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15 Apr 04 - 08:06 PM (#1162816) Subject: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Jeri Tom, husband of Bat Goddess (Linn), and my friend for almost 17 years was admitted to a local hospital today to await tests for a heart problem - probably a bad valve. I thought he deserved a thread of his own. Linn will probably post the mailing address for the hospital when she knows it. I'm sure he and Linn would appreciate your prayers, healing energy or good thoughts. Thanks, Jeri |
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15 Apr 04 - 08:10 PM (#1162820) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Joybell Sending my thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery. Hope it all goes well. Joy |
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15 Apr 04 - 08:17 PM (#1162822) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Big Mick Tell the old lefty that the Mick is praying, and thinking of him steadily. And give Linn a hug from me. In fact, give yourself one too. All the best, Mick |
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16 Apr 04 - 12:05 AM (#1162835) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg Jeri-- is this for the prayer chain? ~S~ |
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16 Apr 04 - 12:16 AM (#1162838) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Amos Best vibes en route, Linn! A |
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16 Apr 04 - 12:26 AM (#1162844) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Tinker Okay, Linn... this is the third time I've typed this ( I'm a little slow some nights). I've not made it out to a Shanty sing this year, but I think about it often. I'm sending the best strength and light available out to you both and tommorrow while I'm out in the Godess Garden taking in the best early spring sunshine has to grant I'll be sending it out to you.... Blessings Tinker |
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16 Apr 04 - 04:07 AM (#1162938) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: jacqui.c Kendall here, Tom, You will makeout just fine. If you want, I can send a list of what nurses like in a patient. Seriously, my best thoughts are coming your way. |
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16 Apr 04 - 04:10 AM (#1162939) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bee-dubya-ell Get well, dammit! Bruce |
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16 Apr 04 - 04:42 AM (#1162953) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: John MacKenzie Tom, best wishes to you for a quick return to rude health, and love to Linn too. From a sunny Scotland John |
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16 Apr 04 - 04:54 AM (#1162957) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Ebbie I second - fourth?- the wish for a speedy return to health and hearth. Get well quick! |
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16 Apr 04 - 05:05 AM (#1162964) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Catherine Jayne Get well soon Tom! Lots of healing energy from this side of the pond. Hope to see you both in October. Love Khatt |
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16 Apr 04 - 05:33 AM (#1162980) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Partridge Sending happy healing thoughts, take care, love Pat |
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16 Apr 04 - 05:56 AM (#1162993) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Tom, this won't do. I'm glad you're getting medical attention and I wish you the best of health. Light and love and hugs wending your way (and Linn's, too!) Love, Allison |
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16 Apr 04 - 06:55 AM (#1163025) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Jeri Hi Susan. I don't know what Tom's wishes are on the matter, so it might be better if Bat Goddess answer that one. She's been having problems with her computer, but I'll see her tonight and ask. |
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16 Apr 04 - 07:11 AM (#1163030) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: bbc I'm so sorry to hear this. I know that both Linn & Tom have a lot on their plates right now. Best wishes to both! love, Barbara |
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16 Apr 04 - 07:40 AM (#1163040) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Well, it's early in the a.m., I got to sleep late and woke up early, my mind already making lists of things to do and when to do them and who all did I call/e-mail last night and who have I forgotten. Well, that's the way it is. Life will be lots simpler (well, at least a little bit) if I can get my primary computer cooperating again and be back on broadband rather than this tediously slow dial-up, but I'll deal with that as I can. Even the diabetic cat (Mortimer) is cooperating and letting me give him his insulin injection without any little aggravations and Sabine didn't leave a corpse of a small woodland creature on the bed last night (or on the floor where I can step on it). Small favors. Everyone's good thoughts, prayers and support helps a LOT! -- I really, really, appreciate it! Kendall, one of the first things Tom said to me as we sat in the ER yesterday with him hooked up to oxygen, monitors and the machine that goes 'ping' was how he wished he could talk to you right now. Curmudgeons need to confer. (And unlike Maine Med, Wentworth Douglass doesn't have internet access with the rooms -- I don't think.) I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks again, everyone! Linn |
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16 Apr 04 - 07:47 AM (#1163043) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Alba Nothing but Love, Light and Healing thoughts coming your way Tom and Linn. May Progress be Swift and Recovery Quick. Blessings. Jude |
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16 Apr 04 - 08:19 AM (#1163068) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: jeffp Good thoughts and luck to everybody. jeffp |
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16 Apr 04 - 09:18 AM (#1163126) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Dahlin Tom and Linn Only the best and most positive energy headed your way. "All will be well again" Dick D |
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16 Apr 04 - 09:29 AM (#1163135) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Rapparee Alright then... All you folks in the Northeast gotta move to Idaho. Nobody from here has posted to the Cat about being sick, because nobody from here gets sick. Why, there used to be two hospitals here in Pocatello and they closed one! So, Linn, as soon as Tom gets well (and he will, since I've sent a Secret Idahoan Get Well Telepathetic Message to insure it) you and he pack it up and move West. Kendall too. And everybody else there. Bobert, DougR, all of you. Make a long convoy and move here, and then the remaining hospital here can shut down. |
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16 Apr 04 - 09:32 AM (#1163137) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: RangerSteve Get well soon. |
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16 Apr 04 - 09:43 AM (#1163143) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Charley Noble If we really put our energy into it, I'm sure that Tom will hear us singing at the Press Room this Saturday for the Shanty Sing. Charley Noble |
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16 Apr 04 - 09:47 AM (#1163145) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: katlaughing I second that, Rapaire!! Linn, Tom and Jeri, {{{{{{HUGS all round}}}}}}} and, LOTS and LOTS of Love, Healing Energy, and Peaceful Thoughts coming your way. Giving thanks for a complete and healthfilled outcome. luvabuncheskat |
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16 Apr 04 - 10:06 AM (#1163158) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg Had a brief message from Linn as she was rushing off into the day-- sounded like she was on top of all the details-- Linn, when you get a chance to catch your breath--- catch your breath! :~) And in that moment, remember: you can delegate all the worrying and so forth to US! Let go... breathe... soak up Mudcat Care Units. "Go in, with your hands down! We've got you surrounded!" ~Susan |
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16 Apr 04 - 10:12 AM (#1163166) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: catspaw49 Look Tom, let me go at this from a different angle. Enjoy yourself in the hospital. I mean, what's the option? You can piss and moan and act like an ass and it won't get you anywhere, least of all out. They're going to release you when they're done so just go with the flow. Having heart problems and the concurrent testing is about like riding an elephant downhill. Once it gets started, there ain't no stopping the sucker, so just hold on and enjoy the view. And the view is the thing. See, they will want to look at your heart from a lot of directions from the inside out so you'll probably get a heart cath which uses a probe slid into the femoral artery at the groin and they will run it up the aorta and into the heart and it's feeder arteries. No pain but the groin takes awhile to stop bleeding so they keep pressure on it after the test and you lay still for about 6 hours. But the test itself is fun to watch. You can see the screens with the probe snaking around inside of you! The best method to check on valve problems is an echocardiagram, which is just a sonigram like they do with pregnant women to look at the baby. You get a really great view of the blood passing through the heart and any valve that might be leaking or allowing a backflow. If they need an even better picture though, they will go with a T.E.E........and this one kinda' sucks. It stands for trans-esophageal echocardiagram and it means they run a tube down your throat to do the sonigram. It' over in about 10 minutes and that's the best thing I can say about it. You'll probably have some catscan and/or MRI work, but that's just lying in a tube and pretty boring. The most common male valve problem is with the mitral valve although it could be something else. In any case, it's fixable and if not, it's replaceable! The St. Jude's replacement valve you can actually hear tick at times so you know you're alive! Because they are the first place an infection goes, you need to be a bit careful should they replace it. On the other hand, it will get you past every other person in a crowded E.R. Walk in and say you're running a fever and have an artificial mitral valve and you go to the front of the pack immediately!!! No more waiting around. Actually Tom, I'm sure they'll find the problem whatever it might be and I know it's a real pain in the ass to be there, but just ride it out with a smile and a few laughs with the Docs and Techs and the time passes faster. I took simple stuff and tried to do them perfectly.....like I figured out exactly how to peel an orange and it took me almost 2 hours to eat one! Anything to pass the time..... Good luck and keep us posted Linn. You both have our best thoughts. Karen well knows what you are going through Linn. Anyway we can help, let us know. Spaw I'm catspaw49 and I have approved this message. |
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16 Apr 04 - 10:27 AM (#1163181) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bill D I tried to post last night, but got this weird message saying Mudcats buffers were full... anyway, rest easy Tom... they are pretty durn clever dealing with these problems nowadays.. and for Linn, a big hug and advice to take lots of stuff to read when visiting, as you never know when he'll sleep, or the nurse will toss you out while they do tests! Will be looking for the updates as they work out the repair procedures! Perhaps they should call in 'spaw as a consultant, as he has studied every possible known procedure that can be done between the neck and the pelvis! ...and with almost no prodding will tell you all of them! |
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16 Apr 04 - 10:34 AM (#1163190) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Stilly River Sage Glad to finally get through--the best of good care and good luck to both of you! SRS |
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16 Apr 04 - 11:56 AM (#1163252) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Morticia lots of good wishes zinging to you from the UK, be well,Tom. |
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16 Apr 04 - 12:05 PM (#1163260) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Allan C. Best wishes to both Tom and Linn. Much candlepower is being sent in your direction. |
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16 Apr 04 - 01:45 PM (#1163335) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Tig Lots of love and healing hugs Tig {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}]] |
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16 Apr 04 - 02:12 PM (#1163351) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: catspaw49 Hey Bill.....I'm working on my M.D. degree at Igotit University. Doing pretty well too!! Spaw I'm catspaw49 and I have approved this message. |
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16 Apr 04 - 02:39 PM (#1163375) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: JenEllen Best of luck and love, Bats and 'Mudge. You're both in thoughts and prayers. |
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16 Apr 04 - 04:00 PM (#1163440) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: SINSULL I posted to this thread twicw yesterday and neither one made it. Anyway - Tom and Linn are in my prayers. I spoke with him at the hospital today very briefly. Someone official was meeting with them and took priority (HARUMPH!) Tom had had the catheterization and was immobilized. He probably was dreading what Linn might choose to do while he was helpless. No news of the test results yet. Unlike Spaw, I not only haven't approved this, I haven't even proofed it. SINS |
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16 Apr 04 - 05:20 PM (#1163493) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Charley Noble Very good stuff, Spaw. I hope you're still available when they haul my old bones in for resurrection. I'm sure Tom has something to listen to music with, but if not I'd be happy to bring down to the Press Room our super MP3 player, loaded with what we listened to on our flight back and forth from Oz. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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16 Apr 04 - 06:24 PM (#1163525) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Barry Finn Hi Tom & Linn Where is this Wentworth Douglass, Linn? I'd like to drop by wish him well, if visits are ok with him. Maybe I'll take my son & his band by (they're upstairs practicing right now) & leave them there, that should cheer him up or give him good cause to have another battery of tests. The staff will make well of him in no time flat & pay for it all out of their own pockets. Best wishes & luck & keep us posted. Barry |
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16 Apr 04 - 09:11 PM (#1163621) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bobert Whew, Dr. Spawz all over this one, Curmud, which ain't exactly good news there, pal... Better not plan anything fun fir next weekend 'cause yer but is gonna be stuck mowing the lawn, cleaning out the gutters and in what ever spare time you have, chasin' Linn around the house in the buff... Aww' jus' funnin'. The neigbor kid took care of the lawn, fir ya... Bobert |
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16 Apr 04 - 09:14 PM (#1163624) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: katlaughing I think Spaw is having an identity crisis... |
