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Svenn is okay, resting comfortably… but ornery as ever…  I took him to Potomac Hospital late Saturday night after returning from Jen’s picnic…  It turns out the old fart had been popping nitro for his angina all day when I wasn’t looking and when he started looking green around the gills at Jen’s we headed home.  The trip home was uneventful and Svenn was looking better when he went to bed…  5 minutes after going to bed he came up holding his arm and complaining of chest pain so I hustled him off to Potomac hospital ten minutes away.  

After consultations with his doctor in Oslo on Monday, Svenn’s attending cardiologist said fixing the problem here rather than risking a flight back to Norway was the best course of action.  Sooo…  Svenn is at Washington Hospital Center in DC today where he will have one of the nation’s top cardiologists perform a cardiac catheterization later today to check out the problematic coronary stent.

Please say a little prayer…  We’ll keep you posted.

Bente is holding up well…  and speaks English much better than Svenn ever let on…

Pete & Joyce

Oh dear... sending prayers for you, Svenn. For Bente, too.

Take care, and thanks Batch for taking care of him for us.

Anoher imigrant hopping the fence to get US medical care  ;D

I hope everything goes well Svenn!  Batch, give Bente a hug for me as I'm sure she can use one.  

While it sounds like he is in good hands, I'll add a prayer for insurance  ;)

-Dennis-

Sorry to hear about this.  He's a stubborn cuss, but we like him around here.  

Hoping that all goes well, and will be sending the best his way that we can.  All the best to Bente as well.

George

Vibes goin up for Svenn and Bente!!
Mast

Prayers are on their way!

Oliver

Oh man, I hate to hear that. Praying that everything will come out all right. Thanks for letting us know Pete and keep us posted. Give Bente a hug from Ruth.

Prayers going up for Svenn and Bente.  Thanks Pete for taking care of them for us.  

He's in good hands with Pete and Joyce... thanks for taking such good care of our buddy and his bride.

Huge vibes and prayers are heading your way.

with warm regards,
Tony

Some people will do anything to get attention. :D

Thanks for being there Batch.... take good care of the old reprobate... let us know if we can do anything... Give Bente a hug for me..

Oh and the prayers are a given...

And don't you dare tell him we're the least bit worried about him....

Hugs BD

I am so sorry to hear this news but am glad you got him to the hospital before he headed home! I hope my new friend is feeling better soon and give Bente a big hug for me, the kind she gives us!! Thanks for taking care of Svenn and Bente!

Charlotte

Sending prayers and love for Svenn & Bente.  Wish I could be there in person for you guys right now!

love,
mel
xoxo

Prayers and hugs going out to Svenn and Bente.  Thanks for letting us know Batch.  It sounds like he is in good hands at the hospital.  Give another big hug to Bente from me.

Beth

Svenn came out of the Cath Lab with flying colors...  His doctor R&R'd the old stent with one of the new high-tech coated stents Made in AMERICA (not china) so should be good for another 40,000 miles.

Sooo... we all get to drive up to DC to see the old goat a little later today.  He's still got quite a good buzz on at the moment from the catheterization procedure, but did manage to speak with me and Bente.

Thank all of your for the prayers...  They obviously worked very well.

Love, Pete, Joyce, and Bente

Pete, thanks for the update!

Prayers and hugs from me too.  What a fright that must have been for all of you.  Thank goodness Svenn was with friends who knew what to do for him.

Carol

Good.   :)  Thanks for letting us know what's going on, Pete.

Best wishes,

George

I am so very happy that Svenn is on his way to recovery.

Thanks Batch for not only taking care of him, but also for taking good care of Benta..

You and Joyce are pretty special people....

May God continue to Bless you all..

Peace & Blessings
LadyLuv

I am so very happy that Svenn is on his way to recovery.

Thanks Batch for not only taking care of him, but also for taking good care of Benta..

You and Joyce are pretty special people.... [smiley=engel017.gif]

May God continue to Bless you all..

Peace & Blessings
LadyLuv

saying a prayre for Svenn....

get well soon!  :-*

Thanks, Batch!  :)

Svenn, you cantankerous old viking!  You get better, ya hear me!  Take care of yourself or I'll send Bente one of Jimbo's sticks!

Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Pete.

oh lord!    Glad he's ok. Thank you Pete and Joyce for taking such good care of him.

Give both Svenn and Bente hugs from me and let them know they are in my prayers.

Thanks for the update Batch!  

Beth

Thank heavens for Pete and Joyce!!!!!


