First News from the Mews
I’ve started my personal weblog here near the bottom of things. On Tuesday, April 13th, 2004, I had major surgery removing a perforated colon. My colon was compromised by a couple of decades of “inflammatory bowel disease”; my most recent diagnoses and treatment were based on it being “Crohn’s disease”.
The surgery was successful. However, I’m still dealing with the very real possibility of life-threatening infections that could follow, since my treatment for Crohn’s involved severe immuno-suppression. Thus I remain in the hospital under close observation and aggressive antibiotic therapy.
As the doctors do their thing, which is to imagine the bad and prevent it, I am trying to do my thing, which is to imagine the possible and achieve it. In this, I have the help of people who love me, people who share their friendship and support, and I have my personal faith. If I make it through all this, I have the sense that so little credit will be due to me personally as not to matter. What will matter is making the rest of my life a worthwhile thing, not just for myself, but for those who have given so much of themselves during my crisis.
One thing to be said for steroid-induced insomnia is that one has time for ideas. I now have a surfeit of ideas for things to be done, and an ever-widening gap in having time to implement them. At least one thing that I hope to keep up with will be this weblog, as a place to keep in touch with this vision I’ve had at the bottom of things and looking up.
Wesley
Wesley-
I am very happy to see you start this project. You are off to an inspiring start. You are such a special person to so many of us already, but seeing how you’ve handled this latest setback is truly moving. I am proud to call you a friend, and I can honestly say that over the last year, as our friendship has grown, my admiration for you – as a scholar, as a colleague and as a person – has grown even faster. Thanks for giving us all an example to follow.
Hi Wes,
Thanks for starting this blog. I had no idea how serious your condition has been. As Ed said, you are a very special person. And although we have never met or even communicated much I consider you one of the ‘guiding lights’ in the evolution debate. Your responses, well stated and well researched, have always inspired me and I am looking forward to your news ideas being put into practice.
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Best wishes, from a fellow howler monkey.
Hey Wesley,
I hope you’re feeling better today. Diane sent me the update this morning. You are such a special person and will make a grand impact with your new ideas. Get well soon so you can get started on them. I know they’ll be innovative and
brilliant. Tempo says hi and is wondering where the lasar light is, do you know?
Take care and lots of love,
JoAnne
Hi Wesley,
Got an email back from Diane with your recent progress and the website address. Mark Todd has been giving me frequent updates. Hang in there – I’m sorry that the surgery was so drastic,
but glad to see that you are in good spirits. Continue to think positively, and yes, that
recovery will be due mainly to YOUR efforst. Hang in there. All my best wishes, thoughts
and prayers – Carrie
Get better soon.
Thank you for keeping up this weblog, you’re amazing! I’m optimistic for you. Glad you felt relief by using the NG tube and hope it won’t be necessary too much longer.
Dear Mr. Elsberry, Thank you for sharing your “blog” with me. Writings like yours help health care workers remember their patient is not a rooom number or the “chrohn’s guy”. I enjoyed the ppicutres of the Hawk Walk. In the first picture with the bird’s perched on your backpack frame the little critters seem to be saying, “Hey, could you move it a little faster along here?” Take care. I hope your experience with us has not been too bad (Iknow you’d rather not repeat it!!).
Hey Wesley, Jim and I are sorry to hear about your medical problems. We wish you a speedy recovery! I know of this really cool place to recuperate across the “pond”. Know that you and Diane are always welcome. Your blog is great! Your body may have suffered a temporary setback, but your brain function is is obviously still at +100%. Thinking good thoughts of you, sending healing vibes in your direction.
aloha,
Pam and Jim
Wes,
I wish you full recovery and hope that God willing you can continue to enjoy your road of discovery and sharing. I have enjoyed your words and thoughts on a variety of subjects and I look forward to hearing more from you. Having said that, please put yourself above your many causes for now, and for as long as it takes to beat this thing.