The first night I was sick, my temperature was over 104 degrees and I had a hallucination. My hallucination was a simple one, as I sat clutching my heating pad trying to cure the relentless chills, I hallucinated that I about to kiss the Angel of death, and at the last second the angel turned away.

I am not a superstitious man. I found that single hallucination amusing, not prophetic.

No matter how brilliant the doctor, any doctor who treats themself has a fool for a patient In spite of my wife saying I should go to the ER I said I didn’t need to. I put up with the spikes of chills and fevers for a few days, even going to an Urgent Care when I was worried. I knew better.

I knew I was in trouble when I couldn’t catch my breath sitting up, and I didn’t know how long I could hold up. I woke my wife and said I needed to go to the ER, and while she offered to drive me it would mean waking up my son. I took Uber to the ER at 1:15 am.

The view from my hospital room at Banner

Banner University ER is one of the busier in the state. Within minutes they had taken my EKG, Chest X ray, labs, and had made the diagnosis of pneumonia, kidney failure, and sepsis. I was profoundly dehydrated – and they poured in several liters of intravenous fluid. They also began some very powerful intravenous antibiotics to fight the infection.

Many arrive to the ER worse – but few more aware of how ill I was. When I was admitted the next day the doctor did my evaluation and said I met the highest level of pneumonia without having to have a breathing tube. They did have me on a unit to watch my heart, lungs, kidneys, and blood pressure.

For those not use to seeing it- my pneumonia can be seen on my right side

I recovered quickly thanks to the fluids and the antibiotics.

My last night in the hospital I went to bed and noted that my bathroom sliding door was open. I flicked my wrists like Harry Potter would, and smiled that it didn’t close. Being sick didn’t give me magical powers.

I have never said, “Thank you” so many times to so many people and deeply meant it. Whether it be the respiratory therapist, nurse, assistants, doctors, or the person delivering the barely palatable food.

But especially thankful for the kind comments made on my Facebook page and twitter. Also those who reached out privately and checked in on my with texts. The comments made me smile, and still do, and very loved by so many people.

My good friend, Simon Majumdar, came to visit me to make his famous “life-saving Dahl” It was delicious

Being in a hospital is boring. While guests would come by, I would tire easily, but just the brief interaction for a few seconds made me happy – even if it was the nurse’s technician getting my “vital” signs.

When I came home my good friend, Simon Majumdar, came in from Los Angeles to make me his famous Indian Food. In his book, Eat My Globe, he describes a pivotal moment when the act of cooking and eating Dahl saved his life. It was delicious.

The hospital is expensive, for that period of time my bill will fill out my deductible and copay and will amount to more than $8,000. Reinforcing my belief that healthcare shouldn’t cost a person anything, being sick is payment enough. If this sounds like some left wing idea – it isn’t. People should feel free to get healthcare and not be inhibited because of cost. You may wish to get into some political argument with me about this- don’t try. The healthcare in Canada, Sweden, Norway, France, and the UK cost everyone half or more than what we have and they have better health care metrics.

The doctors, I loved when they came by – even briefly. I can understand why every patient wants to know exactly when a doctor will be there to see them. I also understand that this is an impossible request, given the demands of the physician for other sicker patients, discharges, and other duties.

I have made fun of Banner for years, as the “evil empire” – but I shall not joke about them again. They saved my life. That huge facility had more capacity, if I needed it, to save my life and every day they save the lives of others. It also happens to be where my soon-to-be 9 year old son was born. I love Banner University campus, and think back to over 20 years ago when I passed on the chance to be on their staff.

I also realized had I not had an idiot for a doctor (myself) I could have treated this as an outpatient. While my primary care is done in Anchorage, I clearly need someone in Arizona to be my doctor should something else arise. But I am so thankful that my doctor in Anchorage, Steve Tierney, texted and checked up on me frequently to make sure I was doing ok and offer reassurances.

So thank you again for your kind thoughts, words, and gestures. They mean a lot.