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September 14, 2008

Either a heart attack, or a Greek of the same name
Posted by Patrick at 09:20 AM * 465 comments

Some kind of “burying the lede” prize has to go to Teresa Nielsen Hayden for using a comment in a downblog thread, rather than Making Light’s front page, to tell her readership that she’d been carted off to the hospital following what was probably a heart attack. This event has since been discussed elsewhere, and we’re starting to get a pile of email (most of which can be summarized as “WTF!?!?”) from friends who didn’t happen to have read 157 comments into a thread from several days ago. So it seems only fair to bring the rest of the world up to date.

A little after midnight this past Thursday night / Friday morning, Teresa and I were talking—about how to code an image in a Making Light post, no less—when she suddenly experienced an unfamiliar and intense pain in her chest, rapidly radiating up into her neck and lower jaw, accompanied by a sensation of powerful pressure deep inside. After a brief discussion we called 911. Impressively well-equipped paramedics arrived in about seven minutes and performed tests on the spot. We were then taken in an ambulance to Brooklyn’s Lutheran Medical Center. As of this morning, Teresa is still there, having graduated from the ER to an actual hospital bed. Further tests have been performed and more are to come. She is not considered to be in critical condition.

Teresa has had odd and hard-to-classify cardio/circulatory events before; among her other health problems, she’s occasionally prone to vaso-vagal spasm. So was this really an Infarction, Class Myocardial? The answer is: it seems probable from everything we’ve been able to find out. It appears to be what the medics assume when they’re not using careful diagnostic-speak. The speed with which the symptoms receded as soon as she was given nitroglycerin (in the ambulance, on the way over) is suggestive. Obviously, we’ll see what Big Medicine has to say when they finally finish all their tests.

Meanwhile, is she okay? Sure; mostly bored. Lutheran Medical Center is a good hospital, but they’re still a hospital, all hurry-up-and-wait, vagueness about what to expect next, and long delays, particularly over a weekend. Since hospitals aren’t really a great place to leave valuables unattended, houseguest Elise Matthesen and I have been bringing her computer to her every morning and taking it home at night. She does have a net connection, but don’t count on her for instant responses to inquiries; for the moment, anything urgent should probably be bounced to me.

What’s next? Well, “lifestyle changes,” no doubt. We do both still expect to teach at Viable Paradise on Martha’s Vineyard a week from now; we will, after all, have an EMT on staff, and we the workshop’s logistics can be adjusted to accommodate physical limitations. Other than that, one day at a time. More when we know it.

Welcome to Making Light's comments section. Moderator: Teresa Nielsen Hayden.

Comments on Either a heart attack, or a Greek of the same name:

#1 ::: Charlie Stross ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:30 AM:

Oh bloody hell.

You and Teresa have my deepest sympathies; here's hoping that it was a minor incident and there isn't any lasting damage.

#2 ::: Xopher ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:36 AM:

You're both in my thoughts and prayers.

100% recovery is the mark to aim for.

#3 ::: David Dyer-Bennet ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:36 AM:

My deepest sympathies to Teresa and to you. Get better real soon, T!

#4 ::: Avedaggio ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:36 AM:

What Charlie said. Thank you for keeping us in the loop-- a lot of people will be thinking of you and sending good karma and prayers.

#5 ::: Julia Jones ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:40 AM:

Adding my "me too", and thanks to Charlie for the heads-up somewhere where I saw it quicker than I would the ML RSS feed.

#6 ::: pedantic peasant ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:40 AM:

God, I'm sorry to hear this, but glad to hear she is, apparently, OK.

Hope you are both well, and Teresa that recovers fully, without any ill effects.

Know that you both are in our thoughts and prayers.

#7 ::: miriam beetle ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:40 AM:

my prayers & good hopes going out to to you, too, from halfway around the world.

a good friend of mine's mother is having breast cancer treatment in new york right now, so my thoughts & prayers & wishes were conveniently in the neighbourhood already.

#8 ::: Steven ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:41 AM:

Hoping they release Teresa soon and that this is a one time, minor, event.

#9 ::: KristianB ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:41 AM:

Holy crap :O best wishes and everything they said.

#10 ::: CE Murphy ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:42 AM:

oh, my. Here's to a speedy recovery.

#11 ::: ebear ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:43 AM:

Thank you, Patrick. Teresa, if you are reading this, get well soon. And darn those lifestyle changes. :-P

#12 ::: mg_65 ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:45 AM:

I lurk and never comment, but surface here to wish Teresa a quick recovery and good health. Sending love, mixed with gratitude for the sanity, humor, and intelligence you both bring every day.

