# Mr. Shoe is in the hospital **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 12, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279 "2012-08-12T16:58:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 53
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1042 "2012-12-17T22:14:19Z")
Hooray! More progress. Sending out more good thoughts for continued progress! ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1043 "2012-12-17T22:22:02Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Well, he’s supposed to ask this week about getting a day pass for Christmas Eve and/or Day. I’m hoping for both! Awesome! If it would help, let me know who to contact, and I’ll call up and chant, “BOTH! BOTH! BOTH!” until they give in. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1044 "2012-12-18T00:21:23Z")
Great progress. I wonder how we can speed up the nerve regeneration… ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1045 "2012-12-18T00:39:34Z")
If he can use “Lefty”, maybe a [knee scooter](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knee_scooter) will work! ---
**Author:** ![FeAudrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FeAudrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FeAudrey)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1046 "2012-12-18T01:05:24Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > … One of his PTs threw around a rule of thumb that nerves regenerate at a rate of approx. 1 millimeter per month. … One millimeter a DAY – about an inch a month. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1047 "2012-12-18T02:09:58Z")
> [@Taomist](#): > > Is this the Jackass Flats in Nevada? Are they closing a post office or something? I know nothing about the place, except that I know dang well my dad would want to go there. 😛 > > And now I’m thinking we should have a Doper ‘postcard from WHERE?’ mail-a-thon, where folks look around and if there are any oddly-named towns nearby, send postcards from there. That’s an awesome idea. Its the JackAss Flats in AZ. They did indeed close the small rural post office during the last round. ☹ > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > However, _I_ don’t have any insurance-related restrictions on where I sleep, so I spent Saturday night with him. (_cue cheezy sitcom-style “Whoooooo!” from the audience_) There’s a reclining chair in his room that gets almost all the way flat, and it was nice to wake up in the middle of the night and be able to reach out and touch his arm, hear him breathing contentedly or snoring 🙂 instead of waking up alone wondering if he was awake, asleep, in pain, etc. Awwwwww!!! I know that he’s pretty motivated already, but that must have given TOS another very good reason to want to go home. Something to remember, your cats will probably be shy around TOS for a while. His whole appearance has changed…weight loss, hair, voice, etc…and he’s going to smell funny. That’s just how cats are. Once they figure out who he is, all will be good. They do remember people who have been gone for a long time…if they were good people. And, as TOS is one of the aformentioned good people, it stands to reason that they will remember him. I’m so happy that the news continues to be good, considering how bad it was at the start. I don’t know what your health insurance covers, but it might not hurt for you to see if it covers talking to a grief counselor. There is no shame in taking anti-anoxity meds, especially for something as overwhelming and long stand as this. But back to the good news, HURRAY!!! The conga line starts again 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![slumtrimpet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@slumtrimpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slumtrimpet)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1048 "2012-12-18T02:19:52Z")
bumps **flatlined**. Joins conga line. Adds _huzzahs_ at all the good news, both TOS and **purplehorseshoe’s**. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1049 "2012-12-18T03:39:52Z")
I was getting my bumping shoes on when I saw **flatlined** , but I guess I’ll just have to jump in the conga line instead. -D/a ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1050 "2012-12-18T05:11:32Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > …your cats will probably be shy around TOS for a while. His whole appearance has changed…weight loss, hair, voice, etc…and he’s going to smell funny. Smell will be the biggest issue for the cats, by far, and time is the only thing that will resolve it. That’s been my experience, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1051 "2012-12-18T15:59:00Z")
I’ve been ferrying his laundry back and forth and I do let the cats sniff at his socks and stuff before I wash them. I hope that’s helping. They’re going to be weirded out by the wheelchair, for sure. Along with the MRI he had an [EMG](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromyography)test done as well (he refers to that one as “the stabby-zappy thing”) and together they confirm that his spine is OK but that he has lots of nerve damage in Righty, along with some in Lefty and in both arms. He was suprised about that last part, as he says his arms feel fine to him. Anyway, this EMG reading will serve as a baseline and the plan is for him to be re-tested in three months, at which point he should already be home (:)!) and attending outpatient care during the days. **Cheez Whia** , I saw your post before going to bed and _dreamed_ that I met a guy who was using one of those things! It does seem like an ideal aid for someone with one good leg. Thank you - it’s definitely something to keep in mind. ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1052 "2012-12-18T19:31:18Z")
You’re welcome! While on a trip to Walt Disney World, we struck up a conversation with a fellow using one in the parks because of a broken ankle. Easier to use than a wheelchair, and way less spendy than an electric cart, which would have been overkill for him anyway. Seems like a good idea! ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1053 "2012-12-18T21:13:21Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > I’ve been ferrying his laundry back and forth and I do let the cats sniff at his socks and stuff before I wash them. I hope that’s helping. They’re going to be weirded out by the wheelchair, for sure. Perhaps at first. But I’m betting it won’t be long before they realize this means _they can sit on his lap at all times_! And they will do the kitty dance of joy. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1054 "2012-12-18T21:53:55Z")
OMGOMGOMG they pushed up his release date by a full week! Better: they want me to come in next week (right after Christmas) to train with Shoe and with his physical therapists - how to safely help him in/out of his wheelchair, the car, the bathroom etc. - and if they’re happy with our respective progress, and I don’t anticipate any problems there, then _ **they’ll bump up his date another week.** _ So instead of going home near the end of January, he might be going home in just a couple of weeks! And they already said it would be OK for him to get a day pass for Christmas. Now _I’m_ doing the kitty dance of joy! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1055 "2012-12-18T22:04:19Z")
That is so awesome! Congrats! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1056 "2012-12-18T22:17:05Z")
Hooray hooray hooray! And the good news just keeps on coming. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1057 "2012-12-18T22:35:25Z")
That’s _fantastic_ news! Good for you both! StG ---
**Author:** ![Hokkaido\_Brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@Hokkaido\_Brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokkaido_Brit)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1058 "2012-12-18T23:12:53Z")
What great news!! Lots and lots of dancing going on here right now for you! ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1059 "2012-12-18T23:20:21Z")
Huzzah! ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1060 "2012-12-18T23:38:47Z")
Happy kitty dance of joy!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279/1061 "2012-12-18T23:52:54Z")
Shit, there are times when I still can’t quite let myself accept that he’s even alive, let alone that he’s all kinds of okay and will be coming home soon. I had no idea where this thread was gonna go when I started it, and I have to thank everyone AAAGAIN for being so supportive. I could _not_ have done it without the support of random internet strangers. A gold star sticker, a pony that farts rainbows, and ten Internet points for each and every one of you! 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279.md?page=52) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-shoe-is-in-the-hospital/631279.md?page=54)