gonna be out of commission for a while.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 1:14 pm

Unfortunately due to various health issues I won't be able to consume alcohol into the forseeable future so I don't think I'll be able to make that trip down to Florida, Orlando and Bobby G. I'm hoping to get back into shape by Denver. Been in the hospital most of the past week, morphine is my new friend. Been reading up on Kurt Cobain and his stomach problems, I'm not suicidal but I can see how this would cause someone to self-medicate with heroin. They're gonna take my gallbladder out this week, hopefully that will help, although I am skeptical. An ulcer, low albumin, low white blood cell count, something called mesenteric panniculitis. I suddenly feel 98 years old and, worse, have no desire to drink wine. I have decided that gastric problems are about 100 times worse than heart problems. Time for a complete lifestyle change or I am certain I will die soon. At least I've lost 15 pounds in the past week. Will report back in at some point. Agent How, over and out.

RPCV · Post by **RPCV** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 1:23 pm

I am so sorry, Jim. Stay strong and be positive. Prayers...

robert goulet · Post by **robert goulet** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 1:25 pm

Good luck Jim, wish u the best

Was hoping to hook up, rain check...feel btr soon.

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 2:31 pm

I'm sad to read that.

Jim, get some rest and come back in shape quickly. Hope you'll be ok for travelling end of March.

Nic

SF Ed · Post by **SF Ed** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 2:33 pm

Sorry to hear that Jim. I hope you feel well enough to come out to Denver whether or not you can drink wine the way you'd like. Get better soon!

SF Ed

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 2:37 pm

Sorry to hear Jim, get well soon, we need you in tip top shape for Denver.

jal · Post by **jal** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 2:42 pm

Feel better buddy, wine is secondary. When you speak of a complete lifestyle change, please consider minimizing work related stress. You yourself said a couple of weeks ago your schedule was insane. Time to devote your time for more leisurely activities. See you in Denver or hopefully in NYC before that.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 2:55 pm

Yeah, you are right, I truly believe 90% of my problems are work-related. The stress from my job creates an imbalance in the rest of my life, I don't eat right, I drink a little too much, I don't exercise, etc. I really have been taking dramatic steps to scale down my practice in recent months, and this most recent ordeal has given me an even more focused perspective. I'm sure I'll be back in shape by Denver, once I get this ulcer and stomach inflammation under control. I appreciate the well wishes from my BWE family. I consider myself a pretty tough guy with a high pain tolerance -- up until this past week I missed basically one day of work in 40 years -- but in the past two weeks I had to continue about 10 court cases. Fortunately the clerks, judges and DAs are very kind to me and have accomodated my needs and we have great support for each other in the defense bar here in the county. Man, it has been brutal. I've never taken morphine before.

AlohaArtakaHoundsong · Sun Feb 03, 2019 3:06 pm

Don't worry Jim the wine ain't going anywhere just make sure you don't. Get on the mend.

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 3:08 pm

Jim, that sounds awful. I hear removing the gall bladder can work wonders, so hopefully that’s the fix. You should retire! Enjoy life! Get in shape for Bordeaux 2020, etc.

It goes without saying, but you should really join in the Denver fun even if you can’t drink.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 3:42 pm

Oh I'll be in Denver Patrick don't worry, and I'm confident I'll be able to sip on a fine northern Medoc or two in moderation.
I had to miss out on a big Stuart 1961 dinner in Ft. Lauderdale last night, had my flight booked and everything....

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 4:41 pm

Hang in there BD!

sdr · Post by **sdr** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 6:04 pm

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Jim. Sorry we missed you last night.

If you do not have pancreatitis, it is likely you will be able to drink in the future. And even if you do have pancreatitis related to the gall bladder, you should be okay. Now peptic ulcer disease is another story. Getting a firm diagnosis is crucial.

Stu

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 6:09 pm

Feel better Jim, wishing you a speedy recovery.

OrlandoRobert · Post by **OrlandoRobert** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 6:14 pm

Wow so sorry to hear of this, Jim.

Your body is your car, gotta service it first, we ain't going anywhere. No reason you cannot participate actively in this forum, and even your hobby, without actually consuming wine. Hopefully it's just a break. And when you get clearance, even if it means you drink less, only weekends, or whatever, it should not curtail your passion and your social activities. While I am more of an outsider on this long-running forum, what I can see is that this is a uniquely well-integrated, highly-civilized, and very friendly wine forum. I don't think there is another of its kind anywhere. And that success is due to you and the head's of state here, all of whom seem to be close friends.

