***the (hopefully) last freaking MFM update thread***

[Kali]

Hope I'm not being overly optimistic, but it's time to start pushing the universe and lets just call that subject line Kali's version of "visualization" mkay?

I JUST got off the phone with MFM. I think something weird must have been going on with their system this morning because I couldn't seem to get beyond the first choice in the auto-menu all morning. I would push 1 and it would ring and ring and ring. And since he got moved to a different room yesterday I didn't have any direct numbers. Calling that place can be a little like those advent calenders - you never know what the little prize will be when you open the little tab, or who is going to answer when they transfer you to the next phone!

MFM sounded pretty good. A little breathless but very coherent and able to talk for longer than any of the previous calls I have had with him (not counting interruptions for people fiddling with him) He was ready with a small list of things I need to do/bring him if I ever get there (another story) and we talked about some of that. He talked about the heart pillow and at least three plants/flowers that he has had??? I only know for sure who and what one was and there may well have been others - no way to really tell. Again, know the act was FULLY appreciated if not perfectly documented by him or me. You guys have been way more of a lifeline to him than you may realize. He said to tell everybody hi and THANKYOU and he is SO looking forward to getting back to "normal"

He sounded pretty positive and I am really encouraged after that call. He will be there at UMC at least through Tuesday (and everybody is on notice that there will be serious hell to pay if they move him too soon this time) but kind of like last time this wasn't TOO serious yet probably could have been attended to much easier if they would have just kept him a little longer last time. And of course one has to wonder if ALL of it could have been avoided by keeping him longer the FIRST time!

next part might be a little graphic, stop here if you are squeamish

..........................................

They are going to do some kind of scan to see what the fluid looks like (in terms of thickness - just lymph or lots of clotting blood too) and use that info to decide what diameter drain tube to insert. It seems to just be "normal" stuff from the surgeries but it is compressing things and making him so uncomfortable. I made some joke about empty ball point pens and medical procedures on the ranch and he laughed. In fact he laughed a couple times and cracked a few jokes. THE BEST signs one can get from him. As I said I am encouraged greatly by the call we just had.

[ornotna]

1. Good news

(hopefully)

Thanks.

[Taverner]

2. Let there be no more medical maladies for the MFM

Who is not a mom but more of a dad

[Kali]

3. actually more a crazy 7 year old

or as I recently heard a new groom in praise of his wife - "inside she is a deranged third grader" :rofl: is that true love or what?

[LiberalAndProud]

4. I am thrilled to read this good news. Thank you, Kali.

:yourock:

Get better, MFM, please?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. That is great news, Kali!

You report so accurately that I can hear you two talking, and MFM laughing!

The scan sounds like an excellent idea, and I sure as hell hope they get some answers. Indeed, how much of all this fucking trouble could have been avoided in the first place???

In the rush to save money, they've spent way more!

I'm so relieved that he's sounding that good...

Do you know when they're planning the scan? Maybe tomorrow?

[woo me with science]

6. Very glad to hear he is doing better. :) nt

[Duer 157099]

7. Thanks for the update

it sounds promising. :thumbsup:

[solara]

8. Great news! Thanks for being so on it for us and for being such a great friend to MFM n/t

:hug:

[kimi]

9. I am soooo sooooo happy to hear this!!

Drove back from Minneapolis today and checked frequently for updates, I was worried. Laughing is great medicine, as well as the ball-point pens, of course!!

Again, thanks so much for keeping us up to date!! That big lug is in our hearts, and we miss him tons.

[sarge43]

10. Excellent news

A positive 'tude is a major part of recovery.

Thank you for the update.

[elleng]

11. Glad you are encouraged by his attitude; me 2.

Not so much by those guys looking NOW to see what the fluid looks like. Damn.

Gotcha re: advent calendar.



THANKS, Kali, for all you do.

:hi:

[nolabear]

12. (Relieved sigh number 4,327)

[Kali]

13. I'm not doing any more "dammit" updates

I have decided it is time for him to get well.:D

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. I agree. He needs to just get better already!

:hug:

[applegrove]

15. Thanks for the update.

[Dystopian]

16. Thank you again, Kali

You're MFM's lifeline...I hope you get to see him soon.
:loveya:
Yes, I do believe he's on his way back with no setbacks.
Happy to hear that he sounded positive ...he's been through too much.

Can't wait for his return!


peace~

[pacalo]

17. Okay, that's WONDERFUL.

I'm sure UMC's lab staff is undoubtedly ON IT & will figure out the proper viscosity...



Dr. Finkster's press conference will be posted in Amerigo's thread, for those who will be interested in the VARNISHED facts.

[MilesColtrane]

18. "MFM sounded pretty good. A little breathless but very coherent"

MFM coherent?

My God, it's worse than we thought!

I'll pray for him.


