Progress report

[qbear]

First off, many thanks from the bottom of my heart for all the good wishes, thoughts and prayers you've all been sending my way. I'm incredibly cheered by them, and so thankful for my many blessings, most important of which is the love and support of my family, friends and caregivers.

As a recap, I saw my doctor on Monday after getting very winded just making the bed that morning. He examined me, and since my heart was A-OK he sent me to the nearby CPMC ER so they could run some tests. Long story short, they found pulmonary embolisms (blood clots) in both lungs. Serious if left unattended, but very treatable with anti-coagulants to help the body naturally absorb the clots. But it takes several days (like 4-6) for the meds to reach the proper levels, and they need to monitor all that, so I'm in a lovely room with a panoramic view from the Golden Gate Bridge to the ocean, cooling my heels till I can go home and start the oral meds. PEs aren't uncommon, and usually caused by long period of sitting, like on a plane or a long car ride. We suspect possible one of the 8-hour drives to and from Palm Springs. So kiddies, on a long drive stop often and literally stretch your legs!

This is my first hospitalization and emotionally I've been feeling kind of low, even though everything is under control. Steve spent the day with me in the room, and as he was leaving around 9 PM I broke down a little. He left and I settled in for bed, reading something or other on my phone. Anoint an hour later Steve comes back in the room with a bag of his stuff--he brought the car home and had his BFF Carl from work, who is a major sweetheart, drive him back so he could spend the night with me in the room.

For all the conservative twats out there who oppose gay marriage, this is what it's about--love and support, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health. We said those vows and we meant them. When this is over, I may get on my soapbox and tell all the people who have seen us get married over and over on TV (cause we are stock footage) that this is the reality of marriage, no matter the sex of the spouses.

Here's the view from my bed:

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Comments

[fuzzygruf.livejournal.com]

Thinking about you! Do great! Good job!

[qbear.livejournal.com]

I think I'm in your old room when you were here a few years ago!
And my sister-in-law had the same view. I told my nurse this morning
that you'd pay $500 a night for a hotel room with this view, then we
both laughed and agreed I'm probably paying a lot more than that!
Well, my medical insurance is...

[coryblank.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you chose not to ignore the matter and sought medical attention. Wishing you a peaceful stay and a rapid recovery.

You're in my thoughts, Jack.

{{HUGS}}

Cory

P.S. What a view!!!

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Cory....

[joebehrsandiego.livejournal.com]

You & Steve are both heroes to me. Take care and get better ASAP!

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Joe...hehheh, we're superheroes in a friend's comic!

Reading your posts is always relaxing to me, especially the architecture-related ones. But they all help us feel you're right next door and we see you everyday.

Re: Hugs

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks---I'm so glad we decided to call the doctor rather than continue our trip. I'm very blessed--

[hugh-mannity.livejournal.com]

Yay for good meds, panoramic views, and wonderful husbands! Not necessarily in that order.

I'm glad you're feeling well enough to post and hope that you get home soon and recover quickly.

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks---home now and recovering nicely

[putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you have the situation under control. My heart sank when I read you had been hospitalized. These days we don't see you guys often but you are still in our thoughts and conversations a whole lot. I hope you are back to normal in no time at all.

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks--and we'll have to get together more often.

[excessor.livejournal.com]

I'm with you: once the medical stuff is understood, being in the hospital (even if you're not the patient) is a boring and tedious event.

Having said that, orders are that you stay until the doctors say you can leave. Have them give you some Vitameatavegemin—it helped Lucy and I'm sure it will help you.

We are sending our very best to you and Steve (who is an angel anyway but has once again earned his wings).

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much. We thought the doctor would just write me a script and we'd be on our way. When the told me what was going on, my first thought was "Damn, we're going to miss Paul's birthday!!" We were there in spirit last night when I got home. Happy, happy bday honey, and hopefully we'll see you soon. We'll be in PS 11/22-26 for Thanksgiving.

[momshapedbox.livejournal.com]

Thinking of you and sending healing prayers!!

Get well soon as you have tourtiere to make for Thanksgiving!!

I'm starting to make my list for all the ingredients.

