Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2016!
27 December 2015
This will be the last update to this page. Bob is back in Vermont and is doing well. See the two messages from Bob below. Thank you for your help you have been awesome!
"The hospital has been very generous with a payment plan. I want be sure to fully take care of the hospital, it may take a few years. I don't want the next nonkiwi to come along with a major issue like mine and not get as good an accomodation as I did because I stiffed them. I cannot thank you enough for all you did. My family is amazed by all the friends I have from so many corners of the world, I owe it all to you and my other home, Wanaka, it has been a special place for me. The way I left was not part of my plan I have some unfinished business there. As you said in that wonderful album of photos you put together for me, you will be back. I have to come back. Best wishes, Bob"
"Everyday is a holiday when you are retired and alive
and you are not stuck in the middle of a war, or a tornado has destroy your home and town. As hard as it is, how lucky I am to be able to
type this. Here is an update. On Friday August 29 I had an acute stroke.
During the night I had to get up to go to the bathroom and toppled over. I spent the next six hours were spent trying to get up. I just couldn't push up using all the strength I cold muster,
Ijust couldn't get up.
I spent the next hour trying to crawl back to my bed to get my cell phone when I heard the dogs barking I knew Leighann who was house and dog sitting for Lucy. I started yelling help, and realized I didn't have much of a voice. I knew if I could keep the dogs barking Leighann would try to find out why they were barking. She found me and called St. John, the emergency rescue for New Zealand, to get me down from the loft I was stuck in they called the Fire department strapped me to a backboard. and got me into the ambulance for a trip to Dunstan Hospital. I had a conversation with the EMT riding with me thinking the whole time thinking it was Leighann . I was unable to open my eyelids and my speech was slurred I couldn't feel much on my left side, I was immediately transferred to DUnedin.
I spent over Seven weeks in Dunedin Hospital. Terrific Staff. I couldn't have been cared for better anywhere, I flew to Boston in October accompanied by a nurse from Christ Church. Next four weeks were spent in Greenfield at a healthcare center working on rehab. the right clot in my brain affected my left side from day one my speech was slurred, I could hardly open my left eye. I had no functional use of my left arm and leg. couldn't swallow . I had a feeding tube stuck through my nose and into my stomach for four weeks It was wonderful when it came out and I could eat real food again I don't want to ever see ensure again.The next three weeks I stayed with my brother and sister in law and continued physical Therapy and occupational therapy. I am living in a four room apartment That I have had to furnish from scratch. I have been told that I have been making a remarkable recovery. My pat response is that I don't know I have never had this before. I sure don't want to have it again. If I have made a good recovery, which I feel I have, I owe it to so many people who have visited me in the hospital, sent notes, raised money, The nurse who worked tirelessly to make me comfortable. They were all amazing. I owe tremendous thanks to Gina, my brother's wife, my own personal family nurse and my ex wife Marvie who took care of all the beaurocracy that goes with an ordeal like this, I was in no way able to put my mind into it. During high school , if my brain worked as hard as it has the past three months, I could have gotten a full scholarship to college. I had no idea what a tired brain could be like.
All that, and the emotional support helped to sustain me and give me hope. Every day there were little milestones that gave me positive encouragement. I cry with tears of joy and happiness every time I think about Dan and Jo, the main therapists who taught me to move, dress and toilet myself. I am independent in my own home and only have to rely on others for transportation, to appointments and shopping. I am not driving yet and rehab at Dunedin. When I could stand again and take a few timid steps, every time I tried to cheat and grab a wall they would whack my hand away. I kept wondering when they were going to give me wheel chair, a walker or maybe even a cane. That was not for a moment in their plan for me. I am now living their plan and my wish. During all of this there were many moments that were hilarious. This has been a challenge, one that has almost become enjoyable coming up with new ways to get something done that at one time took only moments to do. MY left arm and hand are still in need of a lot of work. I think the only permanent damage may be in the grasp of my left hand my arm is getting a bit less spastic. I may not be able to flip off Ian Morrison as well as I would like. So for some of you it is a snowy wintery Cristmas Eve for those still in Wanaka enjoy the perks of summer, in Vermont and the Northeast relish the unfortunate record warmth we are setting. Merry Christmas to all of you. hope it filled with happiness and joy. I am home thanks to so many."
