From Alex Pournelle, Dr. Pournelle’s son:
“Jerry had a small stroke. He is recovering well at a local hospital. Prognosis is good, though they’re running more tests and he’s expected to stay at least another day or two.
“He felt well enough to call Mom [Mrs. Pournelle] from the hospital.
“Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. More updates when we have them.”
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UPDATE – 19 December 2014
“Update: Jerry continues to make much progress. Even in the last day the differences are marked. He has moved yet again to a long-term acute rehab assignment for speech/throat and physical therapy, where he will stay at least through the holidays.
“In a twist of fate far too strange to put into fiction, Jerry ended up in the exact same room as did Harlan Ellison a month earlier, after his own stroke. Harlan related this in a call today to get an update on Jerry. Harlan, by the way, sounds completely recovered on the phone—another good sign.
“We expect Jerry to start updates on the website presently, but they will be short at first. He’s re-learning to type, now just with one finger ‘and a claw’, so patience is appreciated.
“He called after the transfer, to say it was 17 minutes by car from the one facility to the next. Not the sign of someone out of touch with his surroundings or the passage of time.
“His cognition appears little affected. He keeps answering the many ‘do you know where you are?’ questions straight, but he’s sorely tempted to start embroidering the truth…”
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Hope you’ll return to good health soon with the Lord’s blessings
Godspeed for a quick and full recovery. Thanks for all the reading pleasure – and thought-provoking scenarios and content – you have provided over the decades.
Get well soon!
You are added to my “God blesses”. I pray you and your family remain in peace and health. Get well soon!
Very Respectfully,
R
Prayers for a quick recovery.
Get well soon Jerry.
Just to goad you into a rapid recovery, I will remind you that the fusion powered photon drives in the Empire of Man warships that you depicted have a Specific Impulse only one-twentieth of the ISP of a simpler fusion rocket.
Have your son analyze and verify this statement, and show the math.
God be with you, Dr. Pournelle. I look forward to your complete recovery. You are in my prayers.
I have enjoyed and learned from your writing for decades. My prayers for a quick recovery.
Others may have said it better, but you have my wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. Our prayers for you in this holiday season! All the best to you.
Hey Jerry, hope you get well soon. Rest up and binge watch Buffy 🙂
Jerry,
Since we met in July at a LASFA (my family was out for our daughter’s wedding), I have been rereading all my Niven/Pournelle books once again… Whew, great stuff, sir! Please know that you are in my prayers for a speedy recovery. Keep the faith and keep the View!
Walt Helminski
Get well soon, Jerry. I’m praying for you.
Jerry,
I’ve been reading your books, columns, and web site for years, and it’s been a wonderfully educating and entertaining experience. Best wishes for a speedy recovery – you will be in our prayers.
You weakened! Bad Doctor! No biscuit for you!
..but best wishes for a full and speedy recovery from a fan since your Byte days.
Please take care of yourself.
Jerry,
My best wishes go with you and yours always.
I first came across your writing in Byte in 1982 as a serving naval officer in Spain. Then I started reading your column very closely after my squadron got its first PCs under the Navy Desktop I program in 1983. This led into a career in IT after I was medically discharged from the Navy in 1986. I discovered your science fiction a few years later.
In short, you have had a profound and positive impact on my life for about a third of a century.
Dear Dr Pournelle,
Prayers being sent for your quick recovery. We need your voice for reason & sanity! And blessings on your family also. “… and all manner of thing shall be well.” as Julian wrote.
Stewart
Jerry
I wish you a speedy recovery in your healing. The world is a better place with you in it. Best Wishes.
Prayers and best wishes to you Dr. Pournelle. Is it selfish to desire that the author of “the original blog” to continue blogging for years to come? Thank you for your work and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery, Dr. Pournelle.
I’ve learned a lot from your writing, and I hope you have many years ahead of you.
Get your @$$ to Mars. 😉