Hi. It’s me

First of all, I want to thank my lovely wife for filling in so far. She’s done a terrific job.

Second, I think it is amazing to see the outpouring of support and good wishes for my recovery. I never expected anything like this to happen to me. Who would? Nevertheless, I’m down here in Jacksonville at a hospital that specializes in putting people like me back together again. Every day is filled with all types of physical therapy dedicated to enabling the right side of my body to converse with the left side once more. I have no idea what to expect of my physical abilities the day I walk out of here (or get wheeled out of here) in mid-February. But I am certainly hoping for the best.

Saturday and Sunday are generally very quiet days. Gives me time to work and to reflect upon everything I’m dealing with. This is unlike anything I have ever had to handle in my life. There are days that I really don’t want to think about what I have to face. But I feel like it’s my job to keep as positive an attitude going as is humanly possible. I owe that to my family and friends.

Thank you for all your support.

PAD

100 comments on “Hi. It’s me

  1. Good to have your e-voice back. And glad to see you things are going well.

    You have a great wife, by the way. Her posts have been so heartfelt. Don’t let her go.

    But you know that.

    Excelsior, Mr. David!

  2. Welcome back, good sir — a great relief to “hear” from you!

    Recovery is a long process — I remember a colleague telling me last year when I finally got back into the classroom that I was “going to have to redefine [my] definition of walking quickly.” He was right, for a time … but it definitely gets a ton better, and from everything I’m seeing you’re making fantastic progress so far. Best wishes to everyone.

  3. Glad to hear that you are recovering well. I’ve been keeping you and yours in my thoughts, and hope that you’ll soon be home, hale and happy.

  4. I’m glad to hear that you’re well on the road to recovery! We’ll miss you at Farpoint this year, but there will be many other conventions to see you again. You can expect countless hugs given to you at your next public appearances, because we fans and friends care about you more than just for your acerbic wit and brilliant writing! Please take care, the universe would be in out of balance without you! (No pressure…)

  5. Glad to see that you’re getting back into things, Mr. David. It was an honor meeting you at NYCC, last year. I was the young lady who waited over 2 hours, & was the only one, at your table. 😉

  6. Good to know you’re doing better. Recovery is never easy, but I know you can do it. My thoughts, good wishes, and prayers are with you.

  7. You’ve always ranked as a top author to me. You’re the only one who can to sign in Worcester, MA. I felt very privileged to meet you, and grateful you’d come to the comic store I always frequented.
    I’ve always thought highly of you and I wish all the best in your recovery.
    Godspeed, sir.

  8. Great to see your writing here once again, Sir. Best wishes to you and your family.

    Lorin

  9. Good to see you posting, Peter! You have many friends and fans who care about you and are hoping for a quick and uneventful recovery.

    My dad had a stroke a couple of years ago, and it took him a while to fully recover, but he’s done very well. I know a little about how frustrating it can be sometimes, so don’t doubt that my thoughts and hopes go out to you.

    Take care, and best wishes to you and your family!

  10. So glad to see you back on the net. I hope you continue to recover well. All my good wishes are with you. The Boogie Knights will be thinking of you at Farpoint.

  11. Peter, I’m so glad your recovery is going well. It truly sucks that this happened in the first place, but I know you’ve got the chutzpah to deal with it. You, Kathleen and the family are constantly in my thoughts.

  12. Mr David, you don’t know me but I’ve been enjoying your writing for many decades now and I’d just like to wish you the very best for a speedy recovery.

    Grant, Scotland.

  13. Peter: You may recall portraying “Marryin’ Sam” for Bayway/Broadhollow Theaters back in 1999. My wife Miriam was also a cast-member and I did the theater-pictures. My wife still has one of the books of cartoon-dailies which you kindly gave to other cast-members at the time.
    In any case, herewith the best wishes for your recovery from an unrepentant right-winger – I voted for Goldwater – who experienced something similar – but much less severe – in 2011.
    On the Friday evening that Hurricane Irene blew in, I was watching the weather-report when I was treated to the most amazing display of flashing colored lights. I had Mimi drive me to the nearest emergency-ward at Southside
    Hospital, not knowing they were already under evacuation orders.
    I walked in under my own steam, told them I thought I was having a stroke and apparently pitched a fit. The next thing I remember was waking up in the neurological ward of North Shore University Hospital on the other side of the Island. I was stuck full of enough electronic leads and tubing for a small rocket-launch, and it was late Sunday afternoon.
    Turns out I did NOT have a stroke but rather a DAVM,
    which fortunately was in the dura-mater and not the brain.
    As a result, they were able to treat it by shooting my head full of plastic. This was uncertain, because if the plastic did not hold they were going to want to saw my skull open, which I did not anticipate with enthusiasm.
    So I spent a year worrying, which is the worst part,
    before they decided to pronounce me “cured.”
    If I was sincerely religious, I would say that the folks upstairs/downstairs didn’t want me at that moment, but more likely, as a friend of mine remarked, I was just too mean to go! (Whatever works!)
    So, with the above in mind, I take comfort in the thought that you still live & are rational, and therefore presumably capable of more work in the future. It is our work which gives purpose to our lives and defines us. I am glad that there are still chapters which NEED to be written in YOUR book.
    (When things feel bad – and they will – THAT is the thought you need to hold onto. Believe me, it WILL help.) Again, my best wishes: WEH.

