David has had a heart attack - recovering in the hospital
By Paul Biba
I was getting nervous because David hasn’t posted in so long, so I called him at home and his wife told me that he had a heart attack last Thursday night at about 10pm. Last Friday he had quadruple bypass surgery and is recovering. Evidently all 4 arteries were 90% blocked. David didn’t smoke and was a vegitarian, but his wife said he has a family history of heart problems. She is hoping that he will be released from the hospital this Thursday.
According to his wife, when David comes home he will be very weak and not capable of doing too much. Therefore please don’t call him or send him email. His mailbox is already backed up and he won’t be able to spend too much time on it for a while. However, he is already talking to his wife about the status of his book, so it certainly looks as if he is recovering.
I would suggest that anyone who wants to send their regards to David do so by adding a comment to this post so that David just has to look in one place. If this post gets pushed down by other articles I’ll put it back up at the top again.
For all those who have permission to post on this blog, let’s try to keep things going while David is under the weather.
For those who don’t have permission to post, if you want to send me a post by email, I will put it up with due credit to you. Keeping the blog running is the best thing we can do for David at this point. You can send me any postings at paulkbiba at gmail.com
October 1 Update: Check the Medical Status post for the latest information about David Rothman’s medical condition. We’ll try to update it over time.
September 30th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
David! We at the Institute for the Future of the Book are sorry to hear about this - we hope you make a speedy recovery & that you’re back up and about soon!
September 30th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
David,
GET BETTER! Of course, you realize that the only way you can read dozens and dozens of books without straining your arm is … an e-book reader!
September 30th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
David, so sorry to hear this, but thank goodness you are ok! I pray for your quick and complete recovery.
Best!
Alex
September 30th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
David, may your recovery be swift and sure. Teleread has become an important daily read for me and I’ve come to count on your assessments and arguments to stay informed. May you find yourself well enough to return in coming weeks. Best wishes, Debra
September 30th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Best wishes for a speedy recovery: I’m sure we’ll be able to talk together about ePub and DRM very soon !
September 30th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Take the time you need to recover properly, but get well soon too!
September 30th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Wow, scary. Best wishes!
September 30th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Well, this is sad news indeed. I hope David gets well soon!
All the best from me and from the team of mobileread.com, may we soon be allowed to share friendly banter about DRM and the Tower of eBabel again!
September 30th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Get well soon, David. We’re pulling for you!
September 30th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
get well soon!
September 30th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I’m very sorry to hear about your illness, David. I hope you will feel better soon, as of course, is most likely. In fact, I understand that the biggest risk to bypass patients is that they feel so MUCH better, so fast, that they tend to overdo.
In any case, take care, and come back soon, to make us all think!
September 30th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Sorry to hear about this sad news. I do hope that you have a pain-free, speedy, and complete recovery, David.
This website is the best source for news and information about e-books. You were one of the first to see the enormous positive potential of a universal e-library and to compose hortatory op-eds. You have opposed monopolies and wrong-headed restrictions by persuasively championing the cause of e-books that are DRM-free, standards-based, and accessible-to-all. These actions have been a fantastic inspiration to the many people who care about the future of culture and learning. You have made a big difference, and you can see that numerous well-wishers eagerly await your next post at TeleRead.
Three years ago my father suffered a stroke and the doctors determined that he required sextuple bypass surgery. I had never heard of a six-way bypass until it was being performed on my father. The good news is that the surgery was successful and he is now recovered and doing very well. David, I hope that this example is heartening (and perhaps this bad pun can reduce some of the somberness).
I deeply wish that you will achieve the healthiest best possible outcome and look forward to seeing your byline again soon.
September 30th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
David, I am very sorry to hear about your heart attack. I wish you a swift and full recovery. Feel better.
September 30th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
For the record, I’ve been out of the country for the last three weeks, but I am back now. If you have any questions about Teleread or need help, I am available at idiotprogrammer at fastmailbox.net
September 30th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
David -
I was sorry to hear about your health crisis, but hopeful that the worst is behind you and you’re well on your way to a full recovery. When a relative of mine had a triple bypass, once he was fully recovered he said he felt twenty years younger. I hope the same turns out to be true for you.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
So sorry to hear about the heart attack. I hope your recovery is speedy and complete.