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16 Apr 04 - 09:41 PM (#1163641) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Jeri Wentworth-Douglas Hospital is in Dover. I typed directions, then decided they were downright frightening. Just take the Spaulding Tpk to the Dover exit (6A I think), and when you hit Dover, follow the signs to 108 N...or is that W? Just don't make any left turns once you get on Central Ave in Dover. Better than trying to figure out what the heck I'm talking about, try a map. The hospital's on the northward bit of 108, also known as Central Ave. |
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16 Apr 04 - 09:45 PM (#1163642) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Gravity and fatigue are catching up with me -- didn't sleep much last night and been moving at a million miles an hour in my head, making lists, prioritizing lists, making lists of lists, etcet etcet. I think I was probably too tired to be behind the wheel on my way home from the hospital -- I took it slow and deliberate and more than likely totally annoyed the drivers behind me. Anyway, here's an update. Gotta be quick cuz I still have several phone calls to make before I fall asleep face first in my glass of wine. Tom had the angiogram (cardiac catheterization) this morning and was just getting back to his room when I got there this morning. This procedure necessitates complete immobilization of the right leg (he was allowed to wiggle his toes but nothing else) and his head and upper body couldn't be at greater than a 30 degree angle and not move his head much. Well, trust me, that got old fast and he was soon curmudging and growing grumpier and grumpier. Add to that the fact that male plumbing doesn't like to work in that position and he was being goaded on by staff and diuretics. Then his back started to hurt and he didn't get meds until not long before he was able to move around a bit again. He, of course, took it like a man . . . meaning that he was exceptionally grumpy and complained loudly. (I think that also means he was feeling better.) Anywho, it appear from the information we were able to pry out of the doctor that he will be moved on Monday to Portsmouth Hospital, the best cardiac facility in the area, and Tuesday have an aortic valve replacement and bypass. He's looking a lot better than he has in some time and he slept well last night for the first time in many months. He's going to come out of this in much, much better shape than he's been in for a long time. Nothing, of course gets done on weekends, so he'll be at Wentworth Douglass Hospital in Dover, NH until Monday. Dover has a main drag (Central Ave) that goes straight north through town. The hospital is on the north side of town on the right -- can't miss it. (789 Central Ave.) He'd love visitors. He's in Room 336B. Phone number is 603-742-5252. I went to the Press Room session for a little while tonight to update everyone (and eat, I'd sort of forgotten to do that since I had some bread pudding for breakfast before dashing off). Then I went back to the hospital and realized somebody was turning up the gravity at a fearsome clip. No, Charley, he doesn't have access to any music; just TV (mostly the Food Channel -- yay, Emeril!) He was in much better humor when I got back, being able to move about a bit and all. I'm having a couple people run out this thread to take to him sometime this weekend -- he's looking forward to reading it! Thanks, everyone, for all your prayers, good thoughts, advice, oh, and just for being! Mudcat is an incredible place full of incredible people. G'Night! Linn |
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16 Apr 04 - 09:45 PM (#1163643) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: CarolC Good luck and best wishes to both of you. |
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16 Apr 04 - 10:33 PM (#1163660) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg (rocking sedately) We're with you Linn-- in for the long haul. Sleep it all away for as long as you can. We'll keep an eye out as you sleep, and as you wake and resume dashing about. Jump in the lap anytime; I'll still be right here rocking and looking forward to your return. ~Susan |
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16 Apr 04 - 10:33 PM (#1163661) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: katlaughing Thanks for the update, Linn. Rest well and know that we are here for you and Curmudgeon...guess he has to live up to that name, eh? luvyakat |
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16 Apr 04 - 10:45 PM (#1163665) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Mudlark Good luck to you both...it's a long haul, every hour in hospital equals at least 4 in real time. But it sounds like he's oing to get the help he needs. I'll be thinking of you both... |
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16 Apr 04 - 11:01 PM (#1163672) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: JudyB Not sure I'll make it to the Press Room tomorrow (I'm not sure I'll be out of work from today by tomorrow, but that's another story) - but know that my thoughts and wishes are with you both. JudyB |
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17 Apr 04 - 11:23 AM (#1163787) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: John MacKenzie Good news Linn, sounds like all he needs is a top end overhaul, and a new gasket, then he'll be good for a few thousand more miles on his hairy old clock. The hospital will look after him, so you look after yourself, your getting frazzled won't help either of you. Chin up, shoulders back, chest out, go Linn! John |
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17 Apr 04 - 12:00 PM (#1163802) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: GUEST,Tyler Gee I didn't think the threat that I was planning to show up at the shanty sing today would provoke a hospital attack! Sorry Tom. Just let me know if you have any requests for a care package from either Bean Town or the Old Dominion/Cavalier State/VA. If requests don't reach me, Ill have to smother you in flowers or chocolates, depending on my mood. Looking forward to your continuing "on the mend" saga. Do make Linn take care. Love, Tyler |
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17 Apr 04 - 03:28 PM (#1163906) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: karen k Tom and Linn, My thoughts are with both of you. I'm sure things will only get better and you'll both be back to singing very soon. My best wishes for a very speedy recovery, Tom. Linn, take some time for yourself and keeps us posted. Guess you probably won't make NEFFA next week. We'll sing some songs for you both. karen k |
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17 Apr 04 - 04:22 PM (#1163934) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: jacqui.c Kendall here, Tom - I'll send you a PM. |
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17 Apr 04 - 10:31 PM (#1164139) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Kendall -- he doesn't have access to a computer right now. Not all hospitals are civilized like Maine Med. Please send it to me and I'll pass it on. Linn |
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18 Apr 04 - 02:31 AM (#1164197) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: jacqui.c Kendall here - PM sent to you last night Linn. |
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18 Apr 04 - 01:50 PM (#1164510) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: SINSULL The next Press Room session will be a classic with Kendall and Tom comparing scars. Meantime, take it easy Linn. It won't do either of you any good if you end up in the next bed. Mary |
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18 Apr 04 - 06:20 PM (#1164650) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Kendall -- read your message to Tom over the phone to his at 8:30 this morning. And he takes that threat seriously! Don't know what time tomorrow they'll be transporting him to Portsmouth, but he's scheduled for breakfast where he is now. Good. Maybe that will leave me some time to do all the things I have to do before going to the hospital -- including a 7 a.m. appointment regarding financial matters and taking my primary computer to the computer doctor. Right now I'm scheduling a long, hot bubble bath with a glass of rum in one hand and a book in the other. Long needed R&R. I slept well last night and even got back to sleep for another hour after I woke at 5 a.m. Even ate a decent breakfast instead of grabbing something on my way out the door. Tom's been entertaining a steady stream of friends and well-wishers. Thought for awhile yesterday banjos were going to break out. (But the guy in the next bed might not appreciate that . . .) I'll keep everyone posted. Linn |
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18 Apr 04 - 06:53 PM (#1164677) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg Linn, I've updated the prayer chain about tomorrow's transport, his planned treatment, the near-banjo-breakout, and your good night's sleep. Keep 'em coming, dear. :~) ~Susan |
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18 Apr 04 - 07:34 PM (#1164710) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Alba Hang in there Linn. Tom will be in my Thoughts tomorrow as will You. Nothing like a bit of rip roaring Banjos though to get a man back on his feet ...lol Thank you for keeping us posted. Sleep well tonight and enjoy your Rum and R&R. Love, Light and Healing Blessings Jude |
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18 Apr 04 - 08:35 PM (#1164737) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess And then I entirely forgot to mention what was the primary reason for my last post. Is my brain fried, or what?!? Arghh! Anyway, Jeri (and Bob Frost -- he's also a banjo-wielder, but wasn't actually involved in the threat yesterday) printed out this thread yesterday and brought it to Tom so he could read it. That's much better than me relating who all is sending good wishes, advice, etcet etcet. Thanks, everybody. Linn |
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18 Apr 04 - 09:03 PM (#1164752) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: katlaughing I am looking forward to your postings about Tom's recovery, Linn, and his being back at sessions. Your R&R sounds like the best prescription going! Lots and Lots of love, hugs, Healing Enegry, and extra energy for yerself coming your way. luvyakat |
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19 Apr 04 - 08:57 AM (#1165130) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: GUEST,denceram@prodigy.net Hi Linn and Tom, Please forgive/ignore our messages to your regular email address...can see clearly now that THIS is indeed *the place*.....in every way!! Great to be among so many of your lovely friends.... ALL wishing you the very very best both this week and well beyond to a swift and specatcular recovery. Will be thinking of you in a special way tomorrow of course. And watching right here for news of all the good results. What's Tom gonna do with all his wonderful new energy? Best best best best best to you both......Millie & Ted |
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19 Apr 04 - 01:26 PM (#1165375) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bill D Lots of folks watching and caring as this process unfolds. It's danged tedious to go thru all this stuff, but boy, I can tell you how great it is to have it all fixed! I had my wife overhauled a few years ago, and if Tom does half as well as Rita, he'll be startled at how well he feels..*smile*.... I look forward to progress reports. |
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19 Apr 04 - 10:19 PM (#1165657) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Okay, Tom got to ride the white taxi to Portsmouth Regional Hospital around 1 pm today. And after schlepping his stuff to the car (it decided to be 90 degrees today -- it was 30 less than a week ago! spozed to be 60 tomorrow) and coming back to deal with financial forms and photocopying of every document you can think of and stuff and whatever (cuz we've got no insurance, no savings and no income right now), I headed off to Portsmouth to get some other financial matters taken care of, etcet, and then joined him after he got settled in to his new digs. Looks like the heart surgery won't be until later this week. First thing tomorrow morning he'll get rid of his problematic lower teeth to eliminate any possible future infection, which, in the case of a valve replacement, could be life-threatening. And the surgeon said he'd also really like to give Tom and his heart a few more days to get a bit stronger before the surgery. So . . . he's now at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, 33 Borthwick Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 -- phone # 1-800-685-8282 and he's in Room 230A. And guess what -- our local grocery store has been running a big drawing for a mess of 50 buck gift certificates and I've been filling out entry blanks every time I've been in the store for the last coupla weeks, both in my name and in Tom's name. This evening after I finally got home and fed and insulated the cat (Mort's diabetic), I started going through the bag of mail I collected Saturday -- and there was an envelope addressed to Tom from the store. He's won a $50 gift certificate! Hey, all your prayers and good wishes are starting to work! And it's going to get lots better. Love you all, Linn |
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19 Apr 04 - 11:20 PM (#1165692) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: JennyO Lots of love and healing energy is beaming its way to you from Oz - until you are over this and well again. Never underestimate the power of the Mudcat! Jenny |
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20 Apr 04 - 03:02 AM (#1165786) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: jacqui.c Kendall here - What to do with all that extra energy? PM me for a list of suggestions, but don't tell Linn. |
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20 Apr 04 - 04:59 PM (#1166462) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Stilly River Sage Sorry to hear about the teeth also--he's going to be sore all around for a while! Hopefully it will help solve some health problems. SRS |
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20 Apr 04 - 07:34 PM (#1166622) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Spent most of the day photocopying documents and running errands so I didn't get to the hospital until mid afternoon -- right about the time he found out he'll be having the valve surgery on Thursday. Haven't a clue at what time. They really seem to be surprised that we'd like to know. Geez, just let me know a bit in advance, fer-pete's-sake, and what time it's scheduled for so I can plan my life! Ah, and then the kicker. The aide came in hemming and hawing and . . . tried to break it to him gently -- at least parts of the beard had to be gone before Thursday. They evidently have to put stuff through his neck and it has to be hairless and prepped. She suggested I give him a drastic trim today so he could wrap his brain around the concept, then on Thursday they'd prep him, leaving his mustache and hair above the chin line. So I did and he still looks great. He grumbled but it'll be okay -- it'll grow back and he'll have a beard facade at least when he comes through the surgery. The brie is on the counter and I picked up a great loaf of bread today -- throw together a salad and crack open the cheap pinot grigio to wash it down. Then a hairwash and a bath with a book -- R&R. Hope I can get more than 6 hours of sleep tonight. (If only the brain would take a nap!) Later, Linn |
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20 Apr 04 - 07:40 PM (#1166631) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bill D awww...it IS hard for the brain to slow down at times like this! I didn't sleep but 2-3 hours in 36 when Rita had her transplant.. The book and wine are durn good choices, and at least you know 'almost' when to expect things to happen...*grin* ...and yep, beards grow back just fine! |
