It's only a stroke, I will be back sooner than you might want
Kevin has done a great job holding down the fort here on jkOnTheRun while I have been goofing off in some hospital. He gave you the basics about my absence but it's time to give you the real scoop as to where I have been. First up I want to give a huge THANKS to all of you who sent your well wishes, they have made me push to get back on the keyboard again which is totally therapeutic. :)
Last Sunday night I was sitting in my study when I got very dizzy all at once. I sat in the chair for a couple of minutes to see if it would pass and it did not. I also noticed that the left side of my mouth was asleep, you know how it feels if you sleep on your arm and it's tingly when you wake up? Like that. The two symptoms occurring at the same time made me fear I had/ was having a stroke given my history of cardiac affairs. My wife was not at home so I lay down for a few minutes to see if I felt better. When she arrived at home I called her in and told her I think I had a stroke and I needed to get to the hospital.
That's where I have been since then and I have experienced a battery of tests including MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, and a lot of blood work. The testing so far has confirmed that I experienced a mini-stroke in the back of my brain, but there is no detectable loss of function of any type as a result which is awesome! This stroke was likely caused by a heavy spike in blood pressure. My white cell count also indicated a massive infection so I may have brought something unintentional back from Vegas, maybe this could have been the reason the BP spiked up. Who knows? The three doctors who have been treating me feel I will probably be released tomorrow, which will be great as I hate hospitals. I haven't had a decent sleep since I got here, I need to go home to rest up.
I hope that I will get to go home tomorrow, that will depend on another MRI I am scheduled to get in the morning so hopefully that test will back up what has already been determined. I am very ready to get home and to talk about all of the big things going on by some people called Apple. Be back soon!
I blame it on Vista. ;) Seriously, get better soon.
Posted by: Ed Bott | January 15, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Ct scans, MRIs, ultrasounds? Man, I hope you have good insurance! Get out of the hospital quick. There are some really sick people there! :)
Posted by: Aura Mae | January 15, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Glad to know that all is well. Too bad what went on in Vegas didn't stay in Vegas :) Take care of yourself now and get plenty of rest. All the best.
Posted by: Ameel | January 15, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Get some rest and get better. Sending you warm thoughts and hoping all is well soon.
Posted by: Warner Crocker | January 15, 2008 at 10:40 PM
JK,
Listen to your body!! Take some time out for you and your families sake.
We will still be here.
You have my best wishes
Posted by: Mel Buckpitt | January 15, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Glad to hear you are ok and hope you get better soon.
Posted by: Jesse Freeman | January 15, 2008 at 11:15 PM
JK, you didn't miss anything today. :-)
Take some time off and let Kevin do what he wants to do anyway, blog full time!
Best wishes!
Posted by: Oliver | January 15, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Hey JK. Sorry to hear. Definitely take some time off to recover. Take care man. Best regards.
Posted by: Gary | January 15, 2008 at 11:21 PM
James! I had no clue you were even in the hospital (I guess I missed the news?).
I'm so sorry to hear what happened, but I'm glad that it wasn't any more serious.
Looking forward to you blogging again,
Tyler in AK
Posted by: Ty Arnold | January 15, 2008 at 11:22 PM
My thoughts will be with you in hoping you a speedy recovery. Don't rush back to soon to the chaos. As said above, Kevin can hold down the fort for a bit. YOU just get better....
Cee Yaa......
Posted by: Skip Coghill | January 15, 2008 at 11:22 PM
So glad to hear that you're feeling OK and will be released soon. It sounds like a scary event, but not one with lasting effects... thank god.
We have all missed you and it's great to see your prose again. :)
Jamie
Posted by: Jamie Poster | January 15, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Jeez, James you got me scared for a moment there.
Take care of yourself you hear that?
Posted by: Bjenk | January 15, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Praying that you get to go home soon and enjoy a real bed.
it'll all be here when you get back :-)
Posted by: Rob | January 15, 2008 at 11:48 PM
I have been reading jkOnTheRun from Amsterdam for a few years now. Always up-to-date. James take care and take it serious enough to take your time to fully recover.
Regards!
Posted by: Ger Kengen | January 15, 2008 at 11:53 PM
James! Take it easy and take care of your self. We miss you, but we can wait...
Sending chicken soup and healing hugs from this end of Texas!
Posted by: Judie | January 15, 2008 at 11:57 PM
James,
You had me quite scared there for a bit and I am very happy to hear you are feeling better now. I will continue to keep you in my prayers and pray for a speedy and full recovery. Don't rush back too soon. Kevin is doing a great job holding down the fort so don't push it too hard buddy.
Matt
Posted by: Matthew Miller (aka palmsolo) | January 16, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Glad to hear your (almost) back to your old self - stubborn and upbeat as always.
We missed you but take your time, just knowing your okay is enough.
Besides, I'm sure we'll still be getting so much Apple news that you can still take your time coming back.
Posted by: Aaron J. Walker | January 16, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Take as much time as you need. We can handle kevin for you. There's a nice iPod touch upgrade waiting for you at home.
Gordon
Posted by: Gordon Cahill | January 16, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Take your time James. Look forward to getting you back fit and well.
Posted by: Colin Walker | January 16, 2008 at 12:37 AM
I wish you all the best. I am following your blog from Germany since last year and am a big fan of your writing and your original videos.
Aren't there any nice nurses in the hospital ;-)
Posted by: Christoph Spitz | January 16, 2008 at 12:51 AM
JK on the mend - Do it Dude! YB
Posted by: YogiBoy | January 16, 2008 at 01:03 AM
Glad to hear you are ok. Take some time to relax, Kevin is very capable of holding it down in the mean time
Posted by: Jose R. Ortiz | January 16, 2008 at 01:21 AM
Get well very soon. Take it easy and take care.
Have been following you for years. I appreciate all the hard work you guys continually undertake and loved your CES coverage.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Fond regards from Spain, TFS
Posted by: tfserna | January 16, 2008 at 01:21 AM
Excellent news jk. Here's to you coming home and making an even speedier recovery.
Posted by: Philip Ferris | January 16, 2008 at 01:26 AM
glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery..take some time for proper R&R..your readers in London will still be here when you return
Posted by: Sanjive Sethi | January 16, 2008 at 01:43 AM