Curmudgeon Hospitalized

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 May 04 - 04:25 PM

Tom, I am glad to see you home and doing well. I know this hasn't been a walk in the park, but now that it's over..........well,hey.....It's over!!!

You've got some rehab to do and all but I'm sure you'll be in far better shape than you were before!!! They used the porcine valve because of your ulcer situation and the big plus there is you don't have to deal with coumadin like I do with the mechanical! But you do need to watch out for infections. If you're at all like me, you blew off all of those cuts and scrapes and the like.....and a little infection? Hey....who cares?   Well now YOU DO!! Get some decent band-aids (the new Nextel brand is terrific), some triple antibiotic ointment, and don't be afraid of looking like a fool using the stuff. Infections can become systemic quickly and they LOVE heart valves. Once you have cellulitis once, it seems it's easier to get it again. Treat yourself well and watch the simple cuts and scrapes. At the first sign of possible/probable infection, get in to the Doc or the ER.

I laughed at your fights with the Dietician. I went through literally the same thing. I do all the cooking around here and I was doing fine! Neither cholesterol nor salt was my problem, but they refused to believe it!!! I finally got a copy of my pre-surgery blood tests and went up to her and showed her my overall cholesterol at 144 and everything in line.......I don't think she believed it even then.

Congrats on getting sprung......now give Linn a big hug. The spouses all have a tougher time so give her every little extra hug you have.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Alba
Date: 01 May 04 - 03:25 PM

TOM...WELCOME HOME.....
Linn cleaned Tom...yes she waited till you were out the House and she cleaned and cleaned and cleaned.....there.
So you see Tom it is good that your Home because if it had been just two more days it would have been like coming back to another Hospital...and I am sure that you have seen enough of Hospitals to do you another......oh 50 years. ok Linn stop Cleaning and Hug him LOL as if you need to be told to do that eh!
Glad your Home Tom and on the mend. Glad you have Him Home Linn, now you can sleep easy:>)
I'm so delighted that everything worked out well. in fact I think I'll away and sing a song or two!
Youlle be fighting fit in no time Tom and easy does it...mind the Tortoise and the Hare story   ...
Light. Love and Blessings to you Both.
Jude

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: annamill
Date: 01 May 04 - 02:14 PM

I feel as if I'm intruding into your life because we haven't spoken much though we have been in Mudcat for a long while. I would like to tell you my feelings.

I just read this whole thread and I feel I have read a very emotional book that has had me in tears and, thankfully, has had a happy ending that has left me smiling.

I'm so glad it turned out well.

I send you both my love and good thoughts.

Annamill

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 01 May 04 - 01:26 PM

Welcome home, tom!

Rest way more than you think you need to. And let Linn do things for you, but remind her to take a break, too.

And give each other a hug from me!

Love,

Allison

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 May 04 - 12:42 PM

Tom: Welcome Home! Sleep well. Try to take Linn with you, so you can BOTH catch up on restful sleep. Best healer in the world.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 May 04 - 12:24 PM

Linn and Tom-

Just the news I wanted to hear. Staging the Great Escape from the hospital is one of those wonderful occasions that you're sure to remember. But do not neglect to unplug everything attached to Tom BEFORE exiting his room. And he's still probably gonna find it painful to cough, sneeze, or laugh for a few more weeks.

We'll look forward to seeing you both at the next Press Room shanty swap, which according to my calendar falls on Saturday, May 15th.

I do hope you figured out how to use the MP3 player, and its many intricate tiny accessories. When you figure out how it works, it's really great. When you don't, it's really frustrating.

Welcome home!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble & Judy B.

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 May 04 - 11:40 AM

Well I just wrote a long post and it got lost, so here goes again --

Why is it that when I get a decent night's sleep (8 1/2 hours last night), I'm more tired in the morning than when I get only 4 or 5?

Called Tom around 8 this morning and he not only hadn't heard anything yet about today's game plan, but he was in the middle of a battle with the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. They originally said he couldn't have one until later today. When he complained to a nurse, she said that was a mistake and set off to correct it -- only now it was an hour later and he still didn't have any coffee. He told me to call him again around 10 to see if there was any news about his release.

So I did a little cleaning in corners that would be difficult to get at when Tom gets home and ran out the door to do some grocery shopping . . . and stop at the first yard sale of the season (for me at least). Bought some stuff for re-sale . . . oh, and some books. Like we need books. (But they were some Thomas Costains that we for some reason didn't have.) Also stopped at the Nottingham post office to collect the past couple day's mail and tell them we finally have the mailbox set up so home delivery can begin immediately (for the first time since Tom built the house in 1976).

