BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN!

Subject: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: kendall
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 09:08 AM

Just found this in this thread

Hey Tom, we are concerned about you!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: GUEST,SINSULL
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 09:22 AM

Deep breaths, Tom. One at a time. We are all thinking of you.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 09:25 AM

here's more from Linn on fb:


Need your prayers NOW. Had phone turned off; didn't get messages until 1/2 hour ago -- Tom in critical condition in ICU at Wentworth-Douglass. I'm on my way. Some details at Mudcat declutter thread -- http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=149354&messages=146&page=1&desc=yes
Like · · 39 minutes ago ·

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 09:26 AM

Good thoughts coming from Maine.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 09:35 AM

also from Sydney Australia

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: GUEST,999
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 09:52 AM

Also from Quebec.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 10:27 AM

+++Tom+++

+++Linn+++

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 10:35 AM

Oh my.... **sending buckets of good thoughts**

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: gnu
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 10:57 AM

Count me in.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: ranger1
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 11:13 AM

Jason and I are sending you our good thoughts, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 11:28 AM

And from Alaska.

BTW, I read the de-clutter thread and it was an amazing experience. Tiring but inspiring.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 11:33 AM

Pulling for you Tom. Take care of yourself as well Linn.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Megan L
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 11:38 AM

Thoughts and prayers with you both

Strength of the mountain
Peace of the glen
and the flexibility of the burn
To help you get through

Meg

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: maeve
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 11:45 AM

Still here, Linn and Tom.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 12:48 PM

Tom you are younger than I am...act your age!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: GUEST,Frug
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 02:32 PM

Positive vibes coming from us.

Frank, Sassy and Boys

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: olddude
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 02:50 PM

Oh No .... getting out my rosary

get better please

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Noreen
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 03:56 AM

More positive thoughts and prayers heading in your direction, Tom and Linn xx

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 05:30 AM

Best thoughts from here too as always.......Waiting for news.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: GUEST,saulgoldie
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 05:32 AM

Best thoughts and prayers.

Saul

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 05:44 AM

All the best thoughts and good energy to you both and to the docs and nurses caring for Tom.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: gnu
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 06:38 AM

6PM email

Tom's in the ICU in critical condition -- pneumonia (because after yesterday morning's fall he had so much pain in his back when he coughed that he tried to avoid coughing) and very low blood pressure, etc.

I had talked to him last night at 9 and he was fine and sounded better than when I'd been at the hospital earlier in the day. He was found having breathing problems, etc. and was transferred to the ICU around midnight. I didn't get the messages this morning because I had turned the ringer off on the phone yesterday so I could sleep.

Just got home from the hospital and will go back (with the wherewithal to stay overnight since the weather is supposed to get really sucky) as soon as my hair is dry, I've eaten something, my phone is charged and I've notified or updated everyone on Facebook, Mudcat (of course, Mudcat is offline right now; damn!), email and by phone.

When I left at 2:30, Tom was doing better than when I got there this morning around 9. His blood pressure is up a bit and they put in some new tubage, etc. that will give them better readings of heart function and fluid in lungs.

He was awake when I got there this morning, couldn't talk because of all the tubes and stuff, but we held hands and he communicated the basics in other ways.

He's tough. Before his heart surgery, his heart was down to 20% capacity. He came through that and all the stuff since.

I know you'll be keeping him in your thoughts and prayers and all that stuff.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: fat B****rd
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 06:51 AM

Kindest thoughts and regards from Dunfermline
Charlie.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 07:00 AM

Thoughts and prayers from the Harris family.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 07:15 AM

Thanks, gnu.

GO TOM!

Rest, Linn!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 08:09 AM

Just home (about 7:40 a.m. Wednesday...I think it's Wednesday).

Since I was worried about Tom (no shit) AND about the weather (it was spitting rain-like stuff when I headed back to the hospital and was expected to turn into a slippery "wintry mix" as the temperatures cooled), I decided to spend the night in the ICU. Since they're full up, the could arrange for neither one of those chairs that pull out into a bed nor a cot. Lucky Tom's nurse was able to find a spare pillow for me. I slept in a "recliner" -- there was a footrest but the back didn't recline. All in all, not as bad as sleeping against the window of a pickup at a rest area on the NY Thruway. (Done that.)

I figured I wouldn't sleep any worse than I would at home, 35 minutes away (in GOOD weather), with an ear alert for any overnight emergency phone calls.

Glad I did, even though Tom spent a very uneventful night. I had a fair amount of ICU experience, but had never spent an overnight. I was very reassured. All of the ICU personnel are WONDERFUL.

Since Tom's blood pressure was creeping back up to normal yesterday, he was able to be more sedated than he'd been when I got there yesterday morning. He needed the rest. He's doing a LOT better today than he was yesterday and the overnight nurse and his day nurse yesterday both think he'll lose some of the tubage today -- and might even be able to talk to me.

The doctor doesn't do his rounds until 8:30 and Tom is probably on the end of them since he's in the "spare room" at the far end.

I've got some phone calls to make, updates to do at Facebook (and here), pet and reassure the cats, and then maybe get a little more sleep as my sleep last night was broken about every hour or so and I got maybe 4-5 hours max. I'll call his nurse again before I take a nap and then head back early this afternoon. I'll spend tonight at home unless something untoward happens.

