We finally got in touch with Jeff's parents last night and learned that, on
top of all things else, Jeff had had a heart attack; that was the collapse in
the restaurant. I assumes that is part of the reason they're pumping in
heparin alkong with the antibiotics and sedatives (Brandy, be a good girl and
let Mama type) and they've probably got a nitro patch stuck on his pupik or
some such place. Lucky they were w at this particular place, three blocks
away from  the fire hall and paramedics. Millard Fillmore hospital has a
kickass ICU so i know he's getting some good--damn good--care.

Remarkably they (the parents) agree with us that he needs psychiatric as well
as physical help and are considering inpatient rehab that will include mental
therapy as well as physical monitoring. We have a hospital here which is
excellent in such regard; and as there is concern over bariatric issues (Jeff
is beyond morbidly obese; I do not say it to insult because I'm worried sick)
we know of a clinic in Ohio which provides cardiac and high-risk obesity
therapy along with mental health counsdeling. A friend who went in at close
to 700 pounds is now walking again as a result of what this place has done.
Would it be considered horribly rude to offer these options to Jeff's parents
to consider, do you think? Louie actually wants to take them out to discuss a
plan of action to help Jeff rehabilitate. I did not know until last night
that all his other friends have bailed on him; he goes to a writing club but
they don't call or invite him to outside events; and his programming buddies
have essentially washed their hands of him. No wonder he has psych issues.

I hope to God they don't hae to amputate anything. Seems the cellulitis has
caused such an infection that his legs have a horrific edema, and ulcerated
sores from ankles to the knees. None have affected his feet, but the feet are
swollen bad and look like baby watermelons below the ankles. The sores are in
great danger of becoming gangrenous, if it hasn't already gotten to that
point; his circulation in the legs is very poor and has been for a while.
They're anticipating 3 weeks in hospital, though we don't know yet if all 3
are going to be in ICU; he may need some rehab because of the heart attack or
something, or just get on a diabetic diet and get his sugar stabilized.

On a personal level, this has been my wake-up call. I'm fat too and was 3
weeks ago diagnosed with a tiny pocket of cellulitis around the heel, most
likely caused by a pair of ill-fitting shoes I wore at the Wedding of Pure
Evil last April. Jeff has had chronic cellulitis over 12 years, on and off
again because of mismanagement of antibiotics and failure to stay to the
diabetic diet. I do not want a future in an ICU bed, my heart in the crapper
and the Sword of Damocles hanging over my infected legs. I signed up to a gym
and a nutritionist, traded in the pretzels for celery and swore off Ho-Ho's.
I've only dumped 4 pounds but it's a start; maybe if I can, he can. I just
want my friend back on the right track again; hell, i just want my friend
back and we still don't know which way he's going.

thanks to eveyone for offering their purrs and best wishes. The ypos here are
brought to you be Brandy. who haas been hanging around, tapping the keyboard
and purring like mad. She has always been fond of Jeff.

Blessed be,
Baha