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Braublog

News break

By David Brauer | 04/25/11

This blog — and yours truly — are going on hiatus.

The short version is that I was in the hospital last week with what turns out to be liver damage. After a couple of harrowing days dancing with the unknown, doctors said it was a bad reaction to some drug I took (boring legal pills of some sort — my organs are challenged by many things, but the rock-and-roll lifestyle is not one of them).

They kicked me out of the hospital and said the liver will heal on its own, but no one is sure of the timetable, and it could get worse before getting better. Trying to resume normal activities this weekend, it became obvious I need to devote my energies to my recovery — at this point, I am fatigued, jaundiced, itchy (my wife likens this to a pregnancy symptom) and my guts aren't exactly happy with everything that's happened.

Again, I'm healing, not in a hospice. Emails and tips are most welcome, especially to punctuate the boredom, though I'll farm them out to the MinnPost newsroom. I've been pinging out occasional updates on Twitter, and 140 characters is about all I can promise for the foreseeable. Thanks to everyone for the support and the patience.

Comments (37)

Submitted by Howard Salute on April 25, 2011 - 12:03pm.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Submitted by David DeCoux on April 25, 2011 - 12:05pm.

Taking recovery seriously is the right thing to do. Take care David.

Submitted by Michael Mischke on April 25, 2011 - 12:10pm.

David:

Thanks for the explanation. I was wondering why you weren't your prolific self this past week and a half. Take care of yourself.

Submitted by Andy Gifford on April 25, 2011 - 12:21pm.

You'll be in my thoughts, David. Here's hoping you're back on the muckraking circuit soon.

Submitted by John Olson on April 25, 2011 - 12:22pm.

Take care of yourself and get well.

Submitted by Kimbers Cadieux on April 25, 2011 - 12:56pm.

Glad to hear that this will heal on it's own. Take care!

Submitted by Greg Price on April 25, 2011 - 1:05pm.

Sorry to hear about your situation. Hope that it works out well for you.

The Brauer Blog is why I read MinnPost. First thing I read every time I enter.

I wish you well

Submitted by Mark Gisleson on April 25, 2011 - 1:15pm.

I, on the other hand, am in perfect health.

Yes, there is no justice in this world, at least not since Bill Casey cut a deal with the Ayatollah, stabbing America in the back and putting us on the road to massive Republican deficit spending as covered up by Wall Street Democrats, all of whom are growing new back-up livers courtesy of the Chinese government's organ harvesting death rows for those convicted of littering and and practicing Falun Gong.

And yes, that's a get well soon joke. Sort of.

Submitted by Jason on April 25, 2011 - 1:19pm.

Really, get well soon. Your insights will be missed.

Submitted by Beth Hawkins on April 25, 2011 - 1:43pm.

Geez, David, what a bummer. I'm glad to hear it'll heal, and I'm grateful that if you are forced to convalesce it's at least baseball season!

Submitted by Tim Walker on April 25, 2011 - 3:27pm.

As all the others have said, please get well soon, David.

Submitted by Eric Black on April 25, 2011 - 3:46pm.

Best wishes, teammate.

Submitted by Pat Borzi on April 25, 2011 - 6:07pm.

What Black said.

Submitted by Stan Daniels on April 25, 2011 - 6:35pm.

Sorry to hear about your illness David. I'm glad you are taking time off to take care of yourself. Get well soon and my best to your entire family.

Submitted by Neal Gendler on April 25, 2011 - 10:49pm.

Sorry you've got trouble, David. I join the others in wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

Like Greg (above) I make Braublog my first click on the site. I'll really miss your insightful herding of the cats of the news and entertainment media.

L'refuah shlema.

Submitted by Allison Sandve on April 26, 2011 - 10:54am.

Take care and get well!

Submitted by Hannah on April 26, 2011 - 11:06am.

Best wishes, David, for healing and recuperation.

Submitted by Sylvia Burgos Toftness on April 26, 2011 - 11:08am.