Later,
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 08:24 AM

Sounds better Linn. Regards and best wishes to you both.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: maeve
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 08:27 AM

Thanks, Linn. Love to you and Tom.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: bbc
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 09:05 AM

I just saw this thread, Linn. My prayers are with you & Tom. I'm glad there has been some improvement & that you were able to spend the night. Here's hoping it's all good news, from here on! Don't forget to take care of yourself, dear! Hugs!

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 09:18 AM

good to get an update, keep healing Tom & resting Linn

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: GUEST,SINSULL
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 09:22 AM

Let us know when he starts complaining about the food - that will be a good sign. Meantime, I keep Tom in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for the update, Linn. Very stressful business. Take care of yourself.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 09:26 AM

Good to hear of progress.... keep on keeping on.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 09:40 AM

(((Linn Sleeping)))

+++<3

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: freda underhill
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 09:44 AM

Love and best wishes to you both BG and Tom
xx freda

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 09:54 AM

Just checking in again and glad to see some progress. Good thoughts from Staffordshire. Pete.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: My guru always said
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 10:29 AM

Just found this and am so glad that Tom is improving! Sending positive thoughts, love 7 hugs to you both!
Hil xxx

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 01:10 PM

Thinking and hoping!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 02:02 PM

The bad news of the day is I think I have a cold brewing -- haven't had one for several years, but that's the result of spending time in a hospital. (There are SICK PEOPLE there!!!) Started out as a cough caused by a tickle in my throat; I thought it was just a result of the dry air in the ICU. When I lay down for the nap, my nose started getting stuffy, too. I'm hitting it with everything I can.

Talked to his nurse after the doctor's rounds -- they were doing several things in prep for the ventilator removal. So that's a good sign.

As soon as I eat something, I'll head back over there.

I'm hoping he can actually TALK to me when I get there.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 02:08 PM

Linn, it sounds improbable but a month or two ago when I started with sniffles, I took Emergen-C twice a day (my favorite flavor was pomegranate-cranberry) and the sniffles went away and never developed into anything further. Worth a try.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Craft Advisory
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 02:21 PM

Sounds like you need some rest Linn. Maybe some vitamin D to supplement the limited sun. Hopes and prayers here...

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 02:35 PM

Already take D and I'm heavying up on C and garlic tabs.

Think I may need to take another nap before I go back to the hospital.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 02:52 PM

I heard of a new anti cold measure the other day. Peel a clove of garlic, insert it as a suppository (guess where), and leave it in situ overnight.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: bbc
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 04:02 PM

Thanks for the updates, Linn! Bummer about your cold! I use Airborne fizzy stuff & Caroline swears by Cold-Eeze. Hugs!

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 04:49 PM

Hospitals are great places to get colds. So are schools. Take care of yourself first. If Tom is still sleeping most of the time, he won't miss you and you can be there later on when he's awake and you're more rested.

The main difference between the symptoms of a cold and influeza is that the flu usually comes with a fever of 101° or higher and colds don't. As miserable as my November virus was, my temperature was below normal.

John, let us know how that works out... or stays in. Who ever thought a person could have garlic breath in their bum.

Linn, newsflash: Rite Aid has Cadbury's eggs. Smallish ones containing creme, chocolate and caramel. Treat yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 05:03 PM

Airbornes and Cold-Eeze have worked for me often.

I talked to Tom's nurse a little while ago. They tried taking him off the ventilator, but it was judged premature, so he's still sedated and, even if he were awake, couldn't talk because of the ventilator.

I'm not going back today -- all I'd be doing is tiring myself out (and setting back stomping out the cold) just to listen to him breathing. And they really don't need me there even with a mask on.

I've got a decent arsenal of cold preventives and remedies, so I don't need to go out for more right now. And, while I'd love a couple more packages of On-Cor frozen mac & cheese on hand, I think I can whip up some other comfort food for supper tonight. Something I can add a lot of garlic to.

So, I'm going to go up to the mailbox and collect the mail and then turn around and come right back here.

I'll call Tom's night nurse Janet after the "changing of the guard" and she's had a chance to observe him for awhile.

Jeri, I'm still working on the half-priced heart-shaped boxes of chocolates I bought the day after Valentine's Day. Oh, and there's the most of that batch of Nigella Lawson's no-churn chocolate ice cream that I made on Sunday. (Not to mention ginger tea and honey.)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: gnu
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 05:34 PM

Oh, Linn... I have no words, except to say you are doing the right things. Bravo from me.

Now... "Peel a clove of garlic, insert it as a suppository (guess where), and leave it in situ overnight." followed by "Bummer about your cold!" ??? That strike anyone else in the funny sphincter?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 05:43 PM

I think I'll take my garlic orally tonight (but thanks, John...) in the sauce to go with some shrimp on top of pasta with too much grated Romano.

Or maybe just something frozen (I can add more garlic & cheese) that I picked up on the way home yesterday. I'm not feeling particularly ambitious...

The thing I most miss the past couple days (since 9 p.m. Monday) is TALKING to Tom...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: gnu
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 05:55 PM

Indeed, Linn... rough stuff. Take solace in the fact that you are doing all the right things. Brave on and try to rest well... for you AND for Tom.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: GUEST,Don Hale
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 05:56 PM

Linn, finally figured out how to find this thread. We are keeping the good thought here in Norwood and await good news!
                        Don & Cathy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 07:00 PM

HAng in Linn....>Try Mucinex. Works well.

Spaw