Nods to that.

I knew he's been sick for a while, but... damn. Hoping for the best.

How is he starved?
Oh god, I was hoping he was getting better.

Made my own journal, using your info and my own thoughts.
I hope he recovers
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6797741/

he has been having such a hard time breathing he could not eat

OMG, he should have been taken sooner.. just.
I hate our health system

He did not want medical help until today when it got so bad...

Added those, this is depressing.

This is what I've been upset about. He won't take our help willingly.

Yeah, it's really a shame. And it's really frustrating. But I really have no idea what I, or anyone else for that matter, can do about it; it's really only Doug who can help Doug.

Thank you for all the information.
I still hope and pray he gets better.

Unfortunately, some people are just like that; they simply will not see a doctor for anything, and refuse to believe there's anything wrong with them until they're literally at death's door. My father was the same way, unfortunately, which is why he died of a massive stroke brought on by years of undiagnosed and untreated type-II diabetes in his mid-50s. (And another artist I know here on FA went down the same path; never saw a doctor, ignored every symptom, died of a massive stroke brought on by type-II diabetes.)

My mother implicitly trusted her doctor on the 2nd hand and it may have lead to her death.

The human body is immensely complicated, and we still don't fully understand how it all works. (It's by no means a "finely-tuned machine"; at best, it's more like a collection of competing systems that grudgingly tolerate each other.) Doctors can only work in probabilities, not certainties.

That's not really Doug's way. He didn't want to see a doctor because he thinks this was his fault, really doesn't want to be a burden, etcetc. I think he wants to let things take their natural course.

Sometimes, it's due to past experience with the health care system.

Once burned by it, you make absolutely sure you need hospital services before you commit to them because, even with insurance, a trip to the hospital can be very expensive. Depending on your insurance and reasons for being admitted, it can be bankruptcy level expensive. When your insurance doesn't want to pay the overinflated prices for services the hospital charges, they just don't pay it. The hospital then comes after YOU in the form of never ending bills and ultimately they hand it off to a collection agency. At this point your phone rings daily, and your credit gets beat up for it.

As a result, I can fully understand his decision to wait until he was positive this wasn't some minor issue.

in 2010 I was told if I didn't get to the hospital I'd die by my university doctors.
I had sugar poisoning and they kept me in emergency for 12hrs.

In the end they charged me $10,000 for which my student insurance wouldn't cover because I wasn't officially "referred" to the hospital, and I wasn't in school full time during the summer.

I'm still paying off the bill to this day, and they are actively being a pain in the ass to pay off and clear up.

Living in a country where healthcare is "free" (mandatory insurance for everyone) stories like these send shivers down my spine.

Here in Germany, when you have the slightest problem, you just walk into the clinic of the nearest GP or specialist, and if they decide you need a treatment by a specialist, they will send you to a specialist - and you just go, because you're sick, why wouldn't you?

And if that means going to the hospital, insurance also pay for up to 6 weeks of sick leave.

You will never see a single bill.

It blows my mind how incredibly expensive healthcare is in your country :(

Really, it's 2015, and people are dying of pneumonia? We're no longer in the dark ages :(

Yikes, sure hope he pulls through ok.

Oh damn, I'm really sorry to hear it. I've been a big fan of him over the years. I know he's not been doing too well (I took part in the DW get well art thing) but I was hoping he would be on the mend. I wish I could help.

Dammit, and we just lost Avenging Lioness last night too. Not another one, not now please.... =(

Who? I don't know the name?

A friend of mine. She transplanted to WA a bit before I did. Not well known outside of southern California.

I had no idea, I still have some art of hers she wanted me to send some day. I'd been thinking a lot about her lately.

Oh, dear. Prayers and happy thoughts for him! I do hope things turn around.

:(

Hoping for best.

he has that uh breathing disease, COPD...<???>

correct.

ah. well eventually things would've gotten worse im afraid.
his immune system was probably already shot

Doug!