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20 Apr 04 - 07:51 PM (#1166642) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Jeri Sometime around midnight last night I gave up and swallowed some kava-kava and melatonin, and the combination seemed to get the brain to down-shift. I slept right through to mid-morning. True, part of that time involved driving and working, but no one seemed to notice. So how did the teeth business go? Pull teeth and then want to shave him? Ow! |
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20 Apr 04 - 08:14 PM (#1166657) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bill D BS?...why? after 50 posts? I couldn't find it and was worried. |
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20 Apr 04 - 08:20 PM (#1166663) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg We're with you, dear. Don't worry too much about the sleeping. It will sort itself out. You will do fine even on short sleep, and you WILL sleep when you REALLY need to, and when you can. Do clear the decks for the days after surgery as much as you can, because you will need to rest and reboot. On surgery day, and the next day, if they tell you to go home, GO, unless there is any reason not to feel peaceful that he is in good hands. He'll need you well-rested once he's awake enough to be pissed off at the pain and the inactivity. ~Susan |
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20 Apr 04 - 09:02 PM (#1166689) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Well, talked to Tom three phone calls (incoming) ago -- I'm really looking forward to being able to eat a meal without being on the phone or on the computer (it'll happen) -- the surgery will be Thursday morning. Actually, the teeth thing is sort of an added benefit (well, especially if we can come up with the wherewithall for dentures). I really wish he had had the lower ones done when he had the uppers done 22 years ago. Okay. Now I can dive into a hot bubbly scented tub, sip some more wine and have a good read in an interesting combination of mystery and sci-fi -- a police procedural that takes place in the future. Maybe my brain will be in a fit enough state tonight to avoid reading the same page over and over again . . . Linn |
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20 Apr 04 - 09:08 PM (#1166695) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: catspaw49 Hey Linn.......Karen says she has nothing but empathy for you. I really am a lousy hospital patient at times and since YOU are stuck with both 3 tons of paperwork AND a lousy patient, she feels YOUR pain and says you need all the R&R you can get. Like Bill said, Rita, with a whole new one, is pretty fine to have around these many years later. And overall, I think Karen is pretty happy that I'm still around as well. THE TEETH When I had the quad by-pass in '97 my teeth were okay at least for that as they also were for the ablation 6 months later. When I developed the aortic aneurysm I had loads of assorted complications, one of which was a fit of chills that literally put hairline cracks in many teeth, most of which had fillings. Hating dentists, I avoided them over the next few years as bits and chunks of my rear teeth chipped away. So when the valve surgery came up, I was in the same boat as Tom.......but I tell ya' what, the "Complete Oral Rehabilitation" they did beat the crap out of 25 dentist visits!!! A few days of yucky but overall, much better than the dentist route. I'm sure they have explained the reason behind the dental work, but it gets down to the fact that heart valves are very susceptible to infections and the artificial ones even moreso. Oral infections go straight to the valve, hence the need for repair. HEY TOM Yeah, I know all about being a curmudgeon my friend, but at this point, you're riding the elephant downhill and nothing you have to say will change things a bit.....so kick back and enjoy the ride as much as you can. Hospitals have some fine ass drugs!!! They will probably ask you your level of pain on a 1-10 scale.....Stay toward the light side so you have plenty of room to get more pain meds if you need them! LOL......I used to count time til the next thing came. Although they did my valve at Ohio State which now does almost all heart surgery including valves and bypasses with a robot and no longer crack your chest(the robot was GREAT!!!....once was enough for the chest smashing), my bypass was the standard "slash the breastbone with an ax" design. Really they use a powersaw but it feels like they used an ax!! I gotta' tell ya' that I'm sure you'll do fine (the power of the 'Cat is working overtime for you), but this just ain't a pleasant thing. The BEST thing is that the WORST part is over in about 4 days or so, but you'll have some surgical pain for quite awhile.....nothin' you can't live with though. You'll probably wake up on a vent so be ready for it. It breathes for you but the sensation you have is that you are "drowning" or just can't breathe. Try not to fight it and it's better. It works, just doesn't feel that way at first. You'll also have tons of "plumbing" but most of that will come off in the first 12 hours and you'll be left with just a couple of chest tubes and a whizz bag plus the everpresent IV. You can have a lot of fun with the whizz bag later when you're out walking the halls. Go up to other patients and compare and then brag because you have either more or less. Or turn to Linn, lift the bag, and ask incredulously, "What do you mean this isn't lemonade? Are you serious? Ohmygawd!!!!!!!" I've told before of the "cough routine" but one more time......It will hurt to cough and they'll show you how with a pillow to your chest. Feels like everything is ripping out. Now you want to avoid this but the damn medicos insist you cough to keep things clear!!! Kinda'like a bad joke ain't it? But try to avoid the sneeze.....they never mention the sneeze.......About one second before I sneezed for the first time after surgery, my brain said, "Aw geeziz, the coughs like to kill me and this has got to be worse!!!!"................and it was. Later a nurse came round and scraped up the quivering blob on the floor that had once been me and shoveled me back in bed. Enough of all this! Hope you're getting a laugh or two and you're kicked back with your feet on the elephant's ears. We're all out here with prayers and good thoughts and all the healing power we can muster. Write to me later and tell me about it, okay? Spaw Faux Cardiologist and Thoracic Cutter MD from Igotit University |
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21 Apr 04 - 07:29 AM (#1166989) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Catspaw! You made me laugh and I really REALLY needed that right his minute! I've been doing okay since Thursday, way too much to do to feel too desperate and everybody has been incredibly fantastic at lifting a whole lot of worries off my shoulders. But . . . this morning I awoke in a state of quiet panic, stomach and guts quivery, literally worried sick about Tom. First time since, perhaps, late Thursday night that here is a true GUT reaction. I love him so much, and there are so many things that can go wrong and life can be so changed. Deep down I have complete confidence that he is going to come through this fine and be in so much better health than he's been in a long time, but right this minute I'm scared spitless (you know what I mean). Okay, update -- Surgery is scheduled for Thursday morning, Dr. Paliotta. He'll be in ICU for a couple days, and in the hospital 4 or 5 days total after the surgery. I actually got 7 hours of sleep last night -- that's an hour more than I've gotten in the past few days. And I didn't start making a list until just before 6 a.m. -- how 'bout dat? I grabbed an hour's R&R in the bathtub last night around 9:30 (I had been fielding phone calls until then, from the time my brother called about 2 minutes after I walked in the door, until 9 when my mother called) -- and when I got out of the tub I found I finally got a message an Assistance Director with info about how to get in touch with her today. I had been waiting for that, so that's one more item checked off the list(s). Today I have to figure out how to make all the phone calls I have to make and the TIMES I have to make them AND spend a reasonable amount of time at the hospital and get some of the questions I have answered, etcet etcet. Also hope to get my primary computer, which had been giving me some grief, back plugged in again and on-line via broadband, which will simplify life considerably. I'll be okay. Linn |
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21 Apr 04 - 07:57 AM (#1167003) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Alba Linn Darlin...remember to Breath:>) Will be thinking of Tom and Lighting a Healing Candle Tonight and Tommorrow. I will also be lighting a Strength one for You. Everything will turn out absolutely fine and like you say, this Treatment will be a Door opening for you Both once Tom's Good health returns. Love, Light, Blessings and Healing Energy Jude Catspaw...excellent as usual ...LOL |
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21 Apr 04 - 09:12 AM (#1167055) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Also -- Charley, please tell Nor I woke up this morning with the tune to the round in my head. I TOLD him it would just spontaneously spring forth sometime this week. Of course, I haven't a clue as to the words . . . I just got my primary computer back from the tech yesterday and plugged it all in a few minutes ago. But I have a TCP/IP problem that I need to somehow get ironed out before I can be on-line again from my cable connection, so still on painfully slow dial-up. Talked to Tom about 45 minutes ago and he had just received his second breakfast -- they really screwed up on the first one. He said it was like something placed on his tray by aliens or something. I'll talk to him again in a few minutes -- gotta try again to get an e-mail to my computer tech. Linn |
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21 Apr 04 - 09:30 AM (#1167072) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Big Mick That's the post I was waiting for, Linn, my friend. At some point, all the busy stuff is done and the thing that you have not wanted to think about is all that's left. I would be scared too. But Tom is a tough one, and it seems evident, even to me who has only met you three or four times in person, that he loves you the same way. He is a lucky man to have someone who cares so much for him, and who is not afraid to let that be known. Thanks for letting us share your fears and your love. You have blessed us with that. This community is praying for and with you, in whatever way our beliefs allow. I am certain that that much healing energy has to have an effect, eh? All the best, Mick |
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21 Apr 04 - 03:07 PM (#1167133) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bill D as usual, Mick says it well...(not as outrageously cute as catspaw, but hey, we only need ONE of that!) |
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21 Apr 04 - 03:42 PM (#1167178) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: catspaw49 Hey now wait a minute here............ Here I am trying to get this Cardiology practice off the ground and make a buck, just trying to get something out of this rebuilt and still dodgy heart with an aorta ripped from one end to the other, and there you go raining all over my parade. Well that's it then.....harrumph..... No more freebie advice.........at least until my next post!!!!!! Fodoc Spaw |
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21 Apr 04 - 05:48 PM (#1167295) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Jeri Lane, Patterson, Fielding & Swan, Layabouts at Large, do cardiology... You may be among the better doctors. "Above all, do no harm" - well, you can't do any harm if you do nothing, eh? Linn, on a serious note, one thing to prepare for not being prepared for: Tom will have the surgery, then go back to the ICCU. He will have hoses coming out all over, with machines beeping and clicking, and he may still be on a respirator, conscious or not, when you first see him. No matter how prepared you think you are to see him in that condition, and no matter that you know it's supposed to be like that, it's a massive shock. When I first saw my mom, it was the closest I ever came to passing out. Everything started to go black, but I gave up on pride and bent way over so my head was hanging down. For one thing, it was closer to the floor, but it helped and I was fine in a few seconds. They never warned me about this either: it takes a hell of a long time for a patient to regain full consciousness, and it's not just the anesthesia. They induce hypothermia, and will gradually warm him up after surgery. He'll be cold and dopey. When they're SURE he can breathe on his own, they'll remove the respirator tube. THEN they'll tell him to cough, and we've heard about coughing. If you find time after he's out of surgery, could you let us know at work? Lots of folks there ask me how he's doing every day. |
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21 Apr 04 - 06:43 PM (#1167342) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: CET I just spoke to Tom to pass on Charmion's and my best wishes. I didn't stay on the line long (he's got better things to do, like rest), but he sounded well and in good spirits. I told him I was looking forward to another Chanty Sing in Portsmouth. Linn: I wish I could get down to New Hampshire some time over the next week or so, but you know you and Tom are in my prayers. Edmund |
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21 Apr 04 - 07:57 PM (#1167401) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Stilly River Sage Linn, There's no magical rock down in the creek that I can find to send along that will help clear all of this away. But as for the coughing, does Tom have a teddy bear or something to hug? We went through all of these discussions after Kendall's surgery--what did he end up with? A Kangaroo? Does Tom have a critter preference? I have lots of stuffed animals around here, and I'm sure others close by you have some available as well. Tell us what kind of character or animal he might prefer and we'll put our heads together. Maggie (SRS) |
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21 Apr 04 - 08:11 PM (#1167410) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess This has gotta be quick cuz I've got a cat screaming to be fed and still have some phone calls to make (including to Tom!!!) and Jeri can tell you about my car problems on the way home from the hospital this evening (why I got a late start on all this stuff at the house). Oh, and I need to eat something, too, and get to bed early. (Geez -- it's already what I think of as early.) I'll be in Tom's room tomorrow morning between 6 & 6:30 so I can give him a big kiss before they wheel him off to the OR around 7. Surgery should take about 3 1/2 hours. I'll be camped out in the waiting room of the ICU and he'll be there for the rest of the day and Friday. Then they'll move him to a regular room and let him go home about 4-6 days after tomorrow's surgery. Car hassles -- what next?!? Jeri's standing by in case I need a ride tomorrow. Car's been fine until it didn't want to start after I dropped some paperwork off at Wentworth Douglass Hospital. Started fine the next half dozen times, then wouldn't start when I filled up the tank on the way home. Pillows and teddy bears -- what Portsmouth Hospital supplies is a heart-shaped pillow, I guess. I'll post when I can. Love you all! Linn |
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21 Apr 04 - 09:08 PM (#1167446) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: GUEST,.gargoyle Based on the immediately previous BG post ....is it any wonder her poor mate has heart problems?