(I keed, I keed)

[Dappleganger]

19. That is good to hear, he definitely is long overdue for some good news too.

[emilyg]

20. Thank you. Sounding good.

[pacalo]

21. The lab is still running the bloodwork on MFM...

& judging from the lab tech's smile, the viscosity level is looking good. (To be filed as "MFM: Think Positive")

[Bake]

22. Thanks for the update, and here's hoping for a speedier recovery!

:hi:

Bake

[rurallib]

23. He wants toget back to normal? But we liked him the way he was

Can't say thanks enough for your (and Peggy's) tireless work in keeping us informed.

[Kali]

24. you did notice I used quotes, right?

:D

[rurallib]

25. yes, but how could I pass up a line like that?

I mean - would MFM have passed it up?

Thanks so much once more.
I almost feel like I know you, Peggy and the Mom himself through this little drama.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. My dear rurallib...

I think us Lounge denizens have become closer friends because of this drama...

And it's because we all care about each other.

:hug:

[applegrove]

49. LOL! & +100

[pacalo]

27. I wonder how MFM is doing & if he is having a good day. Fingers crossed.

[freshwest]

28. Me, too, Peggy and Kali are his only link, I think, to us.

[pacalo]

29. I wonder if the drain tube has been replaced & if it's more comfortable for him.

Crossing fingers for this to be the LAST complication.

[Kali]

30. ***Tuesday Evening July 12***

Just talked to MFM. They are waiting for the level of blood thinner in his system to go down before they do the drain tube - might be ready tomorrow. They don't want to have a situation where he starts bleeding too much.

Then. Then, they may discharge him in a day or so after that. To go home. Yeah. I have mixed feelings about that. No I have real pissed off feelings about it. He will be able to see this eventually, but I need to unload. I do NOT think this is a good idea. Sure if the past two months of back and forth hadn't happened i would be saying yippee hell yeah! But all you have to do is search for MFM Update threads in the lounge to see how risky that probably is. Am I being negative? Yes I am. There is no one there to take care of any problems. Yes there are other roommates so he wouldn't be COMPLETELY alone, but they aren't even friends, and they sure as hell aren't medical professionals.

I said I was going to try to come in tomorrow and he said it would be better if I waited for the discharge so I could give him a ride home - and to run a bunch of errands. I said WWWOOOAAAHHh no way are you going to be able to handle riding in my POS truck and get in and out and go to banks and shop and all that - MAYBE a ride home but I am really leery of this WHOLE FUCKED UP plan.

I don't think this is a good idea at all.

Of course I will go help and I can run the errands. But sending him home after their track record of FUCKING up??? Goddamnit.

I want to happy - he seems to be doing better, but this news...I don't like it. :wtf:


sorry everybody, and sorry MFM -- I want to be happy about this but you know me, I hold a grudge and those folks have broken my trust.

[freshwest]

31. Have they arranged for in-home health care with an RN, at least? I'm P.O.'ed.

[elleng]

33. Hey, fw, ditto.

[Kali]

34. whoops sorry!

yeah he would at least have somebody coming in daily for a while

[elleng]

32. I'm with you, Kali, 100%.

Can't believe, after all these ins and outs, they'd seriously consider sending him home 'in a day or so.'

They should consult their attorneys, if not their docs, imo.

Sorry, MFM. Pulling for you.

:hi:
:grouphug:

[marzipanni]

35. See how it goes, as far as what they say

about the drain, and how he's doing after that can be put in.
Is he getting some rehab now at the hospital? I saw on their website that they have cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation at UMC, or did he go somewhere else for that
those two (three?) times?

[freshwest]

36. That would make what's been done more reasonable. Different part of the same place?

[elleng]

37. 'Rehab' somewhere else, some miles away. (Not very far from hosp.)

[freshwest]

43. Bean counters!

[Kali]

38. is he getting rehab now?

I doubt it - although I'm sure they make him get up and move/walk around, but I doubt if he is seeing a phys therapist or anything (I will ask tomorrow)

When he was actually at the rehab hospital, yes it was another facility some miles away from UMC.

[elleng]

39. As he was so in and out, do you think he got any benefits there?

[Kali]

40. really hard to tell

other than the internet connection he had there:rofl:

another good question to ask him, although from my point of view the big plus was having the care and people around to help when he started having problems (even though all they seemed to do was send him back to UMC and he actually lives closer than that place is.

[pacalo]

42. "...other than the internet connection he had there."

:rofl:

I'm with you, Kali! After all the setbacks that only HIGHLIGHTED that he was being moved too soon, it seems they're making the wrong choice again.

Thank God he has someone like you nearby who cares enough to protect his well-being! And to talk some sense into MFM!

He's got to think of all the things he's going to have to do for himself at home. All the little things add up.

Thanks, Kali :hug: for all you're doing.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

41. Oh, NO.

These people are fucked up. UP.

He's not ready to go home, my god!

I will stay tuned for further developments.

[freshwest]

50. Thanks California Peggy. Same opinion here. The healthcare system is inhuman at times..

[one_voice]

57. OMG...Mrs. Peggy said "fuck"...

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:



I used to crack up every time my granny would say it. She was so funny. Irish catholic, could hob nob with richie rich, but drink beer right from the bottle and drop the f bomb. I think that's where I got it.