A fine guy and a wonderful friend. I've been worried about him. Had no idea it was gettingthis bad!

Damnit - someone in that house should have noticed starvation and pneumonia.

They noticed he was not well and he refused to see a doctor until today. Thank God he got into the hospital in time...

Well - if you manage to talk to him at all, tell him I love him madly and wildly.

Ahh, hell. He's got my best wishes.

All my hopes that Doug can pull through. His health has been deteriorating for quite some time, and I hope a turning point for the better can be found this time.

Please keep us informed if you hear aught else.

I agree wholeheartedly, that crazy bastard has probably helped from the fandom more than anyone else I can think of at this moment...

Oh no. I hadn't heard anything about him in years. I hope he pulls through.

Hoping he gets better.

It seems alot of people are losing someone lately. My prayers are with him and I hope things work out for the best

I'll be hoping for the best.

Doug, all the minks of the world are thinking of you.

Keeping him in my prayers.

God damnit Doug, why'd you have to wait? D:

Get better soon. This world and all your pals need you.

He's always been in poor health. Here's hoping he pulls through.

My thoughts and prayers. :<

Wishing him well.

Shit, seriously?
Fuck, I hope he comes through okay.
He's been an inspiration for me. I'd hate to lose him, just from the perspective of an admirer of his work and humor

Sending love and prayers!

I hope and pray that he's okay...

I hope he gets better!

Oh no D: You have my best wishes!

I don't know of him but being ill is no Bueno for any one. Here's hoping he pulls through and learns that if anything happens again to get to the darn doc! :)


Hugs and good karma coming your way, my friend!!

http://www.furaffinity.net/user/justdoug/

Thank you!!

My prayers are with him. I heard he hasn't been doing too well for awhile now, the most we can do is hope for the best.

not to sound rude dustmeat but you should have forced his ass to the hospital when he first started looking like crap instead of letting it get this bad if i was there i would have tied him up and dragged him into a hospital

If someone refuses any help, unless you go to court and convince a judge they're mentally incompetent, you can't force them. (and if you do try to get a court order forcing them to get help, they'll probably never want to speak to you again.) If you try to physically force them, they can have you brought up on charges.

In this country freedoms include the freedom to starve yourself to death, and the freedom to refuse any medical treatment until it's too late. Although I have to wonder, if he's so determined to die, why do it in such a drawn-out and painful way?

i understand what your saying and all but if he's your close friend or family you will do what has to be done for there own good

Some folks don't realize how sick they are, or how quick something like bronchitis can turn into pneumonia.

*says this as he downs another dose of cough syrup due to allergy-induced-lung-betrayal-that-won't-stop-coughing-even-though-the-damn-pollen-bloom-is-over-these-past-two-weeks-grr-whoever-invented-allergies-needs-to-be-yiffed-with-a-rusty-spork*


We're determined we can tough it out, because we don't FEEL that bad. It takes someone we know cares about us saying "Hey! You look like last week's t-rex shit got stomped on by a macroleopard! We're going to the doctor, now!"


Had to set rules for myself. I'll go in if there's blood where there shouldn't be. That's it. :p

You do not have the freedom to commmit suicide. The police will have words with you. There are only a few states where you can opt out of life if you're in unmanageable pain.

As far as I know, there is no state or federal law on the books in the USA which makes suicide a crime, per se. (And even if there were, it would be an unprosecutable law, by definition, since you can't arrest and try someone who's already dead.) You just can't get someone else to help you do the deed, or end your life for you.

First up. This is rude. This theoretical commentary doesn't help when someone is scared for someone they care for. The 'If *I* was there, it would be different' comment is immensely self centered at a time like this.

Secondly, situations like this are impossible for outsiders to even grasp fully when they aren't dealing with it themselves. I've dealt with a raging alcoholic who ended up dying because they wouldn't get help. People who don't want help, who refuse it, will find a way to not get help. You can prattle on about how you'd physically assault them (and later be charged for forceful confinement) all you like, but unless you are there for a specific situation, perhaps it's best if you keep theorizing blame to yourself and just send good wishes.

