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They are still testing

This is just a brief note to say I don’t really have any news.  It’s taking quite a while for the medical people to sort this out.  Gerard is still in the hospital, and they’re still doing tests.  Things don’t necessarily move at a rapid pace. 

I will let you know when there’s something to announce.  At the moment, he’s more comfortable because they upped his pain medication.  It’s still unknown what the cause or causes of his problems might be.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Ruth January 18, 2023, 2:51 PM

    Thank you for the update!
    Below is a way to send a quick message to Gerard. The hospital will deliver a printed e-card with a 500 character limit…goes fast! Thanks to Commenter John Venlet for connecting the dots.

    Ruth
    January 18, 2023, 12:17 PM
    I looked up the hospital in Chico (Enloe Medical Center). We don’t actually know Gerard’s location…maybe a rehab by now? Anyway, lF he’s a patient at Enloe, he can receive e-cards with your (confidential) message, printed onto a nice card, and delivered twice a day.
    Only receive, he cannot reply.
    See how-to link and hospital phone number:
    https://www.enloe.org/for-patients-visitors/egreeting/

    I’m not 100% comfortable with invading someone’s privacy, particularly when he has a designated “Updater.” An e-card seems like a pretty low-key way to send encouragement.
    What do y’all think??
    Maybe someone who’s a friend or longtime Commenter could give it a try…..
    ↩ ∞
    John Venlet
    January 18, 2023, 12:49 PM
    Ruth, and all of Gerard’s readers/friends/admirers. Gerard is indeed at Enloe Medical Center and any ecards you wish to send him will be gladly received. I spoke very briefly with Gerard just a couple of minutes ago (it is 3:45 p.m. EST here in MI). Currently, it is difficult for Gerard to speak on the phone, due to some treatments he is receiving, so I would not recommend attempting to call him, but I think it would be excellent for Gerard’s spirits to be inundated with ecards from all who frequent these pages. Ruth’s link (in the comment just above) is a good link. Gerard is most grateful for our prayers and our concerns for his health and well being.
    ↩ ∞
    John Venlet
    January 18, 2023, 12:57 PM
    You’ll need Gerard’s room number to send an ecard. His room number is: 5587A. FYI – Enloe’s ecard system works well.

    • Terry January 18, 2023, 6:49 PM

      Thank you for the ecard info.

      Card sent.

      I sure am concerned about Gerard having such an ordeal in the health care web of mysterium.

      You have a large and positive group behind you Gerard. Here at AD.

  • John A. Fleming January 18, 2023, 3:11 PM

    “… And they said no more; and it seemed to them as they stood upon the wall that the wind died, and the light failed, and the Sun was bleared, and all sounds in the City or in the lands about were hushed: neither wind, nor voice, nor bird-call, nor rustle of leaf, nor their own breath could be heard; the very beating of their hearts was stilled. Time halted.
    And as they stood so, their hands met and clasped, though they did not know it. And still they waited for they knew not what. Then presently it seemed to them that above the ridges of the distant mountains another vast mountain of darkness rose, towering up like a wave that should engulf the world, and about it lightnings flickered; and then a tremor ran through the earth, and they felt the walls of the City quiver. A sound like a sigh went up from all the lands about them; and their hearts beat suddenly again.
    ‘It reminds me of Númenor,’ said Faramir, and wondered to hear himself speak.
    ‘Of Númenor?’ said Éowyn.
    ‘Yes,’ said Faramir, ‘of the land of Westernesse that foundered, and of the great dark wave climbing over the green lands and above the hills, and coming on, darkness unescapable. I often dream of it.’
    ‘Then you think that the Darkness is coming?’ said Éowyn. ‘Darkness Unescapable?’ And suddenly she drew close to him.
    ‘No,’ said Faramir, looking into her face. ‘It was but a picture in the mind. I do not know what is happening. The reason of my waking mind tells me that great evil has befallen and we stand at the end of days. But my heart says nay; and all my limbs are light, and a hope and joy are come to me that no reason can deny. Éowyn, Éowyn, White Lady of Rohan, in this hour I do not believe that any darkness will endure!’ And he stooped and kissed her brow.
    And so they stood on the walls of the City of Gondor, and a great wind rose and blew, and their hair, raven and golden, streamed out mingling in the air. And the Shadow departed, and the Sun was unveiled, and light leaped forth; and the waters of Anduin shone like silver, and in all the houses of the City men sang for the joy that welled up in their hearts from what source they could not tell.”