On the MFM going home, I agree with Kali and Peggy, I hope he's ready, but I think it's too soon. I will keep him in my prayers, and send him strength and healing vibes.

[Kali]

44. notes

I just want to put this somewhere so I can find it when I lose my other copies.:crazy:

May 16 - UMC original valve replacement surgery

May 20 - to rehab

May 26/27 - emergency to UMC, 27th - open chest, on respirator after

May 29 - off respirator

June 2 - Kali visit

June 9 - repair chest/plastic surg pect. muscle

June 23 - back to rehab

July 4 - UMC emerg, surg. to remove clot chest wall

July 7 - back to rehab

July 8 - UMC fluid

[Dystopian]

45. (((Kali)))

Kali:hug:

I can't believe they're letting him go home. This isn't right...

Something to ponder?
My sister, a therapist, worked in a geriatric/psychiatric unit of a hospital years ago. She told me a few stories... On several occasions a family member would threaten to contact the media...Someone once said she was going to contact the local TV investigative team regarding her mother's treatment. These types of threats immediately went directly to the president of the hospital, and things turned really fast. The hospital bent over backward to accommodate as they didn't want negative PR.....

I don't know hospital regulations. Can he refuse to sign the discharge papers...that is, if a patient's signature is required?

I'm so sad that your heart is breaking....I'm with you...
I wish there was something that one of us could do to help you...
You are carrying a tremendous burden...a labor of love, I know...
I'm so sorry you have a heavy heart...broken trust.

Thank you for being there for him...
And I can't forget...thank you, Peggy:hug:

peace~

[Kali]

47. your worry is stressing me out! stop

:hug:

I talked to his social worker today and I have a call in to his doc - actually he called me back but I missed it so we are playing tag now.

Both of his last two times in to UMC were less serious than the first time so we need to hang on to that. He has to be so sick of the place.

They didn't do the drain tube today so it will be a little longer and that buys me (and him) some time to make sure this is the right thing to do - or fight it.:evilgrin:

I haven't talked to him yet, wonder if Peggy did? I will call a little later, wanting to give the doc a chance to try me again today, but looks like I messed that up (I was taking a nappy, and left my damn phone in the living room)

[Dystopian]

60. So sorry...

Kali:hug:
You don't need more stress...
I'm at my wit's end, so can't imagine what you're going through.
Will just hang in there with you..
:loveya:

peace~

[freshwest]

51. It is just amazing it's been too long. It seemed like just a few or two since he went in.

Very glad to have you and Peggy on the case. Things will get better!

[kimi]

46. Obviously I don't know for sure

but isn't UMC a fairly large place with lots of support personnel? Social service people, patient advocates? JMHO but it might be worth it to have someone outside the medical realm, with occupational therapy/ADL (activities of daily living) expertise to maybe take a look and see what their recommendation would be? I don't even know if that exists, frankly, and all of my nursing experience is way out of date and limited to other than cardiac care, and I really only worked in a military facility. But we would NEVER have sent someone home - or even to rehab - who wasn't completely physically stable, it's just wrong on so many levels, and MFM's experience proves the point. I know that the current trend in medicine is to discharge patients early and shuffle beds, but -- no, what's happened to him is wrong and has endangered his health and well-being, IMO. This seriously pisses me off and I would like to think that there is a patient advocate somewhere at that hospital who would care enough to get involved.

[Kali]

48. yes they have a a lot of those services and he has a social worker

but you know, the very bottom line of this is the fucking insurance vampires.:mad: :mad: :mad: :banghead: :banghead: :grr: :nuke:

[freshwest]

52. They don't call themselves 'headchoppers' and 'gatekeepers' for nothing. Another example for SICKO.

[nolabear]

53. Hey Kiddo, PM me if you want some moral support.

[Kali]

54. thanks! I'm OK

but may take you up on that}(

gotta go do chores right now - back later!

[kimi]

55. Good to know you're talking with his social worker

Yes, it IS the insurance vampires and they don't really care who they endanger if keeping someone safe in the hospital for a couple of days longer endangers THEIR bottom line. It's a disgrace, and a tragedy for so many.

But a conscientious social worker, and hey, a doc who calls ya back - that's a good sign! - can make a world of difference.

Take care of yourself, too, you and CaPeggy. And thanks for all ya both do! :)

[nolabear]

56. Wonder if we could threaten them with Alan Greyson.

He is a DU mascot of sorts, isn't he? LOL!

Really, I seldom believe in absolute evil because I thnk everyone has something good in them. But maybe it can exist in organizations since no one feels completely responsible and so the controls run amok, and insurance companies seem to be proof that you just plain be allowed to suffer. And the "we the people" government won't just pony up and take care of ourselves as a society by voting in health care.

Sorry...more suited elsewhere but JESUS CHRIST.

[Kali]

58. ***Wednesday July 13***

Called MFM at 8:15 right as he was being "masked" for some breathing treatment, so he had me try back later. When I called back he said that was really weird because he had been sitting there for an hour with nothing happening then all of the sudden two things at once.