There will never be enough to say that can thank you for what you've done; but we all know we would have done the same thing no matter WHAT that dang ole viking said.

Hug Bente REALLY tight for me and tell her I am thinking of her.

As for Svenn, hug him as tight as allowed, and PULEEEEEEEZ tell him I'm so thankful for the two of you being there for him and that I'm so elated that he is on the road to recovery.

thank you both for taking such care of my friend


EDNA

Prayers and positive thoughts for our dear Svenn....Bente too.

We know he's in good hands.

Thank you Batch and Joyce.....you all are the best.

Please keep us updated.

Much Love,
Jackie

Oh, KERAP!!!!

I guess this means that we have to stay on heightened alert status while the dangerous viking remains on this side of the pond!

And he has the nerve to call ME pigheaded and stubborn!!!  If you look up either term in the dictionary, you will find his ugly puss as the picture showing what they mean!

Hurry up and get that ornery viking fixed so that we can ship him back over the big waters!

Chuck

PS:  Naturally all the prayers I got are headed his way.  And THANKS, Pete and Joyce, for taking care of the cantankerous old geezer!

Thanks for taken care of them Batch.  

Give Bente a huge hug... oh and tell the old cuss to to take it easy next time.  ;)

Get well, Svenn
Tia

I just saw this Svenn has alway been in my prayers never leaves my prayer book. Glad he is doing well. Glad he has good people watching out for him.

I too just read this and thank you Pete. Svenn, you were in good hands. Our prayers are with you and Bente.

 Barry&Angie [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif]

All we have from the Brewcrew.

Heal and rest.

Bente - big hugs from Wisconsin.

Prayers going up for Svenn and Bente for good health.  Thanks Pete!

Ray

Everything I got,...and a candle too....

Svenn be well my nortic Friend.  Pete you are a saint.  Take good care of him and yourself too ok?

:-*

Thanks Pete 'n Joyce.  Svenn, recover well my friend, the wind's picking up for your sails through the new found friends land, take care.  Hugs, Bente.

Yikes. I just learned of this but I'm glad the old geezer is on the way back. Stop doing stuff like this to us!

Seriously, I'm so happy that such good friends are there for Svenn and Bente. Keep us posted.

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Charlie

SITREP #2

We just got back from seeing Svenn at the Washington Hospital Center in DC...  We were surprised to find him in sad shape, as he had sounded so good a few minutes earlier when he called to give us his room number.  His heart was doing great, but the beast was whipping up on him something fierce and his nurse was clueless as she fumbled with the nose cannula.  

I raised hell with the head ward nurse then played dingdong school with her about the need for rapid intervention with cluster headache abortives. She ran for the NRB oxygen mask then we both called his cardiologist. A few minutes later we had standing orders put in place to ensure proper and timely intervention with the appropriate meds as needed.  

Note to self and others…  We need to work on establishing a Medic Alert bracelet for cluster headache sufferers.  The ER card is good, but they strip most folks going into surgery.

After a shot of joy juice and a few minutes of O2 chaser at a high flow rate, Svenn was back up to his typical Mad Viking self storming up and down the corridor IV stand in hand and his hospital gown with plunging butt line flapping in the breeze terrorizing the staff and other patients...  It was a sight to behold…

I suspect they’ll be glad to be rid of Svenn by tomorrow morning as checkout time is between 0800 and Noon.

We’ll let you know when we have him back safe and sound.

Take care, and thank all of you again for the prayers.

Love and hugs, Pete, Joyce, and Bente

OH YEAH...on the way...

[quote author=1C3F2A3D365E0 link=1216738440/25#35 date=1216784270][size=18]SITREP #2

Svenn was back up to his typical Mad Viking self storming up and down the corridor IV stand in hand and his hospital gown with plunging butt line flapping in the breeze terrorizing the staff and other patients...  It was a sight to behold


I will hang on to this image ,I can think of him strong and fight ing back as I send all I have out to Svenn and Bente and of course Batch and Joyce

Lots of prayers are on their way, Svenn & Bente! [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif]

PF wishes as well,
Sanna

Well, look at the bright side Batch -- the "roaring" was good for his heart -- keeps the old blood flowing to all parts... :  But the flapping hospital gown was TMI!!! ::))  

Glad you were there to straighten out the hospital on the O2... (one problem with hospitals today -- ya gotta have someone with you if you're sick!)

The med braclet sounds like a winner..

