The doctors are having trouble finding the source of BFSkinner's current lung and pulse rate issues. Testing to date is not clarifying the causes. Today he has had more episodes of orthostatic hypotension with dizziness and falling backwards onto a chair when he stands up. The rehab facility did not want to take him because he could not stand without getting a high heart rate.
His pulmonologist does not want to send him to another hospital, but he is planning to work with the cardiovascular team. The cardiovascular team wants BFSkinner to try a different drug for a few days in house. The pulmonologist wants to discharge BFSkinner soon so BFSkinner can be driven to the Toledo, Ohio, office of a lung specialist.
BFSkinner is depressed, alone for Rosh Hoshanah, the Jewish New Year, sitting by himself with no one to talk to. A friend had planned to visit him this evening, but she was not able to follow through on her plans due to health issues. BFSkinner's rent is due, but he cannot pay it. His roommate owes him thousands of dollars in back rent and will not return his phone calls.
BFSkinner is isolated because his Wi-Fi connection at the hospital is minimal and intermittent. Sometimes he will be able to read a story, and he will start to write a comment, but then the connection will crash. Frustrating.
The hospital rabbi is a sweet guy and will be visiting BFSkinner tomorrow, and he plans to perform a very brief version of a Rosh Hoshanah service that he will be performing with 35 of the 70 Jewish patients in the hospital, including blowing a shofar. BFSkinner is looking forward to that. I’ve met that rabbi, and he is seriously some kind of a joyful spirit muffin. Blueberry, just baked.
I have not been adding donation information to these updates, but I am going to this time:
New-Year Cheer-Him-Up for BFSkinner, I know some of you will want to help him this way and will be able to:
- Go to PayPal.com (100% to BFSkinner) and click “Send Money to Family and Friends.” Enter BFSkinner’s email address: houstonbfskinner AT netscape DOT net, and the amount you are sending. The sender's name is visible to the recipient, but he will not know your user name unless you tell him.
- BFSkinner's GoFundMe page (92% to BF).
- To send a check or an identity-protecting money order by mail, please send me a kosmail or email to get his address.
How to help BFSkinner in other ways:
Recommend this diary, offer encouraging comments of any kind, including prayers, and wishes, including Shanah Tovah. Write him a note, drop a joke, a video, a picture of a four-legged friend, answer tonight’s question “What was your favorite BFSkinner diary, and why?” — whatever.
Chat among yourselves, as I will not be able to participate until morning. BFSkinner may possibly be able to read some comments, but he probably will not be able to recommend or comment. I hope to be able to read him some comments tomorrow.
Addendum: Questions from Commenters
(At about noon on the day after original publication of this story.)
- How much is his rent? $800. The roommate is supposed to pay $400 plus $100 for utilities, but she pays nothing. Sigh.
- Who feeds his cats? BFSkinner pays his caregiver to drop in every other day to take care of cat issues: food, litter, cleanups.
- Does BFSkinner have a dog? Not any more. (I initially misled readers in the comments, sorry.) I found out just now that he had to return his rambunctious puppy to the rescue shelter about a month ago. The dog kept attacking the older cat, Cash, who was not able to defend or tolerate that type of play, so the younger cat, Cloud, would jump on the back of the puppy to protect the older cat. Pandemonium, too much for BFSkinner.