He said his blood work was ok and they have scheduled the drain tube placement for some time tomorrow. Then a wait of some short amount of time to evaluate how he is doing before the next decision. Hopefully I will have bothered enough people by then that they will be safely cautious and not kick him out too fast. I feel a little better about it than I did last night, actually.

Trying to chose when to call really sucks because of course he is more alert and can focus better in the morning but it is so damn busy there - that is when most of the "traffic" is happening. At night it is usually quieter, but he is tired and it is harder to converse. Sigh.

Then there is trying to call assholes who are supposed to help facilitated payments and other communications. That crap can make a well person ill, how do they seriously think people who are sick and alone can do it? Fuckers.

I remember my Mom going for chemo and how sick it made her. She said the paperwork and referral games made her feel more exhausted and sick than the chemo. And she had support and good insurance. I hate this shit. And not just for MFM. For every one who "gets" to go through it. And then there are the ones who just get to die with nothing. It's all so fucked up and depressing. Oh look let's invade another country to take our minds off our fucked up social problems!

[elleng]

59. Thanks for all you do, Kali.

:grouphug:

[Angry Dragon]

61. Needs a kick................

[Amerigo Vespucci]

63. My mom's ambulance ride

My mom died of congestive heart failure.

But leading up to that, I called the doctor on call...as an emergency...described her condition, and she gave authority for me to call 911 and get her into ICU immediately.

AFTER my mom died, the bloodless fucks at the ambulance company tried to bone my mom's estate for DOUBLE the charges of that ride.

Short version?

When my mom died, they submitted a bill TWICE to the Estate...I was the Executor. They tried to get 200% of what was due to them.

Only problem was they were supposed to fill out paperwork, and they didn't...based on that doctor's OK. If they'd DONE that, they would have been paid...PROMPTLY.

So they tried to bone a dead woman and ended up with JACK SHIT in return, because the judge DENIED their claim(s).

Sometimes the American justice system SUCKS.

Sometimes it works.

In my mom's case, it WORKED.

[ornotna]

65. Thanks for the updates Kali

Here's a hug for you. :hug:

[pacalo]

62. I'm glad I peeked in here. It was so far down the page I figured there was no news.

The patients get screwed coming & going.

One of my first jobs while going to college was working evenings in the business office of a small community hospital. One evening after a board of directors meeting two doctors had stopped in the hallway to quietly talk, right outside the window where I was standing on the other side. They had no idea I was there; it was quiet in the office because I was the only office worker there. They were just avoiding getting too close to the nurses' station.

It turns out that these doctors were the honest, ethical ones who weren't happy that the chief of staff, a longtime community physician/surgeon, encouraged doctors to admit patients. Adding the two doctors' tones of disgust, I took this to mean whether the patients needed hospitalization or not, so that expensive tests could be run, not to mention the high costs of the room, medicine, & supplies. The hospital, as small as it was, needed the money.

The next week I looked at the in-patient register & all but just a few patients were admitted by the chief of staff.

I know hospitals are businesses, but we are people with our own budgets, not to mention that being hospitalized, to us, is serious business & it causes a fair amount of stress to us & our families.

And, in MFM's case, the insurance company is rushing the doctors to get him discharged; that's just as bad as drumming up revenue.

[grasswire]

64. remember that Michael Moore allows people to use his name

....to get action.

All you have to do is say "Michael Moore told me to contact him if things aren't going right. I think he is making another movie about health care."

Them what squeaks gets action.

[warrior1]

66. kr

good vibes to MFM.

[Kali]

67. ***Friday Morning Update - July 15***

Just talked for a minute or two. MFM had his drain installed yesterday. Everybody is a little amazed at the amount flowing - a couple of liters overnight! It is a wonder the guy could breathe at all.

He woke up in the middle of the night panicked that he was having a stroke because he couldn't speak, but it seems to have been the drugs. (they checked him out thoroughly, he said)

And speaking of drugs, some who are following closely may remember MFM talking about his friend that had the advice/mantra "Better pain-free than drug-free." I had contacted him when MFM went back to the hospital the first time (back at the end of May!) and he was going to go visit, then dropped off the face of the earth. Well it turns out he was in UMC the whole time himself! Too bad we didn't know. Those two guys could have at least talked to each other on the phone or met in the hallways once in a while.

MFM sounded pretty tired - it was obviously a bad night but getting that pressure out of his chest cavity has got to feel better. His social worker and I are working on various insurance problems and trying to see what is next if they do release him. But at this point I am pretty sure it is going to be a few more days before they can even talk about it. Sounds like the Docs want him to go back to rehab, but asshole ins wants him out on the street. I still haven't talked to the attending Doc, but he is supposed to call me today.

[elleng]

68. Couple of liters should sure as hell keep him there for a while.

Does anyone (us included) know why the stuff accumulates?

THANKS, Kali.

[Kali]

69. partly it is a natural response to injury

but he is on blood thinners plus is diabetic and has obvious cardio issues, plus inactivity - this all adds up to leaky capillaries I imagine.

