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Paul (PJ) Lupi Needs Your Help

  • PJ is home!!!

      28 July 2015

    PJ has arrived home safely!

    He is now in the care of Christchurch hospital and will be surrounded by family. There has been an outstanding effort from everyone to get to this point and also to get here without PJ bearing any large financial burden. Thank you.

    The medical team in Christchurch will now completely re-assess Paul and then Paul Snr and Mark will decide the rehabilitation plan going forward.

    Just to reiterate the visits are going to be kept strictly to family until Paul Snr and Mark decide he is well enough to see others. Once this happens we will give you all the information on how visits can be arranged.

    Thank you all again for the love and support you have shown PJ and the Lupi Family.

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  • Update for Paul - #11

      27 July 2015

    Hi All,

    PJ has had another great few days with lots of progress.

    From Paul Snr:

    "He is much more aware of the activity going on around him and will attempt to thwart the nurses when they attempt some of the care giving that he objects to (sounds just like the old PJ!!)

    Yesterday he was managing to roll over, press himself onto his knees, and attempt a dive out of bed! Fortunately he was rescued before he completed the manoeuvre.

    Last night Mark and Matt felt sorry for him and took him for a walk around his room. This consisted of propping him under each shoulder to take some of his weight and ??allowing him to shuffle his feet forward. He loved it and had three walks before he tired of it.

    We had been told by the doctors it would be impossible for him to do anything like this for many weeks yet (that’s the PJ we know!)."

    As you are all aware PJ will be flying home tomorrow. Visits are going to be kept strictly to family until Paul Snr and Mark decide he is well enough to see others. Once this happens we will give you all the information on how visits can be arranged.

    We will update again once Paul arrives home safely.

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  • Update 10 for PJ!

      23 July 2015

    Thank you everybody for being patient - we will update as frequently as possible but as mentioned in the last update, this particular phase is a long process where only little steps are made each day.

    PJ’s recovery from his coma is now basically over. He has established his own breathing regime and sleeping and waking patterns. He now no longer needs oxygen and has been 100% cleared to fly home. PJ will be flying into Christchurch on 28th July!!

    From here PJ will be going through a rehabilitation program to try and restore memory and lost synaptic functions. PJ is still yet to talk but slowly he is regaining control.

    Yesterday the team on the ground began to notice some important cognitive responses. Paul Snr explained to PJ that his family all wanted to see him back home and named everybody. He understood some of this because he gave them the first smile! It was a big one too. PJ then pulled Paul Snr down for a hug and went into the best sleep he has managed for days.

    Go PJ! I know I speak on behalf of everyone when I say we can't wait to have you home.

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  • Update for Paul

      19 July 2015

    The good news keeps flowing!

    Medical update:

    Paul has now been discharged from the ICU and put in his own room elsewhere in the hospital. This means he is out of the 'danger zone' and can be cared for with a normal level of nursing.

    Paul Snr, Mark and Matt are now taking turns to ensure a 24 hour watch on PJ. In this stage of recovery there is danger of PJ rolling out of the bed or pulling off the oxygen mask and tubes so the team will be there at all times to make sure this does not happen.

    The doctors are very pleased with the rate of recovery and the great strides PJ is making now is definitely a good sign for the future. The next step for PJ is to start trying to talk. This may take some time as he needs to rebuild the connections he has lost, we will keep you updated on the progress here.

    Getting PJ home:

    The earliest Paul can get a stretchered flight home is on the 28th which has been tentatively booked. It is 'tentatively' as he will need clearance first and the team are reassessing this daily. The airline have been great to deal with and they have allowed a last minute confirmation or cancelation if needed.

    A nice note to finish:

    Mark leaned in to give some help earlier today and PJ wrapped his arms around Mark for a massive hug. It was an emotional time for the team as they had not seen this sort of affection and recognition. A hug from Mark now comforts PJ when he seems to be moving around in discomfort.

