Get Well Soon (PINJOHN)

[guidofatherof5]

I just received an email that John is in the hospital.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Leave the nurses alone, as best you can.:D

[chris-uk]

Get well soon. From a slightly overcast Coventry.

Hope you're back out soon. :)

[EasternGirl]

Please get well soon John! We miss you around here! And yes...do be kind to those nurses...:D.

[chris-uk]

Please get well soon John! We miss you around here! And yes...do be kind to those nurses...:D.

Student nurses are there for grumpy old men to ogle. ;)

[tress29]

Do they have a "look but don't touch" policy?

[guidofatherof5]

That will apply only to the nurses toward John.
Being the George Clooney look-a-like he is. ;):D

[ScimitarX]

Get well soon John. :)

[katach]

Hope you are on the mend quickly!

[mikem]

speedy recovery! we'll be waiting for your return. take care of yourself :)

[GarterGuy17]

Get well soon John , or else we might have to find a way to deliver hot coffee! We will keep your forum seat warm until you return :)

[EasternGirl]

Hey watch it Chris! I'm a student nurse! Maybe that's why John likes to chat me up so often...:D.

[Stefan-A]

I had nothing to do with it.

[indigoman]

Be on the mend quickly JOHN! we miss you.

[Didymus20X6]

4361

[kibakiba]

Get well soon John!

[gregmonsta]

You'd better get well soon mate :P there's punters waiting for your expert driving skills :P

[chris-uk]

I spoke to John this evening. He's still in hospital and won't be out for sometime, he's seriously ill and looking at some serious treatment over the next few weeks at least. I think he'd be OK with me saying what's wrong, but he didn't explicitly ask me to post it, so I won't.

What he did say is that he will be trying to get onto the forum while he's in hospital, hopefully over the next few days one of his daughters will bring her laptop on a visit and he'll be able to get online for a short time. I told him that there was a get well thread and he was chuffed that people care and are thinking about him.

The second worst news he gave me was that he is going to have to give his snakes up because he won't be able to look after them when he gets out. So he'll be keeping in touch with garters through books and the internet.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[kibakiba]

Awww.... Poor John. I hope he gets better soon!

[andycul]

Get well soon John, the forum just aint the same without you :D

[guidofatherof5]

Ask yourself "What Would George Do".:D;)
Hopes and prayers coming your way from all the Gilfillan's (Steve, Emmy, Kale, Molly, Gabby, Hailee and Tank):D

[EasternGirl]

I'm thinking about you John...and you are in my prayers. We are with you in spirit...please remember that, my friend.

[katach]

Bill and are sending healing thoughts your way John. I hope you get better real soon. We all miss you very much! I'm very sad that you won't be able to care for your snakes any longer. I hope you will be able to find someone to take them that you can visit with your legless friends.

[infernalis]

troubling news.. I wish only the best for John.

[gregmonsta]

A tough deal :(. I'm glad he's planning to keep in touch with the hobby though.

[GarterGuy17]

Very sad news indeed I actually think the impact of not being able to do what he loves anymore is worse than any illness. Hopefully everything turns out for the best and you wont have to give them up. Get well soon. :(

[chris-uk]

I'm still hoping that I'll be able to help him find homes for all the snakes amongst friends who will give them the care they need until John is able to take them back. He is planning to keep one old garter (I think that one is a radix), but if he gets to a point in his recovery where he can have some back I know his friends would give them back without a second thought. For now, I think John wants to know that his snakes are going to good permanent homes.
I'll be speaking to him again later so I'll pass on all your good wishes.

[EasternGirl]

John, I know that Chris will do his very best to find loving and caring homes for your snakes with friends...and I know that you will get better and you will be able to have your garters back with you one day very soon. :)

[mikem]

hope you get internet access soon so you can drop in and say hi :)

[guidofatherof5]

I called John and spoke to him at the hospital. I sent best wishes from the forum and John wants to thank everyone.
Our conversation was short as I was using Skype to mobile.
Chris-uk has a plan to extend that conversation later today if it works out.

[guidofatherof5]

I think we all know what to do:

Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Prescot Street
Liverpool
L7 8XP
U.K.
Ward 7Y Attn: John McCann

[EasternGirl]

Good...I was going to send a card to his house...this will be better...thanks, Steve.

[chris-uk]

I'm still hoping that I'll be able to help him find homes for all the snakes amongst friends who will give them the care they need until John is able to take them back. He is planning to keep one old garter (I think that one is a radix), but if he gets to a point in his recovery where he can have some back I know his friends would give them back without a second thought. For now, I think John wants to know that his snakes are going to good permanent homes.
I'll be speaking to him again later so I'll pass on all your good wishes.

I've managed to find experienced garter people for all his snakes, except one.
He is keeping his old, female radix, Kenzo. :)

[guidofatherof5]

Nice job Chris and Greg. John and the rest of us member applaud you both.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/Clapping.gif

[Spankenstyne]

Thanks for posting the addy Steve. Sending best wishes to John

[gregmonsta]

I've managed to find experienced garter people for all his snakes, except one.
He is keeping his old, female radix, Kenzo. :)

Good job mate ;). John was good on the phone today. I'm really glad that we had the opportunity to help.