[elleng]

72. OK, I'll think of him as 'Mr. Leaky Capillaries!'

Thx

[Phentex]

70. thanks for checking in on him...

of course the insurance company wants him out! Damn them.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

71. Thanks for the update, Kali...

I did talk to him the other day, the day before the drain was placed...Wed? I think.

Obviously things are much different now.

There is no way in hell he should be out on the street! I am appalled and horrified that such a thing is even being considered.

I wish you and the social worker all sorts of good luck getting things taken care of. I'll be very interested to hear what the attending Doc has to say too.

Hugs for you and MFM both!

:hug: :hug:

[freshwest]

73. Great work, Kali! Glad to know you from here, and...

Good on the drainage, too. When they did mine the surgeons installed it with the stitches. I'm so glad you were there, the helpless patient wihtout any family or friends can, and does, get abused.

And blank that insurance company. They were penny wise and pound foolish. This could have been much less painful and costly if they'd just considered it was a precious human being, not a number.

[kimi]

75. Thank you for the update

Good to know that he's losing the s&*t he doesn't need in his chest, and a couple of liters is amazing, alright. Thank you for working with his social worker on those issues, it makes a lot of difference when people know that there is someone invested in a patient's well-being - it ought to be self-evident, but often isn't. And I'm glad that his docs are pushing for rehab over just pushing him out onto the street. Docs should take precedence - screw the insurance companies.

I hope MFM can take these next few days to come up with some more stories to amuse and delight us with -- as well as touch us. He does all of those things so well! :)

[LiberalAndProud]

76. Thank you, again.

You know how important these updates are to us, right? You're taking care of us all, and I appreciate it so very much.
You and Peggy are the very best!

[nolabear]

77. Thanks for what seems like the hundredth time, Kali.

This is just crazy.

[Capn Sunshine]

78. Dayum

glad I stopped by. been so busy with the new restaurants and the frikkin markets with this debt foolishness this is the first chance I've had to stop buy for days. Tell him to take it easy and not push things. That's what they tell me. MFM is a tough MF. Tell him I said so. :hi:

[solara]

79. Thanks again, Kali, for getting the word out and helping with all that nasty paperwork

MFM is sure going through it! Many, many good vibes to him and to you and California Peggy and to all who are helping..you sure have some good friends, MFM! Hang in there!!


:hug:

[Angry Dragon]

74. Needs a kick

[nolabear]

80. +1

[MilesColtrane]

81. Lighting a couple of candles for MFM tonight.

[Kali]

82. bwahahahahha!

thanks for that! I was just about to post a guilty "sorry, I didn't get him called today" (see my july 16 rant) and that cracked me up!

appropriate that you have 2 candles as it has been 2 months since he went in for the original surgery (May 16)

[MilesColtrane]

83. Thanks for taking point for all of us Loungers in looking after him, Kali.

:hug:

[pacalo]

89. Post #84 was meant for you, MC.

[pacalo]

84. Hahaaaa!

THAT made me laugh out loud.

[lunatica]

85. I miss MFM mightily

Thanks for the updates.

[applegrove]

86. Yes to both. MFM the lounge needs & misses you!!!

[Kali]

87. ***Sunday, well this is getting long and we may have to do one more thread - update***

I just got off the phone with MFM. He sounded really good - not out of breath at all, and cracked a couple jokes, chuckled at one of mine. He said it was quiet this weekend and he got some real sleep for a change. That has got to help. He was going on for quite a while about pizza - they have some kind of low fat, low sodium pizza that he has tried a couple times but he said when he gets out he is going to cheat on something more edible.:rofl:

That is half the good news. The bad news is he has another clot they need to fish out - probably tomorrow. They tried something simple to get it yesterday but it didn't work so they need to get a little more invasive to get it. It sucks, but each of these (way too many godddamn) setbacks is a little less debilitating than before. He IS getting better - he sounded a lot better. But he is getting so sick of the whole thing. (no shit!)

The other part of the good news such as it is: he will most likely be going back to the rehab before going home. It draws things out, but it just seems better to be where somebody is there to keep an eye on him until he really is able to do stuff for himself and is freaking problem free for more than 2 days!

He was happy to have my call and asked about you all - said to say Hi (HI!) and said he will be back on as soon as he gets back to the rehab place. Hopefully in a couple more days.

[abq e streeter]

88. Can't thank you enough , and Peggy too, for everything you're doing for him

This sounded good. Very encouraging, and I know that he knows how many people have him in their thoughts and/or prayers. Get well soon (and sounds like maybe you finally are) MFM.

[elleng]

90. Sounds like good news, Kali, except new clot.

Excellent that he'll go to rehab + not home at this point (sorry, MFM,) as we know he still needs xpert eyes now.

Thanks, AGAIN.

:hi:

[marzipanni]

91. Thanks for the Good News, Kali!

I'm glad to hear his sense of humor and appetite are perking up!
It will be a good change (and about time!) for MFM to get back to the rehab place, and we get to communicate with him again.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

92. Most excellent news!

Thanks, Kali.

