Posted on by rdlankes

Another (Better) Note About My Health

Last November I posted a not about my failing health. Since August I was struggling with some unknown ailment that was causing constant fatigue (sleeping 16 and 18 hours a day), shaking, headaches, and a general lack of energy. Things hit a peak in October with multiple emergency room visits when I temporarily lost the ability to coherently speak. It was bad, and I had to cancel speaking engagements, and greatly curtail all of my efforts. Over this period I lost 30 pounds (actually, let’s face it, that I could use). The next few months were better on anti-seizure medication, but as I learned, these drugs can be very debilitating in and of themselves. Imagine slowing your brain down by 10%, constant tremors, and still lots of fatigue.

The good news is after some intensive testing at the Cleveland Clinic, and with the persistent work of my primary care doctor, today I have a clean bill of health and I am just about back to 100%. Now I am playing catch up on projects and deferred responsibilities. I am also starting to slowly take on new speaking engagements and travel obligations.

While this post is to let those who expressed such kind concern know the good news, I would also like to thank the many many people who helped me through this tough time. From Jill who took on a heavy load at work, to Kathryn whose kind words of encouragement let me see light at a the end of a very bleak tunnel. I would like to thank everyone who expressed concern, and certainly the conference organizers who understood and either let me graciously bow out of an obligation, or let me do my work remotely.

Lastly I would like to thank my wife who was an amazing companion throughout everything. When you marry and promise to stay together in sickness and in health you never really think of what a large promise that can be. She simply amazed me with her patient help, her unbelievable advocacy, and her optimism in the face of very dark times.

I am lucky. My condition passed. But I know there are still too many people facing chronic debilitating illnesses. You have my respect and admiration.

Thank you all for your patience. Now, back to changing the world!

21 Replies to “Another (Better) Note About My Health”

  3. This is good news. Glad you are feeling better. Good to know you will be working to change the World again.

  4. Glad you’re feeling better! Also wanted to say I’m working my way thru the Atlas right now (a little behind on my reading, I know), I really admire your work & it’s giving me great inspiration. Thanks!

  10. I’m an architect in Cleveland who works with librarians, and a big fan of your world-changing work. Glad to know you’re back up and running! I hope your Cleveland Clinic days are all behind you, but if you find yourself in Cleveland I’d be delighted to show you some of the cool things librarians around here are doing.

    1. Thanks. I will be coming back in Spring for follow up and probably do some talking with folks in the area. Would love to meet.

  15. Good to know you’re back to your old (or shall I say earlier) self. Was in SC in October looking forward to your talk and have been worrying/wondering ever since. Thanks for sharing the details of your setback and recovery. Let’s keep all the news library-related from here on out, waddayasay?

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