    • ghostsniper January 18, 2023, 6:09 PM

      Nice.
      What’s that from?

      • Hyland January 18, 2023, 6:20 PM

        That’s from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, 3rd volume.
        https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Gondor

        • ghostsniper January 18, 2023, 6:29 PM

          In the mid 70’s in the army in germany I read the Hobbit and it was quite a chore to wade through all of the lingo that I didn’t see the value in reading the rest of the books in the series. Nor have I seen any of the movies or been involved with anything related to it. I may have to rethink that.

          • Hyland January 18, 2023, 7:47 PM

            The three movies were an incredible fine production. Quite the mind-blower for sure. I saw them as they were released over the years in movie theaters. Plug ’em in the dvd… you won’t be disappointed.

          • D S Craft January 18, 2023, 8:27 PM

            The books are quite the slog at first and it takes some determination to wade through the early pages but once you do, the story really sizzles. And yeah, the Hobbit is the tamest of the set. I’ve been through all 4 books twice. I started a third time but couldn’t finish. And the movie is excellent. They left out some stuff out of time necessity and the fact that those parts of the story weren’t critical to the final outcome, but what they did present was outstanding. I’m a pretty old fart now but I can honestly say it’s one of the finest productions I’ve ever seen. Treat yourself when you have the time.

          • Anonymous January 18, 2023, 8:56 PM

            too, some reading *about* Tolkien is rewarding.

          • John A. Fleming January 18, 2023, 11:48 PM

            It’s from the LOTR, as Hyland says. Just a poignant romantic moment between two characters whose great deeds in the story are done, while they await their fate from the acts of other characters being performed elsewhere.

            That man Tolkien could write. While the movies are quite good, I have my quibbles about them and prefer the original books. That scene I included above is not in the movie.

            I know Mr. G likes poetry and literature, I thought I’d post a few snippets to cheer him up if he is able to read these comments. I only know the obvious lines and moments everybody knows, I’m not a deep diver, maybe somebody else out there knows of other poetic excerpts that will help.

            • ghostsniper January 19, 2023, 7:53 AM

              Thanks ya’ll. I’ll give the DVD movies a try. Won’t try the books again.

              • Hyland January 19, 2023, 8:33 AM

                Another thing, ghost. Every time I’m at a thrift store I see LOTR dvd’s for a dollar a piece. It wouldn’t be much effort to find all three here and there. Then turn up the volume and get some popcorn.

  • Anonymous January 18, 2023, 4:08 PM

    the “fund”?

    • C January 19, 2023, 10:09 AM

      See my post on “More from the updater”, Jan. 18, toward the end.

  • Joe Krill January 18, 2023, 4:33 PM

    If they still cannot find out what his problem is then maybe somebody should go to the following website “American Holistic Medical Association” and see of there is not a good holistic practitioner close by that can make “undercover” visit and see if they have any ideas. It certainly will not hurt.

    • Walt Gottesman January 18, 2023, 6:21 PM

      Good suggestion Joe.

      When I was suffering from Lyme Disease, my primary doc could not help me. Despite tests and antibiotics, for five months my condition was unchanged. Then I found a naturopathic doctor who prescribed various herbs for me. After five months of herbal treatment I recovered.

      Don’t know the details of Gerard’s condition but a wholistic practitioner might be of help. Check out his or her track record with similar cases before seeking that second opinion.

      Am praying, along with others here, for Gerard’s health to be restored.

  • TJ January 19, 2023, 2:01 AM

    Thanks for the updates …

  • j0edaddy January 19, 2023, 2:11 AM
    • Dan Patterson January 19, 2023, 3:16 AM

      Thank you for that article; very helpful and oddly hidden information.

      My best to friend Gerard, as little as it takes to send a card, I know how much such a gesture can mean.

    • Richard G. January 19, 2023, 1:25 PM

      Copied from comment below:
      https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05258682
      Get the DR.s to put Gerard on this treatment STAT.
      Nebulized BromAc inhalant breaks down both the mucous plugs and the spike protein, restoring oxygen saturation.
      See ref.
      ” In addition to the anti-viral effect, BromAc is a potent mucolytic.”
      ” In vivo safety models in two species have received nebulised and intranasal BromAc up to 500ug/20mg/ml three times daily for five days, with no evidence of respiratory or systemic toxicity clinically or on histology.”
      Developed for bowel tumor treatment to remove mucous.