Michael
September 30th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I hope he’s built like an ox.
He knows I’ll be waiting for his email and why.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
David, get well soon!
September 30th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
David,
Sorry to hear about your illness. Get well soon!
I had quadruple bypass surgery in 2005. I am doing fine now. You may find that you feel better in some ways after a couple months than you did prior to the surgery.
Looking forward to your return,
John
September 30th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
David, get well soon! We all miss you…
September 30th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
David, I’m so sorry to hear about your attack and surgery. Thankfully it sounds like your doctor dealt with the blockages and that you’re on the road to recovery. We’re all looking forward to you getting back in the saddle again on TeleRead!
Joe Wikert
September 30th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Oh my gosh! David, PLEASE don’t worry about the blog stuff—just focus on getting better! If there is ANYTHING at all that we can do for you, just let us know. You are in my thoughts.
September 30th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
So sorry to hear of your heart attack, yet thrilled to hear that the recovery is going well. You’ll be missed while you’re gone, but take your time getting back up to speed. I wish you a speedy recovery and the best of health. And when you’re ready again, we will look forward to more of your thoughts on all topics!
September 30th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Get well soon, David.
September 30th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
David - Get Well Soon! We can’t fight the DRM battle without you.
September 30th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Wishing you a speedy recovery, David.
September 30th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
David,
I was shocked to hear the news and send you every wish for a quick and complete recovery. Like so many others, I’d noticed the slowdown in Teleread postings. I had hoped it was merely an overdue vacation.
Get better and come back–we miss you.
Rob Preece
Publisher, http://www.BooksForABuck.com
September 30th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
David, Karina and I hope that you feel better soon! Take good care, and we’ll wait for your return here whenever you’re ready.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:12 am
David,
I want to add my best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. Teleread.org is one of my favorite stops whenever I am online. You have created a valued, informative and much respected presence in our growing e-world. Thank you! I too will be here for you when you return.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:45 am
All the best. Get well soon. I don’t comment often but I read it all & send articles to other people. Your work is much appreciated.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:01 am
David, take it easy… for now. More fights to be fought.
Best wishes.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:36 am
Get well very soon!
October 1st, 2008 at 3:40 am
Please do get better soon!
October 1st, 2008 at 5:02 am
David - all the best for a speedy recovery. Thinking of you. James
October 1st, 2008 at 5:13 am
Get better soon - we need our ebook advocates fit and well! Best wishes from mine to you and yours, and take it easy.
October 1st, 2008 at 5:35 am
Having spent some recuperative time in hospitals, I’ll keep this short:
Like everybody above said, get well soon and don’t scare us like that again.
The battle to establish ebooks properly is in need of your continued diligent service, so you aren’t allowed to croak for quite a while yet.
A friend of mine runs a local Temple. I’ll ask her to send up something for you. Hope you don’t mind that it’ll be Reform. Tough if you do, ‘cuz I’m gonna have her send it up anyway.
Ed
October 1st, 2008 at 5:39 am
Best wishes for a speedy recovery from someone who had a triple bypass 2 years ago. Please get enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program as soon as feasible. I blog for my program at:
http://cargsaskatoon.blogspot.com
October 1st, 2008 at 6:10 am
Get well soon, David!
October 1st, 2008 at 7:04 am
David - you’ll get through this. You know my history. Others, I’ve had two bypasses - 1991 & 2003, Its not easy, but he should make it and be back stronger than ever.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:03 am
Dear David, I hope that you will fully recover soon and that you will be able to continue your work for this community.
Yours sincerely,
your e-collegues from the Netherlands.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:32 am
Hi David,
Sending my best wishes and looking forward to seeing you back online again. Get well soon!
Mike
October 1st, 2008 at 8:50 am
David,
Get well soon! You are a strong man and I know that you will not be away from Teleread for too long. My best wishes for you and your wife. If if need anything, please ask. Of Course you are in my prayers.
Ellen
October 1st, 2008 at 8:53 am
David, here is hoping for a speedy recovery. Do what needs to be done to enhance the recovery process. My prayers are with you!! Take care!!