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Sue..the prayers were felt, definitely. I know you understand all too well the joys of hospitalization. I thought of you a lot, as they kept drawing blood, and someday I'll tell you about the wide variety and skill levels of the phlebotomists :-)

Going to Palm Springs for Thanksgiving and definitely making tourtiere. I now like to make a huge one in a springform pan. It's very dramatic when you take the ring off.

[philbutrin.livejournal.com]

hugs & healing energy for you!

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Phil!

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

Yikes! I'm glad it was caught quickly and you're getting it addressed. Here's hoping everything goes to plan and the nasty little clots promptly dissolve away. *hugs*

Musician Ian Anderson has become something of an advocate for knowledge about another blood clot problem related to remaining seated for long periods, deep vein thrombosis. He had a terrifying run in with the problem a few years back, triggered by a knee injury and long international flights.

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Furr. Hmmm...have to look up the Ian Anderson story. I'm a big Jethro Tull fan from way back, ya know...

*smooch*

[heypyro.livejournal.com]

BIG HUGS JACKIE-POO!

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Awww...thanks Pyro.

[castrowoof.livejournal.com]

Glad the prognosis is good Jack. Sending you healing hugs!

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Ed..your healing hugs are famous!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Get well soon! *HUGS*

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks---home and feeling so much better.

[kitchenbeard.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you're on the mend!

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Stephen--yup, doing well. And real food again, although for hospital food CPMC isn't too bad. There was an asparagus frittata though that was quite horrendous.

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

Best to you during this difficult time. My first hubby, Jim Bailey, had that same thing in 1994 and was in critical condition for a few days. He got embolisms in his lung from a bump to his shin while cross country skiing a few weeks before. He was on blood thinners for about a year and now at age 62 he's over that episode.

Michael Sattler, a square dancer in Denver, has this same thing too and was in the hospital early in the weekend.

I'm so glad you have Steve with you. I don't know if I'd be able to cope with a situation like this if there were no Danny in my life.

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Bill--yeah, the docs said it's not all that uncommon and can vary in severity, and that lots of people are on blood thinners, sometimes long-term.

I so agree about having a husband for support. One reason why the goverment should not only allow but encourage gay marriage. So many guys, especially as we get older, are pretty much on their own. I spoke with my older brother on the phone last night and he lives alone and can't have surgery on his ankle that he needs because of that. I wish I lived closer and could help.

[beeftenderloin.livejournal.com]

Glad you are well enough to post, was really worried about you. And that's a good husband you got there, so sweet!

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Mark, and you're sweet too!

[urbear]

Hope it's a speedy recovery, Jack! I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it into the city to see you. I'm kind of tied up down in the south bay this week, as Victor probably told you when he stopped by. I still care! :)

[qbear.livejournal.com]

I know you do, honey. We'll see you soon! And I hear you're meeting Victor's mom...she is one great lady. We love her so much, and she'll love you.

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

Big hugs Jack!!

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Sean--from one superhero to another!

Hospital blues

[hardybear.livejournal.com]

I am so glad that they caught it in time! Bad as the hospital is, it's much better when you know that you will get out soon and make a complete recovery!

Big hugs,

Peter

Re: Hospital blues

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Peter..you really don't appreciate the comforts of home till you can't have them.

[double-ohsteven.livejournal.com]

Hoping for a speedy recovery, Jack. Hugs.

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Steve..the support of you guys is so great

Add me to the list…

[ursine1.livejournal.com]

That you get well soon!

Chuck

Re: Add me to the list…

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Chuck...getting there. Are you over here for a bit? Thought I read that somewhere...

[fuzzybearcub.livejournal.com]

Aw... "this is what it's about ... in sickness and in health" - you made me all teary-eyed!

Hope you're feeling better and enjoying the books I brought you Tuesday morning! *HUGS*

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks Erez. Yeah, the books are great. Everyone loves the how animals do it one. I've started reading Never Cry Wolf and it's great. I like his style a lot.

[vernnyc.livejournal.com]

Hugs! Get better soon!

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Vern!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

BIIIG Hugs, handsome! :)