Sincerely, |
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21 Apr 04 - 10:00 PM (#1167478) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Amos At least he found he had one and gave it freely, Garg. Try losing some weight -- it should help. A |
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21 Apr 04 - 10:18 PM (#1167492) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: bbc Linn, You & Tom will be on my mind & heart (no pun intended) tomorrow. Praying that all will go smoothly. love, barbara |
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21 Apr 04 - 10:47 PM (#1167519) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Charley Noble Coughing and sneezing is bad, but it also hurts to laugh. I personally hate the limbo of the hospital waiting room. We'll be thinking of you and Tom tomorrow. Charley Noble |
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21 Apr 04 - 11:37 PM (#1167562) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: catspaw49 That's great advice Jeri. that first post-op period is tough on everyone. Linn, I just talked with karen and we reminded each other of some of those days and again to you she wishes nothing but the best!!!!But let's leave this on a funny story...........I've related this before, but a good story is still a good story. My situation came up so fast that organizing the "home front" was a big job and Karen was going like crazy trying to be everywhere at once. Again, Connie and Wayne were there to help out. The night before, I told Karen that it wasn't important that she be there when I got out of surgery since I'd be zonked anyhow. So, after the operation was over she headed out to handle things that only she could do. Wayne waited in recovery and when I came out of it, he was there. Aside from being a true friend, Wayne is Physician's Assistant, previously a 25 year vet of the EMT and paramedic profession, and he is the kindest, gentlest, and most empathathetic soul I have ever known. So I wake up and he's there holding my hand. After a bit of time I begin to focus enough to want to know if all is OK. Both of us know some sign, but you have about 27 miles of plastic tubing covering your arms and chest so it was tough. He smiles and gives me an "OK" sign and I figure I'm alright. I was concerned about Karen. I just wanted to know if she knew and if she was OK and I try to communicate this to Wayne. He responds with some odd hand gestures mixed with sign and I know he has no idea what I want so I keep trying, pointing at my wedding ring and such. He keeps responding with the gestures. Finally I make a writing motion and he gets a pad and pen. He has yet to speak a word! Empath that he is, he seems to have tuned into the fact that I can't talk so he isn't either! I write on the pad, "Where's Karen?"........and of course the dumbass takes the pad and writes out an explanation!!! I read it and then write, "YOU CAN TALK." Wayne finally realized what he was doing and just shook his head....but he did start talking! I still kid him about it at every chance I get. Try not to have quite so much empathy with Tom!!! Again, wish him our best and tell him he'll feel like a new man. Or at least like a man of his age (instead of about 150). He will! Spaw |
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22 Apr 04 - 12:42 AM (#1167596) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: GUEST,Millie Hi Linn....and 'later' to Tom when he's reading his mail again, You will both be in our prayers tomorrow ...all day....and especially so in the morning of course. Seems that everyone's thoughts and wondrous vibes will converge upon Tom at just the right time. That's so good. I know a bit about 'the wait' as well Linn ......and wish you so well with that too. NOT easy. In fact I was so relieved after my sister-in-laws surgery that I impulsively took the doctors two hands and kissed them. I really did!!! Had NO idea what came over me to DO such a thing (kind of an out-of- body experience I think).....but he seemed okay with it, though a tad stunned for a moment. Must happen all the time though right? Don't you think? Such overwhelming relief and gratitude abounds. Don't be surprised if you are struck with similar smooching instincts as it's a pretty powerful feeling when it's all over....oh yeah! You will probably have the better sense than I to properly restrain yourself ....but we truly are so very fortunate in all that these gifted people can really do....... with all due respect to Dr Spaw of course ...and his budding cardio practice. (I don't know Dr Spaw but I sure have been enjoying all his great advice!!! hardy har) Blessings tomorrow (though that's 'today' now) .......and right into the weekend when you will let the healing begin!!!. Love, Millie (and Ted) |
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22 Apr 04 - 05:01 AM (#1167702) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Well, it's almost 5 a.m. -- I've been awake since quarter of three. Got a few things to transfer to notebooks and will leave that incredible mound of paperwork at home today instead of teathered to my shoulder in a briefcase. I'm not sure, but I think one of our inside-the-house feral cats (Creamsicle) escaped last night while I was on the computer and Sabine clawed the door open. I just told Mortimer to bring her back (preferably before she gets knocked up). Wish me luck on the car starting -- prolly loose wires from the bumpy road down the hill. Gotta move all Tom's stuff into it today for temp storage until he gets out of the ICU and into a regular room. And I know your thoughts and prayers are with both of us today -- the support of friends has been unbelievably wonderful. And the concern and assistance from total strangers. Today, for the first day since last Thursday, I have nothing to do but sit and wait and concentrate all my love and attention on Tom. No documents to photocopy, phone calls to make (well, later), people to see (well, I hope I see some friends in the ICU waiting room,), running around, etcet etcet -- you know what I mean. Love you all and I'll post when I can and send an update with Jeri probably before that. Linn |
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22 Apr 04 - 05:06 AM (#1167706) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Liz the Squeak Good wishes still continue here, and a bed has been made ready in the Mudcat Recovery Ward for when he's better. Take care of yourself too.... remember, put food in, chew, swallow. Breathe in, breathe out. Sometimes when worrying about others, you forget the simple things. LTS |
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22 Apr 04 - 07:41 AM (#1167775) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: John MacKenzie Thinking of you both. John |
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22 Apr 04 - 09:28 AM (#1167895) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Micca Same here Linn, you both know the high regard in which I hold you both, tell him from me that there are NO shantys written for singing while Horizontal!!! except perhaps "Drunken Sailor", and he isnt Usually doing the singing!!! Best Wishes from your UK friend, Micca PS. I dont do the "waiting bit" very well either, so my special thoughts are with you, Linn, today. |
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22 Apr 04 - 09:32 AM (#1167898) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: GUEST,MMario but think of all the marvelous forebitters! Perfect for laying about. Have you a nice soft plushy stuffed squid for him to hug when he coughs? |
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22 Apr 04 - 05:00 PM (#1168338) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Jeri Linn called the place where Tom and I both work. The surgery went well and included 2 valves and 3 major blood vessels. She was going in to see him shortly after she made the call. She'll probably post more here later, if she doesn't fall face first into bed after she comes home and feeds/shoots up various cats. |
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22 Apr 04 - 05:01 PM (#1168340) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg Thanks Jeri! ~S~ |
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22 Apr 04 - 05:05 PM (#1168343) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Amos Two valves and three tubes? Wow!! That kinda repair is up there in the Mercedes Benz class!! This is no little oil-change!! Keep breathin'! A |
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22 Apr 04 - 05:37 PM (#1168376) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Sonnet My lovely friend Linn, I've been on holiday, so tonight's been my first opportunity to check email and Mudcat since I got home. All love and hugs to you and Tom. Don't forget to eat. Don't forget Mortimer's injections. And don't forget we're all here for you and Tom. Love. Courage. Forward. Jay xxx |
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22 Apr 04 - 05:55 PM (#1168387) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: catspaw49 Okay here.....lessee.....Two valves and three tubes beats one valve and four tubes but I'll see you and raise you a ripped aorta. Aw nuts, Rita just went for the whole tamale...Got us both!!!! Damn! Oh wait....We ALL won huh? Seriously Tom, you are lucky to still be with us so give your wife and extra kiss and an extra hug at least twice a day, everyday, for the rest of your life...........and think how blessed you are. Now get out of bed, cough, and then start the short walks........End of the hallway is all of a sudden a helluva' lot further than you thought ain't it? LOL...Get well quick. Spaw |
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22 Apr 04 - 05:59 PM (#1168394) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Charley Noble Thanks, Jeri. I like to hear about successful operations. Sure sounds like Tom was at the right place at the right time. How can we help financially? Charley Noble |
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22 Apr 04 - 06:01 PM (#1168396) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bill D wow! with that kind of overhaul, he'll be good for another 100,000 miles *grin* (who cares what the paint job is like when the engine is purring!) Take care, Linn...it all works, one day at a time....*smile* |
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22 Apr 04 - 06:06 PM (#1168401) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: bbc Glad to hear the news. Now for a boringly uneventful recuperation, we hope! best, Barbara |
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22 Apr 04 - 06:09 PM (#1168405) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: AllisonA(Animaterra) long... slow.... release of breath..... Yay, Tom! Allison |
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22 Apr 04 - 06:11 PM (#1168406) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Okay . . . cut to the chase. Tom got into the ICU after his surgery this afternoon about 2:45 and they let me see him about an hour later. (More on that, later.) The surgery took 6 hours and during that time Amy, the OR nurse, called me about every hour (I was in the ICU waiting room) to tell me what they just did, what they were doing and what was about happen. He ended up with a double bypass, they replaced the aortic valve (with pig tissue) and repaired his tricuspid valve with a ring. As far as I know, things went along smoothly all the way; what I was told is that everything went along just fine. I woke up this morning at quarter to three and couldn't get back to sleep despite the alarm being set for 4:30. So I got up at 4 and was set to hit the road at 5:10. I even took the trash up to the road for pick up. I was concerned about the car starting so I wanted to try it with enough time to call Jeri if it didn't want to start, but as it happened, it started just fine. Got to the hospital at 5:45 and got "princess parking"-- probably the best parking place in the lot. I'm glad I got there early as I was able to spend some time with Tom before the morphine took effect, after which I just stroked his hand and listened to him breathe and snore softly. After I walked along beside him to the elevator and kissed him, I went back to the room to gather all his stuff to schlep down to the car for storage until he's in a regular room again. (THAT's the real reason for "princess parking.") Then I went to the lounge area that is the ICU waiting room. I wrote some notes and impressions in my journal/notebook, etc. Now to tell you how fried my brain is these days, the obvious took me a little while. I was sort of staring at one of the telephones for awhile before it occurred to me -- "telephone"..."local call"..."oh, call a friend"..."Mary Faux will be up this early -- doesn't work in the morning" etcet etcet. Gave her a call and she grabbed some croissants and came right down. (The coffee in the waiting room is great.) So she kept what's left of my brain occupied through all the waiting. Kit Hutchins, who is a nurse at Portsmouth Regional (off today), came in and later Hutch (her husband) joined us. And Cecil Abels midafternoon. So I had good company who also took care of my every need. I was able to go in to the ICU to see him around 3:45. Now remember, everyone has warned me how shocking and difficult to bear the appearance of the patient is right after surgery, body probably still not brought up to normal temperature, on a ventilator, tubes coming out of EVERYWHERE, many machines that go 'ping' and probably the worst, the tube of bloody fluid coming out of the chest cavity. Deep breath. You know, it wasn't as bad as I expected. And by the time I was ready to leave the hospital I had figured out why -- his color, at least, looks sooooooo much better than it has for the past coupla months. In many ways, he looked better -- even right after surgery -- than he has for the past several months. Now THAT'S scary. And, sometime when I can let myself do it, I'm going to cry for hours in relief. (But if I let myself cry right now, whether for relief or any other reason, I don't think I'll be able to stop.) It's not over yet, but we're on the way. He'll probably be in the ICU until late tomorrow. Then a few more days in Telemetry. Everything's going to be okay. (That's my mantra.) And I'll schedule falling apart totally for sometime, -- maybe later this summer. And now, since all the updates to the four major Update Centrals have been made, all I have yet to do is call Tom's only other family, an elderly cousin, and then . . . I'm going to crash. Hope nobody (especially the hospital) calls. I'll finish the chicken salad I've been picking at all afternoon, wash my hair and shower and collapse into bed -- oh, yeah, feed the cats and insulate Mort. Everything's going to be okay. Keep the white light beaming! Linn |
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22 Apr 04 - 06:35 PM (#1168421) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bill D *great big smile* yep...it will be fine! Lots of silly, semi-tedious routines as he recovers and asks for various treats...but, that part of it will be fun...mostly.. ;>) I do KNOW about the "looks sooooooo much better than it has" thing. You see this sudden change, when you had barely been aware that things weren't quite right. The valves working and the blood flowing freely improve things immediately!.....Tom is gonna enjoy this recovery, as soon as he can get past the obvious temporary discomforts! Bet you sleep better tonight! |
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22 Apr 04 - 06:59 PM (#1168441) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Alba Way to go TOM.......it is all going to be absolutely fine in a short time.....Ah Linn Hang in there. It is hard I know to keep it together(ish) when the Person you Love is so Fragile. It's done, the Op is over and now it's time for Healing. I think you have been amazing with all the Worry and Stress, posting every Day to keep us informed of Tom's progress and focusing on all the other things that go along with that, Medical forms ect, add the Cats and Yourself in to the mixture and you have one drainng and difficult experience happening there.. and no Tom right beside you to Hug and tell you it's gonna be ok. But He will be soon now...:>) That White Light is still shining brightly, Candles burning as I type. You are Both in my Thoughts. Blessed be Jude |
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22 Apr 04 - 07:54 PM (#1168481) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Amos White Light flowing, aye, Linn!! He's gonna get up and start complaining before you know it! A |
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22 Apr 04 - 07:58 PM (#1168483) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: GUEST,Julia & Fred Hey! we've been away and look what happens.... Linn- you are amazing! What a woman! Tom - great to hear you're coming through this thing! Blue Peter flying!On to greater things! Best from J & F |
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22 Apr 04 - 08:16 PM (#1168489) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Amos Now, guys -- Linn didn't say his peter had turned blue, did she? Or was that in private correspondence?? ;>)) A |
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22 Apr 04 - 09:07 PM (#1168517) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: GUEST,julia & fred Well you know, all that re-routing of the blood can do strange things... or maybe he's really a blue-blood... not bloody likely! Enny whey- LINN, please let us know if you need a fundraising concert or something. WE'd love to help out Chyahz- Julia |
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22 Apr 04 - 11:42 PM (#1168590) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Big Mick OK ..... good ..... I can go to sleep. Pulling for you here, buddy. Now, Linn, a good night's sleep is called for. Go to bed. He is in good hands. All the best, Mick |
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23 Apr 04 - 12:15 AM (#1168609) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: BrÃan Sorry it took so long to stumble across this thread. I am glad things seem to be going o.k.. You are all in my thoughts and whatever. BrÃan |
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23 Apr 04 - 12:31 AM (#1168614) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Stilly River Sage Linn, thanks so much for keeping us in mind at Mudcat. You must be ready to sleep for weeks when this is over. Good luck with everything! SRS |
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23 Apr 04 - 06:19 AM (#1168822) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Sleep -- what a lovely idea! (What a lovely fantasy!) The brain finally quieted down around 10:30 last night . . . and started chattering away (despite white chestnut) a little before 4 this morning. I'd REALLY like a respite from the list-making that my tyrant brain is insisting upon! There IS preliminary planning going on for a benefit concert -- but that sort of thing takes a LOT of planning and we also need to know how much of the medical tab, etc. (I'm studiously avoiding even letting speculation about how much all of this is costing cross my brain) various financial assistance agencies will pay and stuff like that. I can PM contact information to anyone who wants it. I've just had to cancel going to NEFFA tonight to support Tyler Buck in her Celtic Singaround, but with Tom in the ICU etcet etcet, I just can't do it -- so PLEASE people, go to the singaround (9 pm in the Music Room) and PARTICIPATE and sing your hearts out even if you have to go on stage and use the microphone (because of sound-sucking wall tiles). Linn |
