Thanks to Everyone! I really appreciate your many nice comments, concern, posted here on the board, tons of email, and many who also called me at the hospital. This was a very serious and extremely close brush with death … and as someone commented, it has affected my perspective on a number of things. Humbled by some things, stunned and surprised by other things, and most of all very glad to be here – alive!
Right now my body is half shaven with needle marks and bruises everywhere. If I were stopped on the streets of Chicago looking like this, staggering with fatigue, I would be arrested. I do have some pain here and there, but basically I’m okay, except for fatigue.
Something we men have a hard time getting through our thick heads is that just because we feel basically okay, does not mean that we can or should do a lot physically after a traumatic event … and I found this out by doing a little too much walking at the hospital – chest tightened, became out of breath, and got dizzy. A twinge of fear hit me as I realized – once again – that I am going to “”have”” to take things s-l-o-w-l-y.
I will post more later on this and a few other things. Once again, I thank everyone for your responses, prayers, and caring. – Jim
PS: Dateline was excellent. While somewhat gutted of its more potent material ... the more I think about it and talk with others, maybe this first round is best as it was presented.