Well, it looks like I’m stuck at the Richmond Hospital for another night. The tests show gallblabber stones and the doctor wants to keep me here to run more tests tomorrow to see if I should go into surgery to have the stones remove.
Whenever I do or try something new, I’ve always tried to share my experience with you so I figured this is no different. We share the good times and the bad. This is actually the first time that I have ever been hospitalized. Well, this and the day I was born. So far, the experience has been pretty boring. Most of the day is wasted waiting for test results. Then the results usually results in more tests.
Yes, I Really Am Blogging From The Hospital
I’ve always said you can blog from anywhere in the world and I guess this is as good an example as any. Here’s a photo, taken with my iPhone, of my little hospital blogging setup. I’ve turned my iPhone 3G into a wireless router using PDANet so I can log onto the Internet with my MacBook Air. The Market Leverage bag holds the rest of the mobile blogging gears. The doctors and nurses are completely blown away.
Here’s a photo of the IV needle going into my arm. Since I can’t drink or eat, this is the only thing providing me with any type of nourishment. I’m still hungry as hell however.
This is my reaction upon seeing the IV stuck in my arm.
Tomorrow, I’ll find out if I need surgery or not. Since I know the stones are already there, chances are I will have to go under the knife. I’m told this type of surgery is pretty simple and I may be able to go home the same day. Right now, I’m trying to think of a way to blog during the surgery. Maybe I’ll set up a bunch of timestamped Twitter tweets saying stuff like, “They’re cutting a hole in me now” and “Ouch! Not that organ you dumb ass!” 
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{ 108 comments }
This is great… I just wrote a post about Twittering in the hospital through the birth of my child – I don’t think my wife would have put up with full-scale blogging though.
http://www.jasonmorrison.net/content/2008/i-love-hospitals-with-wifi-or-twittering-childbirth/
your a great blogger… get well soon john
My wife recently had her gall bladder out and was out of the hospital the same day. They know the stones are there, you are there, might as well get it done.
I don’t many people would mind going in to hospital if they had to if they could set up their own blogging station! That would make me get some work done.
Hope you’re well soon!
I really like the tweet about the wrong organ. First laugh all day.
I’m sure everything will go great and if anyone can figure out a way to blog during surgery it’ll be you.
LMFAO you Twittered through the birth of your child? I’ve never heard that one before! Nice post.
Pretty cool set up you have there John. I can see why the docs and nurses are impressed, it’s not like they see something like this every day.
Well at least you are in good Spirits. My sister just had her gall bladder taken out Friday, She was walking around the next day. Try not to bother the doctor too much till after the surgery. I hope all is well though.
If there’s an infection, the surgery won’t be so simple… I guess that’s why they’re waiting, to see if they can clear it up as much as possible. They will have to take your gall bladder out, which will affect the rest of your life (no more super rich meals every week and Kam Do every other day!)
LOL, as I type this John’s first meal out of the hospital was at Kamdo!
John: Get well soon man!!
No wonder I just saw those photos on your Flicker RSS feed.
It is wonderful to see your spirits so high! Cool to see your ML gear even in the hospital room. Maybe ML could send you a “I am blogging this” hospital gown.
You’re an absolute cracker John! All the best with the surgery if that goes ahead and the pictures really show your true personality = funny and hilarious!
All the best John, get well soon! You have proven that you can blog from anywhere.
PS. I thought you had to turn off cell phones in hospitals?
I think you’re right! oh well.
Get well soon John,
I didn’t even realize cell phones HAD to be off.
I had the laproscopic procedure to remove my gall bladder a couple years ago, and I barely noticed that it happened. Hopefully it’ll go as smoothly for you.
Always trying to out-due Shoemoney. He blogs from KMart so you blog from General Hospital.
Hey John, at least you’re making the most of it! In all seriousness though, I hope all turns out well for you and a speedy recovery. That hospital bed does not scream “dot com mogul!”
Rest up,
Matt
Get well soon John!
