07-05-2011, 07:39 PM
Um, Hi. It's just me, Kailath. I don't have much to say other than that some of you might have noticed my sudden absence from the Fleet fora and, more notably, from STO.
Just wanted to clarify: No, I didn't quit the STOA Fleet or STO. Here's what happened, for those who want the gritty details:a
on June 9th, I collapsed and was taken to the emergency department of the best hospital in my state. I was in a severe coma due to extensive, sudden massive liver injury/failure. I guess it had been building up for several weeks, but neither I nor my doctors noticed it: I was retaining a LOT of fluid, so my weight didn't change. Once the liver failed, I lost the water and along with it about 40--50 pouands (down to 100). It was kind of a vicious circle: I couldn't eat much or process nutrients b/c of my liver, and this (hidden) loss of tissue messed up my liver.
So I awoke in ER, cold and looking like a skeleton, no idea where I was. The doctor came to me, said I was in serious trouble, that thay were finally able to revive me but thought it would last for about 20 min -- after which they didn't know what would happen. He said my family was here, I said good-bye to them. (I had been in a coma, was freezing cold despite being covered by a ton of warm blankets, and thought for sure I had 20 min to live.)
But they were able to revive me, albeit in a dangerously weak state. I have little memory of what happened the next few days, except that once when a nurse tried to give me my medicine (i couldn't see), I thought I was doing a lop-sided trade on STO and refused! :roll: hehe
Next I was rushed to emergency surgery so they cpould remove my entire colon (it has dangerous pockets that could rupture any time. ultimately they had to refrain given my weak state, but I still might need emergency surgery if/when something happens.
A day or two I fell into ANOTHER, much worse coma, with my blood sugar down to almost zero, as well as my pulse. They had a VERY hard time getting me out of this, and apparently it took a long time. It was even more serious, for when I awoke, I couldn't understand where I was or anything. They thought they weren't going to revive me, I guess. But obviously they did, and after a couple weeks in the ICU, sent me home with nurse care.
Summary: I suffered severe liver injury for reasons not yet clear: Ithey went through my jugular all the way down to the liver to get biopsies, which they're still studying. meanwhile, several weeks of total immobility, combined with the severe weight loss (I could't eat or drink during much of my stay, which didn't help), caused me paralysis (temporary) and weakness. I'm just now barely starting to relearn to walk a little with a walker and assistance, and otherwise rely on the wheelchair. I can't sit in front of the computer, for my imbalance causes me to fall out of the chair. I might be able to get the wheelchair in there sometime soon, though. I hope so! I miss STO and you guys.
So after being dead/near death for a while a couple of times, enduring horrible chronic pain (added tp that a which I already had, along with my other major problems), and now being completely reliant on others to get around (nurses and therapists come to me home just about every day), things have obviously changed. I do hope to get back on STO and rejoin the STOA Fleet, that is if I remember how to play!
Unfortunately, I remain dangerously ill, extremely weak, and am being closely monitored -- I could still die soon, for my problems are profound. Oh well! I should have died many times over last fall for other reasons (severe pulmonary emboli + lung infarctions, i.a.). I guess I get to keep living here for a while longer. :|
Back to STO:
I had wanted to test season 4 on Tribble, but I guess it's suppposed to be on Holofeck soon.
Lastly, thank you for all the help you've given me. I'm glad to be a part of a nice, friendly community. Admiral: the new site design looks fantastic. Great job!
Sorry for rambling and for my sudden, unexplained disappearance. Aside from some relatives and my PhD supervisor/boss, I haven't any others to talk to who might care at all.
Attilio: feel free to delete if this is innapropiate. I don't wish to violate any forum rules. :o
Thanks again for your patience. I don't know how often I'll be able to get the forum, but I'll try.
--- Kailath
Just wanted to clarify: No, I didn't quit the STOA Fleet or STO. Here's what happened, for those who want the gritty details:a
on June 9th, I collapsed and was taken to the emergency department of the best hospital in my state. I was in a severe coma due to extensive, sudden massive liver injury/failure. I guess it had been building up for several weeks, but neither I nor my doctors noticed it: I was retaining a LOT of fluid, so my weight didn't change. Once the liver failed, I lost the water and along with it about 40--50 pouands (down to 100). It was kind of a vicious circle: I couldn't eat much or process nutrients b/c of my liver, and this (hidden) loss of tissue messed up my liver.
So I awoke in ER, cold and looking like a skeleton, no idea where I was. The doctor came to me, said I was in serious trouble, that thay were finally able to revive me but thought it would last for about 20 min -- after which they didn't know what would happen. He said my family was here, I said good-bye to them. (I had been in a coma, was freezing cold despite being covered by a ton of warm blankets, and thought for sure I had 20 min to live.)
But they were able to revive me, albeit in a dangerously weak state. I have little memory of what happened the next few days, except that once when a nurse tried to give me my medicine (i couldn't see), I thought I was doing a lop-sided trade on STO and refused! :roll: hehe
Next I was rushed to emergency surgery so they cpould remove my entire colon (it has dangerous pockets that could rupture any time. ultimately they had to refrain given my weak state, but I still might need emergency surgery if/when something happens.
A day or two I fell into ANOTHER, much worse coma, with my blood sugar down to almost zero, as well as my pulse. They had a VERY hard time getting me out of this, and apparently it took a long time. It was even more serious, for when I awoke, I couldn't understand where I was or anything. They thought they weren't going to revive me, I guess. But obviously they did, and after a couple weeks in the ICU, sent me home with nurse care.
Summary: I suffered severe liver injury for reasons not yet clear: Ithey went through my jugular all the way down to the liver to get biopsies, which they're still studying. meanwhile, several weeks of total immobility, combined with the severe weight loss (I could't eat or drink during much of my stay, which didn't help), caused me paralysis (temporary) and weakness. I'm just now barely starting to relearn to walk a little with a walker and assistance, and otherwise rely on the wheelchair. I can't sit in front of the computer, for my imbalance causes me to fall out of the chair. I might be able to get the wheelchair in there sometime soon, though. I hope so! I miss STO and you guys.
So after being dead/near death for a while a couple of times, enduring horrible chronic pain (added tp that a which I already had, along with my other major problems), and now being completely reliant on others to get around (nurses and therapists come to me home just about every day), things have obviously changed. I do hope to get back on STO and rejoin the STOA Fleet, that is if I remember how to play!
Unfortunately, I remain dangerously ill, extremely weak, and am being closely monitored -- I could still die soon, for my problems are profound. Oh well! I should have died many times over last fall for other reasons (severe pulmonary emboli + lung infarctions, i.a.). I guess I get to keep living here for a while longer. :| Back to STO:
I had wanted to test season 4 on Tribble, but I guess it's suppposed to be on Holofeck soon.
Lastly, thank you for all the help you've given me. I'm glad to be a part of a nice, friendly community. Admiral: the new site design looks fantastic. Great job!
Sorry for rambling and for my sudden, unexplained disappearance. Aside from some relatives and my PhD supervisor/boss, I haven't any others to talk to who might care at all.
Attilio: feel free to delete if this is innapropiate. I don't wish to violate any forum rules. :o
Thanks again for your patience. I don't know how often I'll be able to get the forum, but I'll try.
--- Kailath
