Saturday, July 14, 2012

This is Karl



























I don't know him personally. I wish I did, as he seems like a helluva nice guy. He's a hospitalist, and in our occasional communications by email or blog comments seems to be pretty cool, and a damn good doctor. He's the kind I wish worked at my hospital.

In addition, Karl is also a great cook from what his family tells me. Every year he single-handedly whips-up some sort of major-league Mardi Gras feast. Never having been to Mardi Gras I have no idea what he's cooking, but if I was invited, and lived near you, Karl, I'd definitely come over (but I'd have to draw the line at crawdads- crustaceans just ain't my thing).

As you can see in the picture, Karl's sister was also kind enough to make him a Dr. Grumpy cooking apron for Christmas.

He's also built his own wooden boat. Not a model, but a real boat. Which is way beyond what I can do. My boat-construction abilities are limited to inflating a raft for the pool.

Unfortunately, for all the fact that Karl is a good person, doctor, and cook, he's been diagnosed with brain cancer, has been through chemotherapy, and is now home on hospice.

So, Karl, this post is dedicated to you. I'm sure you helped plenty of patients and their families over the years who never had a chance to thank you.

Not to mention helped patients of other neurologists, and because of my field's inherent lack of social skills, I suspect my neurobros didn't thank you either.

Since you're now on the other side of the bedrail, I want to thank you on all of their behalfs and wish you and your family the very best at this difficult time.

I also want you to know what an awesome sister you have, and how much she loves you enough to put me up to this. Your wife is in cahoots with her.

Thank you, from all of us out here in cyberspace.

Ibee Grumpy, M.D.

50 comments:

aek said...

A hospitalist AND a Dr. Grumpy model? There's no beating that combo. Ever.

Thanks for bringing us Dr. Karl's story. I'm glad his loving family is in cahoots! He's definitely in good hands and good company, being a Dr. Grumpy reader and commenter.

Wishing all the best to you, Karl, and to your family! (Even if I am a damn yankee, I still appreciate - and will eat Dr. Grumpy's - crawdads)

Ami said...

The apron is very... distinctive.
Karl is a brave man to wear it.

I hope that bravery and determination will help him through his fight now.

OMDG said...

That SUCKS. Wishing Karl all the best. He looks pretty fly in his Dr. Grumpy apron.

DreamingTree said...

Nice tribute to a good man. Karl and his family will be in my thoughts. Love the apron; I still use my Dr. Grumpy travel mug with pride, and receive many laughs/compliments.

Anonymous said...

That apron is dead sexy. Your wife is a lucky woman.

You seem to have a wonderful and caring family with a keen sense of humor. I envy you that!

Platitudes aside, fuck cancer!

bobbie said...

Karl ~

My thoughts and heart are with you and your family ~

Fuck cancer!!

Bless you for posting this, Dr. G

Moose said...

You're a good man, Charlie Brown.

Anonymous said...

God bless Karl and his family during this fight. And thank you for sharing his story with us.

Unknown said...

All the best to Dr. Karl. The Dr. Grumpy apron is, uh, something else.

jen said...

That apron looks good on ya! Best wishes for you and your family at such a difficult time...

Lisa said...

I'm very sorry to hear about Karl. I wish the best to him and his family. Why does it seem that all the nice people get cancer?

Anonymous said...

Sorry you are so ill Dr. Karl. :(
You sound like an all around great guy. I'm sending my good thoughts and wishes to you and your family.

Toni said...

The man able to wear that apron and smile is obviously to be admired and respected!!! Praying for you, and bless you for all you have given to your fellow man.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing Karl's story, Dr. Grumpy. Too often, my experience with doctors doesn't include an acknowledgement of shared humanity.

Karl sounds like a decent sort of guy who doesn't deserve to suffer. He will be in my thoughts and hopes. Please keep us updated.

C said...

Damn. My thoughts are with Dr. Karl and his family.

Muffin said...

With that sense of humour, support and wearing that ghastly apron, what cancer cells would hang around.. lets hope they all blow away, and you can get on with your cooking Carl, and carryon reading Grumpy's newsletters.
Best wishes

Gen said...

Thank you for this post about Karl. I just read some of his Caringbridge journal. WOW...I'm in awe of his strength and all the support he has around him.

Peace to Karl and his family.

Anonymous said...

At first I thought Dr. Grumpy's post was in honor of a birthday or anniversary. Karl sounds like an awesome guy. No one deserves to go through brain cancer, or any type of cancer, but it always sucks even more when it hits someone who should be around and healthy for many more years.

My thoughts go out to Karl and his family in this difficult time.

FarscapeGirl

Anonymous said...

To be smiling despite knowing all about it is a little bit of Heaven in bright yellow. God bless Karl and those surrounding him. Thanks Dr. G and Dr. Karl for sharing.

Jamie said...

Love this dedication post to a great doctor and man.