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23 Apr 04 - 06:22 AM (#1168826) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: John MacKenzie Sounds good so far Linn, things can only get better. I sympathise with the thought that Tom had been looking so 'grey' for so long, and looks healthier already. You don't notice a slow deterioration, and it comes as a shock to realise how bad things must have been. Still that's the cutting and stitching over, now comes the healing and coughing. Take Spaw's advice, and give him an extra hug every day, and thank the lord. Now is also the time to make plans to do something together that you've always wanted to do but put off till another day. John |
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23 Apr 04 - 06:55 AM (#1168835) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Escamillo Sorry to be late to this thread. Tom and Lynn, everything will be ok, receive a hug from this distant Buenos Aires. Our thoughts are with you. Un abrazo, Andrés |
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23 Apr 04 - 08:29 AM (#1168896) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Talked to the ICU about an hour ago. He's doing fine -- they were just waking him up and won't take the vent off til he's awake. The nurse said I probably shouldn't come in to see him until at least noon and to call first. Well, I've got plenty to do before then. Linn |
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23 Apr 04 - 09:53 AM (#1168945) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: SINSULL Glad the worst of it is over for you Linn but Tom has a few uncomfortable weeks ahead. Kendall was convinced that I hit every bump in the road just to hear him yelp. I will call you tonight. Didn't want to wake you in case you managed to fall asleep. I know you are overtired because you are taking showers instead of baths. Get some rest girl! SINS |
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23 Apr 04 - 09:56 AM (#1168946) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: katlaughing Linn, don't forget to deep breath. Yer brain and *noives* will thank you for it. :-) Thanks so much for taking the time to keep us posted. We are sending up much thanks here for this successful outcome. {{{{{{{{{{{{Linn & Tom}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} luvyakat & Rog |
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23 Apr 04 - 10:00 AM (#1168952) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Partridge Glad everything went well. You know I'm thinking of you and wishing you a good and peaceful sleep and Tom a full recovery. take care Linn, love from your secret santa Pat xxx |
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23 Apr 04 - 10:36 AM (#1168968) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: pixieofdoom I'm so glad to hear that the surgery went well. Thinking of both of you hugs Pixie |
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23 Apr 04 - 12:57 PM (#1169114) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Carly I am so glad to hear Tom is doing fine. I have your mantra firmly in my head, Linn. Everything is going to be okay. Today is my birthday, and I have put in an order that only good things may happen. I am embarrassed to relate that it took this thread for me to realize that Tom and Linn are Curmudgeon and Bat Goddess! Makes me wonder how many more folks I know are lurking behind Mudcat names!You are both in my thoughts and prayers. Carly Gewirz |
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24 Apr 04 - 07:36 AM (#1169626) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess I'll pass on everyone's recent good wishes as soon as Tom's ready to hear them. I think yesterday was probably his most uncomfortable day because they were really making him work -- off the vent but still plenty of tubes, having to lie more or less still for quite a while to keep things from bleeding, then into a chair, breathing exercises, "the cough" -- very painful but very necessary. Lots of drugs, I suppose, but he was still very very uncomfortable. Don't know how much of yesterday he was actually taking in or would remember. But he moaned a lot. They enlisted me, too, as combination cheerleader and drill sergeant. (As well as just being there, giving him ice chips when he wanted them, snagging a nurse, etc.) He got a nice Reiki massage right when he really needed to be distracted; she'd been trying to find him more or less without company for several days, but her timing yesterday was perfect. He'll probably be moved from the ICU to the step down unit this morning. Since they didn't want me there getting in the way until noon or later, I finally had a chance to do all (well, not ALL) the stuff that still has to be done even if parts of your life is on hold -- picking up jobs at the printer for a client, laundry, post office. Didn't get the litter box changed; maybe this morning. Laundry's drying right now. After I saw Tom yesterday afternoon, I had to head back into Portsmouth to pick up mail from the post office across the street from The Press Room. Friends had insisted I stop there before going home so they could feed me -- and make sure I ate! (And poured a black and tan and a Jamieson's down my gullet -- for medicinal relaxation purposes only.) Boy is my brain fried -- I even flubbed words in "Aunt Clara"! Took me longer to extricate myself and finally reach the ol' homestead cuz more people kept needing to be updated. Well, I got five hours of sleep last night -- I really wish the body & brain would let me sleep past 5 a.m. Linn |
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24 Apr 04 - 07:46 AM (#1169634) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: bbc Linn, I'm glad Tom has you & I'm glad you still have him. Take a minute, now & then, to be good to yourself, so you'll be in shape to be good to him. Best to both! love, Barbara |
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24 Apr 04 - 10:58 AM (#1169707) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Amos Hang int here, lass!! You'll make it!! Breathe in....THEN breathe out. A |
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24 Apr 04 - 12:08 PM (#1169751) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Quick revision -- I talked to the ICU about 45 minutes ago (about 11 a.m.) -- he's doing well and the chest drain is out, etc. but they're not in any hurry to move him to the step down unit. He just had a chest x-ray and they're waiting for the results from that -- he's not doing the coughing or the breathing exercises well enough to make them (or me) happy. I'll go in to the hospital after I wrap up a few things around the house and I'LL put the fear of the Lord into him! He's GOT to cough, GOT to do the breathing workout, or he's in danger of pneumonia, a longer stay in the hospital, slower recovery period, the always-there possibility of picking up one of the bugs that lurk at hospitals, etcet etcet. Dammit! If he's not willing to go through the pain for his own sake, I'll damned well make him do it for ME! I've been doing plenty of things lately that aren't particularly fun but have to be done -- now it's his turn. (Uh, do you think I should bring the whip?) Linn |
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24 Apr 04 - 12:53 PM (#1169764) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: SINSULL Linn, I still have one cat o' nine tails left. It's yours if you want it but I think Tom's roomies might object. He really does have to cough and do the breathing exercises. Don't make me come down there and pound on his back! And you: GET SOME REST. The last thing you need right now is a cold. Eat, sleep, and sit down with a cup of tea or glass of wine. Let yourself unwind. Give Tom my love. Mary |
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24 Apr 04 - 01:06 PM (#1169770) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Stilly River Sage Fear of pain or fear of reopening some surgical wound is probably holding him back from coughing as hard or often as he should. Find someone who can reassure him (Kendall, send a post, please!) that he won't come apart. That it gets easier. I had a similar problem after some surgery--fear that the trip to the restroom was going to be so painful that I considered letting them reinstall the catheter as they offered. My ex, who had also experienced lower abdominal surgery, came into the room and said "Good Luck" in a way that sounded snotty, so I said so. He said "No, no, I didn't mean it that way. I meant that it won't be as bad as you're afraid of, if you'll just relax." He was right, and I'm glad he took the time to tell me, because I'd have been a lot more uncomfortable with the catheter and possible infection those can bring on. So someone in the know about recovery from this kind of surgery needs to share information with Curmudgeon right now when he really needs it. For whatever reason, at times like this we don't believe the doctors, but we do believe our friends. SRS |
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24 Apr 04 - 01:55 PM (#1169811) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: catspaw49 I disagree. He needs a grreat post-op nurse. The best of them are kinda' "tough love" specialists. I know exactly where he's at right now and it's not great. Everything you do requires help from someone and you're drugged to boot so you can't keep things totally straight, although you think you are. If he's anything like me or most of us, he wants to be in control and not doing something is a way of taking control. Enter the tough nurse. I wanted to kill that bitch at the time. She wouldn't let up and she wouldn't quit and dammit to hell, she was always there it seemed. The only way I could get rid of her and take control of my life was to do what she wanted and BY GOD I WAS GOING TO SHOW HER!!!!! Fucjin' bitch can't treat me like that!!! I'll show her some gawddam coughing!!! Get on him hard.....He should have stepped down by now. In one of my surgeries Karen got mad at me and it was awful. Told me she was giving up. She'd had it and if I didn't care than neither did she. Post-op is a strange time and that feeling of being invalided and helpless when you are used to control can be really awful. Make him believe the only way to get control is to do better. Challenge him to the point of demeaning him. It works........ask a lot of post op nurses who work the higher risk and longer surgeries. Spaw |
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24 Apr 04 - 03:30 PM (#1169871) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Stilly River Sage Well said, 'spaw--and the kind of information he needs. SRS |
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24 Apr 04 - 04:24 PM (#1169902) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Sonnet Still sending love and light to the pair of you. Give Mort a tickle behind the ear for me, Linn. love, Jay xxx |
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24 Apr 04 - 05:32 PM (#1169954) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: katlaughing Linn, this is from Giac (Mary), who says "just 'cause we had surgery the same day, doesn't mean you had to one-up me, Tom!" (She was home on Friday, but has a tough time sitting at the computer right now.) Take care and make him listen to Spaw! love & light still coming your way... kat |
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24 Apr 04 - 07:02 PM (#1170008) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Alba Linn. Look at the pendulam..see how it moves from side to side, your eyes are growing heavy......now I want you to think of sleeping till 8.00am...a long restful, calming sleep. When I count to three you will wake up and not remember what I told you but you will have a bloody good sleep tonight:>) It's hard to let go, even in sleep, with the mind turning. Sleep will come Darlin and I wish my hypnosis thingy would work but.....hey!I'm just a daft Musician in the Backwoods of Maine lol Blessings and Love to Tom and to you Linn ma Dear. Giac(Our Mary) is having some healing issues also. So two Candles for that tonight and one for Strength for you Linn. White light always shining.. Love Jude |
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24 Apr 04 - 07:43 PM (#1170040) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess All righty then -- When I got to the ICU this afternoon I found out all the Adventures in Healing that Tom had been having since I had last been updated around 11 this morning. At that time, they'd given him another chest x-ray but hadn't yet interpreted the results. Turns out he was having some lung function problems (hence he really had reasons for not doing well with either the coughing or the breathing exercises), so they ended up putting in a couple lung tubes. (Geez, he gets rid of the chest drain this morning and they replace it with two more tubes in early afternoon.) They also gave him a temporary pacemaker -- it may turn out that he'll need one permanently. NOW he can cough and, having been assured that his insides wouldn't fly apart, he'd been having some good productive gurgly coughs. (But tonight when I call to say goodnight, I'll read Spaw's comments to him.) I had to wait in the lounge again when he asked to sit up more and they moved him to a chair so he could order dinner. The breathing tech was with him when I got back and had given him a refresher course in the tube he's got to inhale and exhale into and was giving him a decent workout on the other breathing dealie. (I think that's a technical term.) Anyway, since the lung work this morning, his performance was improving. I probably won't need the whip. Around 5 p.m. he had his first real food since dinner before the surgery. His voice is still hoarse and quiet from the vent and it's hard sometimes to understand him as a result -- maybe that's why his dinner order got screwed up, not badly, but a bit askew. At least tonight I can call him around 8:30 and say goodnight -- that's been one of the hardest things for me the last few nights. After all, last Thursday night was the first night in 23 years that I'd been alone in the house without him. We've been apart other times, of course, and he's spent nights in the house without ME, but that was a first for me -- and when we've been apart, at least we were able to talk to each other until the night of the surgery and last night. A little later he asked to go back into the bed and since they kick me out to move him, I chose that time to head home with a detour to the laundromat to do a huge bag of laundry. I've got a lot of household stuff to get caught up on before he gets home. (He's never been able to stand seeing me do housework while he's around, so now's my chance -- and before anyone makes any smart remarks about that, he's done 99% of the cooking since we met, most of the grocery shopping, and a substantial amount of the laundry and tasks like litterbox emptying, etc. I do most of the decorating, cleaning and yard and garden work.) Don't know when exactly he'll get out of the ICU into the step down unit, but it won't be tonight, so if anyone's planning on visiting tomorrow, please call first to see if he'll be available for visitation. Gotta go feed and insulate the cat and then maybe feed myself. (No, DEFINITELY feed myself. Got designs on a bottle of retsina. Haven't had any in a long time and a friend made a pile of spanokopita for me and I've got salad fixin's in the fridge. Maybe a relaxing movie, too, tonight. I'm trying, I really am!) Linn |
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24 Apr 04 - 10:08 PM (#1170120) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Uncle Jaque Well gosh; I'm way behind the times as usual. Just popped in here to check the headlines, and it looks like the worst is over and ol' Tom's in the home stretch here; it is good to see the outpouring of direct and spiritual support for another member of the Mudcat "Family" who is going over a rough section of road along their journey. It seems like we are just breathing a sigh or relief and saying our "Amens" and "Thank You's" for Kendall's successful restoration when another member of the crew has to go in to the shop for an overhaul! We'll be checking in a little more frequently for a while here for updates, and you will both be in my thoughts & prayers during the recovery ordeal. Was just thinking of you Saturday Lynn, as I was picking some shards of slate out of the dump to carve - wondering if you were still interested in that stuff. I reckon you'll have your hands full enough for a while yet! Did you ever get in touch with my Brother in Law up in Brunswick about the job-search? After all of the gory details about what cardiac surgery entails, i think I'll just adhere to my current policy of quietly thinking "Cool!" whenever I get those occasional substernal twinges that radiate down the left arm and/or up the jaw. Oh yes; after 15 years as an EMT on the local Rescue Unit, I know exactly what those are all about. If no one is around, i sometimes drop down and knock out about 25 pushups to see if we can't just get it over with. No luck so far. It is a blessing to know that Friend Tom has so much to live for, as he is so obviously loved - and by all indications is going to be allowed to enjoy that blessing for some time to come. Praise be! |
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24 Apr 04 - 10:21 PM (#1170128) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Janie Yeah Linn, it is essential that you take care of yourself now. Continue to keep both Tom and you in my prayers. Janie |
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24 Apr 04 - 10:45 PM (#1170142) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Wow, Uncle Jaque, yeah, will need some slate prolly in the more or less near future to practice on; and for a few weeks, at least, will have to stick pretty close to Tom (don't tell Employment Security). Been so worried about Tom for so long and that kept me from some of the creative things I wanted/needed to do, like practicing the slate cutting. Fud Benson gave me some great tools and I've had some instruction from Doug Coffin and have some really good books as source material. Now I just need to spend some time actually cutting letterforms. No, I have to admit, I haven't actually contacted your brother-in-law. I've got all the info on the desktop, and his website is still under construction, but mostly the worry, etc. about Tom has kept me from getting a lot of stuff done, and I had been negotiating through multiple interviews with a local publishing company that ended up not only not hiring me, but not hiring anybody -- they changed their mind as to what they were looking for. Since the editorial gig also involved scheduling and traffic, gawd, I should put this experience with all the financial, medical, etcet etcet planning on my resume -- I TOLD them I could do it!!! Hey, this experience directly relates to job skills and maybe some printer, publisher, research company, etcet etcet will figure that out. Well, quickie update here, too. I called Tom about 8:15 and he was in the middle of a breathing therapy workout, so I had to call back about 20 minutes later. He was pretty sleepy at that point, but I read him Catspaw's most recent post and congratulated him on what a good job he's been doing since they figured out the lung problems. I think he's getting a lot better sleep than I've been. I just poured myself another snifter of orange brandy liqueur and I'm going back upstairs to watch more Rick Steves travel videos until I can fall asleep. I'll continue to try to sleep past 5 a.m. . . . Linn |
