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Author Topic: RIP John Pytlak (was titled "John Pytlak recovering well from a mild heart attack") Pravin Ratnam Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 844 From: Atlanta, GA,USA Registered: Sep 2002 posted 07-09-2007 04:46 PM                     John, Really inspiring article to read. I knew about your accomplishments in Kodak, but it is another thing to read your bio and see what an accomplished life you have had so far. You not only made a difference technically, but you made your contribution to the environment, traveled the world, and still remained a good family man. I have been an underachiever in the last decade. But I have been changing that in recent months. And whenever I come to this website and read this thread, it helps remind me to keep pushing and enjoying life. And I am going to remember this article you have posted when it comes to pushing me to greater heights. Last year, I have already determined that I need to travel overseas at least once every two years on the average.  |  IP: Logged Chad M Calpito Master Film Handler Posts: 435 From: San Diego, CA Registered: Apr 2006 posted 07-09-2007 06:39 PM                        Thanks for posting such an awesome and inspiring article. You are truely a man of Honor and Courage.  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-09-2007 08:18 PM                        Agreed with the others--that was a well-written and inspiring article. Many thanks to John for posting it, as well as his years of dedication to his family and to the industry.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 07-30-2007 06:10 AM                        Hello fellow Film-Tech friends! I've just had a "near death experience" : I just spent two days in the hospital (Thursday and Friday, July 26-27) after a very scary event on Wednesday evening. Our older daughter Katie had been spending the week in Rochester from Boston with us to help out. I had purchased a new Toshiba notebook computer system (with Windows Vista Home Premium) that was delivered earlier in the week, and had unpacked it. I was getting ready for bed at about 10:00pm Wednesday, and noticed some of the empty boxes were still in the side hall. I took one small box into the garage through the swinging storm door and down two steps. No problem, although my legs are getting quite weak and wobbly from loss of body mass, especially since mid May (down to 115 pounds from a pre-cancer weight of 172 pounds). The second empty box was large and bulky, so I decided to gently pull it backward through the swinging door. The last thing I remember is pulling on the box as I backed through the door. The next is the Ambulance EMT crew strapping me to a flat board with a neck brace, and shining lights into my eyes, probably 7-10 minutes later. Katie heard the crash, and was the first to find me, flat on my back, totally unconscious on the cement floor of the garage. She says I was not breathing, and she began gentle chest compression and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Younger daughter Annie helped too, while my wife Betsy called 911 for the ambulance. Katie says I started breathing on my own in 30-40 seconds, and after a few minutes was groggily talking to her. The back top right side of my head was bleeding profusely from a deep ragged gash where I had hit my head during the fall backward onto the garage floor. I also had some bruising and abrasion along my back. The Ambulance EMT crew was great. Our neighbor is an EMT, got the call, and ran right down to our house. After securing and checking me out, the ambulance crew rushed me to the hospital where I have been going since my illness began last September. Betsy rode in the ambulance, and our good neighbors gave Katie and Annie a ride to the hospital. At the hospital, they cleaned the head wound. It took six stitches to close the ragged gash. They took x-rays to look for rib or back injury, and a head CT scan. The head CT scan showed some fluid buildup on the right side of the brain, and there was a bit of weakness and tingling in my left foot. They prescribed a strong cortisone type drug to help reduce the brain swelling, and I spent the next two days in the hospital to heal, build my strength, and recoup a bit. Katie's husband Jim and our grandson Ben drove in from Boston, and visited me in the hospital to cheer me, along with the constant daytime presence of Betsy, Katie and Annie in shifts. Before being released, I had some PT to be sure I could walk with the help of a walker, and even climb stairs with rails. Even though I can walk and climb stairs slowly, my muscle weakness and the weaker left side (I drag my left foot a bit) require that someone walk with me to steady me and be sure I don't fall down again. I came home from the hospital late Friday afternoon (July 27). Saturday, a visiting home nurse checked my vital signs and redressed the head wound. Then a physical therapist gave me a home evaluation of my capabilities with a walker and stairs, and agreed that until I am more steady on my feet, I need someone to walk with me. It looks like I will still be able to travel to the local cancer clinic for my regular IV hydration on Tuesdays and Fridays. Everyone agrees that I not try to do too much on my own, especially never stairs into the garage or basement, lest I take another bad fall. My sister and her husband visited Saturday, while the nurse and PT were here, and then spent most of the afternoon. It was an enjoyable visit, making Saturday a very full day. Katie, Jim and Ben drove back to Boston Saturday evening, as Jim has to work at his high school's summer retreat starting Sunday evening and for the week, and Katie is working half time at her campus ministry job at Boston College. I am getting back on a normal schedule. I am able to have a "clear liquid" diet, which includes water, fruit juice, Jello, broth, and other clear liquids without bulk. Unfortunately, the complete intestinal blockage precludes more calorie-rich liquids like Boost or Ensure or soups. So at most, I am getting only about 500 calories per day, and likely to continue losing weight and strength. Fortunately, last week after several days of severe vomiting, I was prescribed Protonix to stop stomach acid, and it has somehow also helped greatly reduce the vomiting that I had been having to throw up digestive juices. So I am able to hold down these clear liquids and my medicines. For now, I am sleeping downstairs, in a fully adjustable hospital bed set up in our family room, right next to a comfortable recliner, both facing my new HD television -- a pretty cozy setup. (But I still miss getting to see movies on a big theatre screen ). Annie has been comuting each evening from her job in Buffalo, and plans to sleep downstairs if I need any help during the night. I also spend time at the computer. Jim was able to set up my new notebook computer, and transfer most of the files and set it up on a wireless home network, and my plans are to complete the transfers from my old (Windows ME) system during the next week. In five years, I've accumulated over 5000 Kodak digital photos, that are now backed up to a separate USB hard drive, and tranferred to the new computer. I've always been a "pack rat" like my Dad (my basement is still filled with hundreds of boxes and files), and my computer files are no exception. Well, as you can see, I've had quite a week! Katie jokes that she intends to write a book about her father's "nine lives" of experience since last September. In reality, everyone's prayers and good wishes have seen me through alot, and cheered me along the way this past year. I've gotten to see and play with my wonderful first grandchild Ben many times, I've just celebrated my 59th birthday, I still am able to help my friends here on Film-Tech, and now I've survived a near death experience (no, I didn't "see the light"). I'm ready for death, but life is certainly still worth living. Like the Engergizer Bunny, I keep on going. Please keep those prayers and good wishes coming.  |  IP: Logged Michael Barry Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 584 From: Sydney, NSW, Australia Registered: Nov 1999 posted 07-30-2007 06:28 AM                     Hi John, That is really quite scary! I am so relieved to see that you're recovering from your fall...I think Katie is right; you do indeed have nine lives! All the best and god speed, Michael.  |  IP: Logged Mark J. Marshall Film God Posts: 3188 From: New Castle, DE, USA Registered: Aug 2002 posted 07-30-2007 10:12 AM                    That's an amazing story, John. It sounds like you have a great family and support structure in place there. I know I login to Film-Tech all the time looking for updates on you, and it's always nice to see your posts, but that is a scary one. Please stay well, and enjoy your time with your family as much as you can. You're in my prayers. Take care, Mark  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 07-30-2007 01:18 PM                        Sorry to hear of yet another speedbump. Yes, bad things DO happen to wonderful people. Louis  |  IP: Logged David Stambaugh Film God Posts: 4021 From: Eugene, Oregon Registered: Jan 2002 posted 07-30-2007 01:56 PM                        John, you continue to be in my thoughts!  |  IP: Logged Dustin Mitchell Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1865 From: Mondovi, WI, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 07-30-2007 02:57 PM                     John, Two and a half years ago my wife (then friend) moved here from Canada. After a long fight with ovarian cancer which culminated with a complete hysterectomy, her doctor had told her there was nothing else they could do for her. The pathology report from her surgery had indicated the cancer had likely spread to the lymphatic system. Her doctor even told her to 'ignore the pain' and refused to perscribe any pain medication (that's a whole different story right there). Shortly after coming here she had a few 'near death' experiences. Several nights in the same week it became extremely difficult for her to breath. I'm sure it was only a few seconds but at a few points she stopped breathing completely and it seemed like forever. After each 'episode' she was temporarily blind (boy was that scary the first time when we didn't know it was 'temporary'); I can only assume the oxygen deprivation she suffered during the episode caused this. My point? Two and a half years on she is relatively healthy (osteo-arthrites is not fun, especially when you're only 25 ) and free of cancer. I will admit your situation sounds a bit more grave. One has to face realities. However, never give up hope. The next miracle treatment may just be a day away. Hang in there, we're all pulling for you.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 07-30-2007 03:48 PM                     John, at 500 calories a day you are in desperate need of protein (although you probably already know this). Check out Unjury. It is a near tasteless protein that you can mix in with chicken broth and such to help give your body protein while you are on a liquid only diet. Check with your doctors, but I think that would work in your situation. Rest up and take care.  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 07-30-2007 06:25 PM                       Oh, John. That's terrible. I'm very sad to know you are going through so much pain and anguish. I'm worried for you, and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You do need protein, and that stuff Brad mentioned sounds like it might do the trick. Is there nothing they can do to clear that blockage? Like a bypass or something?  |  IP: Logged Martin Brooks Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 900 From: Forest Hills, NY, USA Registered: May 2002 posted 07-30-2007 07:06 PM                        John, you are absolutely amazing. In spite of all the terrible health problems you're dealing with, you still come across as positive and active. When I get a bad cold, I couldn't write a message as clearly and comprehensively as you just did. You're obviously a fighter and I have been continually impressed by how you've handled this. You're an inspiration to us all. As compared with you, we should be ashamed when we obsess about trivial matters.  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 07-30-2007 08:08 PM                        Sorry to hear about all of that, but am happy to hear that you're home and doing better. When you regain consciousness after involuntarily losing it, every thing's so odd because you don't know what happened or how how much time has passed, etc. Not fun and quite scary. But I'm glad you're here to tell us about it with your usual detail. You need more links in your post, though.  |  IP: Logged Gerard S. Cohen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 975 From: Forest Hills, NY, USA Registered: Sep 2001 posted 07-30-2007 08:42 PM                     Well John, you have a most amazing brain to describe your experiences so vividly after such a head bashing! A brain like an anvil. Didn't Carl Sandburg in "The People, Yes" write "This old anvil has broken many hammers?" I've just had a biopsy that reveals that my "Benign Enlarged Prostate" is no longer benign, so I've had a bone scan and a CT scan and am going for a MRI at Sloan-Kettering. The big C finally caught me at 77. Though you're still a young pup, your accomplishments and fortitude are examples to us all. Have you thought of using a recorder to leave an audio or video biography for your future grandchildren?  |  IP: Logged Phil Hill I love my cootie bug Posts: 7595 From: Hollywood, CA USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 07-30-2007 11:21 PM                  Gosh John, you're a real trooper and fighter! I wish I had your outlook and stamina. But, when it comes to all that sorta stuff, I'm a pussy. As Gerard suggested, I hope you are video recording glimpses of your life, your insights, accomplishments, and words of wisdom for your grandchildren. An excellent idea! We all know you, but your future generations may not. As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers. >>> Phil  |  IP: Logged

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