Shit happens. Sometimes unexpected. I had a major healthcare in October 2017. ER room for several days. Had to take it easy for 3 months. You don't know me, but I am a fitness junkie. I have cycled and done triathlon (including Ironman Hawaii), in addition to other sports, my whole life. At the time of my incident, I was in terrific shape and quite lean, averaging about 200 miles per week cycling. Cycling was my social life and stress-outlet. I am a lawyer, but my relief was the bike. Not being able to cycle hard, race, talk shit with my buddies, for several months was tough, but I knew that I would be back. By taking care of myself first, and then coming back in baby-steps. And I'm back. You will be, too.

Listen to your doctors. And to your body. And head. You will know what to do.

Racer Chris · Post by **Racer Chris** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 6:30 pm

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Jim!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 6:54 pm

Thanks everyone, it has been awful.
No pancreatitis, and my liver and kidney functions are good, even though they diagnose me with stage 2 kidney disease.
They showed me the pictures of the ulcer from the endoscopy, the doctor seems to think it can be treated pretty easily.
My gallbladder is "sludgy," that's why they want to remove it.
Gotta get my albumin and white blood cell levels up.
It's the inflammation that has emanated across my belly that has just been sapping the soul out of me.
I've had two CT scans, an endoscopy, and an ultrasound.
Today has actually been my first decent day painwise but I'm cautious because there have been other times that I thought I was making progress only to suffer major relapse. I've slept in the past ten days only while under the influence of morphine.
This whole thing hit me out of nowhere a week ago Thursday and the pain has been 24/7 for ten days until today, knock on wood.
Really sad I missed your dinner last night Stuart. And we'll definitely do a raincheck in Orlando, Orlando.
And now I'm going to rest up for the Big Game.
BD

tim · Post by **tim** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:01 pm

Sorry to hear, Jim. Take care of yourself and focus on making a recovery.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:33 pm

Awfully sorry to read about your health problems, Jim. Fortunately, as your doctor said, ulcers are usually easily treatable. If you have to drink much less, spit! I do that a lot and enjoy the wine just as much. If you can't drink at all, use your keen nose more. Something I have intended to do at big tastings is to judge wines just by smelling since spitting 80-100 wines involves ingesting a lot of juice.

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:41 pm

Jim,

You were sadly missed last night and we had an amazing lineup of 61s including a Lynch in your honour. I'll report on that when I get some time in the next few days.

We hope whatever health issues you are having you will put behind you in due time. Hopefully its just ulcer disease which can be treated with antibiotics these days if its not perforated. Yes the alcohol certainly would not do you any favours in its active phase but can't explain the other issues and shouldn't have long lasting effects or limitations. Gallbladder sludge common just from fasting and shouldn't require it to be removed?? As long as no liver disease/pancreatitis sounds like you should be good to go once the ulcer is treated. Low albumin usually present in people fasting/not eating properly etc and you be the judge of that. Sounds like the stress of your job might be catching up to the aging J How and time for a reassessment. Good luck and speedy recovery.

JCNorthway · Post by **JCNorthway** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:58 pm

Sorry to hear this Jim, but hopefully you will mend quickly.

AKR · Post by **AKR** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 10:44 pm

Wow. That is horrible. I was wondering about the allusion you made previously to being in the hospital was about. Hope you feel better soon. My wife had to have a clogged gallbladder duct addressed some years ago, and although painful, she recovered ok.

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 6:16 pm

So sorry to hear this Jim! Best wishes for a swift recovery! I was hoping your hospital reference was just the flu but no

OrlandoRobert · Post by **OrlandoRobert** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:07 pm

JimHow wrote: No pancreatitis, and my liver and kidney functions are good, even though they diagnose me with stage 2 kidney disease.

What exactly does this mean?

Hope you are at least feeling somewhat better today, understanding that recovery takes time.

