The Bernard Baran Blog

Dear Friend of Bee,

Our friend David Foley yesterday sent me this essay, which he had written over seven years ago,  about Bernard Baran. On my request, DAvid gave me permission to share it with you.

-Bob Chatelle

Dear Friend of Bee,

My Baran google alert came up with this today: http://elmtreeforge.blogspot.com/2009/11/massachusetts-superior-court-judge.html

I have no major news about Bee’s health. His lungs are doing much better and his asthma bothers him less. But he still has discomfort from his pancreatitis and colitis.

-Bob Chatelle

Dear Friend of Bee,

I haven’t posted any updates for a while because there have been no dramatic changes, for better or worse. But I relize that many of you are worried and want to know what has been going on.

On a positive note, he has stayed out of the hospital and his lungs have much improved. He often sounds like his old self on the phone.

On the other hand, his white cell count is up and doctors are worried that this could be the prelude to another pancreatitis attack.

I had been hoping that his recovery would be quick and dramatic. I now realize that this is going to be a very slow process.

Some years ago, one of my cousins was felled with pancreatitis. She had an absolutely terrible time for a full year. But she has been doing quite well for the past decade.

I guess we just have to be patient and keep hoping.

I wonder how Judge Daniel Ford is feeling these days.

-Bob

[Note: I posted this to my other blog (Friends of Justice) on 10/27, but forgot to post it here. I will post another Bee update this morning.]

Dear Friend of Bernard Baran,

Jim D’Entremont, our friend Derek, and I planned to visit Bee in the hospital last Saturday. But when we called, we were told he had been discharged.

We called David, who was in the process of driving him home. David told us that Bee was totally exhausted and was sleeping in the call. he felt that Bee wasn’t up for a visit.

On Sunday, Bee’s lawyer went out to visit him. John is very concerned that Bee is getting the best possible medical care. He plans to have Bee’s records examined by other doctors. If necessary, John will get him new doctors.

We spoke with him last night. While he sounded terrible, he assured us that he was feeling much better than he had been. He is now on 11 different medications.

Today he has an appointment with a nutritionist. And tomorrow he has two medical appointments.

Will keep you posted on any developments.

-Bob Chatelle

Dear Friend of Bee,

Jim D’Entremont and I arrived back from Lisbon just a few minutes ago and I am very jet lagged.

We kept in close touch with Bee while we were away. He was finally allowed to go home from the hospital on the evening of October 12th, the day we left. He seemed a bit better, but then developed a cold near the end of the week. This triggered a severe asthma attack. (Bee has suffered from asthma since childhood.) Finally, last night his partner David took him to the hospital because he was having trouble breathing. He is still there. He has been diagnosed with bronchitis and possibly pneumonia. He will probably be moved into intensive care.

We are all very worried about him.

-Bob Chatelle

Dear Friend of Bee,

I just talked to him. He has had many tests — blood work, MRI, ultrasound. A CAT scan is next.

Fortunately, his blood work doesn’t look that bad. So they next want to make sure it’s not appendicitis. The CAT scan should tell that that.

We are leaving presently for the airport. My next posting will be from Portugal.

-Bob

Dear Friend of Bee’s,

I’m sorry to report that Bee is in Winchester Hospital. He had a bad night last night and David took him in around five this morning. We just talked with him but he was taken away for tests. We will keep you updated.

Unfortunately, Jim D’entremont and I are leaving for vacation for ten days this afternoon. But we will be in contact by phone and I will post more information while we’re away.

-Bob Chatelle

Dear Friend of Bee,

About a month ago I reported that Bee Baran had been diagnosed with pancreatitus. While I’ve had many inquiries about his health, I have refrained from posting until we had more information.

In the past month, Bee has had a great many tests and seen doctors, including a very good specialist. Only yesterday, a diagnosis was given.

Bee has a rare condition. He has antibodies in his system that attacked his pancreas as if they were attacking a foreign body. The specialist doesn’t know how he developed this condition, but it may have its roots in  an operation  he had at Shattuck Hospital when he was a prisoner. The level of these antibodies is low and his pancreas has returned to near normal functioning. But the specialist is undecided about treatment.

The antibodies could be knocked out with massive doses of prednisone. But such treatment could have nasty side effects. For one thing, it could leave him vulnerable to cancer. Should his antibody level increase, however, there would be little alternative.

For the next six weeks, his only treatment will be pain medication and something to keep his stomach settled. He has been asked to monitor and log everything he eats, his reactions, etc. He will see the specialist again and they will decide upon their next step.

Bee has been unable to work. He may have to go on unemployment or short-term disability. i will talk to him more about this.

Fortunately, we had started a fund-raising drive shortly before he became sick, and people have been very generous. Bee is most grateful for this help. And at this time we have every intention of holding our fund-raising party for him on September 12th.

I will keep you informed of any developments.

-Bob Chatelle

From Reason magazine: http://www.reason.com/news/show/135474.html

A must read!

-Bob Chatelle

Dear Friend of Bee,

I received a disturbing phone call from Bee this morning. He went to the emergency room last night in pain. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis. He was allowed to spend the night at home, but has another appointment today. His family is on their way from Pittsfield.

I will keep you posted.

-Bob Chatelle