Journal Entry

In the ER

November 18th 2008 at 6:54 am

image64380849.jpgWent to the ER for shallow breathing and a high heart rate. Initially they thought SVT but now after drawing lots of blood (I hate needles and it’s always an ordeal for the poor nurses) and getting on the EKG and xrays they’re thinking blood clot. Going for a CAT scan soon. Enjoy the pic Emily took.

Update: it’s a heart problem. Am being moved to a regional hospital with specialists soon.

Scary shit dudes…

Lunch update: after getting bused over to Lima by a pair of ambulance techs who cracked jokes to lift my spirits for the whole drive, I’m kicking it at Lima Memorial, where they have a whole wing for this sort of thing, but every one else here is like… 80.

My mum turns out to have Hypertrophiccardiomyopathy, as did her dad. It causes a heart to race. The cardiologist hasn’t come by yet, but the family is running bets that that is what I have.

Meanwhile, I have tubes in my right and left arms and lots more pinpricks from all the other places blood has been drawn. I’m in a nice bed with cable tv and wireless Internet, but the iPhones battery is about to die. My stepdad should bring by a power adaptor for it later.

Dinner update; the cardiologist came by. He doesn’t want to jump straight to heart just yet. I’m staying a few more days or so to be monitored. Pulmonary specialist comes on tomorrow, as well as another cat scan, and I’m sure more blood will me drawn! He wants to fix a very high white blood cell count and eliminate some other possibilities before that. He thought the abnormalities that pointed toward heart issues might just be my stressed out heart after running many hours on overdrive.

Kinda wish I could hook up an Xbox to the hospital tv LOL.

Morning update: after light sleeping last night I’m feeling rested. The Nurses tell me my crazy high white cell count is way down. Emily got me my laptop, which I’ll get plugged in soon, but due to lack of sleep the previous night and exhaustion of nerves from the previous days events, I’ve been enjoying napping the morning away, as well as getting cleaned up and having breakfast.

I’m no longer on nitro and they’ve rduced the blood thinners. My heart was ultra sounded last night, so they’ll be poring over that today. I’m told my legs may be ultrasounded next as part of the battery of tests. Everything looks vastly better today. A steady HR in the 80s instead of 120s all night and all morning.

Emily loaded Kung cu panda on my laptop, I’ll be hitting up iTunes as I’m still too exhausted to think straight for ling. I’ll take the time to download and watch lots of movies tonight LOL

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338 Responses so far

  1. 1. Steve Buchheit

    It’s the bionic Toby. Hope it turns out to be nothing and you’re back out kicking ass soon.

  2. 2. Mark Terry

    Take care, man.

  3. 3. Deb

    Yikes, Toby! Take care!

  4. 4. paul Crilley

    Hope everything is OK.

  5. 5. Alex Bledsoe

    Wow, dude. Good thoughts your way.

  6. 6. Chang

    Oh, dear! Get well soon! So sorry to hear that. We’ll be thinking positive thoughts out here in Maine.

  7. 7. Josh Smith

    Dang dude, take care, hope to see you soon!

  8. 8. Stacie H

    Whoa. Speedy recovery, man.

  9. 9. Catherine Shaffer

    OMG! What is a young person like you doing with a blood clot???? I am freaked out. You guys do not need this right now.

  10. 10. Geoffrey Philp

    Take care of yourself, soldier!

    1Love,
    geoffrey

  11. 11. Kristine Smith

    Oh damn–take care and get well soon.

  12. 12. Elijah

    Damn. Well, get better!

  13. 13. Jim Hetley

    It’s alive!

    (Get better, okay?)

  14. 14. Paul Jessup

    Hope it’s nothing too serious! Get well soon

  15. 15. Kate Baker

    Oooh goodness. Please take care of yourself!

    My father just got out of the hospital for the same thing. Please let us know if you need anything! My thoughts are with you.

    On a lighter note, that should definitely be your new author photo. Yer damn sexy with all those wires. ;)

  16. 16. John Booth

    Hope you’re OK - good thoughts incoming.

  17. 17. Paul

    Take care, Toby! Hope it isn’t anything too serious.

  18. 18. Samantha Ling

    Oh man, that’s scary. I hope it’s nothing serious as well.

  19. 19. Mike Brendan

    Take care, Toby. Hope things clear up soon.

  20. 20. Jeremy Tolbert

    Get better soon Toby.

  21. 21. Jamie

    Take care. Less Internet - More rest!

  22. 22. Elizabeth

    Good luck! I hope it isn’t anything too bad.

  23. 23. whitney

    feel better!!! you’re in our thoughts and prayers!

  24. 24. Natania

    Wishing you a speedy recovery… take care.

  25. 25. Mary Robinette Kowal

    Scary, but it sounds like you are in good hands.

  26. 26. Kerry

    Scary indeed! Best of luck to you and Emily and the twins-to-be.

  27. 27. Tony Geer

    Damn sounds serious :| but looks like you’re getting good care.

  28. 28. Amber

    Eek.
    Take care.

    ~Amber (from codex)

  29. 29. dianacacy

    Our thoughts are with you. Get better!

  30. 30. Douglas

    Yikes! Be well.

  31. 31. Bonnie R. Schutzman

    Oh dear. I hope you’re out of hospitals and back to normal soon. That’s scary shit and you’re far too nice a person to have to deal with this.

  32. 32. Kate Nepveu

    Eek. Get good treatment and feel better soon.

  33. 33. Jeff Beeler

    Hang in there Toby!

    I hope everything goes well.

  34. 34. Maura McHugh

    I hope you have a speedy recovery!

  35. 35. Derek

    It is a good thing you didn’t wait and that you went to the hospital when you did. Good thoughts being sent your way.

  36. 36. Greg van Eekhout

    And here I thought you were showing off your new human/machine interface.

    Beaming good thoughts your way. You guys take care.

  37. 37. Ken McConnell

    Get well man. Get well.

  38. 38. Catherine Schaff-Stump

    Oh my.