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:13 pm

So sorry to hear this, Jim! Gail and I both send wishes for a quick return to health and vigor!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:53 pm

Thanks, my doctors don't seem too worried about the "kidney disease" thing, as i understand it I'm at the border between stage 1 and 2, which basically means I have to go to the bathroom a little more often. My kidney functions have been good during this whole ordeal. I'm optimistic I'll make a good recovery, I just need to do things in more moderation. Alcohol will be cut way back, though.

OrlandoRobert · Post by **OrlandoRobert** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 9:35 pm

Well that’s no big deal, we all pee more at our jolly old ages!!! I particularly love the 3 AM shift.

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Wed Feb 06, 2019 7:27 pm

Jim:
Just catching up here and sad to hear you've been going through this pain.
Since I am not a doctor, I concur with the comments of the doctors above. Rest, eat and exercise properly, and recover. Maybe retire and run for congress again?
Please make the changes you need to make to ensure you're healthy and around for many decades to come. Don't forget we need to do those 2009s in 2034 and those 2016s in 2041!
We'll see you in Denver.
Michael-P

AlexR · Post by **AlexR** » Mon Feb 11, 2019 4:56 pm

Jim,

I've been away for a while and came upon this thread late in the game.

I feel for you and hope you get better soon.

Stress-related illnesses are the bane of our times...
Please think about early retirement if you can swing it financially.

I'm rooting for you to be shipshape in time for the Denver convention.

All the best,
Alex

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Feb 11, 2019 5:32 pm

Thanks Alex, it's been a battle.
I'm starting a four-day rape trial tomorrow involving allegations of a black man raping a white prostitute.
I'm working on a little 3-4 month leave of absence in the spring/summer to try to get my health back.
Jimmy "Atticus" How

Claudius2 · Post by **Claudius2** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:29 am

Jim
Sorry to hear.
By the way, I do understand. Had my gall bladder removed in 2002 after it ruptured and I almost died from peritonitis.
Also I had an adhesion on my small intestine which led to atrophy and surgery as well.
So I still have to be careful, partly as i got a hiatus hernia and then Barratt's Oesophegitis and chronic ulcerative gastritis as a result. Ouch.

The main thing you need to avoid after recovery is fats and oils.
Also not too much sugar.

It is also worth going to an allergy specialist as I found that after the above, everything I ate made me feel sick and I ended up with a lot of food allergies and intolerances I never had before.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 12:28 pm

Interesting, Claudius, I'm finding I can't eat anything anymore.

sdr · Post by **sdr** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 4:21 pm

Uh, be cautious about dietary advice for your situation.

Pay attention to your Gastroenterologist or dietician.

Start low and slow, your appetite will return.

Bonus points: you might get back to your high school weight.

Stu

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 5:39 pm

Very good advice indeed Dr. Roberts.

Claudius2 · Post by **Claudius2** » Wed Feb 13, 2019 3:10 pm

Jim/sdr
Funny, I lost 16 kgs (35 lbs) after the internal eruptions and it took a few years before I could eat some of the things I could happily guzzle previously.

Can I make one point. Some surgeons and gastros will tell you that the body adjusts after gall bladder removal.
Yes it does, but if it did not perform a useful function, you would not have had one to start off. It takes years to settle and I hope you don't get the other internal problems I get now.
I took a few years before I could cope with rich food, and still can only cope with a small amount of it even after taking a pile of drugs.
After 17 years, I still feel that I am living on borrowed time. I remain thankful that I am living in a time where medicine actually works pretty well, otherwise I would have died at least 3 times.

It will take a while to find a new normal - if that make s sense - but it will happen and some patience is needed.
So patience really is a virtue in such instances.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Feb 13, 2019 5:34 pm

Everyone’s different. For most, fatty meals after gallbladder removal are a challenge. Often, the postop adjustments are a minor price to pay for relief.

Stuart's and Claudius' advice is good: be patient.
Try not to be discouraged.
As unlikely as it seems when you feel this crappy, it’s extremely likely you’ll get much better.
Listen to your GI and let him know what you’re experiencing.
A dietician consult is a great idea.

Harry C. · Post by **Harry C.** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 1:33 am

How ya doin"?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 3:43 am

Still struggling Harry thanks, but I think I'm headed in the right direction.
More tests this week. Haven't had alcohol in a month.

Harry C. · Post by **Harry C.** » Thu Feb 21, 2019 1:42 am

Slow and steady wins the ran. the alcohol will be there afterward and it will be better aged!