Jeffrey DeRego in the hospital - financial assistance

[SFEley]

All,

I've been in e-mail contact with Jeffrey DeRego's wife Cindy.  She tells me that he had open heart surgery yesterday to bypass five blocked arteries.  The surgery was successful and he's expected to go home sometime next week. 

If anyone cares to know for purposes of sending cards or flowers, etc., he's at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire.  You're also welcome to send cards via us (Escape Artists Inc., PO Box 1538, Stone Mountain GA  30086) and I'll see that they get forwarded to him.

I asked if any financial assistance would be useful, and without getting into overly personal details, the answer is "yes."  The DeRegos aren't in a good position right now in terms of employment, and while they're applying for state assistance, surgery of this magnitude is still certain to have a very harsh impact.  Escape Artists will be making a contribution, and with Cindy's permission, I'm asking the Escape Pod listenership to help out.

I've set up a PayPal address just for this purpose under our corporate account.  If you'd like to help Jeff out, please send your contributions via PayPal to derego@escapepod.org.  (I hope to have a better link on the EP Web site by tonight.)  We'll cover PayPal expenses, so 100% of funds donated will go to defray Jeff's and Cindy's medical expenses.  I'll keep that PayPal address open through September.

I'm going to talk about this on the podcast tonight, and then I'm going to shut up about it.  I'm not going to harangue anyone into giving.  This is a long-time friend of Escape Pod and contributor of some of our best-loved stories who needs help.  I can help, so I'm helping.  I just wanted to share the news and the opportunity for you to help too, if you choose.

[DKT]

Thanks for letting us know, Steve.  Please keep us updated as to his condition.  I don't think anyone minds about you keeping us in the know.

[Thaurismunths]

Thank you for the news Steve. Shwankie and I appreciate it.

[Talia]

Thanks for the headsup. Thoughts are with them.

[Heradel]

I hope he recovers well and quickly and thanks Steve for letting us know (seconding DKT's bit about keeping us in the know).

[Russell Nash]

We're pulling for you, Jeff.

[Thaurismunths]

Good news: Jeff is home and resting well.

[Tango Alpha Delta]

Late to the party, but I'm glad to hear Jeff is recovering.  Since I haven't been able to keep up with the forum lately, I'm really grateful to Steve for putting the word out on the podcast.

Best wishes to Jeff and his family.

Tad

[deflective]

it's good to see jrderego online now and again. made the day a little happier =)

[Heradel]

it's good to see jrderego online now and again. made the day a little happier =)

He's actually been popping up since about a week after his surgery, though not posting.

[jrderego]

it's good to see jrderego online now and again. made the day a little happier =)

He's actually been popping up since about a week after his surgery, though not posting.

Hi gang, I haven't had much to say. So I haven't posted much. I've also been working hard on the next group of Union Dues stories while recovering.

[Heradel]

it's good to see jrderego online now and again. made the day a little happier =)

He's actually been popping up since about a week after his surgery, though not posting.

Hi gang, I haven't had much to say. So I haven't posted much. I've also been working hard on the next group of Union Dues stories while recovering.

Well, I'm sure we'd all have appreciated a status update, though it's great news to hear you're well enough to write.

[jrderego]

it's good to see jrderego online now and again. made the day a little happier =)

He's actually been popping up since about a week after his surgery, though not posting.

Hi gang, I haven't had much to say. So I haven't posted much. I've also been working hard on the next group of Union Dues stories while recovering.

Well, I'm sure we'd all have appreciated a status update, though it's great news to hear you're well enough to write.

I don't really have an update other than I am recovering. I met with a cardiologist and a general practitioner today. Both will confirm that I am still alive. Short of that, I take walks, look for work, and adapt to medication.

[deflective]

still in the holding pattern called life then. i'm sure i speak for everyone when i say good on ya but, you know, it's a two part process: 1. stay alive, 2. release more union dues. don't get so hung up on the first part that you let the second part slip, remember what's important. =)

[jrderego]

still in the holding pattern called life then. i'm sure i speak for everyone when i say good on ya but, you know, it's a two part process: 1. stay alive, 2. release more union dues. don't get so hung up on the first part that you let the second part slip, remember what's important. =)

I just finished the next Union Dues story, which should be hitting the slush pile beneath Steve's transom this week, assuming my readers have no significant and difficult to fix objections.

[bluerequiem]

I was only turned onto this podcast a few weeks ago, but have been loving it, and the Union Dues stories in particular.  I'll admit that I was listening to all the Union Dues stories that I have missed in a row and was shocked to hear the news about Jeff's procedure.  I wish you the best in your recovery, Jeff.