I'm so damn glad he's better!

You can tell a LOT by how a person sounds...

This week will be nuts but I'll see if I can call him Tuesday. I should be able to.

I want to talk to him at least one more time before I go on my trip.

[Dystopian]

97. Peggy...

Peggy:hug:
Thank you...from all of us, for everything you've done and continue to do for our MFM!
You are priceless....Always here, there, and everywhere for everyone.
Heart of gold.


peace~

[kimi]

93. Sleep is GOOD, clots are not

But cracking jokes and best of all, going back to rehab -- excellent news!!!

Thank you for keeping us informed. MFM has quite a following here, and I look several times a day for updates, you've been great about keeping us all informed.

Continued vibes and prayers for him, on my part. :)

[solara]

95. Very good news, ( except about the clot)

Thanks again for all you are doing for MFM.

HI! back MFM, sending you Vibes a-go-go



:hug:

[Dystopian]

96. Joy!

Kali:hug:
Thank you for keeping us filled in....I'm feeling quite happy... and hopeful that this is the last setback.
I'm so thankful that he's going to be able to go back to rehab.
:cry: <-----------tears of joy!


peace and love to you~

[Bake]

94. I"m glad his sensayuma hasn't failed him.

MFM, get better soon! And get back here. Ain't the same without you.

Bake

[Angry Dragon]

98. KICKKKKKKKKKKK

[emilyg]

99. Double kick.

[warrior1]

100. kick to the front page

[Kali]

101. ***Wednesday NO PANTS Update***

He might be getting out very soon!!! I talked to his doc yesterday (urging to be cautious and hopefully send him to rehab) and he said they were trying to do what they could but actually MFM is doing really well, edema way down, fluid problem pretty much gone, clot thing resolved on its own, bloodwork all good.

Then I talked to his social worker today and she said he looked the best she has seen him the whole time.

Then I talked to him and he sounds damn good. He is trying to get organized for if they do give him the boot - planning his route and what he has to get done etc. And joking about no pants!:rofl:

Wouldn't it be perfect if he got out with no pants on the anniversary of the MOON landing?

cross your fingers everybody he might even be back on line by the weekend!

oh and PS, Peggy - you ARE a FUCKING GODDESS, SAINT, BEAUTIFUL HUMAN BEING, SPECIAL FRIEND, and just all-around COOL to boot. :yourock:

PPS while I was writing that, he called back to say there are rumors he is going to get to go to rehab for a couple days instead of out the door! AND while he was talking, a balloon and teddy bear got delivered from another SWEET, COOL, LOVING, KIND, VERY SPECIAL LADY who might be reading this. :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

102. Wow, I'm really happy to hear all this!

Um......what'd I do?

And......thank you! You're pretty special your own self, you know!

:yourock: too!

[Phentex]

103. Glad to hear this...

well, I am trying not to picture him without pants...but happy he may be out soon!

:bounce:

[elleng]

104. GOOD NEWS!

THANKS!
:thumbsup:
:applause:

[nolabear]

105. Oh I am SO happy! But I go on vacation Friday so I might miss the homecoming!

Good God, he's been in the hospital for-freaking ever!

[nolabear]

106. Oh I am SO happy! But I go on vacation Friday so I might miss the homecoming!

Good God, he's been in the hospital for-freaking ever!

[bluesbassman]

108. About damn time! I'm getting tired of watchin' the paint peel around here.

:P

Get well soon MFM, I miss ya Brother. :pals:

[emilyg]

109. Excellent news. Thank you.

[Dystopian]

110. Oh happy day!

YES!!!!!!!!!
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
Thank you Kali!
That's wonderful news!

Actually.......I never imagined him with pants!:blush:



:hi:

:loveya:


peace~

[Bake]

112. FAbulous fabulous news!

:bounce:

Bake

[pacalo]

107. Oh, happy day!

[Kali]

111. OMG!

:spray: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Kali]

113. ***Saturday this-has-got-to-be-my-last Update***

WE HAVE WATER!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going to go take a shower and then I am off to Tucson to pick up MFM's laptop and other stuff to take to him, get in another visit finally, and see if I can't make it rain like hell (no driver's side window)

They are obviously going to be keeping him a couple more days and we need him on line, dammit. There is a chance still of some bad news, but let's not even go there - he is going to have one more little "let's look in here and see what is going on" procedure and then perhaps finally out of there or a few days at rehab (like we have been thinking all freaking week) but he needs his stuff, we need him on line again, and I can take a shower!!!!!!!!! Did I mention we finally have water? Do you know my bathing is way more important than MFM or anything else in the world? (the way I feel after this week, that is almost not a joke - yuck)

[Dystopian]

114. Wonderful!

Kali:hug:
Thank you for the update! I think the last thing MFM needs is a visit from a dirty woman!!:evilgrin:

Wonderful...water, rain, joy!
I know you'll smother him with lounge hugs and kisses....
He'll be so happy to see you....
Have a great visit!
I know you'll send our love...
AND! He'll have his laptop!