    Take care, and do exactly what the doctors tell you.

    Catherine

  39. 39. Seth

    Great photo. Terrible news! Get better soon, and take care of yourself.

  40. 40. Alex

    Crap. I’ll be thinking of you. Be well.

  41. 41. Jim Hetley

    We want better news!

    (Although some of your characters may no think you *have* a heart . . .)

  42. 42. David Barr Kirtley

    Hey man. I spent a good chunk of yesterday listening to your recent interviews on Adventures in Sci-Fi Publishing and Dead Robots Society, and was really struck once again by what an interesting, impressive, and inspirational dude you are. Take care of yourself, okay?

  43. 43. Lelsie

    Ohioana is thinking about you very much and is so glad you went to the hospital. Good thoughts to you and the Mrs.

  44. 44. Alison Kent

    Take care. The pic itself is sobering. And medicine is amazing.

  45. 45. Sandra McDonald

    Good luck and I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed. Here’s to a speedy diagnosis and recovery . . .

  46. 46. Steven Savile

    Jesus, Toby, look after yourself.

  47. 47. AliceB

    Get well soon. Lots of good thoughts being sent your way.

  48. 48. Mike Brotherton

    Do what you need to do to get healthy. We’re all pulling for you and want you at your awesome best.

  49. 49. Ian

    Hang in there, Toby. You and Emily are in my thoughts.

  50. 50. Jim C. Hines

    What the hell? You just had to top my troubles on the way back from Windycon, didn’t you. Way to take the competitiveness too far, man!

    I hope they get you taken care of soon. Like everyone else here, I’ll be worrying and praying and pulling for you.

  51. 51. Chris Gerrib

    Dude, that seriously sucks. Take care of yourself, and you have my thoughts.

  52. 52. Laurel Amberdine

    Oh no! Hope it turns out to be no big deal.

  53. 53. Charlie Stross

    Aw, shit. Good luck with that, and here’s hoping it’s a one-off and not a symptom of something major.

  54. 54. Lynne Thomas

    I blame the Big Boy.

    Seriously, hang in. We’re thinking of you. Take care.

    *happy thoughts in your direction*

  55. 55. Chris

    Healthy vibes coming your way. Your in my thoughts.

  56. 56. Tim Pratt

    Take care, Toby. Our thoughts are with you.

  57. 57. Graham

    Oh dear. Hope you get well soon.

  58. 58. Jaime

    I think I’ve now officially exceeded my quota of people to worry about.

    Get well quickly, Toby. You have things to do.

    And remember all this shit. You can use it in the next book!

  59. 59. Steve Leigh

    Shit, Toby — this is not the news I wanted to hear. Hope the specialists come with a quick and easy solution and you’re back to what passes for normal ASAP!

    You’re in our thoughts!

    Steve & Denise

  60. 60. DG Lewis

    More good thoughts inbound, Toby.

  61. 61. Sharon Lee

    Take care, Toby!

  62. 62. punkrockhockeymom

    I’m thinking about you. Get better.

  63. 63. Michael Thomas

    Well, shit. At least you got the basement floor done first.

    Seriously, I’m glad you got to a hospital right away. Take care. You’re in our thoughts.

  64. 64. Ember

    Thinking healing thoughts. Please, feel better soon!

  65. 65. Jetse

    Take care, man. Hope it’s nothing serious and that you will recover soon.

    Sending out positive vibes your way.

  66. 66. Paul Stevens

    Hey, hope things go well.

    Leave it to you to blog from your hospital bed . . .

    Paul

  67. 67. CaseyL

    More good thoughts coming your way from the Greatly Rainy Pacific NW. Get very well very soon!

  68. 68. Jon Hansen

    Holy crap, Toby! Get better, dammit.

  69. 69. DKT

    Be well, man. We’re thinking good thoughts for you.

  70. 70. MarkHB

    Best of luck, man!

  71. 71. Michael

    Dude, been there, know what you’re going through. Get better, k? Otherwise, like, this is how zombies are born. Don’t want that. Bad mojo on that path.

  72. 72. Lance Weber

    Looking for the silver lining - if they do have to remove your heart you can look forward to a bright future as a critic.

    Seriously though, best wishes and get well soon!

  73. 73. Kelly McCullough

    Dude, that’s no good. Stop it and get better at once. More seriously: Yow, I hope it all turns out to be nothing really serious and you’re back to routine soonest. Good health vibes and wishes sent your way. Take care, rest, get well.

  74. 74. Laurie Mann

    Hope you are treated well by the hospital and you’re home soon! Best wishes to you (and Emily, too).

  75. 75. Nnedi Okorafor

    OMG! Hugs!!

    You’ll be fine. Say it with me. :-)

    Keep us posted.

  76. 76. David B. Coe

    Thinking of you, Tobias. Hope you’re on the mend soon. Best wishes to you and Emily.

  77. 77. David Anthony Durham

    Toby, get better. We need you.

  78. 78. Marko Kloos

    Get well, and lay off the concrete crunching for a while.

  79. 79. Jordan Lapp

    Take care of yourself. Best wishes on getting better.

  80. 80. Manny

    Thinking good thoughts. If mojo works, you’re getting some.

  81. 81. Dot Lin

    All my best wishes to you and Emily. We’re thinking of you both!

  82. 82. Kelsey

    Get well. Just keep thinking that someday you’ll write about this and we’ll all laugh.

  83. 83. JustAnotherJohn

    Dude! SciFi is cool and all, but I don’t want you to become a cyborg.

    Get well soon.

  84. 84. Pablo Defendini

    Oh, man. And here I thought you were sleeping off some basement-concrete-grinding-exhaustion by now….

    Get better soon, brother!

  85. 85. Gregory Frost

    Toby,
    You’ve just joined a rather elite club that I would prefer you hadn’t joined. I’ve gone through much of what you’re getting to know up close and personally now. Racing heart beat is a most controllable thing once they figure out the cause. Please keep me informed. Scary is right, but you aren’t alone, and a couple of us have come out the far side of a similar scare.

