URGENT- Don Souden Has Had A Stroke

[Errata]

But- Don said that his Cardiologist checked him over and refused to sign the permission for gallbladder surgery, so the surgery that should have happened in about 36 hrs is cancelled! We don't know any further details.

Don had a heart attack in 2005, but his sister said he had been doing pretty well heart-wise. It may have to do with related issues like his stroke, arteries, blood clots, blood pressure, etc.

Any surgery requiring full anesthesia can be catastrophic to people with heart and lung issues. And any surgery can bust clots that can cause another stroke. But I would bet that the issue is his lungs, not his heart. Bed bound people get pulmonary edema. Not necessarily to a fatal degree, but fluid builds up in the lungs. Given his recent illnesses, it's not surprising that this would be considered risky at this time. And given that there are relatively few straight pulmonologists running around, his cardiologist is probably also serving as a pulmonologist, which is not terribly uncommon.

Unfortunately, because of his medications his lungs are unlikely to clear completely. They all cause fluid build up in the body, lungs included. The trick is to present a risk reward scenario. Given that constant pain greatly elevates the blood pressure (the cause of many of his problems) and the medications are likely not only hindering his surgical prospects but also creating whole new problems, getting the pain under control is one of the best medical steps he can take. The cessation of pain could lead to lower blood pressure and less medication, possibly clearing his lungs. The risk may well be worth the reward. Contrary to popular belief, doctors are not natural risk takers when it comes to things like this. They need prompting.

[Archaic]

"Gallstone Street Grafitto Club" sweatshirt ?

That's an Aussie Flag cap!!!! I sent it with a couple of little trinketts. Great to see him wearing it!

I am starting The Gallstone Street Graffitto Club for those of us who bear that particular marking.Tell Don he'll soon be a member!

Hi Belinda.

I'm so glad it worked out to send Don's parcel to his brother. Don looks very pleased. With the black glasses he kinda looks like a hipster ready for a Who concert.

Hey, maybe we can make an official "Gallstone Street Grafitto Club" sweatshirt for Don with some fabric paint?

Is anybody on here good at that sort of thing? (I'm afraid my handwriting is too illegible even for grafitti.)

Oh man, Don will love perpetually stumping the panel at the care facility!

My Friends Went To The Goulston Street Graffito Club, And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt

Cheers,
Bunny

[Archaic]

Don's Cardiologist Won't Permit Gall Bladder Surgery!

Sorry, but events seem to have taken yet another turn.

Don's sister was able to speak to him today, apparently thanks to the kindness of Don's old therapist who also sent her the photo & let her call Don on their cell phone. (Bless that person)
She gave Don my message that everybody here sends their love & best wishes and are pulling for him. Don asked his sister to thank everyone for their cards and good wishes.

By the way, Don said Belinda sent him the hat. (I always knew Don was a toff at heart. )

But- Don said that his Cardiologist checked him over and refused to sign the permission for gallbladder surgery, so the surgery that should have happened in about 36 hrs is cancelled! We don't know any further details.

Don had a heart attack in 2005, but his sister said he had been doing pretty well heart-wise. It may have to do with related issues like his stroke, arteries, blood clots, blood pressure, etc.

Don's sister is trying to find out from their other brother back in Connecticut what the heck happens now. We don't even know if Don is still in pain from the gallstones.

My head is still kind of spinning from all this.
Well, at least Don got his eyeglasses and is happy to have gotten cards & gifts from him friends.

I promise to post when I find out any further info, and will ask his brother about the used laptop idea.

Take care,
Bunny

[belinda]

That's an Aussie Flag cap!!!! I sent it with a couple of little trinketts. Great to see him wearing it!

I am starting The Gallstone Street Graffitto Club for those of us who bear that particular marking.Tell Don he'll soon be a member!

[Cogidubnus]

Wow

Glad to see he's looking so much better!

There's a card in the post from me too...