  • Snakepit Kansas January 19, 2023, 4:30 AM

    Well certainly not be a long term solution, but when you are in significant and relentless pain, a couple Lortabs washed down with a Miller High Life can let a guy rest a bit.

  • Foo January 19, 2023, 5:03 AM

    Updater- you need a health and finance directive signed by Gerard to manage details like a phone number for GiveSendGo.

    See David Zacavige post. You will want to vet his and any other financial inquiries too. Lots of pretty savvy folk here, on G’s side but scammers exist everywhere on the innertubes.
    GiveSendGo beats GooFundMe anytime.
    If you cant do it yourself, updater and Gerard is too weak to do so, tgen ask him for a trusted wingman to help you.
    Keep up the good work, btw!

  • Foo January 19, 2023, 5:09 AM

    Updater-good job keeping us posted, and especiallly helping Gerard navigate the health system if you are advocating or care taking ir just admin helping him. Its all a lot of work.

    PS GiveSendGo is stil showing unpublished as of 0500 PST JAN19.

  • Foo January 19, 2023, 5:14 AM

    G, goes without saying we got your back brother.
    One day at a time, rest and get well soonest.
    You got this.
    -another long term fan

  • CT January 19, 2023, 6:04 AM

    Will this go through? (problems)

  • Aggie January 19, 2023, 6:22 AM

    Kind Updater, thank you very much for keeping us posted. Please pass Gerard our best wishes for his recovery as swiftly and as painlessly as possible! We have you in our prayers.

  • Callmelennie January 19, 2023, 6:39 AM

    Yes, Ghost you should rethink that. Perhaps you were put off by the somewhat child like title “The Hobbit” which might have struck you as a kids fairy tale. That was my reaction when it was assigned in High School English

    LOTR is much different; its definitely for the grownups. We spent 2 months on this trilogy in my English class at a Jesuit High School. It is that complex and Jesuits considered it that important. And Im talking about the old school Jesuits, not that next generation of backstabbing douchebags that started infiltrating in the Seventies

    • ghostsniper January 19, 2023, 7:54 AM

      I’m gonna give the movies a try, on DVD.

  • Morgan K Freeberg January 19, 2023, 9:25 AM

    Thanks for this. Even when things are changing very slowly, or not at all, it’s nice to see some fresh activity on that end. Card sent.

  • Nori January 19, 2023, 9:35 AM

    When I was 15 and my brother 8,I read him a chapter of The Hobbit each night as a bedtime story. We both enjoyed it so much that when we got to the end,he said “Read it again,okay?”

    Ghost,as Lennie said,LOTR is for grownups. Much darker storyline that’s only hinted at in The Hobbit. Plus,it was filmed in New Zealand;the landscapes are stunning.

  • Wendy Laubach January 19, 2023, 9:56 AM

    Well, shoot, GiveSendGo can do without the phone number, but they do need a bank account number and routing number. I’m not comfortable running donations through my own bank account; I don’t even know Mr. V personally. I think I’m going to have to leave this to someone closer to him. It’s pretty easy to set up an account, though, if you have bank acct. info. They’ll let you use your own phone number rather than his. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes.

  • Terry January 19, 2023, 10:23 AM

    Can someone close to Gerard contact:

    Simone Gold, MD, JD
    Founder & President
    America’s Frontline Doctors

    “Doctors must have the independence to care for their patients without government, media, and medical establishment interference.”

    https://www.americasfrontlinedoctors.org/about-us

    I could not find a phone number for AFLDS nor an email address.

    There is a contact form on the web site.

    Something does not calculate with the fake pandemic and Gerard’s current situation, i.e., being in pain and treated with “tests” that may be revenue generating B.S.
    Chico is a leftist town and bad place for anyone of our beliefs to be in hospital.

    Just my gut suspicions at work here.

  • ghostsniper January 19, 2023, 11:10 AM

    Several of my comments have went down the wormhole.

  • Richard G. January 19, 2023, 12:50 PM

    https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05258682
    Get the DR.s on this treatment STAT.
    Nebulized BromAc inhalant breaks down both the mucous plugs and the spike protein, restoring oxygen saturation.
    See ref.