    Best,
    greg

  86. 86. Jack Kincaid

    Be strong. You can get through this.

  87. 87. SMD

    Holy mother of…
    Get better soon man! I expect to read many more of your books in the future!

    Best wishes,
    Shaun

  88. 88. Kelson

    Good thoughts your way!

  89. 89. Shawn Adams

    More get-well wishes from yet another of your readers.

    What, not enough? Ok, fine, I’ll throw in some super monkey voodoo mojo for good measure. Free of charge, of course!

    On top of all that, may you have well-rested and competent doctors.

  90. 90. Eileen Gunn

    Yikes, Toby! Hope you’re better soon!

    Eileen

  91. 91. hugh57

    Get well, dude.

  92. 92. Jason M. Robertson

    I wish you a speedy recovery with as much comfort and as little drama as possible!

  93. 93. Anna the Piper

    Came over from the Whatever–hope you feel better soon! Best wishes for healing up.

  94. 94. John-Mark

    My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please get better soon.

  95. 95. Brenda

    Lots of good thoughts and prayers, headed your way from Missouri.

  96. 96. Ardaniel Collier

    Damn, Tobias, great timing you’ve got, having a Cardiac Incident just as Twitter goes into DB maintenance. Had to come all the way over here, etc. ;)

    I’m positive you’re in good hands, and that the staff will be just as attentive to Emily and the players to be named later. Take it easy.

  97. 97. Michael Dean

    Tobias GET WELL AND GET SOME REST!
    I’m praying for a speedy recovery.

  98. 98. D.Paul

    Nothing but positive, healthy thoughts coming your way, Toby.

    Also, it’s best if you try to soak those patches before yanking ‘em off your chest. Ouch.

  99. 99. Cathy

    Hope things go well in the new hospital and you get better soon.

  100. 100. Kate Elliott

    Best wishes to you as they work through this.

    If there’s anything we can do to entertain you in the meanwhile, please let us know.

    Also, as a fellow needle hater, my personal sympathies.

  101. 101. PixelFish

    Oh, man, I hope it’s nothing majorly serious. But I’m glad you were able to get care right away. Best wishes for your full recovery.

  102. 102. S.C. Butler

    Knowing this won’t keep you down for long. Good luck, and a quick recovery!

  103. 103. Cheryl

    Fingers crossed, buddy, and all other extremities too.

  104. 104. BeVibe

    Toby - make sure they do endocrine work as well as heart stuff. I went in the hospital about 18 months ago thinking I was having a heart attack, and it turned out I had an endocrine problem which was causing the heart problem.

    Best luck - good to know you took it seriously and are getting good care!

  105. 105. Merrie Haskell

    I’m wishing for your speedy recovery. (And hugs to Emily…)

  106. 106. Mark

    Best wishes for your recovery.

  107. 107. Dr. Phil

    But… I just saw you at WindyCon this weekend! Thank goodness this didn’t happen while you were on the road.

    Take care, Toby. Personally, I’d blame Jim Hines for this.

    Dr. Phil

  108. 108. Xopher

    Get better soon! It sounds like the sort of thing that might be manageable with medication. I hope all will be well, and that the meds aren’t nasty or anything.

    Good thoughts coming your way. (Here via Scalzi’s blog, btw.)

  109. 109. Shaun Farrell

    Rest up, Toby. Well wishes and prayers.

  110. 110. David Louis Edelman

    Dude, hope this is just a false alarm. Or a real alarm for something that’s not too serious. Or even an early April Fool’s joke on the part of your doctors. At any rate, our thoughts are with ya over here. Get well soon.

  111. 111. shawn scarber

    Toby,

    Well wishes and happy thoughts your way. Recover quickly!

  112. 112. Cat Rambo

    I love the fact you’re blogging bout it :) Please take care, and many good wishes from Wayne and I!

  113. 113. Mike JAsper

    Wow. Thanks for keeping us updated through all this! Crazy.

    Take care, the both of you!

  114. 114. cherie priest

    Holy cow, dude - best wishes, crossed fingers, and all that jazz! Feel better. Hell, *get* better soon.

  115. 115. Jeff Pert

    Best of luck, Toby. Scary stuff, but it sounds like you’re handling it well.

  116. 116. Tziedel

    Well, fudgepuppies…hope you get all sorted out and better soon.

  117. 117. Rae Finlay

    Geez louise, dude. Get better soon, k? Let us know if you need anything.

  118. 118. Geoffrey Allan Plauche

    Egads! Take care. I hope it’s not too serious. P.S. Loved Resistance.

  119. 119. Nina A

    Get well soon. Good thoughts coming your way. Damn.

  120. 120. Nora

    Whoa, very scary. But it’s good that you’ve found this now (looking on the bright side), if hypotropowhatsit is what you turn out to have; maybe there are treatments you can undergo to correct or minimize problems from it.

    Get well soon!

  121. 121. TKay

    Oh noes! Good mojo being sent your way from just down 75 here in Dayton. Take care and hope to see you up & about soon! :)

  122. 122. Delynn

    Get better soon!!!
    Good thoughts coming your way from Cleveland!

  123. 123. Karina

    Sending good thoughts your way for a speedy recovery!

  124. 124. Josh Bales

    You look like something from the Weapon X program. Maybe while the doctors are poking around in there, they could give you a set of adamantium claws?

    Seriously, though — get better soon, dude!

    JAB

  125. 125. Joshua Bilmes

    You’re making me feel young in a way I’d really rather not :-) Sunnyside is thinking of you!

  126. 126. Colleen Lindsay

    Take care of yourself, sir, and keep us informed. Sending good thoughts your way.

    (PS: That should be your new author photo!)

  127. 127. David J. Williams

    Hang in there, sir–fingers crossed. . .

  128. 128. Tania

    I’ll be offering some beer to FSM in your honor. Would it help any for you to think of the tubes as his noodly appendages gently cradling you and expressing his love?