Or remain silent.

Because this isn't about you.

This. None of this is  dustmeat's fault.

Yikes...

That man is a legend... If you can let him know that there's a lot of people who are praying for him.

I hope his condition improves. I'll keep him in my thoughts.

Prayers for healing and comfort sent.

Hope things turn out for the better.

M'alter candles are already lit...he will be added t'ma thoughts an prayers... *hugsya*

I have not talked to Doug in some time.. I am curious, does he still live off of coffee and cigarettes?

I hope he make it through this...

=^.,.^=

Well shit. Hope he pulls through.

Adding all my positive and hopeful thoughts his way.

please get well Doug!

May She watch over Doug, and guide him back to this world. It is not his time, he has a better future waitng for his return.

Oh no.

I wish Doug cared for himself half as much as his fans and friends do.

I second this.

My thoughts are with Doug, his friends and his family.

I hope that he pulls through, even though I can already tell it's going to be rough going.

However, if one of my close friends can survive and nearly recover 100% from a severe brain hemmorage anything can happen. I will keep
my fingers crossed that's for sure.

Doug influenced a lot of "my furry self" and made some of the art that first introduced me to the fandom so... this really blows. v.v

I'm not sure Doug has family he cares at all about. His world is just the small circle around Casa Martin's, and whoever he knows on the internet.

That's what I recall. Steve got him out of Long Island last I remembered. I used to visit back in 2002. He smoked a lot, and I remember hot dog lunches. Nice fellow to talk with, and he worked in Steve's studio with Steve or on his own projects.

Megan, thank you for posting this. I'm hoping he'll pull through and learn if he needs help to accept it. I had no idea he was in the condition he was in.

The despised Kevin Duane played a role in getting Doug out of the men's shelter in New Jersey, also.

I remember Kevin. I think I met him once before some other craziness happened. I was living in Garden Grove between May and August 2002 with a friend. I got to meet Megan, Bob, and Malcolm/Max Blackrabbit. I used to go over by Steve's to draw, and we'd hang out, and I'd talk to Doug for a while.

I'm sure I had told Steve when I was returning to NY. He came by a friend's house at some weird hour (like 2AM) asking for me, and that was weird. Years later while at Anthrocon he popped by a friend's hotel room, and he honestly didn't remember me.

Kevin would have been the scruffy guy with a beard and crazy stare, who was as like as not asleep in a corner of Steve's living room. Steve usually treated Kevin like dirt between his toes, but Kevin needed a place to crash when he was in CA.

It would be like Kevin to turn up at someone's doorstep at 2 a.m. There's at least one time I know about when he did that to someone here in Toronto and was left outside banging until he got tired of it and went away. I think I may have told him that whatever time of night it was was too late, so he should go away. He doesn't mean any harm, but he can assume too much about people's loose hours.

And it would be like him to forget you, too, in spite of going to efforts to cultivate your acquaintance a few years before. He's an odd duck.

*prays*

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery... But if thats too much to ask, just any recovery will suffice, really... :(

I hope he's alright, but after hearing how he didn't take great care of himself and refuses most help, it's hard to be optimistic. Thanks for the update though.

here's hoping for a speedy recovery

My best wishes go out for him, his family and friends. I hope for the best for everyone involved.

Well here is to hoping he walks out of the hospital

Last time I spoke with Schirm, a couple of weeks ago, I asked about Doug's health. I've been in the habit of doing this whenever talking to either Steve or Schirm, so I feel as though I've been watching Doug deteriorate for years. How did it happen? Terrible diet -- microwaved weiners for the most part, and whatever KFC or pizza that Steve and Bob have left. Decades of smoking. Less than no excercise, if it's possible. Add to that a fear of doctors and total indifference to his health. The internet has been his life since he moved to California, and it has sucked the life out of him.