The grocery shopping took longer to accomplish than I'd expected, so called Tom about an hour later than I'd said, but he said the timing was great -- he'd been out of his room for an x-ray, a walk, and to go over information and a checklist with his doctor.

But the best news of all was when Tom said, "Come and get me; I can come home any time."

Yee hah!!!

So I'll finish this update, bring the groceries into the house, grab his clothes and take off to liberate him from the hospital.

Then he can sit down and finally read this whole thread.

Linn

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Naemanson
Date: 01 May 04 - 05:29 AM

What is this!?! I leave home for a simple jaunt to the far side of the world and everyone gets sick? Come on!

Linn, I hope this hasn't been too wearing on you. You tell the bearded bard that if he doesn't get better he'll have to install oil heat and pay to have the driveway plowed! That will get him back in fighting trim.

Seriously, I hope all is well and that he makes it home in one piece and ready to take on the world.

Love to all,

Brett

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 May 04 - 04:07 AM

Bill it is a pacemaker not a metronome, which everybody knows is a vertically challenged person on the Paris subway.
John

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 11:21 PM

oh, the travails of trying to get reasonable **low salt** meals from someone who doesn't understand....It's good to be feeling so much better, but it is better to get the FOOD you want again!

Singing again...hmmm...does a pacemaker keep time? Could be useful!

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 08:30 PM

Okay, just got home, fed the cats and will post this before collapsing in bed. Gravity is turned way up and inertia has set in.

Tom had the defibrillator installed (installed?!?) this morning and was grousing and curmudging when I got there that they hadn't warned him that he had to stay put lying in bed for awhile after the procedure. Worse yet, his left arm has to stay immobile (reminded by a sling) for a couple weeks. And he says he's felt absolutely grand all day and really wanted to get his walking in roaming the halls. He's got so much more energy.

The curmudging extended to the food, too. When he found they wouldn't let him order the special he wanted for dinner, he threatened to throw it against the wall. He knows so much more about low salt cooking than the nutritionist and the kitchen and they've got him on a one-size-fits-all "heart healthy" diet that caters mostly to people with cholesterol problems, not sodium problems AND most of the food is packaged and actually much higher in sodium than it needs to be. Sigh.

Tyler Buck and Ramona Connelly (who hides behind a fiddle during the Friday session, but has a wonderful voice, as we've found out in the sea music sessions) visited this afternoon. Tyler brought Tom a tin of Uncle Joe's Mint Balls and sang the ditty that goes with it, then we sang Dave Webber's "May Song" in four part harmony -- first time Tom's sung in over two weeks. We had people stopping in the hall to listen and several nurses ducking into the room to be closer. Grand fun! Should have been doing this earlier!

He doesn't know yet whether he's coming home tomorrow or Sunday. I sure hope they let me know -- I have his clothes. (Not to mention his ride home.)

I picked up the Portsmouth mail (hey! we achieved mailbox in Nottingham today! I've got to let my mail carrier know) and put in an appearance at The Press Room session to update everyone, eat something, have a black and tan and sing, what else? "May Song" again.

I'm going to sleep.

Linn

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 05:50 PM

Well, we went to extended hours in writing, and I just got home a little while ago... AND I have to work tomorrow. We've been promised bagels. I heard that Gojira and Red Beard (or whatever the hell he calls himself around here) made an appearance yesterday. I get the feeling half of the folk at work are reading Mudcat.
"Linn posted in Mudcat that..."
"Yeah - I read it."
Hello, all you people from work who are lurking.

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Tyler
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 01:35 PM

So glad someone's taking care of you too Linn. Looking forward to seeing Tom back running the best singing sessions on the seacoast.

Cheers,
Tyler

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 12:41 PM

Been up to my ears in steaming piles of paperwork all morning, but after I stuff some things in an envelope so someone else can fill them out (but I have to pick them up Monday) and grab something to eat, I'm off to the hospital to see Tom.

He had hoped to get out today and make a short appearance at The Press Room session later this afternoon, but it ain't gonna happen. Last I heard I'll be bringing him home tomorrow. And I'll put in an appearance at The Press Room myself later to give everybody the latest news.