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25 Apr 04 - 01:01 AM (#1170197) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Stilly River Sage Hey, Linn, I spent several hours out in the front yard digging up flower beds (I've discovered that "No Till" beds, with newspaper and mulch are really "Mulch now, Till later" beds). I'm going to sleep tonight! Get some fresh air and heavy lifting in, even a few minutes, and maybe that will help with the sleep. Good luck to both of you! SRS |
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25 Apr 04 - 08:04 AM (#1170348) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess I tried -- when I first looked at the clock I though I'd gotten 7 hours of sleep, but on second glance, it was only 6. Ah well. Wish I had time for the yard and garden work that needs to be done right now. I managed to pull the leaf mulch off a couple areas so the goldenrod colored crocuses could poke their heads through. Daffs are about ready to pop -- up and down the driveway. Can't find the winter aconite. Other stuff on the bank is blooming or about to. Yard work would guarantee 8 hours of sleep -- but, then again, probably not being in crisis mode would, too. Sigh. It's about time for me to be able to call the ICU. Linn |
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25 Apr 04 - 05:46 PM (#1170682) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Just got home from the hospital. He's doing a lot better since they put in the lung drains yesterday -- he's doing the cough and it's working and he's getting someplace with the breathing therapy, etc. Right after I got there, the physical therapist got him up from the chair to do some stepping in place -- he's hooked up to so many things, it takes too long to unhook him to take him for a walk. But he wasn't winded or anything afterwards and she figures she's going to have to be the brake or he could overdo himself without realizing it. Actually he must be doing pretty well because they let a friend into the ICU this afternoon (after asking Tom if it was OK) and they don't usually let non-relatives in to visit. I surprised him when I told him it was Sunday, then he went over the chronology in his head, asking for verification of when the surgery was, etc. He said he was missing a day. I said, "Uh huh -- Friday. Remember yesterday I told you all about Friday cuz you didn't remember a thing -- and a good thing, too!" Just before I left, the nurse came in to disconnect the temporary pacemaker to see how the heart works without it. They'll probably move him to the step down unit sometime tomorrow. Jeri and I went over to Dover this morning to bring Tom's car home from Wentworth Douglass -- and ran into traffic congestion and detours because of a bike race. Linn (now going upstairs to reply to all the phone messages left on the machine; sigh. I'll get a bath & therapy sometime . . .) |
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25 Apr 04 - 06:29 PM (#1170703) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Jeri I could look for 'Bedpans Away', but I suspect he's past that. Maybe he should have his own shanty. I bid farewell to the pretty young nurse Way, hey, blow the ball up I saw who was comin' and stifled a curse One more damned time to blow the ball up I really hoped I'd be restin' my eyes Way, hey, blow the ball up The therapist says "time for your excercise" One more damned time to blow the ball up Inhale then exhale so steady and slow Way, hey, blow the ball up Make it stay at the line, not above or below One more damned time to blow the ball up Blow the ball up, Tommy, blow the ball up Way, hey, blow the ball up Don't get confused and, by mistake, suck One more damned time to blow the ball up Will go see him whenever he's moved and would like visitors. |
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25 Apr 04 - 06:40 PM (#1170716) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg LINN. Go to bed, now please. ~Susan |
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25 Apr 04 - 07:54 PM (#1170765) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Charley Noble Good work, Jeri! Nothing like a good working shanty to get folks back in shape. I was wondering if I could work up a parody of "Pump Shanty." Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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25 Apr 04 - 11:42 PM (#1170859) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Janie Oh Jeri. You outdid yourself! Linn, you don't HAVE to return phone calls. Or to post here, for that matter, unless, of course, you just want to. Focus on your top priorities and don't sweat the other stuff. You are probably getting alot of "Let me know if I can do anything to help." The answer is "Wow, thanks. As a matter of fact there are a couple of things that people could help with...." (light garden chores, fielding phone calls, laundry, etc.) People really do want to help at times like this. Let them. It builds community. Like Susan said--go to bed. Sleep tight. Sweet dreams. Good night. Janie |
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26 Apr 04 - 05:44 AM (#1171031) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Yes! Linn, learn to say "Yes!" (BTW, lots of folks were asking after Tom and you at NEFFA) Allison |
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26 Apr 04 - 06:25 AM (#1171046) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Joybell Still sending happy thoughts over the ocean. Glad that things are going so well. Joy |
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26 Apr 04 - 07:19 AM (#1171070) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Well, speaking of bath and therapy -- I slept through calling Tom at 8:30 last night because of said bath and therapy. The pressing phone call was my mother who got worried when she called the hospital, found he was still in the ICU, I wasn't there -- probably had just gone home or something, wasn't in the waiting room, wasn't at home. So I got her squared away, ate (see, I DO eat, even if someone isn't there to watch me -- and I've got cheese crackers with peanut butter in the car), fed cats and insulated Mort, poured myself a glass of wine, washed my hair and got into the tub. Finished the book I was reading (only a couple pages) and started a new bathtub book and realized I was really, really sleepy. Got out and thought I'd catch a nap before calling Tom to say goodnight. Uh uh -- didn't wake up til 10:30, way too late to call Tom. Went downstairs to turn off lights and the computer, and went back to sleep. I was again awake at 5:15 -- but by then had racked up about 10 hours of sleep. Good -- cuz the list was made before six and there's a lot on it. Linn |
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26 Apr 04 - 09:20 AM (#1171177) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Whew, it's been a full day already and I haven't even gotten dressed yet. Talked to Tom early this morning and they had already taken the lung drains out and the pacemaker was still disconnected. He's set to get out of the ICU as soon as they find an empty room for him in step down. Just had a delightful call from Micca who caught me up to my elbows in cat doo-doo. I had just emptied the litter box (in the rain, of course) and cleaned it and thought it was about time to shovel out the spot between the washer & dryer that the cats like when they get finicky or someone's used the litter box before them. Well, Micca snapped me out of my shit shoveling mood ASAP and left me laughing. Right now I need to finish up a few things around here, get dressed and make all the stops I have to make before seeing Tom (including taking a sheaf of papers to the patient advocate). Later, Linn |
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26 Apr 04 - 10:06 AM (#1171227) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: katlaughing 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! |
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26 Apr 04 - 10:12 AM (#1171236) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Stilly River Sage 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! |
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26 Apr 04 - 10:16 AM (#1171244) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: GUEST,winterbright 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 |
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26 Apr 04 - 01:54 PM (#1171455) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: JudyB 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 |
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26 Apr 04 - 05:21 PM (#1171655) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Jeri 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. |
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26 Apr 04 - 06:43 PM (#1171723) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess 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 |
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26 Apr 04 - 09:49 PM (#1171827) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: bbc Keep up the good work, Linn. I wish we could give more practical help! Barbara |
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27 Apr 04 - 05:52 AM (#1172059) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Big Mick Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Linn. The both of you are always in my thoughts. Give Tom my very best regards. Mick |
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27 Apr 04 - 07:19 AM (#1172106) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: jacqui.c I'm a long way from there, but you are both under surveillance. (Kendall) |
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27 Apr 04 - 07:46 AM (#1172125) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess 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. |
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27 Apr 04 - 07:47 AM (#1172126) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Alba 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 |
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27 Apr 04 - 08:16 PM (#1172799) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: KathWestra 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 |
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27 Apr 04 - 08:49 PM (#1172827) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Jeri ...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. |
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27 Apr 04 - 10:00 PM (#1172873) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: SINSULL Big deep breaths, Linn. I will call Friday. Mary |
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28 Apr 04 - 06:05 AM (#1173055) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess 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 |
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28 Apr 04 - 07:06 AM (#1173084) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: bbc 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 |
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28 Apr 04 - 08:12 AM (#1173123) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess 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 |
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28 Apr 04 - 10:52 AM (#1173155) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Partridge I'm so glad everythings going well. Take care Linn and know I'm thinking of you, love Pat xx |
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28 Apr 04 - 11:18 AM (#1173180) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: John MacKenzie Yaaay GO TOM!!! John |
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28 Apr 04 - 03:04 PM (#1173386) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Sonnet Linn - So glad that Tom's making progress. love and hugs, Jay xxx |
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28 Apr 04 - 04:06 PM (#1173443) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Hollowfox 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 |
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28 Apr 04 - 05:29 PM (#1173502) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: SINSULL Good news, Linn. Has he sneezed yet? Mary |
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28 Apr 04 - 05:57 PM (#1173533) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess 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 |
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28 Apr 04 - 06:07 PM (#1173538) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bill D 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. |
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28 Apr 04 - 06:53 PM (#1173569) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Jeri 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. |
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28 Apr 04 - 07:19 PM (#1173588) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: AllisonA(Animaterra) 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 |
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28 Apr 04 - 08:17 PM (#1173635) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Alba 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 |
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28 Apr 04 - 09:00 PM (#1173658) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Janie Glad to hear Tom is continuing to improve. Now go be good to yourself! Janie |
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28 Apr 04 - 10:08 PM (#1173695) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Charley Noble 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 |
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29 Apr 04 - 07:11 AM (#1173928) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess 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 |
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29 Apr 04 - 01:48 PM (#1174222) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess 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 |
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29 Apr 04 - 03:00 PM (#1174295) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: GUEST,MMario Both items of news good to "hear"! |
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29 Apr 04 - 09:46 PM (#1174556) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess 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 |
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29 Apr 04 - 09:59 PM (#1174564) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg Where the heck can I get friends like that? ~S~ |
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29 Apr 04 - 10:24 PM (#1174577) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Alba 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 |
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30 Apr 04 - 11:10 AM (#1174996) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: RoyH (Burl) 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 |
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30 Apr 04 - 12:41 PM (#1175105) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess 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 |
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30 Apr 04 - 01:35 PM (#1175148) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Tyler 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 |
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30 Apr 04 - 05:50 PM (#1175337) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Jeri 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. |
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30 Apr 04 - 08:30 PM (#1175433) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess 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 |
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30 Apr 04 - 11:21 PM (#1175541) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bill D 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! |
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01 May 04 - 04:07 AM (#1175636) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: John MacKenzie Bill it is a pacemaker not a metronome, which everybody knows is a vertically challenged person on the Paris subway. John |
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01 May 04 - 05:29 AM (#1175664) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Naemanson 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 |
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01 May 04 - 11:40 AM (#1175852) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess 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 |
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01 May 04 - 12:24 PM (#1175891) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Charley Noble 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. |
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01 May 04 - 12:42 PM (#1175912) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg 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 |
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01 May 04 - 01:26 PM (#1175940) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: AllisonA(Animaterra) 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 |
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01 May 04 - 02:14 PM (#1175984) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: annamill 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 |
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01 May 04 - 03:25 PM (#1176048) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Alba 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 |
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01 May 04 - 04:25 PM (#1176074) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: catspaw49 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 |