#13 ::: Liz Williams ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:45 AM:

I'm really sorry to hear this. Get better soon!

#14 ::: pedantic peasant ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:47 AM:

FYI:

I've been trying to find Teresa's initial post (which I'm assuming is in the memories and remembrances open-ish thread), by using "view all by" on Teresa's early post around comment 7 or 9, but every time I click the "view all by" it brings me back to Making Light's front page.

#15 ::: Mris ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:47 AM:

My great-grandmother spent her last five years afraid she was going to explode if she fell over, because she'd been taking nitroglycerin. I don't think anybody should try to avoid making Teresa laugh on these grounds.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and for continued boredom until then, since boredom is far, far better than lots of interesting activity when you're in the hospital.

#16 ::: Adam Lipkin ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:48 AM:

I'm so sorry to hear this. Add my thoughts to those wishing Teresa (and you) well.

#17 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:52 AM:

is she okay? Sure; mostly bored.

Boring is good.
My best wishes, teresa.

#18 ::: Fiendish Writer ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:53 AM:

How scary! I am glad the paramedics were so swift, and so well-equipped. May Miss Teresa come home soon.

#19 ::: Patrick Nielsen Hayden ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:54 AM:

#14, pedantic peasant: Beats me. In a modern browser, my link in the post above should take you to her comment #157. And the "view all by" link in her comment headers works for me as well, although as you might expect it takes a while to load...

#20 ::: Will "scifantasy" Frank ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:55 AM:

Holy hell...glad to hear Teresa's doing better.

#21 ::: Rivka ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:55 AM:

It sounds like things went as well as they possibly could, which is still not much of a recommendation.

Best wishes to Teresa for a speedy recovery, and best wishes to Patrick (and Elise) for coping with an incredibly stressful situation.

#22 ::: Sue ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 09:57 AM:

My God. When Serge told me about that, I was horrified.

My best wishes and sympathies!

#23 ::: Steve B ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:01 AM:

I'm with Serge @ #17: In this context, boring is good. Best wishes for Teresa's quick recovery.

#24 ::: eric orchard ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:03 AM:

I hope things improve very soon. I'm very sorry to hear this news.

#25 ::: JKRichard ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:03 AM:

I am glad to hear that Teresa is mostly bored. Swift recovery please.

#26 ::: Charlie Stross ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:04 AM:

Incidentally, if any of you ever get those symptoms? Do what Patrick and Teresa did and call an ambulance immediately.

The survival figures speak for themselves; 85% of those who get to hospital within 3 hours of a heart attack survive, and among those who do within an hour the survival rate is even higher. But the overall survival rate for a first heart attack is down around 50%, because a surprisingly high proportion of victims try to tough it out or ignore it at first -- until it's too late.

#27 ::: Joel Polowin ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:05 AM:

My great-grandmother spent her last five years afraid she was going to explode if she fell over, because she'd been taking nitroglycerin. I don't think anybody should try to avoid making Teresa laugh on these grounds.

Road Runner zips up behind Teresa. "MEEP MEEP!"

Teresa looks around, shrieks with laughter, collapses. <KABOOOM!>

Cut to: Teresa, blinking, blackened, in a cloud of smoke.

But with any luck, she'll be fine again in the very next scene.

#28 ::: Kieran ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:08 AM:

Best wishes to you both, and get well soon, Teresa.

#29 ::: Kelly McCullough ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:11 AM:

You both have my best wishes and sympathy. Teresa, please take care and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

#30 ::: John Chu ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:14 AM:

Yeah, dealing with hospitals can be frustrating. All the best to Teresa, Patrick and Elise. I'm glad she's ok. I hope everything gets sorted out soon and that whatever health issues are minor.

Like everyone has said though, in this case, bored is good.


#31 ::: Paul ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:15 AM:

Yikes!

Best wishes on a speedy recovery.

#32 ::: JJ Fozz ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:17 AM:

Hope all is well, I'll light a candle for ya when I hit Mass today

#33 ::: Kip W ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:17 AM:

Get well soon, Teresa, and out of the boring hospital. Get so well everybody else looks sick. Get so well that doctors quit grading on the curve. Get so well Thomas Sowell changes his name to avoid the comparison.

#34 ::: James D. Macdonald ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:17 AM:

#26 Charlie: But the overall survival rate for a first heart attack is down around 50%, because a surprisingly high proportion of victims try to tough it out or ignore it at first -- until it's too late.