    But seriously, hope you get out of there soon with a minimum of additional fuss and bother.

  129. 129. Charlie Finlay

    Toby! You better get well, man, or I’ll come up to that hospital room and kick your nancypants ass.

  130. 130. Sub-Odeon

    One of those real “Oh my God is this it?” moments, no doubt.

    My wife has severe, chronic asthma, and I’ve literally taken her to the ER while she’s at death’s door. Several times.

    Scary to watch.

    Best of luck, Mr. Buckell.

  131. 131. jasonmitchell

    You WILL get better - you have stuff to write, and they have due dates :)

    seriously though, my thoughts and good wishes

  132. 132. C. S. Inman

    You make those electrodes look *good.*

    Best wishes.

  133. 133. Lisa Deguchi

    Toby! I support Charlie’s plan to kick your nancypants, so get better!

  134. 134. Luke Jackson

    Damn. You got me thinking theodicy: why do bad things happen to good people?

    Get better.

  135. 135. Wendy S. Delmater

    Dude. Sending love and prayers.

  136. 136. Stephen Granade

    Man. Get better soon, and let it not be anything serious.

  137. 137. jddennis

    Thoughts and prayers to you, Toby. Best of luck pulling through.

  138. 138. Elf Sternberg

    You don’t look nearly as stoned in your hospital pic as I think I did in my last hospital pic. You’ve also got a lot more neat hardware attached to ya.

    Get better! Ragamuffin’s still in my to-read pile (under Matter and Outside the Dog Museum, so it might be a while), and I want to be able to thank you.

  139. 139. MikeB

    Get well soon Toby, we really cannot afford to lose you.

  140. 140. Rene

    Get better soon. Best of luck to all of you.

  141. 141. Steven Silver

    I’m glad you were home before this happened. I guess you were serious when you said you weren’t feeling great at Windy, but you didn’t have to go out of your way to prove it. I’d have believed you.

  142. 142. Rose Fox

    Take care of yourself. HCM is srs bizness, but it’s well understood and there are plenty of treatment options. I hope you have someone who can bring you books while you languish in hospital!

  143. 143. SarahP

    Toby!!!! Take care of yourself, please, please please. Hoping for the best here.

  144. 144. Ellen Asher

    Oh, hell. Get well soon — and stay well.

  145. 145. Simon owens

    Be well, man.

  146. 146. Sarah Kelly

    I hope you’re feeling better and find out what’s going on with yourself soon. My thoughts are with you.

  147. 147. Ron Avitzur

    Best wishes for a rapid and full recovery. Good luck!

  148. 148. Randy Johnson

    Hang in there, buddy! I can empathize. My family is prone to a disorder that causes blood clots.
    Fingers crossed.

  149. 149. Jim Winter

    Get well. And do not screw around with this. It killed my dad, and only days before he was scheduled to get it treated.

    OTOH, I went in for WPW about 14-15 years ago. Bottom line, they had to sever a nerve in my heart. The night I went to the ER?

    Yeah, you get used to being the whippersnapper in the ward.

    And if it’s not blockage? You get steak and eggs and bacon!

    Downside? Decaf.

    Yeah, that sucked big time.

    Get well soon.

  150. 150. Jake Freivald

    every one else here is like… 80.

    That may seem old, but it means that they’ve lived through a lot. You just have to make sure you’re still around to hit 80, too. :) Best of luck.

  151. 151. jenn

    Please get well soon

  152. 152. MarkHB

    Hey, that’s *good* news! Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is something that’s treatable and controllable - so you’ve had a scare, but you should be fine!

  153. 153. Georgiana

    Sounds terrifying. I hope you feel much better very soon.

  154. 154. Gennita Low

    That’s it. No more hi-speed roller-coaster rides for you. Take care, Toby. Good healing thoughts on the way.

  155. 155. Ann & Jeff VanderMeer

    Tobias, just got word. Seeing as you are blogging about it, we know you’ll be fine. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

    Ann & Jeff

  156. 156. Diana Pharaoh Francis

    I hope it’s nothing. But it’s all writing fodder, right? Seriously though, take care of yourself.

  157. 157. Hugh Staples

    Get well, dude!

  158. 158. Marissa Lingen

    Hoping for the best for you, Toby, and for quick and easy-to-deal-with answers.

  159. 159. Eric Reynolds

    Get well soon, man.

  160. 160. BeVibe

    Toby - wow - good to hear it may be something easily recognizable. We can’t escape our genetics, eh?

    But seriously, have them check you out stem-to-stern to make sure there isn’t something else sneaking around, hiding behind your mom’s ailment, okay?

    BIG hugs from Dayton, Man!

  161. 161. Michael A. Burstein

    Get better soon.

  162. 162. Josh Smith

    Paging Dr. Gregory House….

  163. 163. Karen

    Wishing you well, Toby. I hope they can sort this all out soon. Please take care.

  164. 164. Melissa

    get well soon!

  165. 165. Stephen Gordon

    Sorry to hear this Toby. Sending up some prayers for you. Get well my friend.

  166. 166. Sean Williams

    Crikey. See what writing tie-ins does to you?

    And seriously: be well, Toby. Lots of positive thoughts from down here.

  167. 167. Dave Klecha

    Tarri and I are thinking about you, and hugs to Emily. Get better soon, dude.

  168. 168. Gillian

    May it be diagnosed and sorted soon!

  169. 169. Constance

    Feel better soon! (that pic is scary!)

  170. 170. S Andrew Swann

    Jeez, and I was just talking to you last weekend. Eep.
    Get well and godspeed man.

  171. 171. Guerry

    Get better Toby, you’re in our prayers.

  172. 172. Michele Lee

    Hope all goes smoothly and you get well soon! (And that something safe but interesting and inspirational happens.)

  173. 173. Wyman Cooke

    Yow! Hope you get better soon.

  174. 174. Amy Sterling Casil

    Good thoughts, good hopes and prayers -{{ hugs hugs hugs }} Toby! You’re so brave!!!!