    • Richard G. January 19, 2023, 1:04 PM

      From Ref.
      ” In addition to the anti-viral effect, BromAc is a potent mucolytic.”
      ” In vivo safety models in two species have received nebulised and intranasal BromAc up to 500ug/20mg/ml three times daily for five days, with no evidence of respiratory or systemic toxicity clinically or on histology.”

  • Foo January 20, 2023, 3:16 AM

    Updater:
    Great work helping Gerard out here.
    I sent a card successfully (I think) via the link and using his room number.
    Please remind Gerard to rest easy knowing his fans and online friends are sending good energy and prayers his way. His number one job of course is to heal and take the time to focus on himself, knowing his work here and all of us will be right here, standing by (in real time at a distance, digitally) in support, with no pressure on getting back to us until he is rested and able.
    -foo

  • Foo January 20, 2023, 3:42 AM

    Kind updater:
    Again, kudos to you sir for helping Gerard out here. Assuming normal HIPAA privacy rules and courtesy applies here, ie that Gerard is in charge of himself and is simply accepting a friends help,

    I’m just passing back some info for his (and your) info:

    Nothing found on the GiveSendGo wensite as of Jan20 at 0330 PST. That’s a change from last time I looked which showed a campaign started but not yet published.

    So for now, I’m going with your earlier suggestion for checks to be sent as per this cut and paste from your Jan 11 post here on American Digest blog, and specifically the simplest- a check to his address to be held at the Mangrove Ave address.

    “He noticed in the comments that people were talking about sending funds to help. He’s deeply appreciative of that. So it’s an excellent idea. The address on the blog underneath his photo is actually a mailbox service, so any contributions sent there will be held for him. Here’s that address: Gerard Van der Leun, 1692 Mangrove Ave., Apt: 379, Chico, CA 95926. ”

    Or, if you’d prefer to send money through his other page – the one where he takes subscriptions – here’s the link to that page. Lastly, starting some sort of fundraising page at GiveSendGo would be a great idea as well.”

  • Foo January 20, 2023, 4:01 AM

    Kind updater:
    A last comment- my cut and paste on the Jan11 post on how to send support in $$$ left out the link to the second proven method-

    Option 1 being send a check to his Mangrove Ave address…
    Option 2 being using G’s new subscription option. Here is that link:

    https://www.newamericandigest.com/dispatches-2/

    Updater- once you confirm either/or is working, I’ll pass a link along to some other places where American Digest is well known and appreciated…get ready for the Instalanche…

  • Richard G. January 21, 2023, 10:21 AM

    interesting paper out of Aix-Marseille University.
    SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Induces Hemagglutination: Implications for COVID-19 Morbidities and Therapeutics and for Vaccine Adverse Effects
    https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/24/15480
    Thumb nail: in vitro, spike protein shown to cause clumping of red blood cells impairing oxygen carrying capacity. Adding Ivermectin both reverses clumping and inhibits clumping.

    • Richard G. January 21, 2023, 10:31 AM

      Suggestion for the attending physicians: Ivermectin is FDA approved for treating scabies. Make a diagnosis of scabies or river blindness and give Gerard the Nobel winning medicine.

  • Gary S January 22, 2023, 2:09 PM

    Gerard – take your time and get well. There is alot of garbage on this internet – AD is the one place I can go for my sanity..
    Prayers.

  • mary soukup January 24, 2023, 5:23 PM

    Sir, cut to the chase, you have inspired me, enlightened me,
    wait for me my brother
    for I am coming too
    I see the storm clouds gathering
    just beyond the blue
    you’ll be singing a tune
    Fire of God the song
    with love,mare

  • Daniel Aronstein January 25, 2023, 5:58 AM

    Wisdom, joy, the persistent respect and search for truth, simple integrity, humility before God, acceptance of suffering, and a grasp that very nearly matched your reach – these have all been yours, and we have all benefited from how well you shared your experiences and insights. A life well-lived which made the lives of so many others better for having come into contact with your generous spirit through your writing.

    May God continue to Bless you forevermore, both you and yours.

    “God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.” – Machiavelli

    You earned your share of Glory.

  • Donna Silva January 26, 2023, 5:36 AM

    Mr. Van der Leun will continue in my prayers. I know of him from Ann Barnhart and am grateful for his writing.

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