October 1st, 2008 at 9:09 am
get well soon, david! we are all pulling for you!
October 1st, 2008 at 9:27 am
Get better soon David!
October 1st, 2008 at 9:47 am
We’re rooting for you, David!
October 1st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
David, you worry me. I wish you fast recovery.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Hope that you are home very soon and have a speedy recovery.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
While we need (and will miss) your passion here in the fight against DRM and ebabel please direct your passion now towards getting back on your feet!
Here’s to a speedy and full recovery.
Cheers!!
October 1st, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Best wishes, David Rothman. I hope you get back to health and to your writing and advocacy soon.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Glad to hear the surgery went well, praying for a speedy recovery.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:39 pm
David, get well soon! Very sorry to hear about this experience. I’ll be thinking of you and hoping for a fast recovery.
– Paul
October 1st, 2008 at 3:45 pm
David:
My best wishes for you to get better soon.
Ahmed Hindawi
October 1st, 2008 at 7:53 pm
David, I’m so relieved that you are OK. I hope the recovery won’t be long. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Michael
October 1st, 2008 at 7:57 pm
David, so sorry to hear about this but I’m thankful you’re alright and I’m wishing for your speedy recovery. Please take care - you have many friends among us who can’t imagine not having you as part of our lives.
Mark Coker
October 1st, 2008 at 8:11 pm
David, I’m thinking of you and hoping for you and your family, but I know that you’ll be up and swinging faster than bits travel on the wires across the country.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Hi David, I hope you are recovering quickly and the worst discomfort to you right now is boredom and hopsital food! Thinking of you, and wishing for a full and speedy recovery.
Best wishes,
Kate Eltham
Australia.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Our thoughts are with you and your wife.
Get well and back at it soon — I miss reading your comments!
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:10 am
David, get well soon!
You have many friends and we wish you a speedy recovery.
October 2nd, 2008 at 5:12 am
David,
All best wishes from Pan Macmillan, we hope you have a very speedy recovery indeed! Just let us know if you need any ebooks
October 2nd, 2008 at 6:51 am
David,
Just a couple of days ago we exchanged emails. And now I read this. I am sure you will recover very soon. And all the best for you and your family
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:37 am
David, I am sure you will recover soon! Get well and take few months of rest (and of peaceful e-book reading), they are well deserved!
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:31 am
Here’s hoping you get better soon, David! Take as much rest as you need, and I hope we’ll see you back online when you’re ready.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:15 am
Get well, David! What would the ebook world be without this marvelous site you’ve created?
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:53 am
Get well soon!
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:40 am
Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery. Good luck!
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
David, this is outrageous! Pull yourself together, man! What on earth do you think you’re playing at? As you can see, everyone insists that you get better immediately!
But seriously, take it easy. You’re needed and appreciated.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
David — sending lots of healing thoughts your way.
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
David-
Sending you wishes for a speedy recovery!!!!
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:55 am
Hope you have the fastest recovery, David!
Best wishes,
Íñigo Gil
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Best wishes for a quick recovery.
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Teleread has been de-facto digital publishing information platform for some years and very enthusiastically and passionately pursued by David. I pray & wish a speedy recovery to David Rothman.
October 5th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
David,
Just now hearing the news. Please get well soon. My thoughts for a speedy recovery are with you and your family.
October 6th, 2008 at 10:31 am
David — Was just thinking about the XyWrite book: takes me back how long our paths have been intertwined. And how long we have both concluded what is important in developing publishing. Take good care of yourself, and recover fully!
Roger
October 6th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Dear David: I hope you are on the road to recovery and look forward to speaking with a healthy you shortly.
All best,
Claire Israel
October 7th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Get well soon, David
October 15th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
To David Rothman’s wife:
Get enough sleep — you have a great deal to do.
If he doesn’t expect to feel years younger, he’ll avoid depression.
Help him fight that urge to sit and sit with his legs crossed.
If you get those organizer boxes and put his pills in them so that he doesn’t have to do anything but take them he’ll be more likely to take them properly.
Know that there are many, many people out here cheering for you both and looking forward to the day when all this is but a dim memory.