You got that right, Charlie. If you go to someone's house (usually because you were called by his wife) and the first words out of his mouth are "I'm not having a heart attack!" that's almost diagnostic. He's having one right in front of your eyes.

The very first of my medical posts here was on heart attacks. What motivated me to write it was when a friend called me on the phone (knowing that I'm an EMT and all) to say "My co-worker has chest pain and he's looking really pale and sweaty. What should I do?" or words to that effect.

If you suspect heart attack, sit down, 9-1-1 and four baby aspirin (chewed), and let Big Medicine do what it does best. Really, we're good at this.

#35 ::: beth meacham ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:22 AM:

I'm just sorry that T. has had to spend several nights in a hospital bed, doubtless being awakened every few hours for someone to take her vitals and stick needles in her.

#36 ::: Connie H. ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:22 AM:

Best wishes, Teresa! And strength and patience to Patrick and Elise, too.

#37 ::: Linda Daly ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:24 AM:

Wow. My sympathy and very best wishes for a quick resolution and the speediest recovery for Teresa. And particularly, here's hoping for smooth sailing for Patrick and Elise. It's so stressful being the person in the bedside chair.

#38 ::: Alexandr Kazda ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:24 AM:

Adding my "get well soon & don't explode, please" to the already huge heap. For the past few years, Making Light has been making my life, well, lighter. I hope that this event will be nothing more than a "here's how you do it right" exercise complementing all the medical posts. Good luck, people.

#39 ::: Tracey S. Rosenberg ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:25 AM:

Fingers crossed, best wishes, and all good thoughts - and those are directed to you, Patrick, as well, because (sadly) I know how awful it is for the partner who has to hang out in the waiting room making all the friends-and-relations phone calls ('yes, they did a treponin test; yes, I'm sure the doctor didn't get his degree from a Cracker Jack box' etc.).

During long stressful waiting periods I recommend writing doggerel, because I found a kind of victory in being able to rhyme and scan At A Time Like This.

#40 ::: Melissa Mead ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:25 AM:

:Thinking good thoughts for both of you:

#41 ::: Karin ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:26 AM:

Get well soon, Teresa -- thinking of you and Patrick and hope all goes well.

#42 ::: Farah ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:29 AM:

Good to hear. I'll be thinking of you both.

#43 ::: Evan Goer ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:31 AM:

You're in my thoughts and prayers as well, Teresa. Best wishes to you and all your caregivers.

#44 ::: Michael ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:31 AM:

Well wishes from Texas. We're thinking good thoughts for you.

#45 ::: Johne Cook ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:37 AM:

Egad! You two are in my thoughts and prayers.

#46 ::: Michael Roberts ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:39 AM:

This hardly seems fair. Best wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery, and if you want a free (though no-frills) vacation in the sunny Caribbean as a stress reducer, you know who to turn to. Along about November it'll start sounding good.

#47 ::: Ronit ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:44 AM:

Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery.

#48 ::: James D. Macdonald ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:49 AM:

People who are interested in What Happens in the Hospital could do far worse than to go to Heartsite.com.

#49 ::: Christopher Davis ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:49 AM:

Here's to a medically boring stay, with enough non-medical activity and mental stimulation to keep Teresa from being bored. (Let the medical staff be bored, instead.)

#50 ::: Pixelfish ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:49 AM:

I've been heads down in moving cross-country (east coast to west coast) so I missed any earlier discussion. But let me be the, um, 47th or so to offer my best wishes for Teresa's recovery and return to good health.

(As a side note, I'm somewhat curious as to how a hypochondriac should handle heart attack symptoms. I had arm and chest pain on my left side because of a) torn rotator cuff and pinched nerves and b) really bad GERD, and I'm afeard that one day I will have a heart attack and blow it off because I'm a hypochondriac who is always worrying about something. Is there anything that will make a heart attack particularly obvious, short of death?)

#51 ::: Jennifer Pelland ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:52 AM:

I'm glad the worst seems to have passed, and I'll be keeping you both in my thoughts.

#52 ::: Nick Mamatas ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:53 AM:

Get well, stay strong.

#53 ::: LauraAnne ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:54 AM:

Yeeeep.

*better-health-no-more-surprises wishes heading your way from across the city*

#54 ::: Rose White ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:55 AM:

Thanks so much, Patrick, for giving such a full and soothing report. I'll continue to fret gently anyway, and keep Teresa and you and helper/houseguest Elise in my thoughts.

My fondest wish is for no surprises and a quick exit from the hospital!

#55 ::: Giacomo ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:57 AM:

Best wishes to you both!

