Today [14.2¾]

Yuk. That is slow.

It was an old elevator though.

Today I came back to the Forums after being away for about a month due to a broken laptop.
I was forced to "upgrade" to Windows 8.1, but so far so good, my laptop hasn't exploded yet:)

The first thing I noticed after logging in was that Gary was awarded the covetted MVP award. When I went to his profile to congratulate him, however, I was confronted with the fact that he has passed away. I really didn't expect this and did not see it coming.

Rest in peace Gary, my friend. You will be missed


Nommy

Welcome back Stefan. Yes, there is no good way to get that news. So soon after he got the MVP only makes it sadder. A Guy

Have just been reading through my various PM's that I have exchanged with Gary in the past, the last one just a few days before his demise. Very sad, he will be much missed. Farewell Friend!

Today I was reminded that with my age and recent health issues, I should remember to take it easy and not to think I am still an invincible young man. Suddenly after 2 AM when going to kitchen to get more coffee I completely lost my sense of balance. Could not stand or walk, had to lie down in kitchen floor.

Took me some time to get myself to bed, then half an hour to decide to call emergency services. Notarzt (excellent German system for emergency physicians) arrived a bit before 4 AM. Got a shot to calm me down, now at 10:30 AM waiting to be driven to laboratory for some tests.

Have already talked on phone with my own doctor, it seems that the very recent (week and a half ago) flu, high fever and acute bronchitis made my inner ear issues (Ménière's disease) worse; I am already used to occasional balance and hearing issues but this is the worst I have had. Usually when it happens I lose my balance and hear very badly for 5 minutes to 30 minutes, vomit once or twice and then everything is normal again. Now the sensation is constant, at the moment already over 8 hours and the headache connected to these "attacks" getting worse instead of the usual, gradually disappearing.

Had to finally admit my age and health issues when my doctor sent someone from his office to bring me something just half an hour ago and it took me almost 5 minutes to get to the door, all the time yelling "Do not go away, I'm coming!" :).

BTW, this is what my doctor sent me so that I could at least move at home (refused to go to the hospital for observation as was suggested):

I've had one walker before, with wheels, got it after a stroke some years ago but have already given it away, thinking I will never need it again...

Kari

Take it easy my friend, you are a similar age to me, I have found that I have to adjust my way of operating, I take more time to "smell the roses", just take things easy, and get well soon :)

Take it easy Kari

Thanks Nigel and Colin. It's not that I am not used to these balance attacks. They come and go, I have given up and am using a walking stick always although it's mostly not needed because as I cannot know when the attack comes I need to be prepared. The stick has saved my ass a couple of times already in trams, streets, shops and pubs of Leipzig. The normal attack is mild enough that I can with some minor issues at least walk aided by the walking stick to nearest chair or something like that and wait attack to go away.

It's that this time this is so intense. I can sit in my chair as I do now, I can watch display with low contrast and brightness values. I feel I have no balance, I hear badly but I can somewhat operate and think. But I cannot close my eyes, the whole world starts going round and round if I do that and it ends with vomiting.