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Since this blog is primarily intended as a life update for our friends and family, I thought I would send a quick message on the events of the last few days. Over the past 11 days, I’ve been fighting a nasty stomach bug, which appeared to travel to my lower intestines over the weekend. After some tests and a diagnosis, we thought we had it covered and I went on antibiotics. But on Tuesday afternoon, I ended up in the ER due to chest/arm pain and shortness of breath. I was put through several tests, but the pain went away and I was kept overnight for observation. At 2am on Wednesday, the nurse came into my room because my pulse had dropped and she wanted to make sure I was okay. At that point, I experienced what must feel like a powerful heart attack. My chest felt like it was being crushed, I had trouble breathing, my left arm ached and then went completely numb, and I began to shiver and shake all over. The nurse gave me nitroglycerin and morphine which didn’t seem to change anything. After 30 more minutes, she gave me a drug called dilaudid, which brought me very quickly out of the shock and pain. From there, things went from scary to confusing, as I was put through a series of tests ranging from a CT scan to a cardiac catheterization. The theory of my cardiovascular surgeon was that I was being rocked by a nasty virus and suffering from something called myocarditis (inflamation of the heart muscle). As the day and tests went on, everything seemed to confirm this theory. And at 1:30pm on Thursday, 48 hours after being brought to the hospital, I was headed home with Rachel. Even now, we don’t know exactly what caused the myocarditis. Over the evolution of this condition, I’ve tested positive for two known bacteria and one assumed virus. Since you can’t cure the virus, I’m now at home with antibiotics to fight the bacteria, and a supply of ibuprofen to keep the pain and swelling down. Overall, I feel tired, a little sore, but relatively normal.
Thanks to everyone for the calls, the well wishes and the visits, and thanks to the staff at Cayuga Medical Center. It was indeed a scare, but also a healthy pause and reflection on what matters most. And if this experience was a test on recognizing the important things in life, the answers walked through the door when Rachel came home with Eli yesterday evening…
We went to a friend’s house for a crawfish boil last weekend, which I couldn’t fully enjoy due to a nasty stomach bug I’ve been fighting. But Eli had had a blast, meeting both chickens and crawfish for the first time. Maybe it’s natural for this age, but he has no fear. I had to keep pulling his hands out of the chicken coop, and he was diving for the crawfish. I can’t imagine what this Eli defense is going to be like when he can actually walk around. It’s exhausting! A professional photographer was at the crawfish boil, and he sent a few pictures of Eli and me. Thanks Tom.
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I had been trying to capture this on video for a while, but could never get him to do it on cue. But this was a video my dad took while on vacation a few weeks back and I just found it on the computer. Oh, and I recognize that this may be one of those things that is only funny to the parent, but nonetheless, take it away Eli:
I took a trip to Milwaukee last weekend with my brother and a few friends, in advance of his wedding next month.
A few thoughts from the trip:
- Milwaukee: My new favorite city in the midwest. No hurt feelings, okay Chicago? At least you have Carlos Boozer. Overall, a nice-sized town, with waterfront, green spaces, great food, and a friendly people.
- Best Brunch: Trocadero Gastro Bar – Great food, cool neighborhood and an awesome garden patio.
- Best Bar: The Old German Beer Hall. While you’re there, be sure to play a game of hammer-nail-into-stump. It’s a pretty bizarre yet gratifying game.
- Cheese Tasting: Wisconsin Cheese Mart. Conclusion? Wisconsin cheese good. Very good. German cheese bad. Now I know why it was funny that my grandfather used to stick limburger cheese under my mom’s pillow as a kid.
- Frisbee Golf: We stumbled on a store after brunch called “Art Smart’s Dart Mart.” Obviously, we had to go in, and Art convinced us to take up the game of Frisbee Golf. 4 frisbee sales later, a city bus ride to the park, and we were on the first tee of an 18 hole frisbee golf course. It was nearly as fun as regular golf, but much less frustrating-and free.
- Best Breweries: Rock Bottom Brewery for best outdoor space on an inlet, Lakefront Brewery for best brewery tour and fish fry (so we’re told…we only tried the beer), Milwaukee Brewing Co. for waterfront patio and a real nice flight.
- My Brother: Could you really be getting married? How can that be? It feels like just last week that we were catching fireflies and playing GI-Joe football. Natasha will have a life of fun and laughter living with you. (Okay, there will be some headaches too). But it was great to have a weekend to be kids again. Congrats little brother.
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