:bounce:

:loveya:

peace~

[elleng]

115. Great that you have water, and our love to him (and you.)

:hi:

[Dystopian]

116. kick

With random potobucket pic!:D



peace~

[freshwest]

117. Yeah! Love you Kali!!!!

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[pacalo]

118. Can you take some cargo straps...

to replace the sheet strips Nurse Gina used for MFM's laptop?
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[Kali]

119. well, (no pun intended) that was a bust

:-( :argh: :mad: :grr: :nuke: :cry: :banghead:

First, a bit more detail/background about our water system. we are using a well that is 6 miles and over 500 feet in elevation (at surface level) away from the headquarters. The well is close to 600 feet deep itself. At the halfway point there is a big 20,000 storage tank for livestock water. In order to manage the varying pressures that a pump would have to handle (from hard-learned experience, don't ask) we have a fairly standard 1.5 hp submersible down in the well and then up top a 6 or 8000 gallon storage tank (can't remember volumes tonight) and to get the water all the way up here we have a second pump - it is a powerhorse of a thing - a reciprocating three piston pump that runs off a 3 hp electric motor with a belt and pulley. The pipe is primarily 1.25 schedule 40 pvc. All of this is worked and accessed by miles of rocky, bumpy, washed out, beat-you-and-your-truck-to-death dirt roads.

Last summer the submersible went out. This time the piston pump exploded. We can't tell what exactly happened as these things are supposed to be virtually indestructible unless they freeze and trust me it wasn't freezing here last week!

Because of some strange structural issue with this well, if water gets into the concrete security box housing the pump and the well head, it is supposed to flow out this mysterious drain but I suspect there may be a leak and it somehow travels back down the casing and causes the deep pump to suck up silt. However it happened, we dumped thousands of gallons down that drain and then ended up with about a mile of pretty silty pipe when everything quit.

We will hopefully have the pump rebuilt, but since that water is pretty critical when the stock ponds are dry (and it hadn't rained at that point, plus it is our only source of domestic water at the moment too) we decided to order another one and have it overnighted from the nearest distributor in El Paso. Of course it quit on Friday and nobody was open until Monday. Then the overnight got fucked up and it didn't get here until Wednesday. Needed a new pulley and that caused another day delay. Finally got it installed and replumbed Thursday evening. Started it up and pow! shorted out a wire and burnt up a breaker. Friday morning to the hardware store for new breaker and hope motor not damaged. All seems ok - yippeee! Water never made it up to the half way point. Now, it is almost routine to have the pipe break somewhere down in the low points that have eroded and are exposed - sometimes they get broken by vehicle traffic (read: border patrol or their prey) and often we find a rock under a broken spot with another hammer stone nearby - frequently empty waterbottles or other migrant detritus will be discarded as well.

Finding the break is usually easy - it is often in the same three or four places, but sometimes requires walking a couple miles to find new ones. The poor husband spent most of the hot, humid morning yesterday walking segments of the line and never finding the break. He finally came back here to the house so I could drop him off on top of a hill and go around to meet him at the bottom. I had the feeling there was another problem - I was worried about that sediment. I'm also a champion at being lazy and it was hot so I convinced him to cut the pipe down close to the well, so we could see what was going on inside. A bunch of mud ran back out from the uphill side and the flow going from the pump side was really slow. We ended up cutting it in three places, the last right at the well head. Still not much water. He was convinced that new pump should have pushed the mud on up just fine but I was skeptical. He was probably right as the pump seemed to work just fine after I panicked and called the well guy back out to check things. Of course, like going to the mechanic or doctor it worked fine when he tried it. Since we already cut the pipe in several places we decided to play around and try to clean out the silt, but of course it was almost dark by then so we put it off until this morning.

So that is what we spent a couple of hours on, then glued it all back together and sent the water on up.

Went back around to the mid-point to wait for the water. It was a little slow, but we blamed it on the smaller pulley and lower rpms the new pump was set at. waited until the water ran completely clear and then switched the valves to send it up here.

A couple of hours later it was here! That is when I posted my announcement about going in to get MFM's laptop to him. We were going to let the water fill a couple of troughs in the corrals before sending it to the house storage tank for my much anticipated shower (animals first in the livestock biz) but when I went back to check it had stopped flowing. DAMMIT. We knew it was going to happen, our luck on this thing was too consistent for this to actually work.

The coupling closest to the well pulled apart.

:-( :argh: :mad: :grr: :nuke: :cry: :banghead:

Not a huge deal and not unexpected, but damn! I really would like to take a shower and poor MFM is languishing without internets. I would have called the person who generously offered to help (or another possibility) but I couldn't get a hold of anybody at the rehab place to make sure they didn't lock MFM's stuff up or to let them know somebody else would be picking it up so I will try again tomorrow. We couldn't fix the break this evening because it takes several hours to drain 5 miles of pipe and frankly we were just to damn sick of it all.

