| Author | Message | ||
     Dr_greg |
Well, fellas, 2010 is not my year. After totalling the brand new Ducati Multistrada 1200S on November 3, I thought I was past the worst. But no... Before Christmas I was feeling lousy (nausea, fatigue, headache), so I finally went to the doc. My BP was 230/130, so emergency ambulance to the hospital (fear of stroke). Spent 36 hours in ER...finally got admitted to the hospital proper. Turns out I had (1) pneumonia, (2) kidney failure, and (3) acute hypertension. Spent a week in the hospital.  Had tubes up my nose, both arms, electrodes on my chest. My worst nightmare! Good thing I have no fear of needles...  Finally got home on Christmas Eve. Still weak as a kitten and somewhat short of breath. Don't feel like I'll EVER ride a motorcycle again, although Mrs. Greg is more optimistic. At age 63 I thought I've got at least a few more years left, but I dunno... Man. When I'd heard the saying "when you've got your health you've got everything" I used to chuckle, but NOT NO MORE! --Doc PS. My right hand/wrist is healing nicely from the crash; thought I'd be back on the Uly by early January, but not likely now...this pneumonia is something else. Ugh. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Holy crap, Doc! So what brought all this on? You let a chest cold go too far or something? Glad you got to the doc in time. | ||
| Luftkoph |
Doc This ain't the way to end the year.I hope your kidneys are functioning now.Mrs Greg is probably correct you just feel like a sack of chit thats been kicked around. Do what the docs say, get well and ride many more years,besides we need your stories of brushes with death and mayhem for our entertainment. | ||
| Tootal |
I know you feel like crap right now but things will get better. Look at it this way, it's winter, might as well be in bed healing up now! By the time your strength is back, your wrist will be better and it will all work out. 63? My father had a double by-pass at 59 and thought his riding days were over. Once healed up he was competing in observed trials at 65 and my riding buddy is 78 and not afraid to ride anywhere. You're down but not out Doc, heal up and ride! | ||
| Rcf2 |
Take your time, we will watch to not let your seat here to be taken! | ||
| Sayitaintso |
I send my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery and good health for many years. | ||
| Motorbike |
Dr Greg, although we have never met, I feel like I have known you for years, all from this website. It's tough to see a friend who is down. I know you are one tough dude and I wish you the best as you heal up. Take care and I will be looking forward to your reports as you ride your Uly and new Multistrada! | ||
| Buellerxt |
Ah, Dr. Greg, I feel for you and your family. Scary moments indeed. I understand your feelings but as several have said above, you'll be back my friend. That may be hard to envision right now but the body heals quickly and you'll be back before you know it. Take care, follow the doctors orders, and relax and let your good wife take care of you. You'll be back in no time, will have learned important things about the human body, and will be more appreciative of health and life than ever before. Best to ya'. | ||
| Dynasport |
Sorry to hear about your troubles. I know it seems dark now, but the morning will come. It is times like this that make us thankful for our blessings. Take care of yourself. Get that BP under control. Get the rest you need now and get moving when you can. You will be back on two wheels before you know it. | ||
| Etennuly |
Wow! Get better so you can heal up, OK?  To a speedy recovery. | ||
| Ourdee |
Hi Doc, When I spent 3 days in the emergency room, the doc told me I wouldn't know how bad I was till I started getting better. It took a while but a year later I was in better shape than I had been in years. Do what you gotta do. Get well. | ||
| Jphish |
230/130 ??!! geez Doc - NOT good. Glad you got admitted in time to still be talking to us. Your the 5th person I know to contract Pneumonia this week. 2 0f them in their 30s and runner / excercise buffs. All in Hospital for 3-5 days. And this is just in my small circle of coworkers & friends. I think something is going on not yet picked up in the USPH epidemiology stats. Did you get the P-shot all us old guys are supposed to have ?? Got mine this year before Africa trip - Guess I'll be the control group. YES - you do have a few more years left... Just get recovered 1st. I'm going to fully retire this Spring & head to Death Valley on KLR to celebrate. You should be riding by then - let me know if you want to join in. TTFN Pal. j | ||
| Jphish |
PS ... Provided of course the "control" group makes it thru the winter. Sure glad your home - thats a good sign. 'Chow, j | ||
| Ourdee |
No shot here. Just for the record. | ||
| Motorfish |
So sorry to hear about this, Doc. With the exception of the birth if my son, 2010 was a crappy year for me too. Been unemployed for most of it, and the bulging disc in my back acted up again. Your so, right about health being everything!! Pain sucks! Rest up, and I will keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery. Let`s hope 2011 gets better. | ||