  175. 175. Paul M

    Hope it goes well, Toby. I just had a similar thing today - a very infrequent arrhythmia. Nothing bad found in tests, just lots of monitoring from here on out. I wish as good a result for you!

  176. 176. Michael Canfield

    Take care, you are the best.

  177. 177. Simon Haynes

    I’m sorry to hear about this Toby, but it’s good you’re in safe hands.

  178. 178. Donal

    Take care of yourself Toby and get well soon.

  179. 179. Marguerite

    Hopefully from this you’ll get several awesome novel ideas and start “plotting.”

    Do what the medicos tell you but don’t let them push you around. Watever you do, don’t be tough. If you hurt, or are worried, let them know.

    And don’t take any assistance from cute blonde candystripers with lots of freckles, because that is contraindicated.

  180. 180. Marguerite

    Oh, I almost forgot–whatever you do–don’t let them shave you!

    You look damn fine with the fuzz.

  181. 181. Derryl Murphy

    Get well soon, man. And someday remind me to tell you about the time I was in a small town hospital on the same ward as all the dying and/or pain-filled patients.

    D

  182. 182. Matt Jarpe

    “every one else here is like… 80″

    Sounds like Boskone. Hey-oh!

    Seriously, dude, listen to the docs, eat your veg, do what has to be done, but get well.

  183. 183. Charles Tan

    Here’s to a speedy recovery!

  184. 184. Dave Robinson

    Good luck and the hope you don’t need it.

  185. 185. Lynn

    Not something I ever want to see on your blog again, Tobias. Please take care, rest, and know you’re in our thoughts and prayers.

  186. 186. Jason Rizos

    Saw your blog on Boingboing and I’m digging it. Hope they are just taking precautions and your ticker is just fine. Can’t wait to check out your books.

  187. 187. Eric Honaker

    Wow. Scary stuff. I hope you are feeling better soon, man.

  188. 188. Leah Bobet

    Eeek. Get well soon!

  189. 189. Jim Hall

    I hope you are feeling better soon!

  190. 190. moondancer drake

    HUGS!!! Our hearts are with you. Lots of healing juju your way!

  191. 191. Anton P. Nym

    Get well soon!

    — Steve

  192. 192. Steve Buchheit

    Dude, no Xbox, just relax. I’m sure your sleeplessness is kicking in, and that leads to restlessness. It sucks to be in that bed, but it’s a good thing you went in. Think of it as time to do source material research. And watch out for those old foggies, they’re tricksie they are. Sending good thoughts your way.

  193. 193. Scott Marlowe

    That sucks, my man. Seriously, hope all works out. Keep us updated.

  194. 194. Larry

    Wow! Like the others have said, take it easy and get well soon!

  195. 195. Dave Creek

    Damn, Toby, you’re too young for this shit. People my age, sure, but not you! Get well soon, too many books are sitting back there in your hindbrain waiting to come out.

  196. 196. glenda larke

    Dunno whether this is any comfort, but my husband was diagnosed with a heart rate way above normal at 35 - and he’s still going strong at 67. His at-rest pulse rate is 105! He has never let it stop him do anything…

    Take care,

    Glenda

  197. 197. Arun Jiwa

    Take care, and I hope you get well soon Toby.

    -A.

  198. 198. Karl Schroeder

    There’s something called “hospital induced anemia” which is where your hemoglobin levels get really low because they keep coming around and taking more blood from you! This happened to me. One of the charms of being examined thoroughly. It sounds like they’re doing a very intelligent investigation of your problem, which is good.

    Time to download some audiobooks onto your iphone.

  199. 199. Robert J. Sawyer

    You’re in my thoughts, my friend. Be well.

  200. 200. Arachne Jericho

    Get well soon. We’re all thinking of you.

  201. 201. Tiffany Trent

    Take care, Toby!

    Wishing you a speedy recovery,
    Tiffany

  202. 202. Pat Rothfuss

    Damn. Take care. Whatever my good vibes are worth, they’re pointed your way.

    Boy, that sounds corny as hell. Here it is in plain language. I think you’re a hell of a guy, and I like you. Therefore this sucks.

    I hope everything is going as well as humanly possible.

  203. 203. T M Beem

    Came here via John Scalzi’s site. Oh holy crap man! Scary stuff. I hope you recover quickly and that your troubles aren’t as severe as they appear to currently be. Time to buy your books so you have extra money via royalties to help pay for this.

  204. 204. Jason Erik Lundberg

    Yeesh, scary stuff, dude. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

  205. 205. Greg Lincoln

    Hello Tobias….

    I was just listening to you on dead robots podcast and wanted to write to tell you it was because Adventures in SF publishing that I Finally got Crystal Rain…..

    My thoughts are with you man - I love your work ….

    take care

  206. 206. Thomas M. Wagner

    Hang in there, Toby!

  207. 207. Matthew Sanborn Smith

    I wish you all the best. Get Well!

  208. 208. Joe Sherry

    Damn, man. Best wishes and whatever it is - speedy and healthy recovery.

  209. 209. Harry Connolly

    Best wishes for a speedy recover.

  210. 210. Geoffrey A. Landis

    Wow, scary. Hope it ends up being something trivial! Or at least treatable!

  211. 211. George Sulea

    Hey there,
    Heard from Steve Swinarski what was up; I hope you feel better soon:)

  212. 212. welamom

    Get well soon! Marguerite turned me onto your opinions and such–you sound far too valuable to lose. Please know that this ex-Ohioan is rooting for you!

  213. 213. WendyB_09

    Get well soon, you need to come back to DragonCon again!

    Be patient with the human pincushion thing, if they poke at you long enough they’ll figure out here to fix what’s broke.

  214. 214. Jeremy

    Hope you get better, man. Good to see that it won’t stop you from blogging

  215. 215. Ellen Datlow

    Just heard and worry about you. Get well soon.

