Dave Sim Checks Into Grand River Hospital

DAVE FISHER:
(via email, 17 March 2015)

Sim checked himself into Emergency at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener this afternoon [Monday 16th]. He'd been having severe, painful stomach cramps all weekend. He arrived about 2 pm. I checked in on him around 8 pm. He was dressed in a frock, laying on a bed, hooked up to a saline drip. I asked if he'd ever been in Emergency before. He said no, never. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he refused the painkillers they offered him. He was still in pain & discomfort. The hospital ran an MRI. He wasn't sure if they were sending him home tonight or whether surgery will be necessary. I'll know tomorrow. Send your prayers & good wishes his way.

Dave has a small stack of faxes and phone messages the past few days. He'll get to them momentarily.

UPDATE:
Dave Fisher just gave an update that Dave Sim is currently being prepped for surgery (12 noon, EDT) to clear a blockage. - John Funk

UPDATE TWO:

Troy Thompson, M.D. said...

Just got off the phone with Dave. I am a friend and plastic surgeon and I am also Board Certified in general surgery. He sounded like he was about to go back to surgery. He asked me to post medical information: He felt much better after a nasogastric tube was placed. This decompresses the stomach (and provides some symptomatic relief) but not the colon, which is where his obstruction is believed to be. The presumptive diagnosis is cecal volvulus, which is a twisting of the colon causing obstruction. I pointed out that the diagnosis will not be known until after surgery and pathologic examination of the colon. There are other more concerning causes of colonic obstruction. He was aware of this.

Interestingly, my wife Mia, also a friend of Dave's, had a cecal volvulus and right hemicolectomy around 2001 and talked to Dave during the same conversation, comparing notes on how the condition feels as well as the recovery. We had a lot of laughs and observed that God does have a sense of humor.

He also said he would like all his medical records and imaging released to me and would like me to advise his medical power of attorney "committee", if that becomes necessary (which I doubt). He also asked me to talk to his surgeon, if possible, postop.

Praying for Dave,
Mia Thompson
Troy Thompson, M.D.

UPDATE THREE:

Dave Fisher:

I visited Sim at the hospital today [Tuesday]. He's been removed from E.R. and in the main hospital prepped for surgery. It has been delayed a couple hours, so he's still waiting patiently. He's in good spirits, thanked his supporters for their kind wishes, and says he's feeling some temporary pain relief. They've got a tube hooked to his nose and they're pumping something yucky from his stomach. It was disgusting enough that Sim insisted I get a close-up of the draining tube. I'll report back when I know more.

UPDATE FOUR:

Jeff Seiler:

Just called the hospital. Dave is out of the recovery room and is "sleeping comfortably".

Having done that last year, I can assure everyone that it is VERY comfortable.

REALLY nice stay-cation.

I will call him tomorrow. The attendant said any time after 10 a.m., but I think mid to late afternoon would be better.


Related Posts:
Dave Sim Checks Into Grand River Hospital (17 March)
Dave Sim Recovering After Surgery (18 March)
Dave Sim Recovery Update #2 (20 March)
Dave Sim Recovery Update #3 (24 March)