| Armymedic |
Get well quick there Doc. My wife had a pulmonary embolism right before Christmas so we've been in/out of the hospital too. sucky. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
I've never had pulmonia but when I was 16 i had a bronquitis, the doctor asked me how much i smoked, and i replied i do not smoke, and he replied really strange this is usual for heavy smokers, spent a week end bed, feeling like shit, after a couple of weeks i was back riding my bicycle, but made sure never under rain, nor freezing temperatures. Doc I wish you a fast recovery, my dad is going on 66 and he is more fit than me, i'm sure you will ride much more. Best wishes, Merry Xmas and 2011 will be a much better year. | ||
| Eulysses |
I understand the pneumonia germ is out of Italy and many Italian goods need to be irradiated before using.... | ||
| Ejbeert |
get well soon take these "on any sunday" "endless summer" get plenty of rest and remember we eat sleep drink live love breath motorcycles | ||
| Mad_doctor |
Hi Doc, sorry to see you are down for the moment, our hopes and prayers are with you for a Healthy, safe New Year. Heal fast, and Best Regards, to your family. | ||
| Thesmaz |
Doc, rest up and get well soon. Just think, starting tomorrow is the Dakar. Something moto related to keep your spirits up! | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Doc, Eliminate salt, you'll be surprised how good food tastes without salt overwhelming your taste buds and pressurizing your blood vessels. Good health means nothing until you don't have it. Get well, you got many many years ahead of you. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Fellas, thanks for all the encouragement; it is wonderful to have such an outpouring of sentiment from fellow riders. Last night it seemed like I turned a bit of a corner; feeling just slightly better today. Luckily the semester doesn't start for a couple more weeks; since I quit research I'm teaching three classes (doesn't sound like much, but I put a lotta time into teaching). Naturally one is 0800 MWF (groan...) My diet and activity level has always been pretty good; I'm at proper weight, etc. My hypertension is hereditary (both parents). The new meds have it under control, and the pneumonia recovery is what's getting me down (I've heard 2-4 weeks). But---like I said---I feel a little better today, and a few more occurrences like that and I'll be well on my way. Again, thanks VERY MUCH for all your comments; I'd reply to each one but I'm not really up to it. I'm already thinking about some summer trips (one of which will be Homecoming, if it happens). --Doc | ||
| Ourdee |
See you at HC2011. | ||
| Paul56 |
Doc- sorry to hear of your illness. I had pneumonia in my early 40s; it was the sickest I have ever been. Felt I would have to get better to die. Took a long time to get over it, but I guess it proved the axiom "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger". Here's to a happy and healthy 2011 for you! | ||
| Dr_greg |
Took a long time to get over it....(pneumonia) Thanks for that observation. It seems to be taking a while for me as well. I've never had an illness (i.e. non-fracture) that took so long to recover from. Yes, 2011 has to be better. Although 2010 did contain several noteworthy events for me (e.g. XC trip on Milledue, etc.) Just think, starting tomorrow is the Dakar... Oh yeah...as a dirt-bike rider as well I always enjoy the Dakar. Thanks! I understand the pneumonia germ is out of Italy and many Italian goods need to be irradiated before using.... Har, har, har. Well, the cold snap in NM now (1 degree this morning) oughta kill those germs...although of course about three weeks too late. take these "on any sunday" "endless summer" Wow, how did you know my two favorite movies!? Bruce Brown...what a filmmaker. Next week is supposed to be warmer here (I'm an ex-SoCal kid so not liking these frigid temps...although I do ride year-round) so I might feel up to doing a little work in my (wood stove-heated) garage. Get the Uly ready for riding and do a little accessorizing on the Milledue (Laminar Lip, GPS wiring, etc.). That'll pick up my spirit. You all take care and let's agree that 2011 will be crash-free, pneumonia-free, and...anything else that sounds good. --Doc | ||
| Kenm123t |
Get well soon Doc we need you to teach the empty heads filled with mush. If you dont ride how are we going to get those great SW pictures and travel blogs. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Rent this movie. "Outlander" starring James Caviezel. Awesome viking movie with James as an alien (human) that crash lands in the year 709. Great great flick. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462465/ | ||
| Dr_greg |
Rent this movie. "Outlander"... Hey, that looks pretty good. Might just go for it. Thx! --Doc | ||
| Petebueller |
When you start feeling better you'll be back on the bike. A few friends in their 60s have been through similar. Pneumonia takes a lot out of you no matter what age. I'm glad they picked it up in time. Hope you recover quickly and all the best for 2011. Peter |