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01 May 04 - 04:51 PM (#1176082) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess He's BAAAAAACK!!! Got home about 15 minutes ago -- I've been schlepping stuff in from the car, mostly those great floral arrangements and plants. I thought the flowers he had while at Wentworth Douglass were great, but this most recent batch is stunning -- and they're all designed by Flora Ventures in Newmarket, NH where a friend works. Stopped at the grocery store on the way home so Tom could get in another walk on a level surface. (Not likely on the roads around our house.) Oh, and we had to stop off at the pharmacy on the way home. Uh huh. Some of the prescriptions were fairly inexpensive. Problem is, the others . . . weren't. Talk about sticker shock. Some of them may be able to be back billed through Avis Goodwin, but they're not open on weekends and he HAD to have the meds today. Ah well. I'll be up to my eyeballs in paperwork for some time. When Tom went in to the hospital, it was still winter. Today he was overjoyed to see the forsythia blooming, the trees leafing out, flowers all over the place. And he didn't need the jacket that was still in the car -- it was around 90. It's sooooooo great to have him home! Linn |
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01 May 04 - 05:37 PM (#1176100) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: catspaw49 .......uh. yeah.....................meds....................Kinda' forgot to mention that....................sorry................... Heart meds are all over the board in terms of price. Most Docs are pretty good about recognizing a patient's financial situation and trying other combinations and of course generic stuff as well. Some meds are very cheap and others, as you found out, are not. Talk to the Docs and lay ouut your situation. I am extremely lucky to have insurance that covers drugs and I can get a THREE month supply of anything (literally, anything, no matter the cost) for fifteen bucks. Some plans are available even after surgeries or diagnosed conditions like Tom's that can save you something. Considering what we pay, it makes you wonder just how much markup there is in the stuff! Good luck in getting things worked out. Spaw |
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01 May 04 - 05:51 PM (#1176114) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Remember the missing cat, Creamsicle? Shows how much I've been sitting around the table in the center of the house. Tom was resting in his usual chair and heard cat noises at the cellar door. He called me to investigate, I opened the door and immediately walked back around the corner (figuring she's too shy of the Giants to come out even though she hasn't eaten anything since the day before Tom's surgery). Little pale head and big eyes peeped around the door. I put food in the kitchen place, but she wouldn't come for it until I left the vicinity. She and her sister Banjo were born feral and come from a long line of ferals. They've been living very cushy under our roof, being fed, given treats, etcet etcet -- and they refuse to be touched; we're the giants. They need nobody -- cat or human -- except each other (although Banjo is very fond of Mortimer). Sigh. Linn |
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01 May 04 - 08:20 PM (#1176194) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Naemanson Good to hear you are home Tom! Now, read and then re-read everything Spaw said. And remember to get plenty of rest. You will start to feel better and want to take on some projects. Use that time to ignore the projects and just move around a little. If you stat something you may find that you run out of oomph before you run out of project. Don't sit too long but don't work too hard either. Oh, and keep on loving that woman because she is something special. You are so lucky to have her to share lives with. |
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02 May 04 - 01:37 PM (#1176399) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: John MacKenzie Yes Tom welcome home from me too, isn't it great to be snug in your own nest? Didn't I hear something about drugs being cheaper in Canada? That's not too far from your neck of the woods, and we do have a few tame Muddies up that way, maybe things can be done. Anyway keep on keeping on mate, let Linn look after you, I'm sure she's real pleased just to have you there to care for. John |
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02 May 04 - 03:47 PM (#1176460) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: katlaughing This is a wonderful outcome!!! So very, very glad for you both, Tom and Linn. Take care of each other and remember to breathe!**bg** luvyakat & Rog |
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02 May 04 - 04:21 PM (#1176482) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: KathWestra Hooray. Lots of love and continued blessings to you both. Listen to Dr. Pat--he knows whereof he speaks. And continue to get weller and weller. XO Kathy |
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02 May 04 - 05:00 PM (#1176513) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: JudyB Linn - Thanks for the update on Creamsicle - I had wondered, but didn't want to ask. Isn't it great to have the whole pack back together under one roof! Thanks again for keeping us updated, and we're hoping to see you both in a couple of weeks at the shanty session at the Press Room. JudyB |
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02 May 04 - 05:08 PM (#1176521) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Tom and I both got 8 hours of good sleep last night -- great to have him next to me again! I was a bit worried about the cats possibly leaping onto his chest in the middle of the night, but he clutched his pillow to his chest, which warded off anything that needed to be warded off. I fed him eggs florentine for breakfast and he walked around a bit and investigated seating and lounging possibilities in the main living area -- our house can be sort of like camping. I not only worked out a chart for his meds, figuring out when each had to be taken, including the antibiotic which conflicts with two other meds, and got them organized into a nice little compartmented box I bought cheap at the pharmacy yesterday because it's advertising for them. Just as we were planning a market trip for a few odds and ends and a good walk for Tom, the visiting nurse called and wanted directions -- she was on her way over. I think she had to spend more time on paperwork than actually listening to his heart, examining his incision, and taking various readings. Again, I think she was impressed with our organization -- because he was released from the hospital on the weekend, we've got to call all his doctors tomorrow to verify appointments, etc. and Tom has a list of questions for several. We finally got to the store, accomplished our mission, Tom had a nice walk both in the open air and inside, and we turned around and came home. He's doing great -- I'M exhausted! Fixed lunch at home, put groceries away, made a couple phone calls, received a couple phone calls . . . turned the ringer off on the upstairs phone and I took a nap.Tom was comfortably ensconsed in a chair downstairs, phone in hand while listening to the radio. I got in a two hour nap and now, still very sleepy, I'm about to take a real bath at the regularly scheduled time for the first time in over two weeks. I have (at least on the weekend) a lot less running around to do right now and I think my adrenalin level has dropped. Later, Linn |
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02 May 04 - 05:15 PM (#1176529) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg Linn, the adrenaline is very important. To avoid a depression or illness later, it would be a good idea to add 400 mg of pantothenic acid now (B5 I think), taken in divided doses, with a little added calcium. So glad everything is looking good and working well! ~Susan |
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02 May 04 - 07:23 PM (#1176563) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess WYSIWYG -- Good idea; I'll add it to the supplements I'm already taking. A nap -- what a concept! I don't generally nap well, but I certainly did today. Needed it and grabbed a slow time to do it. Had phone calls I had wanted to make, but they'll get done -- just not today. Just got out of a nice bubble bath with a pinot grigio and an interesting but mindless book. Came downstairs just in time to take over dinner prep from Tom who realized he's actually done a bit too much -- a few too many ups and downs. It's all rest from here in, tonight. All the rest of the "work" -- serving food, insulating Mort, etc. -- I'll take care of. Later, Linn |
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02 May 04 - 08:31 PM (#1176591) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: SINSULL Welcome home, Tom but for god's sake do NOT go down the basement. Not sure you're up to a week without food and water. Love, Mary |
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02 May 04 - 09:21 PM (#1176615) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Aw, c'mon Sins -- I really WOULD notice if Tom went missing in the cellar, especially if I'd had a nap and all. Besides, the visiting nurses would remind me . . . at least after a coupla days. Linn |
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02 May 04 - 09:42 PM (#1176620) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: bbc Boy, I go away for the weekend & big stuff happens! Tom, I'm so glad you're home. Now, you can rest! best to both, Barbara |
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02 May 04 - 09:53 PM (#1176624) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Janie Linn, I don't know what your finanacial situation is, but log onto rxassist.org. (NOT rxassist.COM!!!) Click Search. Ignore disclaimer and click Search again. See if any of his meds are available through drug company patient assistance programs. If you qualify financially the drug companies will send Tom's doctor(s) the meds for Tom gratis, or for a small ($5.00) co-pay. The programs vary alot by company, but for many of them you can download the application, complete your part and then take it to the MD to complete and mail. I work in a public mental health clinic and use these programs alot to obtain meds for our clients, but many physicians in private practice or in hospital based practices don't ever think of these programs. Hope this site proves helpful. Janie |
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03 May 04 - 09:58 AM (#1176859) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess As Tom just said, "There are no bad days" but today is, I think, a mediocre one. Tom had trouble falling asleep last night, so ended up sleeping very little. I slept, I'm sure of it, but I am sooooo sleepy and exhausted today that I have trouble believing it. Maybe it's just all catching up on me. Tried to nap around 8 a.m., but it wouldn't take. I have a couple physically demanding (litter box emptying?!?) things to do today, but mostly just phone calls, taking Tom for his walk around the store (and picking up a few things at the pharmacy -- not prescriptions, thank goodness!), and then a drive to Dover to pick up some forms that I have to submit tomorrow. While emptying the litter box, I tugged out some of the grass growing in between the bricks encircling the sundial garden, and put some leaves on the compost pile. Discovered that we didn't lose the bonica rose that I transplanted last summer and thought had died! And the feverfew has expanded. But I think I lost the older sage plants in the half barrel to the extreme cold in January despite the mulch. Gotta go; maybe a nap will happen anyway. Linn |
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03 May 04 - 10:01 AM (#1176863) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: karen k There's another website that will give you patient assistance programs as well. It's called NeedyMeds I'm so glad Tom is home and doing well. We missed you both at NEFFA. Take care and be well. karen |
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03 May 04 - 10:32 AM (#1176886) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: CET Hooray from Charmion and me! It's great to know Tom is back home. I'm sure you're glad to get Creamsicle back. I thought the little beast was so wild that she wouldn't come back once she saw the great blue yonder. Edmund |
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03 May 04 - 10:53 AM (#1176893) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Just finished putting a new notch in Tom's belt so it won't hang loosely in front of his pants. (He lost 50 pounds.) Found the blood pressure machine behind the little chest of drawers in the bathroom cubby. Pain in the a----- to get out, but also found a spray thingy of "Perm Fresh" -- uh, I haven't had a perm for well over five years. (And found a huge bag of cotton balls.) Edmund! Creamsicle wasn't in the wild blue yonder -- she was locked in the damp dark cellar for 10 days. Banjo and Creamsicle are not the brightest of cats. She didn't look emaciated (or act hungry enough to brave the food dish while "Giants" were in view) so she must have caught some small woodland creatures while she was down there. And there are probably still some puddles left from the spring torrent that comes through the north side of the foundation and leaves via the door on the downhill side of the house so she had something to drink (or at least lick). Linn |
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03 May 04 - 06:36 PM (#1177205) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess A friend brought over a jar of homemade no salt added chicken stock that he made last night and I'm in the process of converting it to chicken vegetable soup right now. It hasn't stopped, you know. We were on the phone all morning and were out all afternoon picking up forms that neet to go to Portsmouth tomorrow, getting some information and things straightened out at Tom's primary care doctor's, etc. And Tom worked in a chance to stop where he works and see everybody. He's doing great; I'm exhausted. And the brain still wakes up making lists and working out the day's schedule. Sigh. Linn |
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03 May 04 - 07:15 PM (#1177247) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Jeri And Tom did show up at work today, and folks were very glad to see him. I heard applause coming from the room next door, and didn't know why. A bit later, someone indicated I should turn around, and there was Tom! (We applauded too.) Although he's skinny, he looks a whole lot perkier than he has for quite a while. |
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03 May 04 - 07:26 PM (#1177257) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg Linn, what is the one thought or thing that would release you into real rest? Could you let someone else take complete charge of all the details and concerns for about 12 hours? Not the DOING, as much as the being in charge of all the thinking? Could you let Jeri, for instance, stand guard while you let go? ~Susan |
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03 May 04 - 09:41 PM (#1177362) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Unfortunately, all the stuff that needs to be done right now, needs to be done by me. I'd delegate if I could. Jeri's working full time, O/T & Saturdays (as Tom would be if he hadn't landed in the hospital for the valve job, new battery & starter, and a bit of a tune-up) so even if she could do any of it, she's not available. Actually, Tom CAN help with the phone calling, etc. but mostly I'm the one filling out forms, tracking down more documentation for photocopying, more sources for assistance, etcet etcet. It's tedious, but it's got to be done and, again, not really something I can delegate. Tom's not at the stage yet where he can go up and down the stairs more than a couple times a day, so that takes some planning. He can't drive for 4-6 weeks after the surgery and he'll have a lot of follow-up doctor appointments. (But, hey, I made one for myself today to get something taken care of that I've put off for too long. One more thing checked off the list.) I was just really tired this morning, but had too many things to do to be able to just go back to bed. (Not that I can easily do that under the best of circumstances.) To be truly honest, I feel on the verge of feeling over-extended, rather than actually feeling over-extended. I get short with the cats but try not to get short with Tom when I'm interrupted in the middle of something. I don't want him to be afraid to ask me to do something that is too much for him. I organized his meds and now he deals with that, as well as taking his blood pressure and resting heart rate and doing his breathing exercises. I don't even have to think about it. A lot of the stress is the fact that I can't just take a day yet to under-react, although that day is in the foreseeable future -- this weekend, to be exact. A couple days of not really having to do anything except sing, listen to music, and be with friends -- and being driven there and back by another friend. (And Mortimer will be boarded at the vet.) A couple friends had brought food over the past couple weeks and the day Tom came home, so that was relief from some meal prep. He needs a higher protein diet than "normal" for the recovery period, so I'm indulging myself too in making eggs florentine for breakfast -- actually MY favorite comfort food. Tom made the curry last night, but let me serve it up and clean up because he realized he'd overdone a slight bit. Don't want that to happen. Oh, and I am still have some job hunting and some tasks still need to be fitted in and done. The world doesn't stop. A little earlier I was fantasizing about disembodied hands massaging my feet and calves. But to deal with a real person would be more than I'd want to cope with. I'm fitting a bit of lawn and garden work in during spare moments while doing something else, too. That's R&R -- especially if the sun's out. (Well, it was almost out this morning and it didn't start raining until we had to go places.) Still making lists, organizing our time, looking forward to this weekend (and a stop to say "hello" to Professor Child on the way there) -- trying to fit in some just plain nice things for both Tom and me. (Including friends stopping in for a few minutes and us dropping in on others for a few minutes of conversation -- and Tom's first Guinness since he landed in the hospital.) It WILL all get done, I'll stay healthy and Tom will be in better shape than he's been in years. I love you all -- thanks for your concern. Linn |
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03 May 04 - 09:55 PM (#1177372) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg Linn, I mean, what if you took a 12-hour break from the list making and brain work. I know the things that need to be done need to be done by you. But could you take a 12 hour break from planning it all? ~Susan |