Later!
Linn

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 11:10 AM

LInn, I've only just got into this thread but so glad to see that things are looking better. Eaine and I send you and Tom our thoughts and prayers. We look forward to seeing you one of these days. Burl

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Alba
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 10:24 PM

Oh you poor soul Linn!!! Triconnell, Guinness, Dinner, great conversation, Chocolate and a snuggly Dog. Oh the Torture of it all....:>)
Sounds like some much needed TLC was lavished on you...GOOD.. you deserved it. Fair Play to good Friends in time of need.
Hope you sleep well Linn and yippee.. Tom will be safe Home Saturday.
That is GREAT news.
Light and Blessings to you Both
Jude

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 09:59 PM

Where the heck can I get friends like that?

~S~

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 09:46 PM

Okay, where was I?

Friends kidnapped me on the way home from the hospital, forcably drizzled Tirconnell and Guinness down my gullet and made me eat a great dinner. I was subjected to great conversation and a snuggly dog and then forced to give them a tour of Mudcat and its charms. Then, after all that, they demonstrated their recording and mixing capabilities and threatened both Tom and me with being on a new CD in the near future. Whew! And then they made me eat chocolate, freed me from my bondage and turned me loose to go home. Are friends great or what?!?

Tom's having a defibrillator put in at 8 tomorrow morning. It's done under mostly local anesthetic. (Geez, I dunno if I'd want to be awake while they're threading wires into my heart.) He'll probably be coming home on Saturday.

I still have to scrub down at least part of the house -- the parts that will be difficult to do once he's installed back here.

Right now I've got to get to sleep.

Later!
Linn

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 03:00 PM

Both items of news good to "hear"!

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 01:48 PM

Wheee!!!

I'm back on broadband as of this morning -- still have some minor things to work out on the computer, but wow, what a timesaver!

I'm just about to dash off to the hospital. Tom sounded great when I talked to him this morning.

Linn

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 07:11 AM

I woke up at 4 a.m. with a temple-throbbing headache. It had already given me an upset stomach -- while I was asleep, fer-pete's-sake. Took an ACC (felt it was worth calling out the heavy guns) and went back to bed; probably drifted off and dozed but was aware of it only by fits of dream-like things. After it was light, rolled over, opened my eyes and read for about an hour and petted the cat who was busy using her teeny tiny needle-sharp claws to punch holes in my body. Hope she didn't let all the air out.

. So I'm several hours behind already and, though the headache itself is gone, still feel more or less like dogshit. Wish I could just under-react for the rest of the day, but I can't do that.

To give you a better idea, here it is, a little after 7 a.m., and I haven't made a list yet.

Gotta go insulate Mortimer.

Linn

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 10:08 PM

Time to do some heavy pulling, gang.

Now ALL TOGETHER, HEAVE!

There, that should help old Tom along.

Now let's do one for Linn!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Janie
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 09:00 PM

Glad to hear Tom is continuing to improve. Now go be good to yourself!

Janie

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Alba
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 08:17 PM

Good to Hear Tom's progress Linn.
Hope things are a bit calmer for you now...and as Bill says don't clean the WHOLE House...take care of you too:>)
Light and Blessings
Jude

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 07:19 PM

It's good to hear the continuing saga and to see that, bumpy road and all, things seem to be improving. Still holding both of you in the Light...

Allison

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Jeri
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 06:53 PM

I finally decided to go visit and deliver a card from folks at work. The card (and stuff in it) is there, but Tom had had whatever that procedure involving plumbing was, and they'd shot him up with mucho drugs so he was just lying there with his eyes closed and mouth open. I figured he might not get the most out of a visit, not being awake and all, so I came home.

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 06:07 PM

well, it sounds like he is over the worst hump, and heading towards the REAL healing! Great news! That was a lot of tedious stuff to put up with...for both of you! It is positively amazing what difference a few days can make.

Take care, and don't fret about cleaning the WHOLE house...you can work on that when he is home...*grin*...in your 'spare' time.

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 05:57 PM

Well, when I left Tom this afternoon he was waiting for the gut doc to come in cuz he's still got some bleeding somewhere in the plumbing and they want to find it, of course, and fix it. He'll be getting the defibrillator maybe Friday. He was getting some more blood when I got there, and one of the doomaflages (that's a technical term -- geez, I've lost half my vocabulary in the past two weeks!) exploded or came loose and dripped blood on his johnnie. It looked like the darts club was using him for practice.

I was able to get all my appointments and errands done by one o'clock -- I figure 8 hours of work starting when I woke up at 5, so I announced to Tom when I got there that I was now on O/T. Glad I was finally able to get there earlier in the day. I went with him to his daily class in various aspects of recovery and getting healthy and got to see again a woman I shared the ICU waiting room with during Tom's surgery; her husband had surgery the same day.