Will miss your frequency of your insightful posts, but will keep an eye out for Twitter hiakus. Take good care.

Submitted by John Edwards on April 26, 2011 - 11:40am.

Your blog is the best on the site. Your production is amazing.

Submitted by Martin Owings on April 26, 2011 - 11:41am.

Thank you for sharing this David. Get better and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers (those that pray). I eagerly await your triumphant return!

Submitted by Dennis Schapiro on April 26, 2011 - 11:42am.

Get well soon. We need you.

Submitted by Beryl John-Knudson on April 26, 2011 - 12:06pm.

Get well...come back here soon...your concerned and faithful readership waits for your return to good health and the return of your special stories to fill this space...yes,sir.

Submitted by Bob Berglund on April 26, 2011 - 2:00pm.

So that explains the dearth of good media coverage of late. As one who suffered complete liver failure many years ago (and fully recovered), I can attest to what a remarkable organ it is. Give it time and be good to it!

Submitted by Jo Marsicano on April 26, 2011 - 2:18pm.

David,

Get well soon! Your blog is my favorite part of MinnPost.

Submitted by Hal Sanders on April 26, 2011 - 2:38pm.

Best wishes! Take care of yourself and hurry back. Reading your blog is 90 pct. of my time on MinnPost.

Submitted by Charlie Brose on April 26, 2011 - 3:30pm.

David, I enjoy your column and look forward to you being back in the saddle. In the meantime I'll keep watch for your input on Twitter.

Submitted by Carol Arnold on April 26, 2011 - 6:38pm.

David, best wishes for your recovery. Your column is go-to reading for me, and I'll look forward to your return.

Submitted by Steve Sundberg on April 27, 2011 - 12:46am.

A speedy recovery and return, David!

Submitted by Martha Malan on April 27, 2011 - 11:51am.

Get well, David, you are missed.

Submitted by David Brauer on April 28, 2011 - 9:21am.

Thank you everybody - I'm very touched, and grateful. The support means a lot, not to mention distracting me from the itching.

Submitted by Rosemary Rocco on May 2, 2011 - 2:46pm.

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. Beets, eat lots of beets in any form-very good for the liver.

Submitted by Craig Miller on May 2, 2011 - 10:08pm.

Hezuze de kristiee!

Cap'n DB please get well! Someone just filled me in on your absense. You and I agree on nothing. But our local world here needs you. Yeah-Yeah-Yeah get well for you and the family. But get well for me darn it! How can I know if my politics and thinking are right, if I can't litmus test them against your daily work? Recently saw your old SWJ for two months strait. Not bad if your a foody. They should have kept you.

Submitted by Sysliene Turpin on May 4, 2011 - 3:32pm.

Best wishes for getting well. As a Dermatology nurse, I have some suggestions for helping the itching. You may already know some of these suggestions.
Get some sunshine. The UVA in sunlight helps calm the nerve endings. This in turn calms the itching. 15-20 mins during the hours of 10 to 2 are the most potent. Use good sense and watch for burning. Lotion often, dampen skin first. Sheepskin to sleep on has been found to be comforting. Small frequent meals is easier on the gi system. ginger has been found to help with indigestion, ginger tea is availble or chews. Take care of yourself, the liver's ability to heal itself is true wondrous thing.

Submitted by Craig Stellmacher on May 4, 2011 - 7:11pm.

Very sorry to hear this Dave. I always read your column, so I can think of two reasons you'll be missed...

Get well, and it's your bleeping birthday too?!

Craig

Submitted by Paul Rohlfing on May 4, 2011 - 8:50pm.

Hang in there. Your blog is my favorite MinnPost stop - but don't tell Beth Hawkins I said so.

Submitted by Britt Johnsen on May 10, 2011 - 9:20pm.

Get well soon!! We will miss your column, but it's great that you're resting.

Submitted by Julie Kramer on May 16, 2011 - 11:07am.

We're missing you and your blog, Dave. We'll be glad to welcome you back. In the meantime, rest.