  216. 216. Maureen McHugh

    Are you getting good drugs? Being in the hospital sucks, every one is wandering around with needles ready to test you for all sorts of things, and if you don’t get good drugs it’s really no fun at all.

    (Hope that you turn out to have some sort of weird ass infection that they cure with antibiotics and then send you home.)

  217. 217. Meg Stout

    Dude - take care of yourself! ::hugs::

    You scared me with the SVT comment - that’s how they discovered my son’s heart problems, and he’s pushing daisies now. Sounds like they’ll be able to mend you pretty well.

    Follow orders - no heroics.

  218. 218. Lucy Snyder

    Toby, Gary and I hope you’re feeling better soon.

  219. 219. Stacie H

    You have family around, but since I’m in the area, if there’s anything I can do, you only have to ask.

  220. 220. Rick Novy

    Get better. Your family needs you.

  221. 221. Chris Green

    Take it easy Toby. Your model number is a difficult one to replace. And I don’t have enough change to afford a new one. Wait, I think I have a quarter stuck in my pants…

    …damn.
    Get well soon.

  222. 222. law

    Gah! Get better!

  223. 223. Buck

    I was just thinking of you a few hours ago- it looks like Obama may nominate the son of Barbadan immigrants as attorney general.

    I hope they get this sorted out for you quickly.

    Take care.

  224. 224. John D.

    Best wishes for a super-speedy recovery.

  225. 225. Rob Vagle

    Get well soon, Toby! Thinking healing thoughts.

  226. 226. sf addict

    Oh, Man! Scalzi sent me over.
    Onoes! Teh Ho-spit-tals! You gots to get Better and get Out of there, rapidemente, man! SF Addict needs more of your books, desperately. There. That should give you purpose enough to get healthy again, yes?
    Positive Waves are beaming your way from NoVA, sir.

    Just another of your fans,
    Karl C.

  227. 227. Lenora Rose

    Crud. Get yourself better, hope all becomes well very soon. Let us know if there’s any way to help besides good wishes.

    (I’ll say this; the good to this is seeing all your friends come out of the woodwork if only to wish you well. There are at least nine more on the LJ feed.)

  228. 228. Eric

    I hope it turns out to not be serious. Get better soon.

  229. 229. Tarrell Childs

    I’m sure your higher power was just trying to get you to slow down a little and kind of over did it. Hope you get well soon.

  230. 230. SpeakerToManagers

    I’m very sorry, but you are not allowed to become seriously ill at this time. Too many other people have gotten sick recently, and all the slots have been used up. So please get better very quickly.

  231. 231. Corby Kennard

    Get well, Tobias. There’s nothing like being in a hospital bed for feeling helpless, but if you keep up your spirits you will be fine.

  232. 232. Rochita Loenen-Ruiz

    Get well soon. You’ll be in our thoughts and in our prayers.

  233. 233. Rosemary Kirstein

    Toby, man — what are you doing?? Get well, and get outta there!

    Well, that’s my first reaction. But I’m sure you’re getting excellent care… so just do everything your doctors say, rest up, and don’t worry. Take care of yourself, and let other people take care of you, too.

    And remember that every single human being who has heard about this is wishing the best for you.

  234. 234. J G Dalziel

    Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery from Down Under!

  235. 235. Anne Harris

    Gee whiz, Toby. I’m sorry this is happening to you. It does sound like you’re getting good care and you’ve got a lot of people keeping you in their thoughts. My best wishes for a speedy recovery.

  236. 236. Scott

    There have been so many people that have already expressed their well wishes to you, and mine echo that. At first I kind of felt, “What’s the point?” But then thinking about how precious life can be, it is important. With the internet, so many people around the world have become closer and closer. And though you don’t know who I am, and we may never have the opportunity to meet, I still want to send my heartfelt best wishes on a speedy recovery and long lasting good health.

  237. 237. Jay Caselberg

    All best, Toby.

  238. 238. green_knight

    Best of luck. Hope it turns out to be comparatively harmless.

  239. 239. Aimee Payne

    I sincerely hope the worst thing you have to deal with is hospital boredom. (Though, that’s bad enough.)

    Get well soon!

  240. 240. Chris Gardner

    Get well Toby! Keep up the good spirits

  241. 241. Pegkitty

    If a cranky guy with a cane and scruffy facial hair shows up, get the hell out of there.

  242. 242. Diane Turnshek

    I certainly hope good wishes = quick recovery, because you’ve got a passel of them! Thanks for keeping us all updated. The most important thing about being in the hospital, I’ve found, is having a loved one with you at all times to keep asking questions, a patient advocate.

    And yes, you should find a way to play video games, but nothing exciting, mind. Grow chickens on Harvest Moon or something . . .

    —> Love and Hugs!

  243. 243. Lawrence M. Schoen

    Hang in there, my friend. And don’t eat the hospital pudding. Trust me.

  244. 244. Astrid Julian

    Wow Toby,

    I’m so glad you are in a safe place. You’re probably bored as all get out, but you are absolutely doing what needs to be done. Here’s hoping that it turns out to be nothing serious and the whole experience leaves you with no lasting effects except an excellent story or novel about really being linked-in with those gizmos (and your iphone, wireless, et al).

    Be patient, and best of luck, Astrid.

  245. 245. Kerry

    Kinda wish I could hook up an Xbox to the hospital tv LOL.

    Check with the pediatrics ward - they probably have one for the kids to use *lol*.

    Glad to hear things don’t seem to be super-serious. Get better, anyway.

  246. 246. Wyman Cooke

    Now that it’s Wednesday I was wondering what news? Good, I hope.

  247. 247. SarahP

    An update right about now would be really good. I hope you’re doing okay this morning. Take care!!

  248. 248. Michael Thomas

    I’m with Sarah on that. I hope everything is going well.

    Take care.

  249. 249. Marsha Sisolak

    Ouch! Good luck on the recovery, and here’s hoping it’s as easy to fix as boredom.

  250. 250. Steve Nagy

    Hope all is going well.