Must have been in a hurry this morning -- I misspelled my own name!

Linn

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 05:29 PM

Good news, Linn. Has he sneezed yet?
Mary

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Hollowfox
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 04:06 PM

Dang, I'm sorry I missed this thread before this! Well, BG&C, you'll both get your own personalized purebred Midwest @#$%-reduction candles (first in a series for the both of you) when I get home from work. Of course, you have my prayers and good thoughts already. Take care, Mary

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Sonnet
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 03:04 PM

Linn - So glad that Tom's making progress.

love and hugs,
Jay xxx

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 11:18 AM

Yaaay GO TOM!!!
John

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Partridge
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 10:52 AM

I'm so glad everythings going well.

Take care Linn and know I'm thinking of you,

love


Pat xx

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 08:12 AM

Talked to Tom a few minutes ago and he sounds GREAT!!! (Says he feels really good, too.) He has physio-therapy mid day and I guess they've stopped the breathing treatments because he's doing so well. He said they'll take the lung tube out today, too. Didn't know what time they'd put the defibrillator in today, if they do it today.

I'm off (at a gallop) -- and will see him probably before noon.

Lin

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: bbc
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 07:06 AM

Stress is very tiring, Linn. Take one step at a time, as you've been doing & you'll get through ok. Thanks for the reports. Sounds like progress is being made.

love,

barbara

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 06:05 AM

Good morning!

I was way too tired when I got home last night around 8:30 and wanted to get Mort fed so I could call Tom and go right to sleep. Didn't even turn the computer on, but Jeri called a bit later and said our dial-up ISP was still buggered -- meaning I'd have to get on via a long distance number. And I still haven't had a half hour of clear time to call the Comcast phone techs and get the last bit of my recent computer hassle straightened out so I'd be back on broadband. One tiny step at a time . . .

Anyway, a friend had called me at the hospital yesterday afternoon and suggested I stop over for a quick dinner that I didn't have to fix. I had to do a couple loads of laundry before I got there and used the waiting time to run over to the grocery store on the other side of the parking lot to see if they carried low/no sodium ketchup -- and they did!!! Got to my friend's house, had a sip and some cheese and pistachios before dinner and a tour of her new guest house/garden shed. A minor snafu made dinner a little later than she'd expected, so I didn't get home until 8:30, but I was relaxed and sleepy when I got there and decided to take advantage of it.

Called Tom. When I got to the hospital yesterday afternoon, I found him back in the step down unit and in a nicer room than the one he was in yesterday afternoon -- he's now in Room 222. He was a lot perkier than he'd been the day before -- amazing what replacing some blood will do. (Figured out the bleeding from the ulcer was probably caused by the blood thinners he's on.) He was scheduled to have a defibrillator put in, possibly last night. When I called at 8:30 he said the installation surgery would probably be sometime during the day on Wednesday. I'll call him around 8 this morning to find out more, but I probably won't be able to post at that time as I have to dash off to some morning meetings in Portsmouth. After those, I'll be back at the hospital to see what's going on.

It now looks like he won't be coming home until Saturday -- which gives me a little longer to get the house cleaned! Talked to the representative from the visiting nurses yesterday, too.

And -- since I got to sleep by about 9, even though I again woke up at 5:15, I got 8 hours of sleep. So . . . how come I'm more tired right now than when I get 5?!? (And Mort is still asleep on the bed, not screaming for his breakfast after which he gets his insulin injection. Cats!)

Linn

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 10:00 PM

Big deep breaths, Linn. I will call Friday.
Mary

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Jeri
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 08:49 PM

...and if Linn doesn't post soon, it's because our ISP (she's currently using the dial up - same as what I use) is currently buggered. I'm having to make local toll call to get on line.

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: KathWestra
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 08:16 PM

What a roller coaster, dear ones. Keep the faith, and know that there are many, many of us keeping you close in our thoughts and surrounded by our love. Love, Kathy

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Alba
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 07:47 AM

Good Job Linn. You seem to be well on top of the Finance side of it all.
Glad you slept well and also glad to hear of Tom's progress.
You both will continue to be in my thoughts.
As always thank you for keeping us in up to date.
White light still shining bright,
Blessings to you Both.
Jude

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 07:46 AM

Well, I knew he was tired when I left him yesterday afternoon, but, after all, he had just had a bunch of tubage removed and had finally escaped the ICU to the step down unit. I called him around 8:30 to say goodnight and there was no answer -- I figured he was asleep. And I poured myself a glass of wine, phone calls over for the day, and turned on a Rick Steves video I was watching. About an hour later, video over and me set for sleep, I realized the answering machine was beeping downstairs. (And also remembered that I had turned the ringer off on the bedroom phone last night so I could sleep.)