I live in fear that something like that might happen to my parents one day, and I'd be on the other side of the world...

#56 ::: Josh Jasper ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:57 AM:

Best wishes for a speedy, easy recovery. If you need anything brought to hospital or home while you recover, let me know.

#57 ::: Joyce Reynolds-Ward ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 10:59 AM:

Oh dear Lord. Holy Batcakes.

This is going around. The spouse of a writer friend of mine just spent time in the hospital with heart attack symptoms--turns out not, but angioplasty to ream out serious arterial blockage was called for.

For Teresa--may your hospital time be exquisitely boring rather than exciting. Hospital time should be boring, especially for this stuff. Better than the alternative.

Unfortunately, it sounds like dark chocolate and single malt Scotch are contraindicated. For the moment. Still, best wishes and a hope that some of the good things can be sneaking back into your life soon enough...at least until then, we can haz Middle/Old English, right?

And, like Pixelfish at 50, I want to know just how one discerns between worrisome chest pain and chest pain caused by muscle spasm. Mine is caused in part by pressure on particular muscles from underwire bras and such. It does not radiate. BP is good, blood work has been good (but hasn't been done in the past few years).

#58 ::: Kip Manley ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:01 AM:

Hail to hero EMTs everywhere, and best wishes etc. The heart being a tough old muscle, after all, and hard to burn. —To natter distractingly about hospitals and such: we recently had a brief, informal tour of the birthing suites at the hospital we intend to use, and the lovely wood floors and the Jacuzzi tub and the fact that labor and delivery and recovery all happen right there in the same place with no unnecessary change of venue is very nice, yes yes, but when they asked if we had any questions the first words out of the Spouse's mouth were, "How's the wifi?"

Should be fully covered by the due date. If not, we'll want an east-facing room, it seems. Best chance of picking up the signal from a lobby one floor down. Lousy views there, but who goes for the view?

#59 ::: Holly P. ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:04 AM:

I lurk and never comment here as well, but I've been reading Making Light for five years and it has profoundly shaped how I think about many issues. Teresa and Patrick, you are in my prayers.

#60 ::: Vanessa ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:06 AM:

Oh dear, so sorry to hear this. Wishing you a short hospital stay marked by nothing more than boredom.

#61 ::: Pat Cadigan ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:06 AM:

Hay, guise, WTFOMGBBQZZTOP! Don't do that any more, OK? I mean, I wish you hadn't done it the first time but since you already did, stop now, OK?

Thinking good thoughts for you, and at you.

#62 ::: ADM ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:06 AM:

Jeebus! Glad everything seems relatively OK. That really does get the 'understatement of the year' prize. Hope you're feeling back to normal soon.

#63 ::: Ellen Asher ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:11 AM:

Emerging from lurking to wish Teresa continued boredom in the hospital and a speedy and total recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

#64 ::: Greg van Eekhout ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:13 AM:

Wishing Teresa a full and speedy recovery, and the shortest and most comfortable hospital stay possible. And please don't forget to take care of yourself, Patrick. Eating and sleeping and all that.

#65 ::: Samantha ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:15 AM:

Speedy recovery!

#66 ::: Mary Robinette Kowal ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:18 AM:

Good heavens, I'm glad you were in a place to have medical care respond quickly. I send my best wishes for a speedy recovery.

#67 ::: Hilary Hertzoff ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:18 AM:

Adding my voice to the chorus of well-wishers.

May your hospital stay be incredibly dull and life go back to normal quickly.

#68 ::: Vicki ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:18 AM:

First, to repeat: get better soon, Teresa.

Second, yes that was a good job of burying the lede. I did read that far down that thread, and then was reassured to see a post by Teresa the next day. I didn't quite think that Andy hadn't read that far down until he expressed surprise and dismay on seeing Elise's LJ post about Teresa's heart attack.

And third, points to Patrick for the allusion in the post title. I'm guessing by now you've relaxed enough to appreciate that people are appreciating your phrasing.

#69 ::: Sajia Kabir ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:19 AM:

(Semi-lurker delurks) Take care.

#70 ::: Matt Stevens ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:20 AM:

Goddam it!

Best of luck to Teresa and hopes for a speedy recovery.

#71 ::: P J Evans ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:20 AM:

have the hospital people been warned about Teresa and Middle English? (Hope she's out sooner than RSN.)

#72 ::: Mygaera ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:21 AM:

Oh jeez, another deep-lurker surfacing to make sure that Madame Nielsen Hayden, our favorite editrix (editoress?) pulls through in fine fettle. Stay bored; what more, bore your doctors and make your nurses laugh. Keep the bed rails up, just in case they make you laugh.