Anonymous said...

So cool. Tears to my eyes as I think of my friends. I don't find you grumpy at all.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Dr. Grumpy. You're right--my brother in law Karl IS awesome, and so is my sister in law and his sister. I'm proud to call them family. Thanks for bringing a smile and to your readers for their kind words. vf

christine said...

Just read Karl's CB posts from beginning to end. Hugs, strength, and peace to you and your family and friends!

Anonymous said...

Cancer sucks!

Best wishes and prayers for peace for Karl and his family.

-Erin in Gig Harbor, WA

Baffled said...

Cancer sucks! Give it hell!

Anonymous said...

Good post. My prayers for Karl and family.

C said...

it is super bad to be a sick doctor; hope that nothing gets worse.

Anonymous said...

Wishing you and yours all the best, Karl.

memune said...

Saying some serious prayers here. As my mother said when she was dying (CA of gallbladder), "God has a lot to answer for when I see him."

When I worked ER, we used to call this "positive nice guy sign" - the nicer and better the person, the greater the chances the dx will suck.

We're pullin' for ya, Karl and Co -

Memune

Anonymous said...

Thanks Grumpy. This is way too close for comfort in so many ways.

So I'm calling in the big guns. That's right. Catholics in STL know when you gotta pray for someone and you want them 24/7, you call the nuns in pink.

They take prayer requests here:
http://www.mountgraceconvent.org/prayerreq.html#prayers

Please ask them to put Karl on their list. I did.

If you believe, the power of prayer is amazing. We might not always get what we want, but no suffering and peace for Karl and his family would be a very good thing.

RehabRN said...

Praying for Karl and his family...thanks for the info Grumpy.

pharmacy chick said...

Lovely Tribute! I lost my mom to brain cancer. its near and dear to my heart. Finish well Karl! You've done good!

Sara said...

'Nother Catholic here hitting up the saints for Karl and his family.

Julie said...

Thanks for bringing us his story ... thoughts and prayers for Dr Karl and his family ...

Anonymous said...

I am lucky enough to have worked with Dr O. He was a great doctor, a nice guy, and fought for what was right. I am proud to have been able to call him a friend. He can be proud...he made a difference. Wish there was a magic potion to make the good guys win. If you see this Dr O...trust you and your family are in my heart and prayers. Joy

Anonymous said...

Very nicely written as usual!

I hate to throw my question under this post but not sure where else to ask it....but I am anxiously awaiting for "Summer Travel Adventures with the Griswald.... I mean Grumpy Family!" So, when?? I think anyone new here needs to go back and read the last several years of Summer Vacations. There's one summer that I laugh out loud every time I read it (I am guilty of reading it several times it's that funny).

Happy Monday to all!

Anonymous said...

I read Dr. Karl's CB page. Sure wish we were introduced to him sooner by someone. He sounds like an amazing person. A great attitude. Though he got several years after diagnosis....it's NOT ENOUGH! It's NEVER enough! Sending thoughts and hugs to his family!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting this beautiful tribute. My prayers are with Dr. Karl and his family as they go through this challenging time.

Wendy said...

Dr. Karl, may the time you have left be peacefull.
Like PC said: finish well.

Packer said...

It is nice to see people caring for and about others. I built a wooden boat in my backyard. So I share a bond with another boat builder. Good luck, and prayers for you.

RehabRN said...

Grumpy causes the sitemeter to go bonkers at caringbridge for Karl (see latest message).

All right Grumpy! You rock, neurodude!

stacey said...

Damn. Damn. Just effin' Damn.

Ms. Donna said...

Add one more Catholic (and you of other faiths do the same!) putting up prayers that all goes as well as possible.

Yes, the people in whit coats are human ...

Anonymous said...

It sucks. There does seem to be a bias towards nice guys. I'm a pretty tough customer but it got really dusty in here all of a sudden or something. Give it hell, Dr. Karl. We hear you.

Linda said...

Sending healing prayers to you Dr Karl.
Linda & Jeff
Seattle WA

SMHDVM said...

Here, here!

Anonymous said...

Karl and family = let me pass on agreat TV game, which my friend Bill, after his gamma knife treatment for brain tumor, created.

watching sporting events =
score (you can make up the count, but I suggest a large number) if you can catch announcr using an original phrase to describe some spectacular play or error....

with the olympics, you will have lots of opportunities to use this game. this can be as good as or better that the actual event. we found professional football to be the least original. bet it will also work on the cooking channel shows. .....

best of luck to you and your family.

Gwen said...

I am sorry to hear that Karl lost his fight with brain cancer. *hugs*

Anonymous said...

Grumpy:

FYI Karl recently passed away. His obit is here:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/stltoday/obituary.aspx?n=karl-joseph-orscheln&pid=159700937

RehabRN said...

Sad, sad ending. Thanks for the info Grumpy.

 
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