Just to let people know...

[Alaric]

My father's probably having surgery tomorrow. I'm going to be away for at least a few days.

[Uncle Yuan]

Of course.  Best of luck to your father.  We'll be thinking of you.

[Glitch Girl]

Here's hoping for the best Alaric.  Be strong.  I'll light a candle for you and your family on my lunch today.

[ow_tiobe_sb]

Good luck to your father and his physicians, Al!  I'll be thinking of you and your family as you weather these stressful times.  Take care of yourself, sir.

ow_tiobe_sb
Phantom Bunburyist and The Prat in the Hat

[Panther_Gunn]

Take all the time you need, Al.  Family comes first.  Everything else will fall into line after that.  My best wishes are with you. (never really know what to say about stuff like this)

[Alaric]

Just to update-

My father's still in the hospital. He currently seems to have no less than four more-or-less-unrelated conditions-

1) He's still recoverering from his surgery. As the surgical site was inside his skull, next to his brain, his mental condition varies a lot, depending partly, aparently, on how the scar tissue arranges itself. Both his ability to speak and his rationality vary a lot- he can go from talking almost perfectly, rationally, and intelligently about complex things in the middle of the day to having trouble doing more than grunting while trying to pull out his IV in the evening of the same day, or anything in between. The other morning, he was convinced that my family, except for him, had all been kidnapped by Nazis- he was frantically woorried about us, apparently. The next day, he was talking very rationally with my mother about various complex financial matters, such as bills that needed to be payed (he brought up the topic). The two neurosurgeons seem to be happy with his recovery, though. They say that the fact that he shows a strong sense of humor and uses sophistcated vocabulary are very good signs.

2) In addition, he still has the luekemia. He's needed serveral blood transfusions while he's been in the hospital. No one has indicated that this condition is particularly worse than normal, though- at least, no more than would be expected under the circumstances.

3) He also has pneumonia, which has been the single thing most worrying to his doctors. They've been unable to determine the cause, and for a while it wasn't getting any better. Within the last couple of days, though, his lungs seem to have suddenly cleared, which sounds like a very good sign.

4) To add insult to injury, dispite the fact that he hasn't been eating much, he has a bad case of gout. He's being treated with standard gout medicine now- the only reason it got as bad as it did was that it took them a while to figure out that it was gout.

Overall, considering everything that he's going through, I'd say he's not doing that badly. He has certainly enjoyed seeing my brothers and myself during our visits. He's been in the hospital for over two weeks now, though, which, even without the other prolems, is very hard to take (I spent two weeks in the hospital some years ago, I know what I'm talking about...).

[ThePrelate]

just keep hanging in there. It's a tough ride. I know we're all rooting for your family!

[Outcast]

Never lose hope. My prayers go with you and your family.

[Glitch Girl]

Hospitals aren't fun by nature. Still, I'm glad he's not doing badly despite everything.  Do keep us posted.

[thalaw2]

My heart goes out you and your family.  I'll add to the pray pool

[Uncle Yuan]

Thanks for the update, Alaric.  We've all been thinking of you.  My best wishes to you, your family and your father.

[The Hitman]

Wow. I'm really sorry to hear about these health issues, and my thought will go out to you and your family.

[Alaric]

My father's doing much, much better now- almost back to normal. Even the luekemia seems to have gotten inexplicably better (though it hasn't gone away)- his blood doctor has no idea why.

I want to thank everyone for their posts, PMs, and e-mails- sorry I haven't responded to those who sent more private forms of communication, I'll probably go back and respond to each of you within the next week or so (most of the responses were in this thread, anyway). This community is absolutely amazing. The support meant a lot to me.

Incidentally, I should be around a lot more.

[Uncle Yuan]

I got the quick skinny on CoV earlier - but very glad to hear the good news.

Also very glad that you'll be around more again.  Does this mean you'll be restarting the game?

[Alaric]

I got the quick skinny on CoV earlier - but very glad to hear the good news.

Also very glad that you'll be around more again.  Does this mean you'll be restarting the game?

Heh. It's very possible, if people are still interested. Not this week, though.

[MJB]

Game? What game?

-MJB

[Outcast]

Glad to know your father is feeling better.  :)

[Glitch Girl]

Good to hear things are doing better for you Alaric.  They say there's power in positive thinking so I hope your Dad continues to get good vibes. 

And I'm still interested in playing if you ever decide to pick back up again.  We were in the middle if a fight scene as I recall.

MJB: this game

[Spam]

Glad to hear your father's getting well. I hope he keeps getting better and better. :)

And it's good to have you back, Alaric.

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

That is great news Al, thanks for the update. 

[El Condor]

That's beyond good - it's spectacular news!  It's always great when health improves beyond what a doctor can explain.  I hope this continues, Al!

EC