Brightest blessings on you, and Patrick and Elise for being there to help you Do The Right Thing. Extend those blessings to Jim as well, for teaching us all What To Do.

#73 ::: Suzanne ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:22 AM:

Boring is very, very good. And I'd imagine that Teresa, more so than almost any other person, has no shortage of good books to read. Although, if someone starts carting over chunks of the slush pile for her, she'll be unbelievably motivated to get well and get out of the hospital as fast as possible...

Thanks for keeping us informed, Patrick. Let me know if there's anything I can do, either now or at the start of VP, to make things easier for you both.

#74 ::: Doctor Science ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:23 AM:

omg. Best wishes to you both, and to Teresa for a speedy and total recovery.

Baby aspirin, eh? *adds to shopping list*

#75 ::: Alter S. Reiss ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:23 AM:

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

#76 ::: Dena Shunra ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:27 AM:

Me too on the wellness wishing at the wishing well - lots of good hippie vibes speeding Teresa-wards from the far northwest.

And oh yeah, boring is good. Very good.

Be healthy, Teresa. And thanks, Patrick, for the update. Even mostly-lurkers care. And fret.

#77 ::: Magenta Griffith ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:28 AM:

Another voice in the chorus. Sending healing energy to Teresa, and coping energy to her as well as Patrick and Elise.

#78 ::: debcha ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:29 AM:

Oh no! Teresa, best wishes for a speedy recovery! We'll try to keep the Internet ticking smoothly in your absence, and we promise not to throw any wild parties.

#79 ::: A.R.Yngve ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:29 AM:

Do get well, Teresa.

#80 ::: Ray Radlein ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:29 AM:

Here's hoping she can reacquire home-hood in short order, if not shorter order. And thanks for the Tweet; goodness knows when I would have found out about this otherwise.

[ObSheesh: Sheesh! The things some people do to draw folks from far and wide back into the comments at Making Light!]

#81 ::: ethan ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:32 AM:

What they said, up there. Get well.

#82 ::: Carol Witt ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:33 AM:

Best wishes to Teresa and Patrick. Yay for Elise!

#83 ::: Epacris ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:34 AM:

May I recommend Xopher @189 in Remembrances and anniversaries on ways of "keeping a good thought" for someone?

Mez, sending across a MLAC (AB) Care Parcel of health and healing to you, as well as one for the NH household. Hope you got the Councillors you wanted, and sleep enough.

#84 ::: Johan Anglemark ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:34 AM:

Your friends and acquaintances in Sweden are thinking of you and hoping everything turns out all right in the end!

#85 ::: Lizzy L ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:38 AM:

I'm putting my best wishes here, but have already e-mailed 'em to Teresa. I know well what she's experiencing; I had a heart attack in 2006. I didn't call an ambulance -- a friend drove me to the hospital -- and no one could believe I was actually having a heart attack, including the ER docs, until the labs came back. Teresa, wishing you the best outcome: minimal blockage, no surgery necessary, a prescription for a statin drug that you tolerate with no problems, some diet changes, and that's it. You may escape without heart muscle damage: I did. Congratulations for having called 911 immediately. I agree with all above: boring is good. I hope you recover soon and are able to return to your life. Thoughts and prayers...

#86 ::: miriam beetle ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:38 AM:

i don't get the allusion of the title, but it has thoroughly earwormed me with the old 97s' "murder or a heart attack".

"but i'm leaving the back door open 'til you come hooome again...."

sorry. (but an earworm can count as a form of distraction, right?)

#87 ::: Fragano Ledgister ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:44 AM:

All I can do is hope that Teresa recovers as swiftly as possible. You're both in my thoughts, for whatever good that may do.

#88 ::: Scott Taylor ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:45 AM:

Yipes!

Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery!
(since everything else important has been said, it seems... :-)

#89 ::: Julie ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:45 AM:

Dang it, guys. Sending more GT's from up Texas way.

#90 ::: Alberto ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:46 AM:

My thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recover, and laughter for all of you.

#91 ::: Caroline ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:49 AM:

!!!!!

Thoughts, good hopes, and prayers coming from here.

Hoping that there remains no excitement in the hospital -- just hanging around, feeling fine, and getting better, until able to come home.

(And I am hearing the echo of my former boss's voice in my head. We were working on methods for earlier diagnosis of risk of myocardial infarction, in an office a few blocks from the local hospital. Every time an ambulance went by the office, he would come in and say "We must work faster!" I'm no longer working on myocardial infarction, but I am working on risk assessment for arrhythmia. I must work faster!)

