URGENT- Don Souden Has Had A Stroke

[Steadmund Brand]

Tell Don I understand the Gallstones I had my Gallbladder removed a few years ago. Tell him if he has any questions or just wants to moan about Gallbladders I'm listening.

Same here!!! I had a very bad gallbaldder experience a few years ago so i'm an open ear as well... for you as well Belinda.. I'm here for you


Steadmund Brand--

[belinda]

allbladder removed a few years ago so if he has any questions or just wants to talk a

Tell Don I understand the Gallstones I had my Gallbladder removed a few years ago. Tell him if he has any questions or just wants to moan about Gallbladders I'm listening.

[Archaic]

New Medical Update

Hi everyone.

The medical tests Don recently underwent showed that he has gallstones.

His sister is trying to find out from the medical staff if Don will require surgery to remove them. She's 2,000 miles away so it's hard to track people down and get a firm answer.

She told me she wants so much to be able to see Don and plans to "kidnap" him for the day and take him outside to breathe fresh air and feel sunshine. Don hasn't been outside since early August of last year except to get loaded in an ambulance to go to the hospital.

I also found out Don's brother has been busy elsewhere & hasn't been able to visit him in weeks.

That means Don needs to hear from his friends more than ever, so please be so kind as to send him a card or postcard. Don would love to hear from anybody, whether you ever "met" him or not. If you've ever read one of his articles or posts he would really love to know that.

- Even if you disagree with his opinions! Go ahead & say so. State your case, it will give him something to do to mentally prepare his rebuttal!

(And he will, too! Don was arguing the finer points of the U.S. Civil War with Cris Malone not that long ago, and keeping up his own side quite well.)

Or if you have an opinion about a sports team, share that. Don watches a lot of sports, both college & professional. He's a fan of all sports but has a special love for Baseball.

I'll update you about the gallstone situation as soon as I know more.

Thanks everybody,
Archaic

[Archaic]

Hi Sam.

I'll be sure to tell Don that he has at least one Conversion Of The Heathen to his credit.

Don has told me many times that he's very touched to know that people care about him enough to take a minute to think of him, send him positive energy, and remember him in their prayers.

He always says "You know, Bunny, I really think it's helping!"

He's also touched that his friends continue to send him cards. This is definitely the best and almost only way to reach him now, as he has continual difficulties with his phone and his Ipad was stolen, which sadly took away any hope of email access.

Cards & postcards that a nurse or friend or relative can help him read when Don isn't able to do so himself are his lifeline to the world now. Don loves to know what books people are reading, what kind of research they're doing, what they think of the articles they've read, any trips they've taken, etc.

Please don't think you have to have something 'exciting' to write about in order to justify a postcard... All the ordinary things people are doing are of interest to Don, stuck inside that boring care facility. If you cooked a good meal (or even a bad one!), planted a garden, or got a puppy, he'd love to hear about it.

In fact, Don has told me a couple of times that told me that he "wasn't a big animal person before", but now he "finds himself very interested in animals", and in his friends' pets in particular.

He always asks about my horses and my dog, and even remembers their names and the comical things they've done. I sent Don a funny photo of my Appaloosa mare named Pokey who adopted a neighbor's chicken. It kept escaping the coop to come over and sit on her stall gate and just hang out with her.
Don finds that story very entertaining, and likes to be able to tell others about it. He desperately needs funny or interesting new stories to muse over and tell people, as very little that's funny or interesting ever happens in the care facility.

Feel free to send Don photos of yourself, your pets, the trips you've taken, the cake you baked, the pub you visited, anything; he will be so happy to receive them. (Please write names etc on the back of photos.)

And if you have any good message boards "gossip", please throw that in as well!

Thanks everyone,
Bunny

[Sam Flynn]

Hi Sam, how are you?

I'll tell Don and his family. They appreciate everyone's concern, kindness and prayers very much.

Thanks, Bunny. If you tell him that the atheist Sam Flynn is praying for him, it might raise a chuckle

[Archaic]

Hi Sam, how are you?

I'll tell Don and his family. They appreciate everyone's concern, kindness and prayers very much.

I just found out his roommate, the retired actor, recovered and went home. I'm pretty bummed about that. Don enjoyed their conversations so much, and it was so good for him.

So Don really needs support from his old friends.

I wrote him a postcard today that says,
"I told everyone at Casebook you are on holiday at The Seaside Home...to make them believe it, you might have to steal an ashtray."

Hope that makes him laugh.

Take care,
Bunny

[Sam Flynn]

Please continue to keep Don in your thoughts and prayers.

I'm sure we all will, Archaic. Regards to Don and family.

[Archaic]

Update on Don's Medical Condition

Hi everyone.

Today Don's sister told me Don's doctors have stopped one of his medications because "his liver isn't doing very well." He is scheduled to have some tests.

I asked if the medication they stopped was one that has been helping to stop his body from forming dangerous blood clots. She isn't sure, but is going to ask the doctors, and try to get more details.

I will update this thread as I learn anything new.

Please continue to keep Don in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you,
Archaic

[Archaic]

Don's Address...Send Your Jokes!

Fairview of Fairfield
ATTN: DON SOUDEN
930 Mill Hill Terrace
Southport, CT
06890
USA

If you have any kind of regional jokes - say Haggis jokes or Cricket jokes - please send those, he'll love them.

Maybe Don can enjoy some vicarious international travel via your jokes.

Thanks,
Archaic

PS: Please remember it helps Don to be able to read them himself if you use large legible block-printing. Thanks, guys!

[Archaic]

Announcing Official Joke Drive for Don!

I think we should hide Don's Easter eggs in Africa, China and Europe, then he'll be forced to get fit for that world tour.

Good idea Robert. Science has proven that chocolate is one of the world's great motivators.

Hi Dave. I'm hoping that Don still has the recent room-mate who used to be a professional an actor, because Don really enjoyed chatting with him.

I heard part of The Prairie Home Companion's annual joke show on National Public Radio, and fortunately caught a pretty good Baseball joke, so I added it to Don's Easter card:

"I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger... And then it hit me."

(I bet $5 that Don has told that joke to every single person he's seen or spoken with since receiving the card!)

Does anybody have any other good jokes to share with Don?

I think we need to do an official Joke Drive for Don... You can send it to him on a postcard (that's the best way) or post it here & I'll pass it along.

Thanks,
Bunny

[Cogidubnus]

Great stuff Bunny...really good news of Don being in far better spirits!

All the best

Dave

[Robert]

I think we should hide Don's Easter eggs in Africa, China and Europe, then he'll be forced to get fit for that world tour.

[Archaic]

You're welcome everyone. I'll keep posting as I learn anything new.

I sent Don a funny Easter card.

It shows a 'Far Side' type cartoon of a little chocolate Easter bunny laying on a psychiatrist's couch while the shrink scribbles notes, and the chocolate rabbit is saying,
"I don't know what it is, Doc... I just feel so hollow inside..."

Happy Easter everybody.
Bunny

PS: Please keep the postcards, cards and letters coming so Don knows his friends are thinking of him. I tell him, but a card from you says it better.

[Steadmund Brand]

Wonderful news!!! thank you so much for sharing....Please tell him we are all behind him cheering him on in his recovery


Steadmund Brand

[Hunter]

Indeed they are, Bunny. Indeed they are.

This is inspiring news about Don. Thanks very much.

Have a happy and pleasant Easter y'all.