Absent but not gone forever

I think we can make the exception in view of DrMark's contributions to the Forum and Neat Net Tricks. Welcome back, Mark and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Thanks for allowing this Jack...this is why I 'love' this place!!!

First, thanks for all the kind words and warm wishes. They meant a lot.

To answer Thai's question as briefly as possible, I voluntarily entered the hospital in early September for my annual COPD "tune-up." This normally amounts to a two or three day stay. On the day I was to be released I began having horrendous pain in my right kidney which I knew from past experience to be a kidney stone. Nonetheless, the hospital called in two specialists who, suggesting everything up to full renal failure, ordered up a variety of tests. It was, of course, stones--three to exact. So for the next 11 days I am kept full of pain meds while I pass these stones. Meanwhile, the will not allow me out of bed. So, on day 12 (actually the 15th day in the hospital)I go to get out of bed and I am unable. It is as if I were paralyzed below the waist. They helped get me to the edge of the bed (I could not eve sit up on my own) and when I tried to stand I crumpled to the floor. I could feel me feet on the floor but it was as if I had no legs. They had no explanation, suggested that was nothing they caused, and suggested I needed to get physical therapy. My HMO (need I say more?)could find on rehab center to take me, so the hospital sent me home where the paramedics lifted me into my bed where i could only lay on my left side and do little other than use my right arm. I laid there for almost four weeks while the HMO continued to supposedly look for a rehab center. The HMO now decides to send me to the county hospital (oh the horror) where I might be able get some limited therapy while the contuse their search. Two weeks there and they could do nothing for me. FINALLY last Friday the HMO found a rehab center and I was admitted there. After being told I might never stand or walk again, on this Past Monday I stood (using a walker) for the first time in three months! It was only for 10 seconds but still great. As of yesterday I can now stand for about 40 seconds, can get in my wheelchair, and sit on the patio here. The goal this wee was only that I could get in my chair and be able to satay in it for an hour. Yesterday, however, I was ABLE TO STAY SITTING FOR THREE HOURS!! The Therapists are all thrilled with my progress and think I might be back to where I stated within another two or three weeks. It is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life but . . . .

Anyway, that is the condensed version of the past three mounts.

In the continuing saga . . . .Today I was able to stand for three minutes!(up freon ten seconds at the beginning of the week); was able to pivot and get in my chair; and took my first three steps. It's just like starting over again like an infant. Now to be able to roll over so that I can get in and out of bed on my own. I think the worst part is laying in bed twenty hours a day for the four hours of therapy a day.

Hope everyone else is well!

Mark, OMG, what a nightmare! I've been traveling and came to the forum today for the first time in weeks. I knew you'd been having health problems, but I had no idea how awful these past two months have been. I'm heartened to learn that you're now making progress. I join the other forum members in wishing you a rapid and complete recovery.

This post made me smile...Thai