New Year's Eve 2024
Clocks are chiming, bells are tolling....welcoming 2025.
After the magical stroke of twelve
I suddenly see the sobering first glimpse of a new year - -
The Grim Reaper opens a crypt door and suddenly vile, terrifying grinning creatures are clawing at me with bony hands, beckoning me with unholy cries and whispers.....
Bad vibes
REWIND
On Friday (the 27th?) I was feeling far beyond horrible. Something was seriously wrong. I told the visiting home care nurse. We decided that I should go to Cookeville Medical Center, where my medical history was well-known. Livingston Hospital didn't help me - - going there was worthless.
Cookeville
Admitted to ER. A 103 fever. And a barrage (a wicked barrage) of endless tests. They took everything but my soul.
Three or four days? I can't remember.
By New Year's Day, so many sick people needed to be in the ER that things were chaotic. I was quickly transferred to the sixth floor, still under careful observation.
When the doctor came in to see me, he was holding a long long long list of the things that were wrong with me. He was unfolding it like an accordian. I swear it was just like a cartoon. Hilarious.
No wonder they put me on the sixth floor. A merciless jump from the window.....could end it all...
Edema so severe that I can't move my legs. Right leg paralyzed. Blood clots in both legs. Septic sores on my butt, violently fluctuating fevers......many more things you wouldn't want to hear. Trust me.
Plied with meds. Massive doses of Lasix and antibiotics and blood thinners and blood pressure stuff and pain killers and heart meds and
I'm finally SO zonked that I can't think and don't care.
This routine is still going on. And on.
My fingers are numb. Really numb.
Do you know (or care) that I gave a concert at Cypress College when I was twenty-three performing several Transcendental Etudes by Franz Liszt? Some of the most difficult piano compositions ever written.
Today I have difficulty holding a frickin' fork. Bitter irony?
Fate grins.....and grins
BUT
edema is now under control, blood pressure is just about steady, heart is fairly good, oxygen ok, blood work is good, sores on my ass (whoops) are....healing. I no longer scream. Only whimper.
I'm on a low-sodium, low-sugar diet, and a liquid restrictive diet. All I can eat are rice cakes (attempt at humor).
Two doctors are monitoring the situation and seeking the reason for those mysterious fevers I continuously have.
And after?? Spend some time in physical rehab because I presently can hardly walk. Very weak.
Thanks for reading my inane updates and..... for caring.
Jon, perplexed, exhausted, muddled, confused.
BTW
A special thanks to Mike (from Should Fish More). He is a real doctor and, from what I heard, has a fascinating history.
He called me tonight. On his first attempt at calling, he was told they had no record of me (!!). I had a good laugh over that one. This hospital must have an entire archive concerning me - - considering what I went through in 2023.
Anyway, many heartfelt thanks to Mike who has been concerned for my welfare since Day One.
Jon, under the circumstances you described in this post, happy New Year hardly seems go fit, but perhaps healthier eventually? While it most likely was an ordeal typing on a cell phone, glad you got a charger and could do so. Mike (Should Fish More) did share that he had gotten through to speak with you. It seems you may be at Cookeville for a while. Speaking for myself, and perhaps other bloggers, could you share a mailing address so I/we could send a card and encouragement?
ReplyDeleteA healthier new year sounds good to me. I'm glad Mike mentioned that he talked with me.
DeleteDorothy, I have no idea how long I will be here in Cookeville. The doctors want to keep me under observation and later send me (temporarily) to physical therapy.
My current address is
Cookeville Medical Center
1 Medical Center Blvd.
Cookeville, TN 38501
Jon Varga room 652
Thanks. Jon, for the reply, your determination to keep going despite everything you've been through is admirable. Thanks for the mailing address since I'm sure you didn't get the Christmas greeting yet, I'll mail a card to the above address. I'm sure you will get more as well from other blogger friends and hope your spirits will be raised by knowing people care, even ones you've never met.
DeleteDorothy, I did get the Christmas greeting but it arrived a few days late. Many thanks.
DeleteYes, I'd be glad of an address, too. I'm glad you're now in what sound like good hands and not struggling alone, and I'm hoping they get you into better shape and able to start enjoying life again.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying life again sounds wonderful, and I truly hope there's a chance. My current hospital address is in my reply above.
DeleteThanks, Liz.
It sounds like the medical team is getting (somewhat) a handle on the issue(s). That's good news. You got there just in time. Those 'mysterious' spikes in temperature are concerning. I hope they get to the bottom of that one. Hang in there....we're all cheering for you, Jon.
ReplyDeleteParanormal John
Cookeville is doing everything possible to help me. Livingston was completely worthless. Those temperature spikes are being monitered carefully.
DeleteI read your comment on Kim's blog concerning the loss of your beloved kitty. It's so heartbreaking! Brought me to tears. Take care.
Thank you for your thoughts and concern about losing Eddie. He was a rescue kitty from the Humane Society. He was a special boy (aren't they all). He really saved me. I adopted him 3 days after my Rottweiler passed. The house was too quiet, and the void was terrible. Eddie came into the house and the sun came back out. He had triaditis for several years and with his age, it just got the best of him. He was losing so much weight it broke my heart. My Vet was so supportive which I was thankful for. Eddie was 16 or possibly older. He had a good life here.