Thanks for being there for our Svenn... You and Joyce are great (did I just give you a compliment? - geezzz I'd best go take a nap... not like me at all!)

Give the old goat a hug for me and a big one to Bente...

Hugs BD

Batch wrote on Jul 22^nd, 2008 at 11:37pm:

After a shot of joy juice and a few minutes of O2 chaser at a high flow rate, Svenn was back up to his typical Mad Viking self storming up and down the corridor IV stand in hand and his hospital gown with plunging butt line flapping in the breeze terrorizing the staff and other patients...  It was a sight to behold…

Svenn - To be filed away for future reference:

Always ask for two gowns. The first one is donned the traditional way, opening to the back. The second one is worn like a robe.

Now get the hell out of that place. Hospitals are no place to get rest.

:o :o Hmmmmm!   Glad the Old cantankerous Viking is Okay, wish he would have called me!  Kisses to the misses!   John

I am so glad to hear things were straightened out with the o2. I would NOT want to cross you Pete if I was a nurse not using the o2 correctly. I hope it was an educational experience that the staff won't forget. Thanks for being there for Svenn. Hugs and prayers to all of you!

Charlotte

Pete- Thank God for you!

love,
mel

glad svenn had you looking out for him, pete.  I can just picture the scene now....
I hope today goes well.  
:-*
Lisa

Batch:

I Thank God for you being at the right place at the right time, in order to get Svenn the assistant that he needed.

I have know doubt in my heart or mind that you and Joyce have made this situation a lot easier on both Svenn and Benta..

God created a couple of  [smiley=engel017.gif] [smiley=engel017.gif] when he created you and Joyce.

Peace & Blessings
LadyLuv

ps.. I started Prednizone today..  

SITREP #3

Bente and I picked up Svenn today around noon.  Other than a severe case of the hungries...  (hospital food is terrible), Svenn looks none the worse for wear.  I've scheduled their return flght to Oslo for Saturday so none of us are really safe on this side of the pond until then.  Will post some photos as proof the Mad Viking is still kicking a little later.

Love to all, Pete, Joyce, Bente, AND Svenn

I just spoke to Svenn on the phone. He sounds WONDERFUL !!!!!!!!


No words can express the emotion right now.

Svenn, my dear friend, know how grateful I am for the two wonderful people who were there to take care of you and make sure you did NOT get on that plane.

I am most happy to know that you are feeling better.

Continued prayers for recovery and a safe trip back home to the boys who must indeed be worried about you and Bente as well.

my love to you and Bente,

EDNA    

Well, Helen has her Curry, and Jen has her Pork Butt. Be carefull out there, Clustermen. :)

Glad you are doing well, Svenn.

(Also glad Jenn doesn't have internet right now)

KJ wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2008 at 5:17pm:

Well, Helen has her Curry, and Jen has her Pork Butt. Be carefull out there, Clustermen. :) Glad you are doing well, Svenn. (Also glad Jenn doesn't have internet right now)

the juju you sent me worked smartass.

How did I know YOU'D  be the one to go down THAT road??   You're in trouble.........big trouble mister!

Thanks Pete for the update on Svenn!  Svenn, I'm so glad you're feeling better!  Hugs to y'all!!!!

ps.  Hi John Good to see you posting  :)    ( I gotta get it all in while I still have a connection)

 
Damn! It's good to learn that Svenn has been kicked out of the horsespittle and it's great the the right people were there. We are all in your debt as we need Svenn with all his faculties and Bente to make sure he doesn't hurt himself. They have done so much for clusterheads.

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Charlie

Hi there folks

What can i say exept a huge thanks to all of you for the vibes and best vishes.It really warms my heart.From the bottom of my heart  THANK YOU.

more will come later

Svenn

Svenn,

So glad to hear you are dong better.  Been praying for you, but didn't have a chance to say anything.  Be well my friend.

Jerry

Glad to hear you are feeling better Svenn !!!

It was a real pleasure meeting you in chat earlier this year.

Positive thoughts from me to you.

Cheers, Dave

Svenn,

I am sssooo happy that you are on the mending side of the fence..

You and Benta are forever in my thoughts, heart and Prayers.

It was so heart warming each time Batch would post an update, but it's pure releaf, now that I've heard from the MAN himself..

Much love & lots of hugs 2 U N Benta..

LadyLuv [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif]

I just saw this thread and read through every word.  When I saw you posting yourself, Svenn, that is when I could relax.  You're here and you're doing well.  Thank God!

