|
1/24/08 - Good Morning
Everyone!
After a rough start to coming
home on Saturday, Chief is adjusting and enjoying being home by
family and friends!
He came home very ill on Saturday
and spent most of Sunday and Monday under covers from fever and
just yuck. We stopped in for a little bit on Sunday to welcome
Chief home, but because he felt so bad we didn't stay too long.
Bud stopped in on Tuesday to finish up the electrical work in
the bathroom, although Chief was still a little under the
weather, he was definitely improving.
Last night when we stopped by,
Chief was all fired up. Thanks to the help of some very strong
antibiotics, a lot of TLC from his family, and visits from
friends, Chief is feeling 150% better and back to his old self!
Folks, the twinkle in his eyes is officially back. He talked
our ears off last night…and, to be honest, we did our share back
at him. :)))
Please keep Chief in your prayers
for his continued recovery and daily improvement…slow and
steady--that's what we like to see! If you're out and about,
call him up and stop by. We know he would be so happy to see
you!! Chief's phone number is 618-406-5118.
It's an incredible feeling to
have him home. We missed him soooo much and we have all of you
to thank for your prayers and support!!
01/19/08
- Robyn was able to fill us in on some pretty cool things.
Chief is up to five hours of therapy each day. He is practicing
moving himself in bed and transferring himself from bed to
wheelchair. Since this requires a tremendous amount of tricep
muscles usage, he's lifting two-pound weights to help build his
strength in that muscle group. The therapists really feel that
he'll be able to transfer himself, but it will be a year or so
before he will be able to do this on his own.
He's found a piece of exercise equipment up there that suits
him perfectly! It's a "motobike" -- a machine that peddles for
him and gives him lots of leg muscle exercise. When he gets
stronger, they will add his hands. All of this will prepare him
to ride a bike again. I really think he could benefit from
having one of these awesome machines at home--don't you??!?!?!?
(I think I have some research to do!) :))))) While working with
the motobike, he passes the time listening to his iPod or making
phone calls and chatting with friends and family.
Chief is really enjoying the voice activated computer program
called, "Dragon." It helps him send and receive emails. So,
please keep sending those emails!! He's getting a real kick out
of this!
Chief's sister, Sharon, wrote me about what they've been
doing on the weekends when she visits him at RIC. It brought a
big smile to face to know that Chief's been doing more
"shopping" on Michigan Avenue. I hope you enjoy Sharon's email
as much as I did.
"Well Chief/Gerry has really been pushed hard the past two
weeks. As he gets a little stronger, the therapists try new
things. They have also added some speech therapy to his
schedule. Saturday the PT took him to the gym across the street
and let him try out working with regular weights and equipment
using special gloves (sticky gloves). She said he loved it. This
week they will try to get him in the water to exercise. He will
have a special belt to keep him afloat. She is giving me the
information to purchase these tools so he can use them when he
goes to the YMCA.
Last
Sunday he went cruising in his wheelchair on Michigan Ave and we
stopped at the IPOD store so he could show me what IPOD to buy
and then when we passed an art gallery; he asked to go in. When
we went in, the staff looked at us, then finally asked if they
could help us. The cheapest piece there was probably $1,000.
Gerry laughed and said "Just browsing!" Gerry rode through
admiring the different pieces and saying how he could see
putting photographed couples in some of the paintings. Then last
stop was Starbucks for his cappuccino.
This
past Sunday, we traveled to Borders on Michigan Ave and Gerry
said, "It feels like I'm in a candy factory and my jaw is wired
shut looking at all these books." We went over to the CD
section to listen to music and then looked at their movie
selection. He picked out 3:10 to Yuma for us to watch
that evening with Kentucky Fried Chicken he was craving. After
that, it was off to Walgreens for razors and sweatshirts.
You
can tell he is motivated to learn and get stronger. Even after
he has had a full day of therapy, he will ask to ride the bike
equipment because he wants to build up his leg muscles.
I
truly admire Gerry's fortitude and attitude. He keeps me smiling
and everyone around him. You can tell he will be missed by
fellow patients and staff when he leaves RIC. RIC staff say he
is the perfect person to return after he is stronger to learn a
few more tricks."
* * *
We would like to take this opportunity to send special thank
you's to everyone who have taken the pressure off the family
with the renovations--Dave Dobbs and one of his carpenters from
Dobbs Construction (ramps, walls and contractor expertise),
Scott Wilson (plumbing and fixtures), to Rich Shuhardt
(plastering), and the Gore boys (electrical). Special help from
the Weilbacher kids who put fresh coats of paint on the walls
(and themselves, too!!), and to Greg Bergmann and Randy Warnekce
who assisted with the demolition work.