DeleteBut damn, been to that Rainbow Bridge too many times. Thanks again, Jon
Paranormal John
I was really touched about the ordeal of losing Eddie. The emotions are overwhelming when a feline companion is gone.
DeleteMy eldest cat Kitzee died at 16. I can't look at photos of my three deceased cats. It hurts too much.
Perhaps the future will hold something new...
Jon, good to hear you’re in a very good hospital keeping you under close care. At least we have all made it through another year, and hopefully you’ll be back on the road to a full recovery. :)
ReplyDelete-Rj
Blogger has made my reply vanish! An unwanted magic trick. I'm presently going through hell, but the inconviences may yield to the road to recovery.
DeleteThanks, -Rj
I was so relieved to see 'Lone Wolf' among my readers' list. Seriously, last evening I was about to call Cookeville. (Like a big fat coward I asked myself, "What are you going to say after 'hello'?") So glad you've not one, but two doctors monitoring you. Just wait, they're probably hoping to get a featured article in the New England Journal of Medicine. (Tip: hold out for royalties, if not a cover.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your address above, and thanks to Mike for being a good friend. Hugs!
I laughed when you confessed you wouldn't know what to say after "hello".....that's exactly how I am.
DeleteThe two drs. are specialists in different areas, but I forgot is exactly what.
I'll probably wind up in a feature medical article somewhere......
Thanks, Myra.
So glad that you got back to a hospital that takes your condition seriously and is actually helping! Those home nurses are worth their weight in gold. Hopefully they will find the root cause of the fluctuating temps and you will heal up all those issues that have been plaguing you. It may not feel like it, but this is likely a really positive start to the new year. Some real solutions! :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI was furious with the lousy treatment I was getting at Livingston. They were no help at all. In fact they seemed annoyed I was there. At least in Cookeville they are concerned and know what they are doing (I hope!).
DeleteSounds like you've been through the wringer once again Jon 😞
ReplyDeleteHopefully the good folks there in Cookeville hospital can find out what is going on with you
And have a plan.
I'm happy that Mike is looking out for you and lending his expertise to your case, he's a good man.
I think you are in the best place right now, with medical staff looking after you, we have some brutal weather on the way, you don't need to be dealing with that on top of your health.
Healing prayers sent your way.
Hugs,
Jo
I wasted so much precious time at Livingston. If I had gone to Cookeville sooner, things might have been very different. I should have used my intuition.
DeleteMike has been a faithful friend with helpful advice.
Many thanks for healing prayers.
Will we have snow soon?
And yet you still have a sense of humor. And that is a for sure sign of your not ready to give up. I wished you'd had a better New Year though. But better to be where you are now and get well.
ReplyDeleteMy humor seems to be getting grim....but it keeps me going. I'm always glad when you notice it.
DeleteThanks!
So good to see a post from you, Jon. I have been checking back regularly. Good to see you have a sense of humor too. My mother-in-law is home from the hospital now, after a few weeks of it and one day home in the middle, and they did all of this to her too. Tests gallore, all fun I am sure. She even had to do a walking test. Now her symptoms are better and she is up and all over her house doing things, so don't lose hope. Don't ever lose hope.
ReplyDeleteThanks for updating us!
What happened to my reply? Blogger must have eaten it.
DeleteI was initially hesitant to post an update, because I wasn't in the mood...but I tried to incorporate some humor.
So glad to hear your mother-in-law is home and doing well!
Thanks, Sandi.
I tried not to panic too much if you did not post an update because I knew you said you had no battery charger with you?? But, I am very relieved to hear from you, Jon!!
ReplyDelete~ Kim
Somebody gave me a charger that works with my phone, so I'm really thankful that I can blog again.
DeleteAnd I'm happy to hear from you, Kim!
Jon, I’m glad you’re in Cookeville! I have optimism that you will continue to get good medical and physical care. I have a friend whose liquids are limited daily. It’s a challenge sometimes. Gabrielle Gengler
ReplyDeleteI feel secure in Cookeville because they are familiar with my medical records. I never heard of a liquid restricted diet, but it keeps your body from retaining too much liquid.
DeleteThanks, Gabrielle!
Hope you are continuing to improve. Have you been worked up for diabetes yet? I see you're on a low sugar diet in the hospital. As you know, many other types of food can cause issues with insulin production and absorption.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are keeping your sense of humor through this, mine would have been sorely tried by now. Good for you...you are a strong survivor.
I'm thinking of decamping to a drier climate for the remainder of the winter, this rain is starting to wear me down.
Take care Jon.
I don't have diabetes, so I'm not quite sure why there's a low sugar restriction. Some rational precaution.
DeleteMy sense of humor is definitely wearing thin, but I still use it as a pathetic ploy of optimism.
A drier climate sounds good. Dampness can really be devastating. Take care.
Sugar feeds inflammation. It's why I went Keto/low carb. Still battling inflammation (fibro and then cancer treatments made it terrible). *sigh* But I would be way, way worse if I hadn't cut out the majority of my carbs. :)
Delete