#92 ::: Dawno ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:49 AM:

Get well soon, Teresa.

#93 ::: Mary Dell ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:53 AM:

Oh, fuck! I'm glad she's ok and that you both reacted as quickly as you did. All my best to both of you...get well soon, hang in there, and so forth.

#94 ::: language hat ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:53 AM:

Very sorry to hear this, but glad she's doing OK. Thanks for posting, and my best wishes to both of you.

#95 ::: Michael ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:54 AM:

As a hospital veteran, I can tell you that boredom is a good symptom in a patient. It's even better when the doctors get bored.

Get well soon.

#96 ::: Dave Romm ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:54 AM:

Sympathies and best wishes.

#97 ::: D. Potter ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:54 AM:

Industrial Strength HealingWishes are on their way to Teresa Fed Ex. Fortitude for you and Elise.

(Lifestyle changes. Oy. Insert age cliche here.)

#98 ::: Dave Langford ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:55 AM:

Oh gosh. So much can happen while we're entertaining my aged mother on one of her rare visits to Reading. General echoing of what everybody says about Getting Well Soon.

What I first saw was a truncated subject line on a mailing list: "Theresa Nielsen Hayden suffers (minor) hear", and it took a moment to realize how this had to continue. As a deafish fan I've been suffering from minor hear all my life.

#99 ::: Mary Frances ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:56 AM:

Adding to the chorus--thoughts and prayers, to both of you.

#100 ::: Mark ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:56 AM:

Oh, dear. Best wishes, and get well soon!

#101 ::: CaseyL ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 11:58 AM:

More (gentle) hugs and best wishes for a complete recovery, and here's hoping the 'lifestyle changes' will be minimal.

Oh, and many thanks to the EMTs!

#102 ::: Janet ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:01 PM:

To Teresa: Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Thanks, Patrick, for posting.

#103 ::: Erik Nelson ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:03 PM:

Let me join everyone in wishing you well.

#104 ::: Ginger ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:05 PM:

Teresa: Best wishes for a steady and boring recovery. Well done on calling 9-1-1 sooner rather than later, and for posting about it; reminding us about the clinical signs of heart attacks could save more lives.

Pixelfish @ 50: Heart attack pain is much more intense, and is accompanied by pressure. GERD radiates along the esophagus, and shoulder pain is fairly confined to the area of use. Heart attacks generally are also accompanied by other signs, like "indigestion" (which is classic in women), anxiety, nausea (because of the severe pain), and hemodynamic signs -- paleness, sweating, loss of energy.

In any case, if you are concerned about the pain, and can't identify it definitively as GERD/rotator cuff, just take precautions and at least call a doctor or drop in to the nearest urgent care facility -- some cities are now developing Urgent Care facilities to relieve the pressures on ERs.

#105 ::: Charles ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:08 PM:

Get well soon, Teresa.

#106 ::: Janice in GA ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:09 PM:

So far, so good, right?

Good healing thoughts coming your way. Take it easy, get well.

#107 ::: Didi ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:11 PM:

Not much to say except joining everyone else in wishing you both well. Hope normal life resumes quickly.

#108 ::: Lenny Bailes ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:13 PM:

Teresa, feel better, soon.

More entertainment links:
Tease,
(the full episode),
Good Andy Hooper play.

#109 ::: Pablo Defendini ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:14 PM:

Glad to hear everything is under control. Best wishes as always, and a speedy recovery for TNH!

#110 ::: Patrick Weekes ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:16 PM:

Wish I had something more profound to say, but I'll stick with everyone else. Good luck, and feel better!

#111 ::: Randy Paul ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:17 PM:

Get well Teresa and hang in there Patrick. I'll keep you both in my prayers.

#112 ::: Graham Sleight ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:17 PM:

Gawd. Very best wishes to you both.

#113 ::: green_knight ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:19 PM:

Wishing you all the best. And that's a plural 'you' -Teresa for the obvious reasons, and everybody else who worries because you can never have too much support.

#114 ::: Geri Sullivan ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:19 PM:

"Burying the lede," indeed. That'll show me for not returning to the comments in Abi's thread on Friday, after having read the first 134 late Thursday night. Thank you for the update and added details here.

I'm glad the heart attack was a mild one, much as I understand how life-changing "mild" major medical conditions can be. If a friend with a car can be of any help between now and the start of Viable Paradise can be of any help, please call or write. My schedule is in one of those times where it's relatively easy to be flexible about where I am.