[RicMartin]

Wow!
Get well very soon, John!
Steve, Greg, Chris, everyone...
Chapeau!
You are an incredible force.

[Light of Dae]

Praying for you John.

[EasternGirl]

I'm so glad that John gets to keep one of his snakes. And it's already been said, but Chris and Greg...you guys are awesome! Steve, thanks for what you have been doing to help during this time as well. This is why we call this a family! I'm so proud to be a member of this forum.

[Jeff B]

Hope you are well soon John

[johnc79@hotmail.com]

Get well soon my friend, be strong and beat it. Thoughts are with you.

[RedSidedSPR]

Get well soon.

kudo's to Chris and Greg

[Mommy2many]

Get well soon, John!

[guidofatherof5]

Bump



I think we all know what to do:

Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Prescot Street
Liverpool
L7 8XP
U.K.
Ward 7Y Attn: John McCann

[guidofatherof5]

I just got off the phone with John.
He wanted me to tell everyone thanks and that he can't reply to any comments until his son gets him subscribed to the thread.

[EasternGirl]

Tell him he doesn't have to respond...he just needs to focus on getting well. We just want him to know he has our support.

[PINJOHN]

Hi,

I'm Chris, Johns son who is presently looking after the snakes. My dad has asked me to post to say thank you for all the kind words and best wishes. My Dad is genuinely touched and to quote "There's no folk like garter folk". Dad is in good spirits and will be starting treatment on Monday. He misses the forum and is determined to get back online to you all as soon as he can.

Again i would like to thank you all for your support, my father is a very lucky man to have such great and caring friends.

I would like to extend my personal thanks to Steve, Chris and Greg for all their help at this difficult time, the phone calls he has received put a bigger smile on his face than when me and my family visit! ;)

Thanks again everyone.
Chris

[chris-uk]

So hopefully now John is subscribed to the thread - he's getting email on his Blackberry, but obviously can't reply. I'll check when I speak to him tomorrow.

Thanks for the update Chris, I'll see you on Sunday when I come to visit and get the snakes organised. I'm sure the family visits are appreciated as much as the snakey phone calls, well, I'm nearly sure about that. :)

[chris-uk]

Just spoke to him again. He says "hello", and that he is subscribed to this thread, so he gets an email on his Blackberry when we post.... Shhhhhh, stop talking about him!

[EasternGirl]

John....I see you! Your butt is sticking out of your hospital gown! For the love of all that is holy man! Put some knickers on!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Hi John! I am sending warm wishes your way! Please get better soon and stay strong and positive! Whatever is ailing you, you can beat it! Keep those nurses on their toes mate! baby Brianna says hi! Well actually she says "goooooo" but it's close enough :) -Shannon

[gregmonsta]

Just spoke to him again. He says "hello", and that he is subscribed to this thread, so he gets an email on his Blackberry when we post.... Shhhhhh, stop talking about him!

Well, there goes the neighbourhood! :p

[Selkielass]

I hope you're already feeling better!

[guidofatherof5]

I just spoke to John but had a difficult conversation. The dance music was too loud and John had to keep telling the girl "not now, I'm on the phone":D

[ConcinusMan]

Wait, what was the name of that hospital again? I ask because if ever I'm in the U.K. and get hit by one of those double decker buses....

Girls? dance music you say? :p

[EasternGirl]

I kept telling John to turn the music down and that I would gladly finish the dance later...but he just wouldn't listen. Something about me flying all the way out there and wasting money.

[gregmonsta]

Things went very well today. The snakes travelled without a hitch and are starting to get used to their new enclosures. I convinced one of the Florida blue girls to feed tonight which is as good a start as any.
John says hello to everyone. I spoke to him for a while and he says to remind you guys that he is watching .... and he still wants coffee at Doncaster :P.
Anyway, remember and send him a thought or two as he starts to climb his mountain tomorrow.
All the best buddy ;)

[chris-uk]

I also had some feeding success this evening, both radix have taken a pinky each. The female had been doing circuits of her new viv, she took a pinky and now she's laid out with her body coiled in the warm hide with 10cm of her head sticking out the far side and 10cm of her tail sticking out the front - stomach over the middle of the heatmat. She didn't show any interest in a second pinky, which surprised me because she hasn't eaten for 10 days.
I figured I'd try them on pinky first because it's been a while since they ate last.

Anyway, John was in fine form today, there's a Starbucks across the road from the hospital, so I couldn't walk in empty handed. :) The ward doesn't allow flowers (and does John strike you as a flowery kind of bloke? He's a scouser after all), however how's this for better than flowers:
4429

[EasternGirl]

Thanks, Chris. That is definitely better than flowers. Glad you and Greg got the snakes settled in. Enjoy that coffee John!

[gregmonsta]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/moonky.JPG

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/moonky.JPG

Nicely done Greg.

[EasternGirl]

Awesome...

[katach]

I'm thinking if you John, hang in there!

