Progress: Mrs Bear out of hospital

[BigBigBear]

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and love and best wishes for the recent medical crisis that has hit our family.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x1135630

I wanted to provide an update. We took Mrs Bear home from the hospital yesterday; half her doctors believe that being home will help her recover, the other half advocated it because she absolutely will die soon and should be comfortable. The doctors are all over the map on their prognoses - her primary care doc, though, lives only a couple of miles from here and will come to see her semi-regularly. He believes she's got a decent chance - 50% anyway. He said "Get her out of the hospital before the specialists kill her."

I think I've seen improvement already; her energy level is a little better, she ate a fairly full dinner with me last night, her spirits seem a little better. I don't think anyone thinks she's out of the woods, and I suspect her skeptics will argue that she's so sick that small improvements won't matter much in the mid-to-long term.

But hope is an illusive commodity, and I still believe improving is better than not improving, and being with her kitties and garden is better than not being with them. She's either clawing her way back, or buying a little extra time - 6 weeks instead of 4.

Our journey continues, as does the cruelty of not really knowing what will happen, or how soon.

Thank you again for your concern and best wishes, and please keep those prayers coming.

[JanMichael]

1. We are thinking of you!

I am so glad she is home; much better than in the hospital.

Stephanie and Michael

[Whitacre D_WI]

2. I'm glad she is home with you...

...and I hope for the best for both of you! :pals:

[GOPisEvil]

3. Continued best wishes!

I'm glad she's home.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. They will

My prayers go out to you and yours.

[jrthin]

5. One step at a time.

She's out of the hospital, that's good news. Don't worry about the negative comments of the doctors. Keep your focus on Mrs. Bear getting better and better. She will.

[dolo amber]

14. Well,

I guess I don't have to bother saying that now since you said exactly what I was thinking, jrthin. :hi: :D

Continued good thoughts for you and your dear wife, BBB. :hug:

[zanana]

6. Optimism is strong medicine.

I think you have the right attitude to help Mrs. Bear recover. I've seen it time and time again; friends and relatives who were told their conditions were hopeless survived to prove their doctors wrong. They all had one thing in common; optimism. I'm not a religious person, so I'm not approaching this from a spiritual place. I just think optimism and refusing to give up bolster us physically and give us the strength to fight. Please hang in there, BigBigBear and Mrs. Bear. My thoughts will be with you.

[July]

7. Good to hear you are both home.

It has to be a more pleasant environment for Mrs. Bear. We hope with you for more improvement.

[silverlib]

8. I am so glad she is home...

For you and for her and for the kitties. Peace be with you all.

[LynzM]

9. Hope is a wonderful medicine, as is comfort

If they aren't actively doing anything for you at the hospital, get the heck out of there! I'm so glad to hear that she is home, and that you are staying hopeful! It is truly one of the amazing healers. I wish you all the best and will keep you and her in my prayers!

[OneBlueSky]

10. that's wonderful news, Bear . . .

two things my mom always told me in difficult times: "There's always hope" and "Miracles DO happen!" . . . my continued thoughts and prayers to both of you . . . :hug:

[flamingyouth]

11. Thinking of you both

I'm so glad you have her home.:hug:

[lpbk2713]

12. It's good to know that every now and then

there's a glimmer of light at the end of this tunnel you both have been going through. I wish you both all the best.

[MuseRider]

13. If she is going

to recover it will be with you, her kitties and her garden. Those things alone will give her so much more to live for than being in the hospital. Cherish your time, I know you will. I send my very best hopes and wishes and thoughts to you.

[BigBigBear]

15. So much for wonderful news

My landlady just called. After 5 years, she's kicking us out of our house. August 1.

Sure complicates things.

[Pithlet]

16. oh no

Can you talk to her and explain what is happening? At least maybe give you more time?

[BigBigBear]

17. I did

She said, "We'll work with you...", but the fact is she is trying to get her grand-daughter in a high school here, and they start end of August.

Told my wife and she was crushed. She likes it here.

Now I'm really worried...

[Raven]

21. Mr. Bear...

don't move. And don't say any more to Mrs. Bear about it. In most states it takes moving heaven and earth to evict residential tenants, especially ones with a hardship like yours. Tell your landlord that you will look for another place but that it may not be feasible to move by August given Mrs. Bear's medical condition. If the landlord files for an eviction, you will get your day in Court and my guess is that most judges would give you a good bit of extra time. I don't know where you live but I was a lawyer in Massachusetts for years and the laws there offer great protections for residential tenants. I think most states do.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

22. Agreed

and to BBB...at least your time together will be quality time rather than hospital time no matter the outcome...I know that is not the ultimate goal...as recovery would be...but her being in her own environment with her loved ones around her is MUCH more congenial to recovery than a hospital.

Prayers and hugs for you both..and again, thanks for keeping us informed every step of the way.

[salin]

23. what Raven and Nothingshocksmeanymore said

and some additional best wishes and good karma sent to you and Mrs.Bear.

[Raven]

24. Mr. Bear, PM me

if you want additional info on what I have recommended.