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  • Update for PJ

      17 July 2015

    The last couple of days have been great for PJ and really emphasised the importance of getting him into the best care possible. Please know that you all have made that achievable and if you all hadn't supported him the way you all have he would have definitely suffered for it.

    Medical Update:

    Over the last few days Paul has had a couple of things happen and I'll start with the not so good and move onto the great.

    The not so good:

    Paul developed a lung infection two days ago. The doctors at the hospital delt with this perfectly and they have managed to completely stop the infection. Had he not been where he is and in the care he is in this may have caused serious issues.

    The Great:

    With the infection stopped, Paul has been able to make some awesome progress. He is now completely off the ventilator! He is still wearing an oxygen mask however he is completely breathing on his own. Another awesome progress step.

    He is conscious most of the time now and is displaying a good level of activity with his arms and legs and responds to Paul Snr, Mark and Matt's voices and to the simple commands that he is able to perform.

    One of those commands is the thumbs up!

    Getting PJ home:

    Still the team on the ground's main focus but unfortunately no further info here. It is still likely to be the end of the month but will confirm once we are sure. The main thing to note is that the care PJ is in is as good as he will get worldwide.

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  • Update for PJ

      15 July 2015

    Apologies for the lack of updates over the last couple of days. Paul has been steadily making progress and there has been nothing much to note apart from that he is recovering as per the doctors expected. Yesterday however a couple of great things happened.

    The first great thing was early in the day, Paul lifted his hand about 6 inches to grab Matt's hand which was the first sign of actual consciousness the team had seen. It was an awesome moment for the guys after Paul had been giving them blank looks since he had started to open his eyes.

    The second great thing happened last night, Paul looked at Mark and then gave him the thumbs up! Yeah PJ - go you good thing!

    Getting Paul Home:

    Mark and the team have been working really hard over the last few days to try and get Paul booked on a flight back home as soon as possible.

    The option they are after removes 9 seats in a commercial liner and temporarily pops up an ICU unit.

    Unfortunately due to the European holiday season, finding a plane with 9 empty seats is proving a more difficult task than initially thought, the latest date is just before the end of the month however Mark and team will continue to work on this to try get him here earlier. It is definitely not a bad thing for Paul to rest where he is but along with everyone else the Lupi family are keen to see him on home soil as quickly as possible.

    Please keep sending positive energy Paul's way and we will update as progress comes to light.

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    • 16/07/2015 by Owen & Trish

      Owen and I (Mount Isa ) have been reading your updates and keeping up to date by my sister & your uncle Sue and Kerry Lupi Keri Keri. Please be reassured that we are continually praying for P J and all these new signs are great news. We all want P J home asap but we are praying the right time on the right flight will be available for you.Our love to you all through this difficult time.We are keeping you all in our prayers too - it is not easy being the one by the bedside and equally hard for those on NZ soil. God's great love around you all at this difficult time. Owen & Trish Ringrosexxxx

  • Update for Paul

      15 July 2015

    Team, some good news.

    Paul has now opened his eyes - he is still asleep about 90% of the time but he has made the first step in waking up. This is a great moment for Paul's recovery.

    Paul is still considered in a coma but he is opening his eyes for short periods of time and moving his eyes and head to Paul Snr, Mark and Matt's voices.

    Getting PJ Home:

    Paul is breathing on his own 80% of the time now but still requires to be ventilated. If he continues to recover as he is doing he will be off the ventilator within 7 days and then cleared to come home. Please be aware this may not be the case but it is what Mark and the team are expecting.

    Paul's long term effects of his injury is still unknown and will be for some time however this is definitely a good piece of news and a good start to the lengthy recovery process.

    Updates may be less frequent now as the next stages of recovery are less distinguished.

    On behalf of Paul and the Lupi Family, thank you all for your love and support.

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  • Thanks for all of your generosity!

      11 July 2015

    The generosity shown by everyone in New Zealand for PJ is unbelievable. The givealittle campaign has hit it’s target and the Lupi family can now 100% confirm Paul will have enough finances to be able to get home. The timing of PJ’s arrival is still unclear however and we should have more updates on this over the next few days.