All the best

Dave

[Archaic]

Gall Bladder Surgery Scheduled 6/12/14 & New Eyeglasses!

Hi guys,

Don's surgery is on for sure: Thursday, June 12, early a.m. EST.

Don will go in ambulance from care facility to hospital.

Just got a great photo from is sister. Don's old physical therapist stopped by to see him, and took pic of Don IN HIS NEW GLASSES! Yay!!

He looks really good. Looks like he's regained some weight and can actually SEE properly with his eyeglasses. Finely his insurance got something got done in a timely manner, the new eyeglasses!
This photo has made Don's sister & I so happy, I wanted to share it with you right away.

Apparently Don's brother plans to bring his big old computer to Don after he recovers from surgery, but I'll call him and see if our idea for an ugly used laptop with high-visibilty external keyboard & locking cable will be better.

Obviously one of you guys sent Don the Union Jack cap... Who was it?

Wonder if they sell Union Jack sweatshirts on Ebay? Or maybe Jack the Ripper or London Dungeon or Tower of London? I expect he’s a L or XL but will ask.

Hopefully we’ll get Don back online as soon as he recovers from the gallbladder surgery. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

I sent Don a card with Robert's "Gallstone Street" joke and also sent a message via his sister that all his friends are sending him our love and best wishes.

Thanks everyone,
Bunny

[belinda]

Henceforth my Gallbladder scars shall be known as the Gallstone Street Graffitto

[Robert]

Ah, no, sitting down is better. Smaller target for the rotten fruit.

[Hunter]

You missed your calling as an impromptu standup comedian, Robert... Or did you?

[Robert]

Hi Bunny

I hope it makes Don smile.

Ask him if he's dug the tunnel yet. He should know what I mean.

[Archaic]

Gall Stone Street Graffito

Bunny, tell Don it would be quicker to get JTR in to remove the gall stones. Might even leave a gall stone street graffito.

Gall Stone Street Graffito... Robert, you win the internet!

Talk about an inside joke- we can use your bon mot like a super-secret handshake. Anyone who doesn't get it is clearly a poser trying to infiltrate Ripperology for nefarious purposes.

Hmm... I'd kind of like a t-shirt that says 'Gall Stone Street Grafitto', just to confuse people.

I'll mail Don a card with your joke on it tomorrow & say it's from you. That way he'll be sure to get it around the time of his surgery on June 12.

I would love to see a video of Don laughing when he receives the card, then immediately trying your joke on on his doctors and nursing staff!

Gosh, Robert, I believe you may have just created a new genre of Get Well card. Has the serial-killer theme been tried before?

That's what you should do for a living, you know. Not be a serial killer; just create a new line of "alternative" greeting cards for thinking people.

Cheers,
Bunny

[belinda]

That's really terrible about the Tablet. You really can't trust people in those places.
Sorry to hear Dons brother hasn't been well. Don must miss him when he can't visit

Gall stone street grafitto

[Robert]

Bunny, tell Don it would be quicker to get JTR in to remove the gall stones. Might even leave a gall stone street graffito.

[GUT]

G'day Bunny

What pieces of S4!t stealing a sick man's stuff.

[Archaic]

Hi Lynn.

Belinda, I'll try to ask if Don got your package. Apparently Don's brother is sick with some kind of infection so hasn't been able to visit.

Now here's some weird news: Don's tablet showed up - the one he got for Christmas that disappeared months ago. Don's sister said, "The staff was using it". I asked if they had lodged a formal complaint with the supervisor, and that's why it was returned. She replied "The supervisor is the one who had Don's tablet in her desk."

Apparently Don's brother was very angry and let them all know it.

Now Don's phone charger has gone missing, so perhaps that was "borrowed" too? It's so awful to deprive Don of the things he needs to be able to communicate with his friends. It's also an unnecessary stress on his family, who have enough to worry about.

I'll report back when I find out what the cardiologist says about the proposed gall bladder surgery. Seems like everything moves slow as molasses in that facility.

Bunny