Please check here for previous notes of absence and updates.
In the end it has turned out to be a one-and-done procedure and I am happy to say that it is now done with:
- The good news: I am likely to recover in full with better health than I have previously had.
- The not-so-good news: It will take much longer to recuperate from this than I had expected.
The procedure I went through was a quite extended variant of what WebMD calls a Aortobifemoral Bypass.
When my chest was opened up the conditions found in place were worse (…"they always are"…1) than expected. They required bypass procedures more extensive (in size), but less delicate (in number of new shunt connections), than anticipated.
Everything went more or less smooth and, after some seven hours of diligent work, the professors and MDs were satisfied (…"they always are"…) with the job they had done on me.
The physically drain the (larger than expected) procedure took on me has been much stronger (… "it always is" …) than I had anticipated. The intellectual drain, in consequence of the physical one, was even worse. My current task is to rebuild both strengths. This will take months.
Local health insurance entitles, and recommends, to take an additional three weeks leave of convalescence which is essentially a long and lazy stay in a specialized hotel/clinic with individualized physical training in the morning and lots of off-time during the rest of the day to hang out or go for walks. I am getting urged to commit to this even as it can only begin in July which, in my case, will be later than ideal. I currently think of it as a 'back to work training' opportunity which will allow me to slowly slip back into blogging while coping with some limited infrastructure and means.
Some readers have emailed and asked if I need additional money. Thank you very much. I won't reject any donations but I am not in any immediate need of help.
I have always taken care to keep my health insurance pay current and I had, during better days, put aside some 'rainy days' funds. The only additional payments I have made so far were for a number of taxi rides, a (partial) single room fee and for full hospital access to the net.
Those were minor expenses. The health insurance will pay for everything else without asking for any claw backs or extras.
I will be back to ask for blog donations after I am able to deliver an adequate compensation.
This whole episode has turned out to be larger and to take way longer than I had anticipated. Please excuse my lack of foresight on it.
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1 live comments by an experienced nurse heard around here …