There was a message from a doctor in the ICU so I called immediately and got Tom's nurse. Tom was indeed back in the ICU, at least for the night. They'd detected blood in his stools, did some investigation, found the source, put a clip on it, etcet. It was the gastro-enterologist who had called me. Tom's nurse assured me everything was under control and he was okay, but will still be in the ICU in the morning.

So, I'll call at my usual time (8-ish), talk to him and to his nurse and find out anything else I need to know.

So, again, as far as visiting, it's probably better to call first and see if he's back in his room yet.

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 07:19 AM

I'm a long way from there, but you are both under surveillance. (Kendall)

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Big Mick
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 05:52 AM

Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Linn. The both of you are always in my thoughts. Give Tom my very best regards.

Mick

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: bbc
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 09:49 PM

Keep up the good work, Linn. I wish we could give more practical help!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 06:43 PM

Visiting Tom (Sounds like the title of a novel)

I just got home a little while ago -- had to stop and do a load of laundry after I left the hospital.

Tom didn't get moved out of the ICU until about 2-2:30 this afternoon after having a LOT of tubage taken out of him (sometimes fairly painfully). He was feeling pretty tired when I left (which is actually why I left as early as I did). I know he said at that point he hopes most people will hold off on visiting until later tomorrow and not stay too long. But then again, he'll probably feel better by tomorrow, too.

I probably won't get to the hospital until mid-afternoon because I've got a huge amount of phone calling to do in the morning -- also gotta get a bit further on housecleaning that needs to be done before he gets home.

I think I'm really glad I'm between jobs right now. I couldn 't get all this stuff done and hold down gainful employment, too.

There is LOTS of financial assistance that I'm in the middle of applying for -- from the two hospitals involved and other sources. I'm up to my ears in steaming piles of documentation and forms. So far very good results on one front and ineligible on another because we have a house -- the fact that it's partially unfinished (the floor) and falling down around our ears evidently not taken into consideration, nor the fact that our mortgage is less than what we'd have to spend on rent. Sigh. But assistance IS there and it will all work out alright.

Jeri -- Tom said you can come to see him anytime.

Linn

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 05:21 PM

Gimme room information when you got some, please. Besides the fact I'd just like to see him (when he wants to be seen), I have something from work to drop off. Karen R thinks she might be getting a cold, so she doesn't want to come. Gotta look for Mom's recipe book, too.

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: JudyB
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 01:54 PM

Hi Linn - Sounds as if things are looking up from all directions. A bit of sleep can work wonders. Years ago, not long after college, I had emergency surgery. The insurance at the place where I worked didn't take effect until you'd been there a month, and I'd barely been there a month - so we thought it was OK - but then the insurance company quibbled (forget their technicality, but they found one) and denied the whole claim. I had hysterics at my doctor's office, and he made the bill go away. It was probably the hospital fund other folks have mentioned - I was so glad that I didn't have to live on peanut butter sandwiches for the next 20 years that I didn't care how it happened. I mention the incident because a sympathetic doctor is another route to try, and a doctor might have some influence over how the funds get distributed.

Charlie and I may not post here that often - but we're thinking about you a lot, and sending our best positive energy your way.

   JudyB

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: GUEST,winterbright
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 10:16 AM

Linn, Tried to send this yesterday, but the **** thing wouldn't go. Will try again. Damn, girl, I only stumbled on this thread yesterday! Was it really 23 years ago that we stood outside and you and Tom said I DO?!! Glad to hear that he's coming along, and that you are holding up. Hoping that eventually you'll pack in some more sleep - of course you will - and that the big guy'll be home soon and back to whatever you two call normal. Love, and many hugs to you both! Hope this gets through! Pat

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 10:12 AM

They still have those funds, and a lot of people know about them. Hope that by now in their fiscal year they still have some dollars available. Good luck!

Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 10:06 AM

Linn, one thing to remember, I was told by a hospital person once that all hospitals have funds from which the interest earned is designated for paying the bills of those who don't have insurance, money, etc. This very candid person told me one has to know to ask about these funds, as the hospitals do not want to use them...so they just keep mum about it unless a person asks. That was about 20 years ago, so maybe things such as patient advocates make sure folks know nowadays; I hope so. Good luck and goodonya for getting some solid sleep AND taking a nice long soak in the tub!