Blogging during the surgery?You may ask a doctor or nurse to assist you to do so…
“This is actually the first time that I have ever been hospitalized.”
You’re fortunate to have been blessed with such a healthy body, until now. Get well soon.
The guy’s made of steel. Look at him
You’re allowed to have your phone on while in the hospital? Don’t they make you turn it off as you come in?
You only have to turn off cell phones, not iPhones.
John Chow makes money in the hospital! hahahaha
I love your style!
Get well soon John, and keep on blogging!
Get well soon, John.
Great stuff and all the best for the health issues
I just went through 2 surgeries in 2 months for extreme veins (yes, extreme varicose veins as in 16 incisions and 70 staples per leg) on my legs… and documented most of it and will be probably posting an article on my family blog.
I’m surprised the hospital crew accepted to have you fire up the iphone in the hospital along with the laptop… !
Get well soon John…you really show that online business like blogging can takes place in hospital or vacation.
Looking forward for more post about your personal freedom….when making money online.
Btw, i have just launched a nice website about love called Cupid Blogger – http://www.cupidblogger.com.
Do check it out and i am looking forward to hear from you soon….
Hi John.
Hope you are feeling okay.
I thought you might like this saying that my Buddhist master once told me”
“If the problem can be solved, why worry? If the problem cannot be solved, worry will do you no good.”
I hope you are not worrying too much. Judging by the photos I don’t think you are! Get well soon. I wrote a post on dealing with worry if you are interested:
http://thedailymind.com/how-to/how-to-deal-with-your-worry-and-stop-worrying-today/
Also – I think the best way to ‘blog the surgery’ is to set up a live webcam feed! I know you can do it!
Get well soon.
TDM
John, first of all I am very, very sorry to hear that you are in the hospital.
I met you in Langley earlier this year and greatly appreciated all your wonderful tips on successful blogging.
I’ve been putting off mentioning this, but now that you are in the hospital, here we go with only your health, well being and family’s future in mind.
PLEASE STOP eating meat – It will destroy your health and devastate your family.
Here is an extensive scientific study that outlines all the reasons to stay away from meat…
http://www.cancerproject.org/survival/cancer_facts/pdfs/meat_and_cancer.pdf
Also as a devoted dad with two beautiful daughters – please consider the future of the world you are leaving for her:
http://suprememastertv.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=sos&sca=sos_2&goto_url=veg
http://suprememastertv.com/bbs/tb.php/scrolls/18
The brutal reality of what’s on your plate:
http://www.meat.org/
May you have a speedy recovery and may this hospital stay give you the inspiration to seriously reconsider your love affair with meat…
Wishing You and Your Loved Ones Every Happiness, Perfect Health and Many Blessings,
~lisa
cool…. anyway… get well John!
Hey John,
Sorry to hear you’re in the hospital that really sucks, but it sounds like the doctors aren’t too worried and like others said, you’re in good spirits.
I’m glad you found a MacGyver way to get access to the Internet as that’s a must! And don’t give the nurses too hard a time, haha
Hope to see you home and recovering soon.
Awww…. I’m sorry to hear you’re in the hospital, but glad you are able to still blog and are in good spirits. I’m sure the doctors and nurses will get quite a kick out of having you there – they’ll all be reading your blog!
Take care, hope you’re home and well soon!
great…..you are in hospital but still on blogging……unique man ….hope gel well soon
thats what passion is all about
My mother in law has exactly that…she got diagnosed 2 days ago….weird
Looks like your having an awesome time!!!
Yeah.. apparently he has a lot of techie toys with him in hospital too.
LoooooooooL
I`ll be waiting your tweets
I had my gallbladder taken out a few years ago also. It was a quick and painless procedure.
Most people never have any issues after removal. Some have a very difficult time eating any type of fat afterwords. I happen to be one of those.
So any time I go out to eat, I make sure I know where the bathroom is…
John you are truly my hero. It’s awesome to see you in good spirits. I will pray for you and a speedy recovery.