    It has been great to hear a lot of people’s stories who have been in similar circumstances and made great recoveries.

    Medical Update:

    PJ has made some really positive progress today. His movements are becoming more and more controlled and deliberate. Waking up is definitely the next stage for PJ and we wait patiently for this to happen. There is no telling when he will wake but rest assure, we will let you know immediately when it does.

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  • Goal of 150K reached!

      10 July 2015

    Our goal of 150K has been reached! We cannot express how grateful we are for your support. Thank you everyone!

    As PJ's condition remains the same and cost to get him home still unknown, donations are still greatly appreciated.

    Once again, thank you very much.

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  • PJ Update July 10

      10 July 2015

    Hey Team just a quick one today. The funding arriving for PJ is staggering. The Lupi Family will forever be thankful.

    Paul is continuing to do well. He continues to show positive signs of improving and is still moving a lot when Mark, Matt or Paul Snr are near his bed. The next few days will be a bit of a waiting game and updates will be fairly brief until the next milestone is achieved.

    The next milestone will be Paul waking up or getting to a position where there is no risk of flying him home. Please know that the Lupi's number one priority is Paul's health so there will be no jeopardising this.

    Please be patient, keep sending love and positive thoughts, and he'll be back in no time.

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  • Update from PJ's Brother, Mark who is with him.

      9 July 2015

    This update was posted to his Facebook page from Mark, his brother who is currently in Thailand with PJ.

    This is mark, Pjs brother.

    Thanks everybody for your love and donations.

    Your literally saving pj life.

    Pj is still in a coma but is now breathing for himself and had tube delivered pumpkin soup 30mins ago.

    Will try and update when can.

    Thank you all very much

    Mark Lupi

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  • Update on for PJ - July 9

      9 July 2015

    Hey Team,

    We have to start this update with the biggest THANK YOU – The Lupi family are overwhelmed with the support, and the amount donated has been humbling.

    We are hearing great stories of how Paul has influenced those who have donated positively throughout his entire life. Please know he will be truly grateful for your support.

    With the funds raised so far and also some outside funding we are coming very close to ensuring his safe arrival home. Keep spreading the love.

    Medical Update:

    Paul is now breathing on his own! He is still unconscious but this is definitely a movement in the right direction. We have been informed it will be normal for someone with a head injury such as Paul’s to be in a coma for a little while so we need to keep sending positivity his way.

    More to come tomorrow.

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  • Thank you for your support

      9 July 2015

    Hi all, thank you so much for your continued support. It really is greatly appreciated.

    We have updated our pages overview to help clarify what has happened and what your generous donations will be going towards.

    Your continued support has been truly touching. Will keep you updated once we hear more.

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  • Thank you for your support

      9 July 2015

    Firstly on behalf of Paul and all of his Family, a MASSIVE thank you for all the donations you have given so far and all the awareness you have spread. Everyone around him is overwhelmed by the support and it really does show what he means to so many people.

    Paul is doing ok and currently in a stable condition with doctors consistently monitoring him. He also has Paul Snr (dad), Mark (brother) or Matt (good friend) by his bed at all times. Doctors are pleased with his progress but are still unsure on when he will wake up from his trauma-induced coma.

    The most important thing to emphasise at this stage is that the funding we are all raising for him is allowing Paul to receive the best possible medical care he can get at the moment and to hopefully bring him home as soon as possible. So keep spreading the love and encourage friends to get on board as you know Paul would do this for anyone in a heart beat.

    We will try to update everyone daily on his progress and hopefully some good news will come our way soon.

    Once again, thank you again for your continued support.

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    • 09/07/2015 by Sha

      Thank you so much to every one who has helped out with PJ's expenses, He is just an all round good guy with a heart of gold and wicked sense of humour - I love my little brother to bits and it is a tribute to him and the kiwi spirit how many people have rallied around to support him to have the best of care and to ensure he will be able to come home to us soon,

      Arohanui ki a koutou,

      Sha