56 Comments

We love you, Mr. Keillor (in a filial way). Please take care.

How I miss PHC. My soul has been adrift for eight years. Nevertheless the world moves on. Still, there has never been another Garrison. Mandolin playing guys notwithstanding.

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I’m not a doctor, although occasionally I have for some reason been mistaken for one. That being said, in my opinion, you demonstrate good judgement by seeking medical assistance to address your memory concerns. Fortunately, you found your way to the ER, your powers of observation are excellent, and obviously still possess remarkable wit, charm and humility. I’m looking forward to seeing you again at the Fitz in July.

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It was an amazing scene and watching health care professionals really does restore your faith in the goodness of people.

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Mom had a stroke just about a year ago, and this takes me back to that, the questions about birthdates, and what year is it, etc., a Haitian nurse, and the surprising kindness and patience demonstrated by healthcare workers everywhere, a new fact to appreciate. I hope to see you next Friday in Scranton; but I don't want to sound like your recovery should be about being entertaining to me on Friday. I imagine it's probably very important to you, though. Best wishes, feel better soon.

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Looking forward to Scranton, hoping to remember the words. In a pinch, I'm sure I can recite the 87 counties of Minnesota and probably a couple dozen Bible verses and a good many limericks.

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I'll be in the front row, probably with a sketch pad, cheering you on.

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May 22Edited

Few things are as admirable as kindness from one to another. And in this age of the ever-present camera, humility is right behind. Glad your story had a happy ending.

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The "brokeness" of the human condition is the one thing that this uniquely American form of religious observants, the Unitarians, seem to have forgotten. It comes through every now and then, however, in their ability in a warm and hearty laugh.

Keep them laughing, Garrison. Don't worry too much about that memory "loss". Memory is often that which you make it!

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I'm glad to hear that you're okay. Hopefully, you were delirious, rather than demented - dementia is permanent, but delirium is temporary. Hang in there, sir.

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I am told it was Transient Global Amnesia, a temporary inability to recall, perhaps caused by a slight contraction of a tiny blood vessel in the middle of the brain. It's good to have rationalists around to explain these things. I love explainers.

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My wife had this condition on one alarming day. She was told it rarely reoccurs. Enjoy your subsequent soundness of mind as I have enjoyed hers for some years now.

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Did they tell you to do anything specifically or just go about your life?

(Suffering same symptoms.)

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I am going about my life and feel terrific. A good writing week.

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I am glad you are ok, good enough, In New York City of all places.

If you ever go to dog shows you will see things you have never seen before.

A large room full of Irish Water Spaniels dancing with their owners...or Cardigan Welsh Corgis of different colors from all over the country, as I have seen at shows near me.

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If I walk by a large building with a sign outside, DOG SHOW TODAY, I will walk in.

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Garrison, you are getting older for sure. We too concentrate more than we should on these matters of memory, not lose or anything else, just memory.

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Well, that was a breath of Fresh Air - nod to Nina Totenberg, whose dad was a mighty violinist - I got to play in an orchestra, summer 1982, when he played a solo by Milhaud...but this isn't about me. Thank you for such an excellent display of cognitive incline, with outstanding humor and excellent timing. Please continue!

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Yes, Mr. Keillor, they do teach that in nursing and med schools now, using "standardized patients." Standardized patients are people, usually actors, who learn a case and then are examined by students--in person or by telehealth--for about 20 minutes. The standardized patient then gives feedback to the student--both written and verbal--about interpersonal skills, not about medicine. The whole encounter is filmed and reviewed by instructors. I've been a standardized patient for five years, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to let students practice on me before they get to actual patients like you.

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Thanks for your work. I wasn't standardized, I was kind of jokey so they had to put up with that.

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The only standardization is that everyone who does the same case has the same information. In one of my cases, I had stepped on a nail in my bare feet. The nail inserted a microchip into my foot, and bad people were talking to me. They learn to put up with everyone, even Episcopalian Midwestern comedy writers.

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Wow. Fiction on wheels.

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You do good work. My daughter is a SP and loves working with med school students. The somewhat scripted performances have allowed her to discover talent she never knew existed…and it’s providing a service. A win win for all. 👍

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Some 24 months ago, I was lying in that gurney position ready for cancer removal at the famous Rochester MN Clinic. A growth had grown on my throat’s right side glands and failure for prompt removal, well you know, less than a year left! Away we go to the OR and I remember zip. But now in the hands of a fine gland surgeon! I’ve gotten almost 3 years older in that time, now 86 and early onset dementia settled in some. If I pause long enough, the words come to me, and here I am.

Live with it I do! Read your magnetic stories I do and like it I do too. Hope all goes well for you, good Sir and natural writer. Be weller soon!

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Be weller sooner....you seem to thrive sooner Garrison, but don't overdo.....

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My wife had to visit the ER a few weeks back. The warmth and concern provided by the doctor and support staff was just like yours. Nice to know you are not a piece of meat. Glad to hear you are still able to write so well.

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You're a keeper, Mr Keillor! Still love you after all these years...

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Author Jim Harrison died at his desk while writing. He never stopped chain smoking American Spirits although he did cut back some on the alcohol. I imagine at 79 he was probably experiencing some memory loss. I think you knew him.

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I did. He was a very amiable soul and we never talked about writing, we talked about family and friends. He told me he had listened to my show from his little cabin in the woods in the U.P. and it made him feel good and I chose to believe him.

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I, too, consider believing to be a choice. Mandatory belief has never worked that well for me.

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Garrison,

I am glad your symptoms were not much more than a bump in the road. You have so much more to give the world!

I need a small favor. Not my first request, and hopefully not my last. My beloved wife Beti gave me a helicopter lesson for my birthday. Yes, I do like learning new and thrilling things, but I really do not want her to spend that much money on me. So I suggested that she buy tickets to one of your shows instead. I think listening to your monologue and singing with a bunch of strangers might prepare us for the elections this fall. Anyway, I figured she would bite given that she has really enjoyed several of your books, but she just gave me on of those "don't be silly" looks. Do you have someting witty to say that might sway her to save money and go to one of your shows?

Take care and thanks for everything you do for us.

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I guess you will be taking her to one of the shows and she will be presenting you with a ride in a chopper. Not my idea of a great time either, but bear up and show gratitude.

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Please take care. You have so many people who care about you.

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I am as careful as can be. Maybe too careful, but it's too late to change. My mother was a worrier who headed for the basement when the sky turned black and sirens sounded. I inherited some of that.

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