  251. 251. Pat Logan

    Take care of yourself. Sounds like you got some good people on your side there.

  252. 252. Bill Blum

    Get well, man.

  253. 253. Dan I. Radakovich

    Rough news, hope it is not something ultra-serious. Get well soon. Everyone at Alpha, Confluence and Parsec in Pgh. will be rootin’ for ya.

    Best,
    Dan I. Rad.

  254. 254. Ed Greaves

    Hope you’ll be back on your feet soon.

  255. 255. Joe Parrish

    You can not go yet, I just kind of found you and think you have too many good ideas to be leaving us. Don’t mean to sound down, so get this taken care of and get well and writing soon.

  256. 256. Christopher Kastensmidt

    Sending best wishes. Get well soon!

  257. 257. Angelle

    Sending good thoughts!

  258. 258. Patty Garcia

    Hope you’re feeling better today. I’m thinking about you and hoping for a speedy recovery!

  259. 259. Michael Thomas

    You sound much better. I’m glad that they’re treating you well.

  260. 260. Liz

    I hope it gets simpler, not more complicated!

    Anyway, thinking of you, hope you feel better and get out of the hospital soon.

  261. 261. Deb

    Glad things are looking better, Toby! Take care!!!

  262. 262. Steven

    Best of luck in getting diagnosed and getting better, Mr. Buckell.

    I’ve read and enjoyed Crystal Rain, but have yet to get to your others. Will be doing so soon (based on CR and on Jim Hines’ recommends as well).

    Hope you don’t mind another link to your blog on a fellow author’s page.

    Steven Schend

  263. 263. Chaz Brenchley

    Yay for updates and betterness!

    (Also, yay for friends: every time I check this page, there are more comments, there is more tender concern. People are cool…)

  264. 264. Kristine Smith

    response to morning update: thinking of you. may the good news continue.

  265. 265. Tom Marcinko

    Wishing you a speedy recovery, Toby.

  266. 266. Bob Hole

    Jay sent me. Sincere good thoughts. I’m glad things are looking up this morning and hope they continue on that course.

  267. 267. Jaime

    I’m so glad you posted the morning update. You sound much better and over all the situation sounds better. The doctors appear to have their act together.

    Fretting is what I do, but I will fret less now.

  268. 268. Kyle Maxwell

    Here’s hoping you come out faster… better… stronger… rebuilt!

  269. 269. Xopher

    Sounds like things are improving massively and rapidly. May they continue to do so.

  270. 270. Adam Rakunas

    Speedy recovery, man.

  271. 271. Daniel Spector

    The New Zealand contingent wishes you well and healthy.

  272. 272. Mike F.

    Take care. Hope you are home and feeling better soon.

  273. 273. Fred Kiesche

    Had something similar happen to me 15 years ago…I’m still here. So good luck, and hopefully it’ll work out!

    In the meantime a good incentive to get better: hospital food.

  274. 274. Jim Hetley

    Glad to read the update. I’ve had too many reminders of my own mortality to wish the experience on anyone else.

    Well, there *are* a few people I’d wish it on, but you ain’t one of them . . .

  275. 275. Mary Turzillo

    Oh Toby, you look so, so, so, what word can I use? forlorn? there in your hospital bed!

    I had an echocardigram earlier this year. I thought I had pneumonia and some idiot cardiologist looked at my chest X-ray and said “Oh goodie! Enlarged heart.” A month and half and an echocardiogram (sonogram) later, it turned out the original cardiologist had just read the X-ray wrong — apparently this happens a lot — and I have nothing nothing nothing wrong with my heart.

    So echocardiograms are in fact good things — they don’t hurt, they don’t damage your organs or irradiate you, and often they reassure.

    I’m betting that’s what will happen with you — let’s hope.

    And please convey my sympathy also to Emily. It is very terrifying to have the love of your life in the hospital with a weird and frightening symptom.

    Get well soon.

  276. 276. Al Bogdan

    Hope you’re home and back to normal life soon.

  277. 277. Wendy S. Delmater

    Glad things are slightly better this morning: a heart rate of 80 is definitely an improvement over one of 120. Glad you have things to keep you occupied and family near.

    Kung Fu Panda = laughter = good medicine. Emily knows what she’s about.

  278. 278. Chad Winters

    Get well soon!!

    Crystal Rain kept me company while I was in Kuwait last year with the Air Force and Sly Mongoose is on my “to buy soon” list. I’m looking forward to many more great books from you!!

  279. 279. John Markley

    Get well soon!

  280. 280. Don Mead

    Take care! And get well soon.

  281. 281. Gillian C

    Best wishes, Toby. Hope all this gets cleared up quickly.

  282. 282. Peter Watts

    I’ve been meaning to write and bitch at you for scooping me on the whole hard-sf zombie thing, but given the current situation I can only remind you: all this poking and prodding and hovering on the edge of death is gonna inform some seriously awesome story ideas and character development downstream. It’s just the way our brains work.

    So get better, but *take notes* in the meantime.

    Peter

  283. 283. Chris

    Long-distance wishes for a full recovery. The Xbox will keep, okay?

  284. 284. Eugene

    Yikes. So glad you got taken care of right away. Hang in there–I’m hoping for the best!

  285. 285. Mike

    Take care and take it slow. Heart stuff is scary.

  286. 286. Sarah Brand

    Take care, and get well soon!

  287. 287. Emma

    Toby!

    I haven’t seen or talked to you in ages, and clearly no one has told you this before, but lots of getting-better thoughts!

    Also, something I’ve been meaning to tell you which is on the happy side of things–I’m majoring in Caribbean history right now, and it’s pretty much your fault. So, thank you.

    -(Alpha) Emma

  288. 288. Rob B

    Best wishes!

  289. 289. Gerry Allen

    Don’t be in too much of a hurry to get back to “normal.” But do be in a hurry to get better.
    Compared to what you’ve written that I have enjoyed, this note is paltry…but it correctly represents the ratio of our writing talents.