All my love to you and Bente.  Please, though, take Brew's advice next time you want to sashay down a hospital hallway in a hospital gown.  Wear two!   ::)  It will take a long time for that picture to get out of my mind!

Batch and Joyce, thanks from the bottom of my heart for taking care of our Viking.

Sandy

So glad you are out of the hospital! Now have a great, safe trip home tomorrow and please be sure to let us know you got home safely!

Charlotte

SITREP #4
It’s been nearly 3 days since Svenn had his stent replaced and he’s back to his ornery self again.  Now that we’ve got him back safe and sound I can tell you how close he came to buying the farm.

The doctors at Potomac Hospital knew he was in distress when I took him to the ER.  Tests Sunday and an ultrasound on Monday all pointed to the same problem.  The decision to move him to the Washington Hospital Center cath lab to fix the problem instead of letting him fly home was well founded and clearly illustrated in the following three angiographic images:

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Now all we need to do is get Svenn to stop smoking.  I’ll quit too if that will help, but I suspect this is going to take a lot of support from many of you.

I’ll close out this SITREP on Saturday once we have Svenn and Bente airborne out of Reagan National on their way home to Oslo via Newark.

Take care, Pete & Joyce, Svenn and Bente

Wow that was close. Thanks for getting him there Pete.

Nice work Pete. I had the distinct opportunity to have a conversation with Svenn in WI. He is one of the good ones and we do not want to lose him.

Thanks Pete....  It was great that Svenn and Bente where with you all and where able to be taken into care right away.    

Svenn, I know how hard it is to quit. I quit in Jan and started again in April...  But you need to look at all of the people around you that want you to be around for many many years to come.  And I know that you want to be around them too.

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Svenn-

I've been tossing the idea around a LOT lately about starting up again myself.  BUT, if my keeping quit can help you to begin yours, I'll stay smoke free.

Love you,
mel

I am not a smoker so maybe I have no right to be giving advice but I married one who quit a year after our wedding and I watched my Mom die of emphesema. Anyways I was reading July Redbook today and there was a page on quitting. One of the tips that hit home was to get your mind in a different thought. Your personal reason to stop has to be stronger than the desire to light up. Saying "I want to be around for my kids for 50 more years" is much more powerful than "Smoking is bad for me". As a child I always resented that my Mom was so addicted that she didn't care enough about her family to stop. Tell yourself I am not a smoker and your mind will begin to believe you.

I'll get off my soapbox now and if anyone ever needs support I am here! Good luck. If you can do this it will be the best thing you could ever do for yourself!

Charlotte  

Didn't get enough attention in Dallas, huh? MEN - sheesh!!!  (psst - really glad you're doing okay!!!)



cash5542 wrote on Jul 25^th, 2008 at 3:24pm:

Saying "I want to be around for my kids for 50 more years" is much more powerful than "Smoking is bad for me".

I did the "cigarette or snack size milky way?" route - worked well, and expanded my waist size (something helpful for those of you looking to gain a bit of weight when you quit.....)

Glad you're OK Svenn.

Now don't be a complete ass... quit smoking or die... it's really that simple.

Both of my parents picked the cancer sticks over life.  Both paid with their lives.  It's a nasty way to go.

Svenn please forgive me for being so late in the game replying...but I just got my internet hooked back up...Anyway1

I an so glad you are doing better and I pray for yo9u and your family for patience, understanding and healing.

Many Blessings \
Tess

Svenn,

Sorry I'm just catching up on the board now, and haven't read this until today!!  I'm so glad that Pete was there and that you are okay!!!  You always have to do something to create havoc, don't you?  hehe

Do consider giving up the smoking!  We need you around here!!!!

Love and hugz to all of  you,
Carrie :)

P.S. This family ROCKS!!!  8-)

Nice pictures........scary stuff too but thanks for posting them. All Svenn has to do is to follow doctors orders....that is damned hard to do when it refers to quitting smoking. You gotta do it Svenn. Drinking water helped me a little and what I thought of as "putting off" the next one until later worked.....some of the time. You can do it though....seriously START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Charlie

Holy crap Svenn!!!  Am I glad to see you made it through.

Put the butts down man!  I know it's hard to do but I'm behind you brother.  It took me two tries before I quit for good.  That was about 18 years ago.  Did it cold turkey too - twice  ;D

You can do it Svenn!!!