#116 ::: Tom Whitmore ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:23 PM:

And of course this happens when I'm helping copyedit some text for a cardiac equipment company (they make emergency defibrillators and test/monitor equitpment...). Makes note to self not to start studying hemorrhagic fevers. Thoughts and wishes, as sent elsewhere.

#117 ::: rm ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:23 PM:

Prayers, hopes, good wishes.

#118 ::: Beth Nachison ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:24 PM:

Oh my. Scary! Best wishes to all.

#119 ::: Shana ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:25 PM:

Ack! I'm sorry to hear this.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

#120 ::: don delny ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:28 PM:

Good heavens!

Get well soon Teresa. I'll be praying for you.

don

#121 ::: TexAnne ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:29 PM:

I wish you a short and boring hospital stay, Teresa!

#122 ::: CaoPaux ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:31 PM:

Yikes! Please add our best wishes for a full recovery to the multitude.

#123 ::: Emma Bull ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:33 PM:

You're both in my thoughts and prayers, guys. Anything we can do, please don't hesitate an instant before telling us.

#124 ::: Adam Sanford ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:43 PM:

Holy yikes! I'm glad to hear that she's recovering. Thinking good thoughts for both of you.

#125 ::: arkessian ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:45 PM:

Just another voice in the chorus here... Get well soon, Theresa.

#126 ::: Kristine Smith ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:48 PM:

Hoping for a rapid recovery and no lasting ill effects.

#127 ::: Angiportus ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:49 PM:

124th-ing the best wishes, and relief. [gets off chair, onto bike]

#128 ::: Elyse Grasso ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:51 PM:

So sorry to hear this.

Best wishes for a boring hospital stay and a quick and complete recovery.

#129 ::: Tam ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:51 PM:

What a scare. I wish you both a rapid and total recovery.

#130 ::: LizT ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:52 PM:

My fil has been through this three times this year. Our family's best wishes to yours for a speedy and answer-filled recovery.

We all really hated the not-knowing parts.

#131 ::: Janni ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:53 PM:

Heal well, Teresa. Thinking of you here.

#132 ::: David DeLaney ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:54 PM:

I'll add my voice to the chorus of "get better soon and have this turn out to be minor plzkthx!". But - for all of you who are wishing her boredom in the hospital (though I know exactly where you're coming from and why you say it), every time I see that I think "Hasn't Patrick brought her a pile of BOOKS to read yet? Not to edit, just to read?"... I know, from previous experience, that if I ever again have to go, and have time to prepare, one thing I'll HAVE to take is a brown grocery-bag full (approx.) of paperbacks to read.

--Dave

#133 ::: Tara ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 12:59 PM:

Raising a bowl of oatmeal for your speedy return home!

#134 ::: Rymenhild ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:00 PM:

I'm another lurker, popping up to wish Teresa a quick, simple and complete recovery.

#135 ::: JESR ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:02 PM:

Bother. I can't think of anything more difficult than just lying there and letting people take care of you, Teresa, but you'll just have to put up with it so you can be well soon, because you are necessary, all around.

#136 ::: Janna Silverstein ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:03 PM:

I send my best wishes to both of you. Theresa, here's to a speedy recovery.

#137 ::: Dan Layman-Kennedy ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:03 PM:

Oh, jeeze. Get better soon. My thoughts are with you.

#138 ::: NelC ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:04 PM:

Goodness, I spotted the "buried lede", but when I realised that Teresa was still moderating Boingboing, I figured it wasn't anything so serious. Don't those guys give you sick leave, Teresa?

Seriously, though, get well soon. And I know hospital's boring but find something to do less aggravating than quashing CATFOCFICkers, please?

#139 ::: Teka ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:04 PM:

Best wishes for Teresa's full and healthy recovery.

#140 ::: xeger ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:06 PM:

Good wishes here, as well -- wondering if we should all conspire to find Teresa a fine nightcap for her stay in bed... ;)

#141 ::: Josh Millard ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:07 PM:

Holy hell. Here's hoping for a speedy, or at least thorough, recovery.

#142 ::: Juliet E McKenna ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:07 PM:

Very best wishes for the most positive of outcomes, and sincerest sympathies to all in the meantime.

#143 ::: Remus Shepherd ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:12 PM:

Yikes. Get well, Teresa.

#144 ::: Madeleine Robins ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:12 PM:

I've already sent my love, but I'll repeat what everyone else has said: Boredom is okay, considering, as Maurice Chevalier put it, The Alternative. Both of you stay well, please.

#145 ::: mk ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:13 PM:

Best wishes!

