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: Charmion
Date: 04 May 11 - 12:10 PM

I'm looking forward to seeing you both at Indian Neck. My current cunning plan is park myself beside Tom (probably near the beer) and listen to him as long as he wants to natter.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Health Update
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 May 11 - 01:33 PM

Charmion, wish Mudcat had a "Like" button!

He and I were interviewed last Saturday by a UNH student who is a musicology student in Bert Feintuch's class -- she's doing a project on the weekly Press Room session (of about 30 years history staying the same while individuals, other than the core, rotate in and out).

Tom commented on the way home after the interview that it had been his longest conversation (other than with me) for two years.

Linn