Progress report on Peter Taylor: Surgery went OK in Virginia
Peter Taylor’s sister Phoebe Breskman writes this morning: “Peter got through the surgery OK. He is still in the hospital. He is now in room 267. His direct number is 703-776-7267. However, I have tried his number and he doesn’t answer. I know that he said he would have to have some tests today to determine if he could be discharged as early as today. I think it’s more likely that he will be discharged tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted as I learn more.â€
22 Responses
Good luck Peter! You are in my thoughts and I’m pulling for you. Hope to hear you again soon, you are an original, irreplaceable.
Good to hear that Pete will be going home soon. Can we get a home address so we can send cards?
This is great news. Hope that you will recover quickly. We will all be thinking about you in Jyvaeskyla.
I talked to Peter on the phone this afternoon. The surgery was not a comfortable experience for him, but he got through it and does anticipate being discharged later today with accompanying home care. This will be in the form of occupational, physical, and speech therapy and nursing, although Peter doesn’t think he will need speech therapy and it certainly didn’t sound like it. Peter will not be able to drive in the immediate future, but it does sound like he has several friends in his building that will help him out. I told him that he had a big fan club wishing him well.
Madeline: You can send something to P. Taylor,
4014 Hallman St., no. 3, Fairfax VA 22030-5065. I was discharged from the hospital about 1 hr and 25 minutes ago. I am not 100% but hope to be so by June of this year.
Peter
Hey, Peter, you gave me and those scores of ardent admirers you have out there a bit of a scare. But with all the subsequent encouraging reports we’re confident your absence from the track scene will be brief.
Here’s wishing you all the best. Your friend, Ralph
Peter himself again online!
Great to hear you’re out Pete! Get well.
Peter – good news that you are out of the hospital. Home is the best place to recuperate. Best wishes for much success in working with those therapists.
Hi Pete, I’m so happy that you are back home and recuperating nicely. You are a wonderful man and a good friend and we didn’t realize how much we loved you until something like this happened to you.
Stay positive and please continue to get better.
Hi Pete, Glad to hear your back home and coming along well. Wishing you a speedy recovery. All the best. Take care buddy.
Update at 6:01 AM on Thursday, March 29:
1. Woke up feeling physically and emotionally exhausted. Being a hospital patient was tough, and realizing that someone like me can get a stroke was very disturbing, to say the least.
2. Thanks to all who have expressed support. To make this more than a Peter Taylor story, I will give you a bit of background. Perhaps others will be helped.
3. From the radiologist:
MRI of the brain shows acute right hemispheric deep watershed infarction.
Cervical MR angiogram shows high-grade, near critical, right internal carotid artery stenosis at the origin.
4. The surgeon told me at various times that my right carotid artery was “almost completely blocked…99% blocked…95-96% blocked.”
5. Exercise history: I have exercised aerobically 4 to 7 times a week for the last 35 years. In recent years I have exercised aerobically 7 days a week. My exercise history and my resting pulse of 49 in the emergency room impressed one physician, who then said, “but you still got a stroke.”
6. Cholesterol. My LDL cholesterol has been elevated, as my total cholesterol has been.
7. Warning. My left hand became useless for a very short time.
8. Action. Called my physician, who told me to get to the hospital ER immediately. I chose the ER at Fairfax Hospital, the top hospital in northern Virginia, the one with the best ER, most extensive set of services, etc. It was about a 17-minute trip by private car (I was not driving).
9. Thrombolytic treatment. I was not considered a candidate for thrombolysis (not a time issue, by the way).
Think I will get some breakfast now.
PLT
Well you can’t keep a good man down and Pete you are the BEST!! Glad to hear you are doing better.
That’s classic Peter Taylor calling the race of his own blood through the course of his circulatory system . . .this event the challenging steeplechase. Unlike his normal race call, for this one I had to pull out the medical texts and do about 30 minutes of homework to decipher what he was saying. Very tough race, very lucky man and we are overjoyed that you are back home and on the recovery track to your previous aerobic regimen.
Even after coming back from such duress he is already giving back to the track and field community. Message I glean from Peter is that even as healthy as we might think we are with regular exercise, we should all consider a stress test with a cardiologist who is familiar with masters athletes and their work ethic. Many doctors, once they hear we are exercising regularly, just assume everything is A OK. It is very possible that Peter’s exercise routine saved him keeping the carotid open the small amount that was still allowing blood to the brain.
Take it easy Peter as you just came from behind to win one of the tougher races of your life. And how wonderful to know, from the innumerable post herein, that the stands were packed and rocking for you to breast the tape. I’m thinking the decathalon is waiting for you but perhaps the treadmill back at the club is what you are envisioning at this very moment.
They turn for home… and Pete Taylor will win it with “COMPLETE AUTHORITY”!!!! Pete, rest up take care of yourself, recover and hope to see you in Lisle. The sport would not be the same without you. You are “the Voice” that cuts through the anonymity that is Masters Track and Field-and a cool fellow to boot.
Peter, it’s great to have you back on-line…I know you are going to make a complete and full recovery and you’ll be back out there where you belong, on the track and field calling out all the action. Rest up and keep us updated on your progress….you are being deluged with positive thoughts and energy from this vast masters track community.
Pete, Glad to here that you aredoing better and back at home on your way to full strength. I will keep sendind prayers your way.
wow Peter..as someone who understands all that doctor stuff you are very lucky to have listened to your body and get yourself to the hospital…the one thing about being alone at times is that when something like this happens you may quickly be unable to help yourself.
Carotid arteries can be checked during a physical by listening to the neck. They make a sound when they are blocked. So no matter how healthy we think we are, we should still get check ups….sometimes family histories can get in our way…
Pete,
Glad that everything went well with your surgery. Rest comfortably. I wish you a speedy recovery. You did a great job in Bloomington. It was my most favorite track meet ever. I can’t believe I you memorize all those facts about people. You are amazing.
And here they come! That’s the great Peter Taylor rounding turn for for HOME!
I will pray for your speedy recovery Peter.
KP
Hey Pete, Good to hear that you are on the road to recovery. You did an amazing job in Indiana which is always the case with you. Look forward hearing your great announcing at Nationals!!!
Looking forward to seeing and hearing you at Nationals Pete.
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