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04 May 04 - 03:53 PM (#1177689) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: SINSULL Linn, I am recovering at home as well and can't drive. Maybe when Kendall gets back he can give me a ride down if only to amuse Tom for a while. The anaesthesia takes so much out of you. I will bet he opens his eyes ready to go then fades after breakfast. Make a list of things you need and I will get them for you and deliver this weekend. Mary |
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04 May 04 - 06:30 PM (#1177875) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess We'll be gone this weekend (Friday until Monday) -- our annual Mother's Day weekend escape to the world of singing and music and good friends and good conversation. We'll be driven to and from, Mort will be boarded at the vet's and all we'll have to do is sing, listen to music, etcet etcet. But until Friday we're confirming appointments, dropping off paperwork, seeing Visiting Nurses. Tom finally got his handicapped parking placard today after two trips to Motor Vehicles and a trip to one of his other doctors in the middle. Tom submitted the form for signature on April 12th -- his regular doctor's office lost it several times, couldn't find it when I went in to inquire, said they'd again look for it when I called again, yesterday when we were at the office they claimed it had been mailed and we'd definitely have it today. At noon it wasn't in the post office box. When I got out to Motor Vehicles, discovered that the photocopy they had given us ("just in case") didn't include the part with the doctor's signature. (Arghh!!!) Tried to explain it to the nice lady at Motor Vehicles -- who said nothin' doin' without signature from the doc, but she at least called the office. In the middle of all this, the associate from one of his cardiac doctors walked in to renew her license or register her car or something, saw the hassle, and filled out and signed the form for Tom. But they rejected it because she was a P.A. not an M.D. So . . . back in the car to drive to her office, get the office manager to fill out the form, stamp it with the doctor's signature stamp, etc. Back to Motor Vehicles. (Well, it's only about five miles . . .) Finally got the thing, temporary, good til October. I think there's a couple strands of hair I didn't pull out. By the way, l checked the PO box just before 5 this afternoon and the original form from the original doctor still wasn't there. Friday and the weekend is coming . . . Linn |
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04 May 04 - 06:37 PM (#1177887) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: wysiwyg Oh Linn, how wonderful-- a getaway! Just what the MudDocs ordered! ~S~ |
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04 May 04 - 07:37 PM (#1177942) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: curmudgeon Now, in this all to brief moment when Mudcat and I are both "up," allow me to express the most profound, profuse, and prolific "thank you" to all my great friends out there, both known and unknown. Never have I experienced such an outpouring of support, well-wishing, prayer, white light, whatever. As strenght and stamina return, I'll write more, especially by way of comparison with other afflictees. BTW, there are not enough words or thoughts in the cosmos to begin to describe what Linn has accomplished, suffered through, put up with, and achieved, so I won't try -- Tom |
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04 May 04 - 08:22 PM (#1177962) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Charley Noble Tom- Just give Linn a hug, if that's permitted at this time. Glad that you're up and around. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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04 May 04 - 08:29 PM (#1177971) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Alba Sooooooo Good to see you here Tom. You hit the nail on the head when you say Linn is.....well just bloody marvelous really lol. Your not so bad yourself though Tom! Guess you were both meant to be together right enough:>) Mend well and take it easy. Great to see your on the mend. Light, Blessings and Love to you Both Jude |
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05 May 04 - 03:04 AM (#1178199) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Naemanson Welcome home you old bearded bard. Pay close attention to your body for it will tell you when you are going too far. Have a great time this weekend! |
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05 May 04 - 10:22 AM (#1178478) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: McGrath of Harlow I've been lurking and reading this, and wondering at it all, and seeing the story unwind, and work out. The Mudcat is quite something at times. And it was lovely to see even people who at times might be at each others throats here, all part of a circle of support and encouragement. Here's a song I wrote about something else, but it seems to fit in here: Listen to your heart, hear it beating. Down there in the dark, never sleeping. Through lonely times and homely times, and times that are so fleeting, do you dare to listen to your heart? Do you dare to listen to your heart? Can you bear to listen to your heart? You listen to yourself when you listen to your heart. Do you dare to listen to your heart? Listen to your heart, can you bear to? Down there in the dark do you dare to? Through busy times and dizzy times and times when yiou are scared to, O so scared to listen to your heart. Are you scared to listen to your heart? Are you scared to listen to your heart? You listen to yourself when you listen to your heart. Do you dare to listen to your heart? Oh once I wore my heart on my shoulder. Once I played the part of a soldier - but now's no time for foolishness, the time for that is over - can you hear that whisper in your heart? Can you hear that whisper in your heart? Can you hear that whisper in your heart? You listen to yourself when you listen to your heart. Do you dare to listen to your heart? Listen to your heart, what it's saying, down there in the dark, day out and day in, through olden days, and golden days, and days you feel like praying, can you bear to listen to your heart? Can you bear to listen to your heart? Can you bear to listen to your heart? You listen to yourself when you listen to your heart. Do you dare to listen to your heart? |
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05 May 04 - 11:15 AM (#1178526) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: John MacKenzie Welcome back to the bosom of the family Tom, great to hear from you. Kevin [McGrath of Harlow] well done, any thoughts on a tune for it? John |
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06 May 04 - 07:43 AM (#1179304) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: KathWestra Dear Linn & Tom, I'll get to SEE you this weekend? Oh frabjous day. Wonderful news. Much love to you both, and real hugs very soon. Kathy |
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06 May 04 - 08:41 AM (#1179346) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Ayuh, Kath -- we'll be there!!! And, believe me, both of us need this particular weekend more than ever this year! I'll finish packing today, get the diabetic cat to the vet to be boarded early manana (I'm telling Mortimer he's going to camp for the weekend -- he doesn't believe me), and when our ride and Jeri get here, we'll be ready to roll. Tom'll have to stop and walk around every hour or so. And one of those stops will be to say 'hi' to Professor Child, of course. Probably won't have time to stop by Timothy Myrick's ("Springfield Mountain") grave in Wilbraham. Linn |
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08 May 04 - 07:35 PM (#1181418) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Naemanson By now they're all enjoying their time together at the festival. Linn, make sure to give us a report when you get home. |
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11 May 04 - 05:51 PM (#1183224) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess We had a GRAND time all weekend. All we had to do was sing or listen to music or talk with friends (or get neck rubs -- ooh, that was nice!) Didn't have to even THINK about filling out forms, or searching for more avenues of assistance, or making lists or insulating the cat or doing all the stuff we'd be doing or worrying about if we were home. Even the ride to and from was great -- listening to music, singing, riding in a very comfortable minivan (plus we stopped, as usual, at the Barrington Brewery for lunch). Well, today Tom had two medical appointments (with 3 different doctors within the same practice) -- first at York Hospital at noon and the second in Newington at 1:30. The good news is we both got a free lunch in the York Hospital cafeteria. The bad news is they called Dr. Cunningham (whom he was supposed to see at the other location -- he's the guy who put in the defibrillator) to look at him and he decided he wanted to keep Tom overnight at York Hospital for observation and to put him on an antibiotic drip. (Tom's heart rate was elevated, too.) But, of course, the good news is they are being very VERY careful and trying to head off at the pass any potential infection. He's in very good hands. And I should be able to bring him home tomorrow afternoon. (And, just as a sidebar, Tom will now be able to review the food and the nutritionists at THREE local hospitals.) I also get another set of paperwork to fill out and turn in with photocopies of every piece of paper in our lives. Sigh. (But the people who guide me through that sort of thing are very nice.) And I found out what a friend's office looks like (she's the health sciences librarian there). Linn |
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11 May 04 - 05:59 PM (#1183230) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Oh, Linn, it's just another bump in the road! I hope Tom sleeps tight tonight and that you are getting good sleep these days! I must have missed it somewhere in the thread, but where/what was the festival this weekend? Hang in there, dear one- warm thoughts continue to flow your way! Allison |
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11 May 04 - 08:19 PM (#1183321) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Not so much a festival as an invitational folk gathering (because space is limited). Tom's on the board of directors. There's music in every room, under every tree. Tom usually holds down the Curmudgeon's Corner on the porch -- where they solve the problems of the world. ( Thesecond thing Tom talked about in the ER at Wentworth Douglass Hospital back on April 15th was giving me the information to order the beer for this past weekend. (The first thing he said was that he wished Kendall was around to talk to -- Kendall was in England.) |
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11 May 04 - 08:27 PM (#1183328) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Oops -- last post got away from me (thank gawd it got posted!) before I was ready. Here's what was s'pozed to be: Not so much a festival as an invitational folk gathering (because space is limited). Tom's on the board of directors. There's music in every room, under every tree. Tom usually holds down the Curmudgeon's Corner on the porch -- where they solve the problems of the world. ( More problems of the world were solved when Jonathan Eberhardt held down the Curmudgeon's Corner.) Tom orders the beer. (This year I did while he was in the hospital -- on top of everything else. But THIS is IMPORTANT!!! ) Okay -- so tomorrow early I have to grab my documentation that we have no money and go to MY doctor's appointment -- then I can go and see if I can bring Tom home yet again. Linn |
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11 May 04 - 08:43 PM (#1183350) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Charley Noble Tom and Linn- Will we be seeing you both at the Press Room this Saturday for the Shanty Swap? Charley Noble |
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11 May 04 - 08:47 PM (#1183352) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: kendall I'm back, Tom, still wanna talk? These things take time, they are scary, but I believe if you make it through the operation, you will recover, and you have done. I'm still with you Mate. |
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11 May 04 - 08:57 PM (#1183357) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Naemanson News from home (to prove these things can be overcome) is that my dad, who had major surgery in January, has prepared the asparagus bed, started setting the garden in order, and has been walking in the back fields watching spring come in. If he can get through what he went through then I'm sure Tom will bounce back from this. Besides, music and laughter are the best medicines in the world and he is surrounded by musicians and comedians. |
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12 May 04 - 06:17 AM (#1183616) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Ayuh, Charley -- Tom will prolly be beating some sense into Friday night's session this week and be there in more or less full form on Saturday for the shanty sing. (Have to remember to start a reminder thread when I get him back from the hospital today.) Oh, the woman who wheeled Tom up to his room yesterday had been to the Friday session once and remembered me singing, if not Tom. Gave her a shanty session reminder card so she'll come again and hear Ramona sing. Linn |
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12 May 04 - 12:50 PM (#1183950) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Charley Noble We'll have to get Dick Dufresne to sing Gordon Bok's "Jericho" in Tom's honor, and for Kendall's 70th birthday commemoration: JERICHO (Gordon Bok 1992) When she's a tight old staver, Then do all you can to save her; When she drops her dear old transom, Time to pack your gear and leave her. CHORUS: Ho-ro the wind and snow, Flying o'er the Jericho, When the stormy winds do blow, Swing her off and let her go. Here's to her lodging knees And her bobstays, if you please, Here's to her trestle trees: May they never leave her.(CHO) When the fog is on the punkin And you hear the bells a'tunkin', Then remember Mama's warnin': Keep her off the rockpiles, darling.(CHO) Here's to the dear old lady, Here's to her paint and putty, Here's to her chainplates, darling, May they keep her all together.(CHO) Keep her full and keep her going, Never jibe her when it's blowing; There's no way of knowing When she's going to tear it, darling.(CHO) Don't you go down to the city, Tho the women all be pretty: They'll take your money, darling, Oh, and they'll reef your mainsail.(CHO) So here's to her garboard strakes, And to the water that she makes, When to the pumps we takes Just to let her know we loves her. (CHO) Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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12 May 04 - 06:51 PM (#1184231) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess Home again, home again, jiggity jig. Brought Tom home from York Hospital late this afternoon via the shore road and Kittery Harbor, where we stopped so he could get his walking in by walking the length of the pier, admiring Whaleback Light, the Ft. Constitution Lighthouse, the view of Fort McClary off to our right and general boat traffic in the mouth of the Piscataqua. Low tide, though. He almost had an ice cream crisis but the problem got worked out. The cats are whining but I got some pills this morning that should help me cope with the little things that have been pushing me to the edge. So all I have to do is find some time around Tom's doctor's appointment tomorrow to make all the phone calls that have to be made and we weren't around during business hours today to make and to square away a snag that seems to have developed in one application process. These agencies don't seem to realize that I'm juggling more than just their app and the piles of documentation that has to be submitted with it. Arghh!!! Well, off to feed said cat (and also my darlin' Tom -- after 24 years of him cooking for me, I'm finally cooking for him). Linn |
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12 May 04 - 07:28 PM (#1184253) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Alba Hang in there Linn. It must be Hellish with all the Paperwork ect. Tell them that your nursing your Husband back to Health and that you could be doing with some Help......You are only one Person... they are many! Glad that Tom is back Home safe and sound. Sea Air heals for sure. Me thinks that a quiet weekend for two would do you both good!!! You are both still in my Thoughts and hope that all is resolved speedily. Cooking for Tom.....let's just hope he doesn't get to like it TOO much Linn LOL Light and Love and Brightest Blessings to You both Jude |
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13 May 04 - 06:54 AM (#1184577) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess We had the "quiet weekend for two" last weekend -- not exactly alone, but in very good company. Unfortunately there's no respite in the near future, just a round of doctor's appointments, paperwork filing, phone calls, etcet etcet. Oh, and actually SCHEDULING all of the above so it all gets done and doesn't conflict with each other. Now . . . where DID we put the deed to the house?!? (Yes, that's one of the things asked for.) I just kicked (not literally) the cat outside until I feed him -- I had locked him temporarily in the bathroom until I could take my pill, but Tom let him out. It's little things like being screamed at by a cat that have been pushing me to the brink. (Sigh.) Woke up again making a list in my head before I even opened my eyes. Linn |
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13 May 04 - 07:32 PM (#1185183) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Bat Goddess I just came really close to losing it over a whining cat and also just had to murder a yellow jacket that just landed next to my mouse hand. Since the pills the doc gave me yesterday didn't seem to do anything, Tom asked his doctor today (I was with him at the appointment) and this doc doubled the dose. It's the little things that are dangerous to me right now. I can cope with the big things, but the stupid stuff kicks me over the edge. I'd go out and look at the ladyslippers before it gets too dark, but the black flies are murder. Linn |
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14 May 04 - 01:41 AM (#1185375) Subject: RE: Curmudgeon Hospitalized From: Naemanson Ahh, blackflies. Yes, I remember things like blackflies and mosquitoes. One of my greatest chuckles comes when I hear someone from back home say they wouldn't go to Guam because of the insects. Last night Wakana and I sat outside, down by the water, talking and enjoying the breeze, without any bother from any form of insect. Very pleasant. Nearby fishermen sat tending their lines and an occasional car cruised by. Joggers slapped down the sidewalks. I am sorry to hear of the hassle you have to go through, Linn. There should be some agency that makes it easier for people to use the services of other agancies. Maybe, with the aging of the baby boomers, that is an up and coming business opportunity. |