-Dennis-

OHHH!  Svenn!!!!!!!!  We nearly lost you, my friend!
Take a really good look at yourself at Jen's BBQ.........I know it was hot, and heat and you do not go well together..... but it's more than than, Mister! It's in your face! You were sick, and trying hard to keep it to yopurself....... but it was there!
Batch, Thank you for taking such good care of our ill-behaved Ornery Norse and his wife....... you ahnd your wife must be perfect gems, and I'd love to have the change to give ya both great big hugs!
Safe trip home, ya big Knucklehead................
Cathi :-* :-*

SITREP Close Out.

Svenn and Bente are on their way home.  Svenn just called from Newark and their flight to Oslo is boarding now.

We got them to Reagan National a little early and that turned out to be a good move.  Their 4:59 flt to Newark was already an hour late and would have missed the connecting flt to Oslo, so they were able to catch the 3:15 flt to Newark.

It was going to be a run to security and the gate so I talked the ticketing agent into a wheel chair for Svenn...  You could hear him bellowing NO! NO! throughout the ticketing area... but he took the ride...


So ends an extended gathering of clusterheads.

Take care, Pete & Joyce

;D I can see it now ... Pete waving goodbye to his friend ... Svenn waving a single finger back in his direction along with a steady stream of colorful explicitives in several languages  ;D

Thanks for taking care of my cluster brother while they were here.  It sounds like he got excellent treatment.

Svenn, enjoy the ride  8-)

-Dennis-

You did good, Batch - Joyce, too!

   Happy contrails to you my friend.   Land safely and then go see your Dr. in Oslo for further instructions.


Linda

What a "vacation" Bente and Svenn have had! Thanks for taking such good care of them, Now you and Joyce go get a little R&R for yourselves!

Charlotte

Thank you so much Pete and Joyce for taking care of Svenn and helping Bente to keep her sanity while this trauma unfolded.

I will feel much better once I hear him chatting away from back home in Norway.  I knew he wasn't telling the whole truth when I spoke to him from the hospital, and I knew you were being far to vague Pete.

Svenn, you listen up and and you listen good, we need you around for a good long time!!!  I will accept NO OTHER scenario.

Be well my friend, and please rest and recover.  Give Bente a huge hug and kiss and tell her I admire her strength and courage.

Much Love
Cat

Ok, we can drop the terror alert status, SLIGHTLY ...

Once that damn witch unusual lady from UK returns across the pond, we can get back to normal ...

Chuck

PS:  Bravo Zulu, Pete and Joyce, for what you did.

11:45 and i just got home.More will come later

The Mad Viking wrote on Jul 27^th, 2008 at 6:44am:

11:45 and i just got home.More will come later

WOOHOO!!!

I have been waiting to see this post!

Glad you made it home, buddy!

Chuck

Glad to hear that Svenn got home ok.

Big hugs to Pete and Joyce for all they did...

Now everyone can breathe easier...

Anyone who says Clusterheads can't generate excitment just don't know Clusterheads!!! :) :-*

Hugs BD

This whole episode has been enough excitement for the entire year.

Sven, I'm so glad to hear that you and Bente are back home safe and sound.  I'm not going to do any preaching to you about smoking - a little hard to do when I am a smoker, but I hope you are wise enough to do what you need to do for your own well being.

Pete and Joyce - you have both earned your gold stars, along with a ton of gratitude for all you've done for our friend Svenn.

Hugs to you all
Carol

There is no absolutely no way that i can pay back to Pete and Joyce for what they did to me and Bente when this happend.The word THANK YOU is way to simple in this matter Pete,but you know how i feel.
One thing though?

Why the F did you and Joyce have to spoil Bente this much while i was hospitolised?   ;D ;D ;D ;D  And without any thought that i have to live with her back here     ;D ;D ;D ;D

She really felt like an princess she told me

Thank you Pete and Joyce

I will carry you and Joyce in my heart  for this


Svenn

The Mad Viking wrote on Jul 27^th, 2008 at 12:13pm:

I will carry you and Joyce in my heart  for this

That means you have to keep it ticking for awhile.

Ahhh...All is right with clusterheads now that Svenn is back in Oslo.

Svenn: You are hearby ordered to be extra nice to yourself and especially Bente who puts up with you. Damn! you scared this place.

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Charlie

I'm glad that all is well and that you two finally made it home safely!

My knees have blisters on them from all the praying of been doing.

Now I got to go do more prayn' to show my gratitude.


with warm regards,
Tony

Good.   :)

Glad you and Bente are home safely, Svenn.

All the best,

George

I'm so glad that you got safely back home, Svenn & Bente. What a vacation... Prayers are on their way.

Sanna