  290. 290. Isaac W

    Take care, and feel better!

  291. 291. Minz

    Yeah, what Peter said. But take care of yourself too…

  292. 292. Eric

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

  293. 293. mythago

    Good luck. If the medical staff gives you any crap remind them you know lawyers. CRANKY lawyers.

  294. 294. dawn

    Get well soon, man. And take it EASY!

  295. 295. Paul

    scary shit indeed my friend. We all wish you a real speedy recovery.
    Paul and crew at Beam Me Up

  296. 296. Jeff Hentosz

    Mmmm … hospital food … ::”Homer” gargling::

    What?

    Get better fast, sir.

  297. 297. Claire

    Get well soon wishes and sending healing vibes in your direction.
    Feel better…

  298. 298. Levin A.

    Get better soon.

  299. 299. Vera Nazarian

    Relax, and get some good rest, Toby! That’s probably more important than anything! :-)

    *good healing thoughts heading your way*

  300. 300. JW Johnson

    Best wishes Toby. Sorry to see you down. Get well soon.

  301. 301. Chris McKitterick

    Wishing you the best for a speedy and full recovery.

  302. 302. SQT

    I hope you’re feeling better and that you get some good news soon (like going home).

  303. 303. Jay Tomio

    Best wishes, and I hope all is well!

  304. 304. Robin

    All the best and wishing you a speedy recovery.

    Robin.

    Thanks for fixing the sample links.

  305. 305. SciFiChick

    Get well soon!

  306. 306. Brenda Groman

    Hey Tobias! Sending get well thoughts your way! Hang in there!

  307. 307. Veronica

    Tobias, take care of yourself.

  308. 308. Chris Willrich

    Thinking good thoughts at you.

  309. 309. Carolyn Jewel

    Get better soon, please. Thinking of you and your family.

  310. 310. Amy

    Yikes! Get well soon and keep us updated.

  311. 311. Fred Kiesche

    Here’s an incentive to get better: your new book is coming out, gosh, in a few days!

  312. 312. Kate Nepveu

    Did you get to hear your blood going swish-swish through your heart? That’s my favorite part of getting an echocardiogram done.

    Hope you continue to improve.

  313. 313. Spencer

    Hope things continue to improve. Get well–I’m looking forward to reading many more of your future books.

  314. 314. Henrietta H

    Man, I know how it is when this sort of thing happens. I had to have a short stay in the ER as well as in the hospital for some similiar symptoms, but I am OK now. It turned out to be nothing. Hope the same occurs for you. Until you are released though, take it easy and catch up on the rest - it really does help.

  315. 315. Ricky Kimsey

    I simply want to say is get well soon sir.

  316. 316. Angel

    I will be praying for you now.

    It is good to see the role your family takes in your comfort during this ordeal.

    I hope that you emerge from this stronger and better equipped with information than you were beforehand. :)

  317. 317. kitten

    Damn…you aren’t supposed to have such a good time at windycon that you fall over!

    *hugs* and bright blessings…take care of yourself.

  318. 318. Lou Anders

    Dude, just found out about this. I hope you are okay. Prayers, the best of wishes, good vibes all your way.

  319. 319. Paul Granahan

    Toby: Our prayers and good thoughts are going out to you and yours. Get well soon!!!

  320. 320. steve

    i’m an e.d. nurse and i decree that you will be fine. i have performed this pronouncement a hundredfold times and have never been wrong. i predict an you will be diagnosed with s.v.t. and/or afib with r.v.r. … you’ll begin coumadin and get blood taken monthly but soon be weaned off the coumadin and back to normal in 8 months time. in 1 year you’ll have an anxiety attack that leads you back to e.d. and everything will be negative. you’ll decide your middle 30’s were the worst health scare time of your life and dedicate yourself to lifelong health improvement. you will continue to write cool sf which focuses on octagenarian’s living in southeast asia until the ripe old age of 79 when you will be killed by an accidental fall down the steps of the local gym, breaking your neck in a posture that has you staring straight into the rising sun thru the gym’s glass doors. everyone will write glowing obituaries in memory of your life. people will cry. life will have been good. enjoy. [and smile in between the tears. you will be alright.]

  321. 321. steve

    oops. i read the cards wrong.

    that *99*, not 79. my bad.

  322. 322. A.M. Lau

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

  323. 323. Keilexandra

    Eep! I hope you feel better nowabouts, Toby. This is what I get for not reading LJ for a week…

  324. 324. Maria

    Prayers and thoughts your way.

  325. 325. crimsong19

    Get well soon, dude.

  326. 326. Carolyn

    Toby, when you are all better, could you upload a topless picture of yourself without all the medical paraphernalia? ;) Get well soon!

  327. 327. Kasey Mackenzie

    Ick. Hope that you feel better soon and they get things all straightened out!

  328. 328. Stephe

    Oh, no! Sending you all the good vibes I can muster…

    Be well. You have a lot of people pulling for you, not to mention so much more to write.

  329. 329. Chas

    I hope you get better soon and get back to writing those great novels! I’m looking forward to Pepper’s next adventure. Thanks for some great reading.

Pingbacks

  1. Cheryl’s Mewsings » Blog Archive » Thinking of You, Toby
  2. Genrewonk: thoughts and opinions by author S. Andrew Swann » Blog Archive » Good luck Toby. . .
  3. Cheryl’s Mewsings » Blog Archive » Welcome Back, LJ Readers
  4. [personal] Toby Buckell | jlake.com
  5. Tobias Buckell Falls Ill | Live Granades
  6. Talk about dedication … « We Can Always Dream
  7. SF writer Tobias Buckell in the ER with heart problems | TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home
  8. Vast and Cool and Unsympathetic » Blog Archive » Tobias Buckell, get well soon
  9. Send good karmatic thoughts Tobias Buckell’s way. « The Book Bark!

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Tobias is a Caribbean-born SF/F novelist who lives in Ohio.

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tobias@tobiasbuckell.com
AIM: tobiasbuckell

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