I'm not sure why I am posting all this or why here in this thread, although the events and people are interconnected. I just needed to vent and so now I am done.

So...as we say in this part of the world: hasta manana.:beer: :boring:

[elleng]

120. Hasta and thanks, Kali.

I can understand that you wrote here to vent, we appreciate your efforts, and we're sorry about your travails.

Re tomorrow (today,) 'Break a Leg.'

:hi:

[kimi]

121. Hon, you of all people deserve to vent!

So vent away (not like you need my permission, o' course!)

Srsly, I flew into Phoenix this AM. I am used to the greenery of Iowa, so this was a huge shock. You all raise cattle here??? *thud* On such little water??? *double thud*

From the air, it looks like a wasteland. Now, I've seen your pics, so I know it's not. There are beautiful places here in AZ - but hot-damn!!! You have to water cattle in this desert??? My hat is off to ya, and all folks in this with ya. Kudos, you have one of the very frickin toughest jobs in the US, seriously. In this economy, in this weather.

I don't know how you do it. So by all means, vent from here till forever. You have earned that right, IMHO. :)

[Dystopian]

122. Oh Kali..

I'm so sorry Sweetie...
It's all just so hard to grasp...

Things will get better:hug:
Everything will work out.
Hope. Patience. Peace.

peace & love to you~

[Kali]

123. *Monday July 25 not an update, exactly*

OK - I am finally off to Tucson! sheesh!

Hope to be back this afternoon with all kinds of good news and maybe MFM will be on line before me!

[UrbScotty]

124. Ooh, I can't wait!

[freshwest]

125. You are the greatest. Give him a big hug or kiss from me.

[Kali]

126. ***Tuesday - you just know he is going back to rehab after I went to get his stuff - Update***

Yes I finally made it to Tucson! BUT...right as I left the water quit. Sprung a hugh leak and the last 15 feet we needed to climb was the proverbial straw that broke that camel's back. :eyes: SIGH

Anyway, I stopped and got a few items MFM was wanting from the store, including the contraband. Made it to the rehab place and picked up his laptop and two bags of other stuff but left the huge cardboard box (wtf?). I told the charge nurse me finally making it in would mean he was probably coming back that night. She laughed and agreed. Then I headed down to UMC. Got gum or some kind of sticky gunk on my shoe on the way in from the parking garage - it was making this strange loud sticking sound as I walked on the linoleum (country mouse), found his room and "knock knock"ed, and turned the corner to find MFM sitting up working on some papers - OMG he looked SO good! SO much better than whenever it was that I made it in last! Beard grown back out, face normal (he was pretty swollen with fluids before) eyes bright. We laughed and made fun of each other, took care of some business, and I gave him his stuff.

He said they were finally going to instal the new drain thing in his chest that afternoon and sure enough a nurse came in to say they were coming in about 10 minutes...saves lame small talk I guess, but cut the visit pretty short. He was sharp, cracking jokes, pointing out the flowers and balloon that you guys have sent - even bent all the way to the floor to pick up something he dropped! He is doing good!

I just talked to him on the phone and he is a little tired from the thing yesterday but still sounded good and guess what? Probably heading to the rehab place today! Seems like another day at UMC just to make sure yesterday's procedure is all ok would be good, but the way he was doing yesterday I would say he is going to be fine. He says HI everybody, and hopes to be back on line tonight or tomorrow at the latest. (he better, this thread is getting too long for my dial-up and I REFUSE to start another up-date thread. This is it!)

I stupidly forgot my "good camera" and only had my cell phone but I got a couple of pictures.

These items are his most recent deliveries and I see that being a typical guy, he didn't take care of watering the flowers but he did seem really pleased with the monkey balloon (and Teddy) and the smiley mug. There was also a big green glass vase that must have had a really nice large bouquet but from the looks it must have been there for the whole time and the plant matter was getting pretty compost-y. I bet it was beautiful when fresh.






Now, the next two are a "before and after" set:

Before - posing with the cool heart pillow alphafemale made for him:



and...after the fart joke:




and finally MFM looking at his contraband*:







*a small package of gourmet jelly belly jelly beans that he has promised to take in such small quantities that they won't be detected during his blood tests. This is what you get in old age - still the thrill of illicit colorful spherical oral objects, but hardly the same things we were eating by the handfuls back in the 70's:rofl: :hippie:

[pacalo]

127. Hello, handsome! Woowooo! Looking damn good & healthy!

Kali, that was a funny "you just know he is going back to rehab after I went to get his stuff" update! Crossing fingers!

[freshwest]

128. Excellent report! Thanks Kali!

[MiddleFingerMom]

129. MFM/SCHMEMFM...

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...who the hell IS this (slightly) heartless(er) jerk taking up so much space on my hard drive?
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[Kali]

130. damn good to see you!

pacalo has done a huge job stroking your already-overly large
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and has compiled a list of posts for, by, and about you since May. Talk about too much MFM on the hard drive, I think her computer must have crashed before she could post it :rofl:

[Ptah]

131. Here's pacalo's list:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9743906