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Wow...i was gone for a while and I jump in here and here sad news. John I hope you get better soon. I miss everyone so much. Its sad to hear when our fellow family member is ill. Get better soon John. Hopefully we talk to you soon.

[EasternGirl]

I hope yesterday went well for you. Thinking of you.

[Light of Dae]

Anyway, remember and send him a thought or two as he starts to climb his mountain tomorrow.
All the best buddy ;)

John you'll be a great mountain climber, I have no doubt the you will pull through this trial.
BTW I still have the encouraging PM you had sent me, You've got a great heart.

[guidofatherof5]

I just got off the phone with John.
The cards are starting to arrive.
Nice job forum members.
Let's keep him busy with cards and letters.;)

[scorpion0151]

Get well soon John, I've only just got back on line so sorry for the lack of messages of the last few months. I hope you have a speedy recovery cos I still owe you a coffee ;)

[chris-uk]

It's some old git's birthday on Friday... Shame we can't start a thread and subscribe another user to it. I suppose we will make do with an old thread.. ;)

[ScimitarX]

sending all my happy thoughts your way, keep up the good fight and get better soon :)

[guidofatherof5]

It's some old git's birthday on Friday... Shame we can't start a thread and subscribe another user to it. I suppose we will make do with an old thread..

I checked with Stefan and he suggests we link the Birthday thread in the current thread he is subscribed to.
Good idea. Thanks for your help Stefan.

[guidofatherof5]

Happy Birthday my friend.
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/10162-happy-birthday-pinjohn.html#post204365

[chris-uk]

Hope you have a good day today John. Happy Birthday!

[Light of Dae]

Happy Birthday old fart! :D You best be kicking that mountains arse today!
Thinking bout you, praying for ya as well,

My good friend.

Michelle

[EasternGirl]

Ah Ha! We finally know your first name!

[chris-uk]

When I visited John on Sunday he showed me this photo, he was so chuffed that his son Chris had taken Kenzo out. Anyway he asked me to post it up on the forum, so here's the photo that the old birthday boy was so pleased to see:
4468
John's son Chris with Kenzo (the old radix he's keeping)

I just got off the phone to him and he's had a great birthday with a constant stream of visitors. He's also had a load of cards. The receptionist on the ward has been really impressed by all the cards coming in from the States, she brought him a card today and apologised that it was only from the UK. :)

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to see you Chris. Your dad is a special man. We are glad he is part of the forum.

[EasternGirl]

That's awesome. This is the same son who was afraid of the snakes before right? Good for you Chris! Nice to see you holding a snake! John, I'm so glad you are having a good birthday...and we miss you so much! My card is on it's way...I didn't forget you. ;).

[chris-uk]

Chris even held some pillow cases when I was putting snakes in them ;)
I think John will convert him, and what better snake to use than an old, reliable radix? Get to work Kenzo. :)

[katach]

Happy Birthday John! Hope you're having a good day, and betting better.

[Mommy2many]

Happy Birthday, John! Sorry I didn't get on yesterday to wish you well.

[scorpion0151]

Happy belated birthday John, sorry I couldn't get on sooner. I hope you're not bothering the sexy nurses too much ;)

[RicMartin]

Happy belated birthday John! Get Well soon!

[scorpion0151]

has any one heard any more news on John?

[gregmonsta]

I've been giving him some space as the meds are pretty tough on him and I don't want to intrude on his family time too much (we will just chat for a good while). I'll report back the next time I speak to him.

[kibakiba]

Poor guy. When you do get to talk to him, let him know that we all love him and are thinking about him!

[mikem]

thanks for the update greg. give him our best.

[charles parenteau]

Get well soon my friend John!|!!

[chris-uk]

I've not spoken to him for over a week, and was planning to try calling him later today or tomorrow. When I do speak to him him I'll let you all know how he's doing.

[chris-uk]

OK. I promised an update. I spoke to one of John's sons this morning and found out why I (and Steve) haven't been able to get hold of him for the last week.
Unfortunately his treatment has caused some complications and John was moved to the ICU last week. His son said his condition is stable, but he has a bit of a climb ahead. I asked him to tell John that his snakes are doing well and that some of the females with Greg look to be gravid. And also that his friends are thinking about him.

I'm sure if you have a minute to drop a card in the post John and his family will appreciate knowing that we're still thinking about him - when I visited him he said the staff on the ward couldn't believe how many cards he was getting from overseas. :)

[Light of Dae]

Come on John, You can do this. Fight it n just... get better. Prayin.

[guidofatherof5]

Time for another round of cards and letters folks.

[EasternGirl]

Thanks, Chris...for the update. We were starting to get very concerned. As soon as I am through my surgery and recovery I will go out and get another card for John. If you talk to him..please tell him he is in my thoughts...as always. I know you can do this John...you have the strength of all of us behind you my friend...

[chris-uk]

Can a moderator please close off this thread?

Unfortunately we should post any further messages for John and his family in a new thread: http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/10299-r-i-p-pinjohn.html
:(
(http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/10299-r-i-p-pinjohn.html)