Friday 29 August 2008

Blogging May Be Light

I've had to take my partner in to the Emergency Department twice in the last week. She's scheduled for surgery on Tuesday.

We can't afford health insurance, but we have enough savings 'for a rainy day' to manage. It's not like the USA - medical care for "public patients" is relatively inexpensive.

There have been better weeks.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

My thoughts are with you both.
I hope everything goes well.
{{{hugs}}}

nixwilliams said...

ack, i hope things run as smoothly as possible with the surgery. *hugs*

mythusmage said...

Pass the following on...

Dear, you have a wife (stuff what she says, we know the score) and a small boy who need an adult* in the house. So you will make it safely through the surgery, and no arguments.

*Anybody who runs a D&D adventure featuring the Slavic Small Giant Class Liberation Army (SSGCLA) and a cowardly gay dragon is hardly an adult.

Dave said...

I hope everything goes well.
Be strong.

Anonymous said...

Our thoughts and prayers go with you.

Anonymous said...

Our thoughts, prayers and Paypal transactions go with you.

I know I'm going to regret this, but let's hear more about this Slavic Small Giant Class Liberation Army.

Zoe Brain said...

Thanks, everyone.

The CAT scan to confirm the tentative diagnosis of a pancreatic lesion has now been delayed till after the gallbladder has been removed. Endoscopy or direct examination during the surgery may conclusively diagnose the situation, and may make further tests redundant.

If it isn't just a cyst, we'll have to do some fancy legal footwork. Currently, the law is such that although we're married, legally we're strangers regarding survivors pensions, inheritance, and it appears, custody of children. The latter is the only important issue, the rest can, in extremis, be let slide.

The gallbladder is extremely inlamed, and not responding to intravenous streptomycin, flagyl etc so removing it will not be as easy as it is usually.

Both of us will be far too busy making sure our son is taken care of to worry about ourselves. I'll deal with the possibility of losing the love of my life later, when the immediate emergency is over.

Please wish us luck. Hopefully it's just a cyst. The odds are really quite good at this stage. Poor enough for us to make contingency plans though. Even the surgery isn't as usually risk-free as is a normal cholecystectomy.

It's been only 10 hours since the diagnosis, so if I'm a bit incoherent, please bear with me. I'm still numb with shock, and in panic mode. That means inhumanly calm, looking for things to do to ameliorate the situation if the worst comes to the worst. Which it probably won't, but just in case.

Like all good safety-critical engineers, I deal with the worst case first, no matter how unlikely, then proceed upwards through lesser problems, making sure that as much can be salvaged as possible at each level.

Also, I'm superstitious in one way. I believe that if there's a 25% chance of rain, carrying an umbrella reduces it to 20% ; conversely, not carrying one makes the chance 95%.

Which is why I'm carrying a golf-bag full, and a collapsible one in my handbag.

For those who believe in the power of prayer, now would be a really good time to conduct a test. As for me, well, like Chicken Soup, it can't hurt.

Anonymous said...

You got it, kiddo.

Please update when you can.

Oh, and remember to take care of yourselves, too. That's very noble to put A first, but how can you help him if you don't don your own oxygen masks first?

Maddie H said...

Many sympathies and best of wishes, Zoe. :(

RadarGrrl said...

Thinking of you both...

Dale said...

Zoe, I will certainly pray for your family. God bless each of you.

mythusmage said...

Nica, they're both ladies. They're also heterosexual and love each other very much. It's a fascinating story.

I'm hoping antibiotics suffice, there are some nasty side effects involved with gall bladder extraction.

Unknown said...

Zoe,

I'm so sorry I'm late responding! Due to the DNC in town I was extremely busy and really didn't even get on the computer much. During this past week and a half, cell phone coverage in downtown Denver has been extremely poor to non-existent in areas. Amazing how quickly its starting to clear up.

I will do everything I can to ask my higher power to bring Carmel, you and your son the internal powers of the universe to help heal Carmel and support you and your son during this difficult time. Where there's a will, there's a way!

I know I'm along ways away, but if there is anything I can do please don't hesitate to ask.

Luv ya Zoe!!!

Remember good things happen to good people.

You've been a tremendous supporter, educator and friend to me, while being a crusader for all of us. Time to take a time out make sure to eat and get your own rest. Like I said, Everyone will understand. You won't be able to help anyone if you don't take care of yourself. Now go take that hot bath and relax!

I haven't told you before, so I'm telling you now. How much it has meant to me for bring out the events that happened to me and what I'm going through. Although it is so hard to read, it has brought peace knowing it wasn't kept silent and it will never be forgotten.

I wish I could be there to hold you and hug you, but since I can't (((HUGS))) to everyone!

Love,

Diana

P.S. Colleen and Joanie H send their love and prayers as well!

Anonymous said...

I hope all goes well with your partner's operation - fingers crossed that it's not too serious.

Stephanie said...

Best wishes, Zoe. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Stephanie

Battybattybats said...

I shifted my tiny statue of Kuan Yin so that it was facing the screen as I re-read your post so it could read it too.

I will keep the positive thoughts heading your way.

Anonymous said...

Best of luck for the three of you, Zoe.

Andrew

Zoe Brain said...

Thanks, everyone.

The op went very well, and hopefully a CAT scan will show no other problems.

Touch wood.