#146 ::: Leah Bobet ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:14 PM:

Eek. All appendages crossed here for a quick and lasting recovery, and the good health of both of you.

#147 ::: Emma ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:15 PM:

Nothing creative to say; just hang in there, and I'll be directing a few choice words to the Entity upstairs.

#148 ::: Andrew Willett ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:17 PM:

Hokey smokes. Am glad all involved are being well-looked-after; will keep wishes for T's speedy recovery in my heart. I hope somebody has taken her knitting bag to her; that may help.

I would also like to apologize at this time, because when when I read the phrase "impressively well-equipped paramedics" my brain went all Edward Gorey/The Curious Sofa on me and I had to stop and snicker like a 14-year-old.

#149 ::: Bruce Adelsohn ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:19 PM:

Health issues = sucky
Good care = Excellent
Being bored (rather than the alternative) = Not so bad, eh?

Sending good health thoughts and prayers your direction, and extremely glad it's not far worse.

#150 ::: Harriet Culver ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:19 PM:

All my best wishes for a full and speedy recovery, Teresa, and as mentioned "elsewhere" you and PNH and all your assorted caregivers are in my prayers.

Patrick, thanks for posting this for all of us who'd heard only the bare minimum elsewhere and had been waiting, hopefully, for an "official bulletin". I for one was greatly relieved to learn (among other reliefs) that TNH's previous ML post was timestamped well after the stressful occurrences of the previous day. . .

Harriet
who'd been staring bemusedly at
the juxtaposition of the words
"Bring It On!" and "Teresa"

#151 ::: whump ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:20 PM:

Thinking of you all, and glad you took the warning signs seriously.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

And thank you, Jim, for writing that piece about warning signs.

#152 ::: betsyl ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:22 PM:

well, that's a little more excitement than you really needed. my best wishes to you all, and i hope teresa gets to be bored at home rather than bored at the hospital very soon now.

#153 ::: Lisa Harrigan ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:23 PM:

I'm just another fan who has enjoyed seeing you at cons. First heard about this is Elise's LJ, but glad you posted with more details.
Hope Teresa is back on her feet soonest. Hospitals are most definitely a drag.
*hugs* to Teresa. Patrick, make sure you take care of yourself. Elise, make sure he does so. Healing Energy to all.

#154 ::: Stephanie Leary ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:23 PM:

Eep! Get well soon! I look forward to the many informative threads on "lifestyle changes" that will no doubt be forthcoming.

#155 ::: will shetterly ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:25 PM:

Teresa, sorry you're in a boring place, but not as sorry as I'd be if you weren't. Enjoy that boredom!

#156 ::: Ron Drummond ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:30 PM:

If wishes would make you well, I'd send you ten thousand. The spirit of the fountain dies not.

#157 ::: martyn ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:30 PM:

Boredom is good, by comparison.

Thinking about you both, which, by the above, appears be a drop in a whole tsunami of thought.

#158 ::: Sharon Mock ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:36 PM:

Thanks for this, Patrick--I found out last night through Elise's livejournal, but I would have never found the buried lede otherwise.

You're all in my thoughts, Teresa most of all.

#159 ::: David J. Williams ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:37 PM:

fingers crossed for a safe/speedy recovery--hope Teresa's out of that hospital quick.

#160 ::: Michael Turyn ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:37 PM:

My wishes for a speedy and as-complete-as-possible recovery add little those amassed above, but here they are.

#161 ::: Sica ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:41 PM:

Get better soon, and here's to a full and speedy recovery

#162 ::: Zak ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:41 PM:

Thank you for the update, Patrick. I've been worried.

Like it's been said here, boring is good. I'm happy about boring. I'm very, very happy you guys are safe.

Good luck convincing Teresa that the nitro needs to be reserved as medicine.

#163 ::: Suzanne M ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:43 PM:

Holy hell. Well, that's certainly the wrong kind of excitement. You're both in my thoughts. Speedy recovery, Teresa.

#164 ::: Kat and Jamie ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:43 PM:

All our best wishes and hope for full recovery -- gossibs are uncommon, and to be kept safe and well!

#165 ::: Constance ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:45 PM:

All best wishes for speedy recovery and no re-occurances. Things do sound positive, thank goodness!

Love, C.

#166 ::: Mary Aileen ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:47 PM:

Adding to the chorus of Get Well Soon. And reminding Patrick and Elise to take care of of themselves, too.

#167 ::: MikeF ::: (view all by) ::: September 14, 2008, 01:51 PM:

My sympathies to you both and my wishes for a speedy recovery for Ter