12/11/07 - Gerry worked his butt off last week. he had therapy some days for 4 hours. he had an aerobics class on Wed. and I decided to grab some weights, sit in a chair and take the class...WOW It kicked my butt. He actually fell asleep at dinner on WED. and now I see why. He picked out a w/c that he can fully stand in so that he can reach what he wants. His right arm is much stronger every week. His left arm has quite a ways to go. He is doing very well without his trach. His appetite is good and he has no pressure ulcers. We keep a close eye that we prevent any pressure ulcers or pneumonia. He is getting off the floor now and going to the cafeteria from time to time. The expected date of d/c is the end of December, but I think it may be a little later then this given his left forearm. We will start looking at getting the ramps built next week. Mike is going to look at repairing the room that will be Gerry's bedroom and then painting etc... I would love to get him a great TV for that room. The big thing will be looking at vans for him. Ford has a neat model that Gerry liked. We will need this to be able to bring him home. He wants to do some of his working out at the YMCA. Mary is looking in to seeing if we can join as a family so that we can take him. He would like to do aqautics eventually. Progress has been very, very slow for gerry but he is showing weekly gains in his upper body stregth.

 

Thank you to everyone for the cards, ornaments, gifts and prayers...looking at his room you would think he is really liked....HE SURE IS!!! Golf, girls and bikes seem to be the theme for the ornaments, along with Spiderman, Superman and A Christmas Story. Gerry still greatly appreciates the cards and letters. It is what gets him through the day some days. He does get lonely, frustrated and depressed, but then he gets a care package with gag gifts, reindeer ears and lots of love and get wells and there goes those smiley crinkles he gets in his eyes.

12/19/07 - This is a reminder that we are heading up to Chicago to visit with Chief on Saturday, December 22.  If you would like something delivered to him, please let us know right away so that we can coordinate pick-up.  Believe it or not, our care packages are helping Chief get through this very difficult time.  We can't do it without help from you!!  Thank you all so much for your continued love and support!

        Chief's trach is now officially out.  He's breathing on his own, but is still high risk for pneumonia.  He continues to work hard at RIC…polishing up on his skills and learning some new ones.  Every day is a new adventure for him while he stays on a strict schedule with physical therapy and occupational therapy.  Sunday is his day to chill and sleep in.  On a recent visit with his sister, Sharon, Chief set out for a little tour of Chicago in his mobile wheelchair.  Donned in his hat, coat and gloves, Chief  was able to check-out the scenery around RIC and venture into handicap accessible buildings.  Way to go, Chief and Sharon!!

        We have heard through the grapevine that Chief should be arriving home sometime in mid- to late-January.  Plans are underway to make the necessary renovations to his home in these coming weeks.  The most challenging renovation will be to the bathroom.  If anyone out there knows about plumbing, house structures, etc., we are in dire need of your help and expertise.  We are also hoping to find donations of items of necessity, such as a new sink that hooks right up to the wall and a roll-in shower with a pull chain, along with all types of construction materials and paint. 

        Chief has picked out a special wheelchair that will allow him to pull himself up, so that he can reach for things.  (Of course, this particular type of chair is not covered by insurance.)  He is looking at handicap vans as well--we think he is leaning towards a Ford van for which he will have to trade in his truck.  Did you know that in order to make a van fit for disabled people, it's an extra charge of $10,000?  (Of course, neither the van nor the changes to the van are covered by insurance.)  They prefer him to have a hospital bed so that he can use the rails to help hoist himself up and move around easier…and of course, this isn't covered by insurance either.  If you're like me, you're probably wondering, "what the heck IS covered by insurance?"  Let me tell you, not a heck of a lot! 