  14. Peter: You may remember portraying “Marryin’ Sam” in 1999 for Bayway/Broadhollow Theaters. My wife was also in the cast and I was the publicity/theater-photographer.
    I am sorry to hear of your illness, but gratified at your survival & apparent progress. Having been through something similar – although much less severe – in 2011, I would presume to offer the following comment:
    In the immediate future, your biggest problem is going to be “in your head,” and I specifically am NOT referring to the PHYSICAL malady which has afflicted you.
    If you believe – as I do – that it is our “work” which defines us, then you may optimistically conclude that there are chapters in YOUR “story” which still NEED to be written.
    When things “feel bad” – as they will – THAT is the thought which can save you if you hold onto it tightly enough.
    The very best hopes of an unrepentant Goldwater-voter for your strong recovery and continued activity. WEH.

  15. Glad to see your back! I purchased your most recent New Frontier book and can’t wait till you write the next one. Been following it for a long time and can’t wait to see you write in Star Trek universe again.

    I’ve been praying for your speedy recovery and I’m very very happy to see your blogging again!

  16. I’m glad to hear of your recovery so far and hope that things keep improving. My wishes go out to you and Kathleen. She’s been a saint in keeping us updated on your progress and passing along the good news when it comes. I hope that things can get back to pre-stroke normal soon.

  17. Feels so good knowing you’re able to post this for yourself and that you’ll be going home!

  18. I don’t know you personally, Mr. David, but I’m a reader and a fan, and I’ve been interacting with you for 17 years online, and you always get through any situation with humor, courage, and a positive, forward-looking point-of-view. I’ve never seen you let anything get you down. This is the most frightening thing that you’ve experienced and you and Kathleen have handled it all with amazing grace and strength. Not only do I wish you a speedy and full recovery and wish your family all the best, but I thank you and Kathleen for sharing your experiences and feelings. IMO your insight is invaluable for helping others who might have to go through a similar situation.

  19. I’m amazed by your progress. Take care of yourself, PAD- we want you around as long as we can have you!

  20. Hi Peter. Best wishes from Dublin, Ireland. It’s good to hear that your recovery has started and that you are back blogging. I am travelling to London next month to London Super Comic-Con, and I was particularly looking forward to meeting you. Oh well, maybe next year.

  21. CHARLIE! Welcome back. (Whoops, wrong show)

    Welcome back Peter, you are welcome. May your rest and recovery continue.

  22. Peter, you are an amazing writer and I wish I had the chance to know you personally- you seem like an intelligent, creative and witty human being. I will always be a fan of your writing- from marvel to the idw spike comics, you are one of the few writers i know who I see your name on and am sure of its quality.

    I am sorry to hear about your stroke but I will hope for the best for you and continue to buy your work in support. Truly wish the best for your recovery and will hope to see more from you in future.

  23. Great news on your ongoing recovery. I am so happy for you and your family.
    Keep fighting the good fight.
    Get well.

  24. With all the enjoyment and thought you have provided over the years, I couldn’t do anything but offer my best wishes and prayers for your recovery — and, with it, your return to work. 🙂

  25. Was reading your “Hulk:Ground Zero” paperback last night. I wish Marvel would create a DVD with all your Hulk written issues on it.

  26. Gee, PAD, some guys will go to extreme lengths just to try and steal the spotlight from Stan Lee on his 90th B-day! :o)

    Seriously though, it’s great to hear that you have been able to keep a positive attitude. I have ALS and know how frustrating it is to be unable to move, do, or even say the words that you want to when you try. Your family and friends are your greatest strength, believe it or not being positive for them is a great gift to give them.

    One thing I found is that having ALS changed me to a different person. I am not talking about the physical limitations of the disease or my physical appearance because of its affect. I am talking about who I am on the inside and viewing precious life and those around me differently. It may sound trite, but it is only after great pain and suffering that an oyster makes a pearl. I don’t know why this had to happen to you or why you and your family have to go through this PAD, all I know is that when something like this robs your life from you that you will find yourself at a crossroad ..it can either destroy you or make you stronger. Either path allows you to see everything around you differently, it just depends on which perspective you decide to look from.

    Know that you and your family are in my family’s thoughts and prayers. You are one of my heroes, PAD! Stay strong!

  27. Just heard about this from a post from George Takei on Facebook today. I am glad to hear that you are on the mend and I look forward to seeing you at Shore Leave again soon.

    Mike Winters

  28. Peter, God bless. You and your family have been in my family’s prayers since the stroke. Hope you will be home soon,
    back to doing everything you love.

  29. Dude…from what we’ve all heard… You’ll be walking out of there. Not wheeled. Keep the faith and get better.

  30. Hey Peter,

    Your lovely wife posted a little while ago that its been a while since you’ve been to a comic shop. It just so happens that I own a comic shop here in Jacksonville Beach.

    If you need anything, let me know and I’ll run it over and drop it off at reception with a note so it finds its way to you.

    If there’s anything we can do to help out while your here, just let me know.

    –Cheers
    Neil Sindicich
    Superhero Beach
    superherobeach@gmail.com

  31. Hi.

    I lost my internet for about a month, so I just found out about this a few days ago. It was pretty shocking.

    I realise that we’ve never met and that I don’t actually know you in any real sense, but after reading this blog regularly for the last few years it certainly feels like we’re acquainted. So when I read about the stroke on here, it felt more like it happened to an old friend (well, at least a close acquaintance), rather than some distant celebrity.

    So it’s a huge relief for me to know that you are recovering steadily, and that your mind is still clear (that was my biggest worry).

    I hope you continue to improve and that the Peter I’ve come to know (sort of) will be around for decades to come.

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