Less melodramatically, he had been having trouble with his teeth and I believe dental abscesses. It may have just been enough to weaken his immune system that an opportunistic virus like pneumonia to take hold.

Sounds a lot like James Hardimann. Lots of older people refuse healthcare.

Dang! Didn't know he was this bad. My thoughts and prayers are with him.

Will be hoping for the best for him and a speedy recovery :x

Well... Shit.

Mortality's a bitch, ain't it?

Get Well, Doug

(sends some positive waves Doug's way)

Mind my skepticism but did you see Doug get loaded up into the Ambulance? This isn't the first time something like this was pulled by a third party.

His roommate Bob Guthrie is my best friend. He was with him last night in the hospital. Texting me.

I intend to buzz Schirm in another hour -- lower rates after midnight -- and see if a) he knows about this, and b) wants to talk about it.

My thoughts are most certainly with Mr Winger. *sends good thoughts and healing energy his way* I know I'm a total stranger, but I'd be honoured if you'd pass on my very best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Hope he'll be okay. I remember hearing things about his health from Steve Martin, but I didn't know it was that bad.

Oh my God, I really hope he pulls through! That's really scary.

Will be praying. <3

My thoughts are with him.

I am hoping for him.

I'm so sorry. I hope he will be okay.

I'll be praying for him.

Someone should draw his characters huddled around his hospital bed, crying for him to get better... my prayers go with them.

Eep

Considering the outpouring of good wishes and support from the folks here on FA, I hope Mr. Winger will recover soon.

I've always liked his work. Hopefully if they can get some strong ABs into him he'll bounce back quickly. So no-one give up hope on him yet. I pray to the creator of the universe for his intervention. Get well swiftly Doug!!

My thoughts and prayers are with him. I'll be hoping for the best.

Damn. I hate to hear this, 'cause I like Doug, but it's not unexpected. I never understood why Doug seemed intent on committing slow-motion suicide. He's a decent guy, burstin' with talent, so WHY? I can only hope the doctors get him stabilized.

My thoughts are with him.

When I stumbled across Doug's art on the Internet, it was the first time I'd ever seen evidence of someone other than me who was into that sort of crazy stuff. I hope he pulls through, although it sure doesn't sound good. :(

He's in my thoughts and prayers. :x <3

Best of luck to your friend. And yourself.
I have no clue who this person is but no one deserves to be near death in such a state.
Good vibes, lovely. And doctors and such will do what they can. Just have hope. 💜

http://www.furaffinity.net/user/justdoug/

So sorry to hear this! I always was a bit concerned when I knew him. I'd never see him eat anything. I mean I knew he had to be but he was very private. I hope they can help him. I know how hard it can be to ask for help.

My thoughts will be with him as well. I saw a mention fly by on twitter when I was at work but I didn't know what happened until I saw this.

Sigh, I have a younger brother that you would have to force to go to the doctor as well. It's a shame that he was so resistant to the idea of going. Good luck, Doug.

Having long admired his work, I do hope that Doug is able to recover and share more with us in the future.

Thank you for sharing the news, and we are all certainly pulling for a happy ending.

i hpe he will pull thru

Yikes.

Ugh, I remember the last time I saw or spoke to them the guys were worried about Doug. I will contact the house and find out what's happening as well. Thanks for updating us. Good wishes sent his way.

Asked Steve once at a con about Doug. He described it as bad, but I never thought it would come to this. I liked Doug's style and humour he put into his art. Thoughts and prayers.

Doug pls no

the world needs your giant dongs

;_;

It also needed Hardimans sexy skunks

Thank you for bring this to our attention...

Lets hope and pray for him to get better...

Damn shame to hear about. COPD can be managed, but it's not something to take lightly.

Best wishes from over here.

There is more to this than COPD, sadly.

Wishing nothing but the best for Doug.

I guess Steve wasn't overreacting as Doug claimed :(

My thoughts and hopes go out to Doug. I've only met them one on FM, and still enjoyed every moment I had. Hope things get better soon, and wishing nothing but the best.