        Although 2008 will be a big year of fundraisers, the list of items that Chief needs is limitless and the costs are astronomical--much we're finding is not covered by insurance. To help defray a lot of the future expenses, we have numerous fundraisers in the works, but those are still months and months down the road.  The above items will need to be in place when Chief arrives home.  We know this is a lot to ask, but if anyone has any connections to any of these types of items and/or services, please contact them for help.  These are items that are so vital to Chief's life.  Perhaps, there are a few businesses out there that would be willing to co-sponsor and donate towards a big item--any help you can provide to obtain these sorts of things either through a partial donation or a full donation would be so wonderful and greatly appreciated!!  

        We know that things in life are not free.  We know that living an active and meaningful life is tough enough, but throw in the end result of a tragic accident and it's devastating for everyone involved--emotionally and financially. For some strange reason, God put all of us together over the years.  We believe that one of those reasons is so that we take care of each other.  At this particular moment, Chief needs our help, but we can't do it without the help of our community, including all of those businesses we patronize. Thank you for helping us! 

        On behalf of us, Chief and his family, we wish each and every one of you many blessings throughout this Holiday season and for all the years to come.  Please keep Chief in your prayers and thoughts.

12/28/07 - As many of you know, our family spent last Saturday with Chief at RIC.  Our visit confirmed just how much the four of us really miss him!  Buddy either stood or sat next to him almost the entire time.  He really loves his Chief.  

        Not visiting RIC before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. We were met by a couple of really nice security guards who helped us out with parking and sign-in.  (Little did they know they would be seeing more of us throughout the day…LOL!)  

        We arrived on Chief's floor--our hands full of balloons, lots of gifts and care packages, and a giant Christmas stocking filled to the brim!  Unfortunately, we got to the know the folks at the front desk immediately because Bud got the balloons caught up in Christmas decorations hanging from the ceiling and pulled them down…way to go, Bud!  Once we stopped laughing and got ourselves together, we found Chief in the activities room looking out at Lake Michigan.  His eyes lit up and he welcomed us with big hugs!

        We were there only minutes before Chief's sister, Sharon, arrived from Madison, Wisconsin.  She drove through extreme fog on the way down which made for a longer than usual trip for her. So, our visit began by telling travel horror stories…our's was Buddy--I know, he's a boy!!  :) 

        For over an hour, Chief, with Buddy's help, opened lots of gifts and cards.  Chief thought everything was so awesome…his eyes just sparkled and he smiled profusely the entire time!  Chief received a ton of lottery tickets--something is he known for giving out.  He received homemade treats to share with family and friends who would be coming to RIC to see him over Christmas; he would be the "host with the most."  Chief received several more ornaments that we hung from the garland in his room, a very generous gift card, DVDs, photographs and a wooden tic-tac-toe game (I had a weak moment and I gave up my secret for how to win every time).  He even unwrapped a Spiderman lamp.  All of us had so much fun!!

        We can't describe how much it means to Chief to know that we are all here eagerly awaiting his return and that all of us care about him so much. We talked and talked for hours!!  Although Chief remains on painkillers for severe back spasms, he didn't miss a beat.  Chief and Bud at one point were on a roll telling stories about the good ol' days--there were even some I hadn't heard before!  Sharon learned all sorts of things about her little brother and Bud--some good…some not so good!  HAH!!  :) 

        Our day flew by and we found it very difficult to leave Chief when visiting hours were over at 8:00 p.m.  We got some pictures with him and, as luck would have it, my camera was blurry.  Chief thought that the lens is probably messed up.  Like I told them, worse case, I'll just have to bring out the Santa and elf hats for re-takes when he gets home.  My idea was a big hit…NOT!! :)))

        Again, we can't thank you enough for all of your prayers, support and love for Chief.  We're so thankful for the overwhelming response we've received to our calls for help. Not a day has gone by at RIC that Chief has not received a card, a note, a care package from someone or a visit from a friend. He looks so forward to this every day and this is how he gets through most of his days. He is a truly wonderful person and has such a great inner spirit!  Please continue to keep Chief in your prayers and know that you mean the world to him and his family!!

Have a safe and wonderful New Year, everyone!!