Get better quick John, so you can be guest judge on my blog film festival
This is blogging from anywhere!
get well soon John! Greets from Germany!
haha the image is so funny, btw I love your mac
Best wishes for the recovery John.
John, found you on Problogger’s page. Gallstones OUCH the surgery will be easy, you may have a tum full of gas for the rest of the day but it will pass quickly. You will be standing without tummy pain by day two, I promise. I had a fiasco with gallstone pancreatitis in Oct and Dec 2004. No fun, but easy to fix.
I look forward to reading at your site and I just did a Follow for you on Twitter. Loved the hospital pics! Dude, bless you for the work you do.
Andrea
Get well soon John!
Hoping you get out of the surgery, the hubby has had surgery (granted kidney stones are different)…not much fun. get well soon. Glad to see the hospital couldn’t keep ya down.
John, I hope you get better soon mate. This was a funny post, but im freaked out by hospitals, you seem in your element though
Don’t worry John….you rocks in that hospital!!!!!
Ooohh John,
We will miss you….
Hope that you’re happy up there….
Hahahahahahaaaa
Funny stuff ! We fully expect JohnChow.com to begin having adverts for hospital beds, and pharmaceutical companies in the near future. Hang in there John.
John you are a very dedicated blogger, hatts off. Get well soon.
I hope You can get well soon, you’re truely show your bloggers dedication
Joooohn! Your photos are funny! LMAO
I’m sorry to hear that you are still there and that your gallbaldder is acting up. Interesetingly enough, I was just having a conversation about gallbladders on Thanksgiving Day with a reknowned vascular surgeon who was telling me how many gallbladder surgeries he does the day after Thanksgiving, or the weekend after Thanksgiving. Seems as if all the fatty foods ingested on the Thanksgiving holiday really puts the gallbladder into overdrive as its main function is to act as one level of sifting out of the fats before they go to the liver. Sounds like maybe your story fits his scenario perfectly!
Keep up your great spirits. Where there’s a will, there’s a…. way/blog!
Get well soon john sorry to hear that u r in hospital.
and that needle is scary
gallbladder stone.. how do you get that did they tell you?
Good Luck John! I hate hospitals with a passion. Hope everything goes well for you.
I spent some time in the hospital last year too and it was pretty boring as well. I went a few hours without food as well when they decided I had to have surgery and I was hungry enough to bite someone.
Get well soon John, You have proven that you can blog from anywhere.
That’s awesome! Wait…not about the medical problems, that sucks! I am talking about your hospital blogging setup. I went ghetto the last time I was in the hospital and just typed up a post from my blackberry’s web browser. It got the job done.
Good luck with the possible surgery. I had kidney stones last year and they had to go in to zap them. Trust me, you don’t want anyone going up a hole only designed to expel liquid.
John,
Don’t let them remove your gallbladder!!!
The Stones can be removed without cutting out the entire gallbladder!!!
READ THIS:
http://www.curezone.com/cleanse/liver/default.asp
LMAO you crazy nut.
Wow,
Blogging from hospital!!
Like I said in my blog, You’re a “Super Blogger” !!
Much as I love watching DotComPho videos, eating Pho every week can’t be that good.
Get well my friend!
good to see you’re still in good spirits
I’m glad they solved the problem, but I hope you don’t need surgery! Maybe you can give one of the nurses your laptop and ask her to record the progress if you do, though.
John your my hero, now get better
Wow all those Dot Com Pho’s catching up to you. Hope it all goes well. You should blog about the Canadian healthcare system when you get out or while you’re there. I’d be curious to see how it compares to here in the U.S. where even with insurance you end up with thousands of dollars in bills if you go to the hospital/emergency for something more than routine (speaking from personal experience).
Good idea. I’d also like to hear your take on the Canadian healthcare system, John.