[saracat]

32. Raven is right.

Re:Post 21. Sit tight.I suppose you don't have a lease the landlord is breaking? I said a prayer for you and Mrs. Bear tonite and hugged my kitties to send energy your way. You will make it. Where there is life there is hope.I pray for the continued improvement of Mrs.Bear.

[Mass_Liberal]

18. hang in there!!

Its wonderful news that she is improving!! I am praying fervently that she gets better and your housing situation sorts itself out. We here at DU are all pulling for you! Keep us updated!



Dave

[BigMcLargehuge]

19. home is the best place

I am glad you were able to get her out of the hospital. Best of luck in the near and far term. I hope Mrs. Bear recovers.

I'll keep you in my thoughts

[m-jean03]

20. My best wishes and prayers for you and her.

It sure sounds rough, but do hang in there!
I pray she keeps getting better.

[camero]

25. I'm praying for you BigBear

I'm glad your doctor lives close. She's in better hands with him and with you at home.

[BigBigBear]

26. She's so tired

Got up to have a little yogurt, went back to sleep.

Boy, I dunno. They say if the end comes, it'll be slipping into a coma. I can't say I feel comfortable that she's inching away from that scenario.

[Bossy Monkey]

35. I think tired is something you'd expect out of liver and kidney trouble

Shouldn't be any indicator of a coming coma. Also all the emotional ups and downs associated with these idiot doctors would be very exhausting. (A lot of people find dairy products to be soporific as well.)
Best to you and her as ever.

[July]

36. Keeping you both in my thoughts.

You are one great husband. Hang in.

[MissMillie]

27. Bear, we're still praying for you

In fact, I'll dedicate all my Hail Mary's tonight to you and Mrs. Bear.

Keep your faith close.

[peacefreak]

28. Keeping you both in my thoughts.

Hold her close. Keep her safe. We are all hoping for the best outcome. Love, P.

[northofdenali]

29. Improvement and hope! This is good news, BBB,

and I'll continue sending all the good karma and prayers your way.
:hug:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

30. My continued good thoughts and best wishes for you both

[Robbien]

31. This is going to be good. That is my belief and I am sticking with it.

You and Mrs. Bear will be attending my funeral.

See you both there and you both be prepared to wait it out since it will be many years to come. I have faith.

[non sociopath skin]

33. My thoughts and prayers are still with you both, Mr Bear

The Skin

[buddhamama]

34. i'm glad she is home with you

and is comfortable. home is best.

thank you for the update.

i will continue to keep you both in my thoughts. :hug:

[Misunderestimator]

37. Fantastic News... being with her kitties and garden (and you)

should be just the recipe for her recovery. Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. :)

[BigBigBear]

38. After a few days of getting better

she's sliding again. Retaining fluids, paler stools, more exhaustion.

My friends, I don't think she's going to make it.

A few days of being strong and optimistic, and I'm starting to break again. God, this is slow and cruel, and I'm becoming convinced again it will end in heartbreak and sorrow.

[Bossy Monkey]

39. So very sorry. But this can still turn around so don't give up hope yet

You've been so strong; hang on for her and for yourself.

[BigBigBear]

40. Thanks for the encouragement

but y'know what?

If 'being strong for her' doesn't make her better, what good does it do?

Sorry, not trying to be nasty - but all I want is for her to emerge from this. I don't wish to appear a hero, or stalwart, or noble, or strong, or anything. It's not about me, it' about her damaged and failing body.

I just want her to live.

I wept bitterly in a church again tonight. This hurts, my friends.

[dolo amber]

41. I wish I had more

to offer you both...this is the best I can do in this impersonal medium. :hug:

[BigBigBear]

42. I know my friend

Thank you for your thoughts and best wishes and prayers.

To a large extent, though, this is a path for our four feet alone. Mine and Mrs Bear's.

Which is okay, because it's always been that way for us.

[fortyfeetunder]

45. Two hugs

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{BigBigBear}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Mrs. Bear}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I cannot imagine what you are going through. All I can do is send two hugs to both you and Mrs. Bear. Would it help if us DU'ers sent her a card to let her know we are thinking of her? And lift your spirits as well?

[July]

47. We can't walk your path, but we wish you well.

You are right that you and Mrs. Bear are the only ones who can walk your path, alone together. I hope it is of some help to you to express your feelings here while you deal with this most difficult moment in your life, and I wish that I could offer more than words of encouragement. Sometimes, when I have been as sad as you are feeling, other peoples' words didn't do much for me, and my reality rendered the rest of the world unimportant. It's just the way it is. You are on a hard road. Wherever it goes, though, you are on that road together with Mrs. Bear, and I admire your love and devotion as you walk it wherever it leads. I hope for the best for you.

[flamingyouth]

44. I'm sorry to hear this

I am still holding all hope for you and Mrs. Bear. I wish I could help you out - make you a nice comforting casserole and leave it on your porch, or run some errands for you. I can't imagine what you're going through right now. :hug:

[non sociopath skin]

46. The two of you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

Be strong.

The Skin

[GreenPartyVoter]

48. *hugs and prayers* coming your way

[supernova]

43. Keeping you in my thoughts

and prayers. :hug: :grouphug:

Whatever the outcome may be.