We would also like to send special thank you's to ROHO for
providing one of their special mattresses for Chief's hospital
bed, ALIVE Video for helping me put together a video for a
project that I'm working on, to Chief's childhood "H Street"
friends and the Bergmann family who came together and provided a
new stove/oven for the house.
We know there are so many folks who have worked tirelessly
behind the scenes to bring this all together that we don't know
about. There are so many of you out there who continue to offer
your services to help. For your prayers, cards, gifts, phone
calls, emails. Thank you to each and every one of you! We
can't tell you how much it means to us. We are so overwhelmed
by everyone's constant support, care and generosity. There are
just so many wonderful people in the world--and we're honored to
have all of you in our lives and in our hearts.
* * *
As a side note, we've been told that Chief is worried about
everyone here and all the time, money and energy that is being
spent to get the house ready for his return home. Well,
actually, he should be more worried about the paint color
the Weilbacher kids put on his bedroom walls. Robyn, would you
say that shade of purple is more "lilac" or "lavender"? :)))
On a more personal note to Chief. He can't understand why
I'm working so hard for him. Well, Chief, Bud and I almost lost
one of our best and dearest friends…you!! I don't
consider what I'm doing work; you're the one doing
all the work…I'm just trying to keep up with your energy. As always, you're
my
motivation! You've been to hell and back since August 19, and
Bud and I will always be with you--through your recovery and
beyond!
* * *
There are several fundraisers to be announced. We hope that
at least one of them will interest you. If not, there are
several more throughout the year that are being tossed around as
well. We'll keep you posted!
As we have mentioned to several of you, the Kiwanis Club of
Fairview Heights is bringing Branson on the Road to the
area on April 11 and April 12. The Kiwanis contacted us with
the following fundraiser proposal -- for every ticket we sell on
Chief's behalf, they will donate a portion of the ticket
proceeds! It will be at the newly renovated Christ United
Methodist Church on Frank Scott Parkway East that seats more
than 1,000 people. Well, we couldn't pass up this opportunity!
Everyone who sold t-shirts will be receiving a packet of
information in the mail (or email if I don't have a mailing
address for you). If you can't attend (or it's just not
something that interests you), all we ask is that you please
pass it along to your family, friends and co-workers who might
have an interest. Although we've never been to this particular
show, anyone who has been to Branson and has enjoyed a Presley
or Baldknobbers show, will definitely enjoy
Branson on the
Road.
If you would like to learn more, please visit their website at
www.bransonontheroad.com.
It's sure to be an enjoyable evening!!
A bike benefit team has formed and plans are in the works for
a benefit bicycle ride in May. Once the date has been confirmed
with the various locations and involved parties, we will get the
word out quickly and again we hope you will partake in the fun.
The best advertising is by word of mouth and we hope that we can
count on your to help recruit participants!! We're ordering 500
special benefit ride shirts! Our goal is to run out of
shirts!! If you know of a company who would be willing to help
us out by purchasing a sponsorship package, please provide us
with contact information so that we may put them on our list.
Lastly, Crafty Eye is doing something very special, too.
Every spring the studio does a kids photography contest called,
"Expressions." In the past, a portion of each entry fee was
donated in memory of Chief's nephew, Nathan, through the Nathan
Weilbacher Toy Fund at Cardinal Glennon. Chief, with the help
of his niece, Lauren Weilbacher (Nathan's big sister), created
this fund and handled all the details. This year, Lauren
overwhelmingly agreed that this year's proceeds from the contest
should go to her Uncle Gerry's trust fund. (Photo sessions for
Expressions runs from February 1 through February 29. A few
weeks after that, the studio displays all of the prints and
opens its doors to the public when they will hold a "People's
Choice" vote. You can stop by the studio during business hours
and for $1.00 you can vote for your favorite expression.)
Please check out all the details on Crafty Eye's website at
www.craftyeyephoto.com.
Thank you to all the folks at Crafty Eye for not only keeping
Nathan's memory alive, but also keeping Chief close in their
hearts as well.
* * *
Until our
next update, we again appreciate everything you've done since
the accident. Please keep Chief in your prayers and thoughts
each and every day. He continues looking forward to receiving
cards during the daily mail runs. As we have said before, it's
what keeps his spirit bright and gets him through some pretty
lonely days at RIC. And don't forget, please visit
www.chiefgetwell.com,
click on the "Contact Chief" tab, and send him an update on
what's going on in your life. He likes to keep updated on
everything going on here, too. Chief is also able to answer his
cell phone--thanks to the world of technology. Feel free to
call Chief on his cell at (618) 406-5118. We know he would love
to hear from you! |