Damn. .. You are faimous :X:X:X Good Luck John \:d/
Hey John, did you have the extreme pain from the stones like I did? I remember it felt like I was being squeezed in a vise. I broke out in a cold sweat and could barely stand up, the pain was so excruciating. I didn’t need surgery though.
I used to drink a lot of Labrador brand bottled water, and I figured out that the high mineral content in it must have contributed to the forming of gaul stones.Since I stopped drinking bottled water about 7 yrs ago, I haven’t had an attack since.
HI John.
Sorry to hear you are in the hospital. I can say thou that earliar this year, I too was in a local hospital ( actually I was in the same hospital twice over a two month period between May & JUne ) and I also did a lot of blogging on my fanboy@50 blog, including having it redesigned. So yes, it is possible to blog from almost anywhere.
I wound up being diagnosed with CSS ( Churg Strausse Syndrome ), along with having two kidney stones and a bout with my Acid Reflux. Was out of work till mid July, and abck on the mend as of this writing to you.
I hope everything turns out okay for you, and will stay tuned for further developments.
Best of everything to you John and hang in there!
Lew
http://www.comicseye.com
http://www.lnph.us
http://www.fln50.com
Feel better soon!
This is great stuff , good luck
John-
instead of blogging when in surgery, you could live cast it via streaming video!
Get well and get home. It’s more comfortable there.
Haha, I was thinking the same thing!
Good luck, John. Go home and have some rest.
John,
Where is the ML hospital gown with the “I’m Blogging This” logo?
Can they use the ‘ultrasonic pulverizing technique’, or are your gall-stones golf-ball sized?
(Maybe that only works for Kidney Stones?)
Get well soon. The blogging world needs you fit and healthy.
Respectfully, Nicholas Chase – ‘the video guy’ from BlogWorld Expo 2008
John — I admire your tenacity. You are kicking ass by blogging through the hospital stay. Keep it up my man and get better. Hey you should save those stones and auction them off one day…
Charles
Hey there’s probably nothing else more fun to do
I was cracking up as you described the timed tweets as you went under the knife. A completely unexpected use for Brightkit!
Glad you are better and out of there. Now go eat some non-dairy stuff (or is that OK?)
Dang man, I’ve never had an IV in my hand and I hope I never have to. Hope you get well soon.
John,
Nice product placement with the Market Leverage bag in the background. At least we know your head is in the right place.
Get well soon!
Oh! John…
Bad Times… really!
But God Bless You… and Get Well Soon…
John is probably medicated and under the knife. He’s trusting us to keep an eye on his website while he is out.
I reckon you probably earn more than these Doctors do monthly by your one blog!
Get well soon mate.
he makes under 40k per month from this blog so I hope that he doesn’t make more than the doctors or nurses there. However, at least he doesn’t have to carry malpractice insurance
Get well soon John..
Get well, John! I hope the surgery won’t give you too much pain. wish you a quick recovery!
cheers.
geekmba360
Unfortunately there are and bad times in ours life.
However, we must be strong when that times happen and
never give up.
Get well soon John.
Mario
Get well soon.
seeing you the doctors and nurses might be thinking of quitting their jobs and instead start blogging.
Bless you! Get well soon, there probably needs to be a number of days before you get much better…. Don’t die
Who took the photos for you? The nurse?
deff be careful of doctors wanting to do surgery to make the greens and not bc u need it!
After reading this, i will tell every one who says John Chow is an idiot to f off! You rock
Get well soon John! You rock!
Another great thing about living the blogger lifestyle. How many people can say that they can do their work from their hospital bed?
Take care of yourself John, this to shall pass!
Ouch! The picture looks painful. And the worse thing is, you have to keep it in there till the doctor orders your nurse to take it off.
ML has got some goood coverage in the video
Aww.. Get well soon.. Can’t believe it..
get well soon..
get well soon
Great article .. (not about you being in the hospital) but the way you turned it into a post that would stimulate interest .. I for one would love to know if you logged an increase in traffic, rss subscripts, or anything along those lines as a direct result of this post?