I Have A Dream!

Quick update from the field: All was quiet last night in room 2109. Walt would not wake up for me despite a few mild cheek pinches (do what depths have I sunk?), slaps to the arms and wrists, and various and sundry methods of verbal stimulation. But he did seem comfortable and that right arm is now more relaxed. He no longer looks like he is constantly ready to say the pledge of allegance.

I had a very vivid dream last night that I need to share: I went to the hospital to see Walt, and there he was like he's been so often in the past few weeks, asleep and unresponsive. I tried to wake him, as I have so often in the past few weeks, and he didn't budge.

A minute later he yawned, woke up, sat up, and moved his right arm down from the I-pledge-allegance-to-the-flag position and upon noticing the blood and ripped flesh (the hand must have somehow fused to his chest skin) said "ah shit!". Then he looked at me and said hello, asked how I was doing etc. etc. I was amazed and excited, I went to grab the phone to call Patty but he said that he wanted to do the honors. Although concerned that the spontaneous excitement might be too much for Patty's heart to take, I simply sat in utter amazement and gratitude while he dialed the phone (yes, dialed, it's a dream, OK?) and began a matter-of-fact conversation with Patty.

About the only thing that nobody can take away from us is our dreams.

May Walt be free from his suffering caused by this injury.

Cousin Rick

Patty says: Walter had a good weekend. He was alert and said several words in English. He still seems pretty congested though. He is eating well and would welcome your visit at Parke Ridge Hospital.

Thanks for your continued support during this difficult time!! Cheryl-thanks for your visit Fri. night. You are an amazing friend. Marsha and Jim-Thanks for the pasta dish-Brian and I really enjoyed it. Dave and Gail-thanks for taking my boat to the barn. It will be nice and protected for the winter. As always, thanks to Timmy for keeping Walter company at lunch. You are such a gift to us. I love you all!!!Keep the prayers coming! There is still lots to pray for!!

Lindsay says: I saw my dad awake for the first time in awhile this wekeend. He also seemed perkier than the last few times I have seen him. It is amazing how much he has been through but he still just keeps fighting. I am sad that we will not have the pleasure of carving pumpkins with him this Halloweeen - he is a masterful pumpkin carver! I brought him a stuffed pumpkin this weekend though so he will not feel out of the Halloween spirit this week :) Please continue to keep him in your thoughts!

Update

Patty says: Walter is still at Park Ridge. His eyes are open, he is eating, and he was actually moving his left leg up and down yesterday. I have not seen movement like that-ever. He does have a "slight" pneumonia but he does sound very congested.

Keep the prayers coming. He is quite the fighter and I am soo proud of him!!!

Not Good News

Patty says: Sunday 2:30 p.m.-Walter is going back to Park Ridge. Fever, Lethargic.


Corinne Says: Our prayers and love are with you and our dear Walter.

Quick FYI

My dad is being moved back to the Hurlbut today just so everyone knows. More updates to follow...

Park Ridge 2

Patty says:
Brian-Go in the main entrance. Visiting hours are from 11:00-8:00.

Yesterday, (Wed.) he was having another good day. Eyes wide open and communicating with me I tried to get him to write his name and I at least got an "R" out of him. He looked at the paper and a WWII magazine that I brought up for him. The dr. came in and he is trying to get to the bottom of this CDif he keeps getting since our Strong days. At the moment, he is on just heavy liquids because his swallowing test showed that he cannot tolerate food. Hopefully, that will change soon.
Thanks to everyone for their all their help during this difficult time. Thanks Bob and Dave for helping me with the boat. Thanks to Dave W. for also helping me with the boat. Thanks to Danny for helping me with Walter's TV. Thanks to Elaine for trimming my tree. Thanks to Rick and Corrine for always being at the hospital when I can't. It would be a very lonely road to travel if I was totally alone.
Please keep the prayers coming. I need my husband back!!

Park Ridge

Patty says: Calling all visitors. Walter is ready for visitors at Park Ridge. Today (Tues) he was very alert and communicating with me. I felt the best connection with him in weeks.

Please help me get my husband back. Please go and tell him a story or just sit and show him how much you care. The Rabitz family needs your love and support.

Off On a trip Part 2

Just back from Park Ridge. Walt has been prodded and poked and bled yet again for even more tests. The good news is that his temperature is back down and the team in Emergency are doing a great job looking after him and trying to figure out what the infection is and the best way to treat it. They are going to keep him for at least a couple of days. The attending physcian was off to consult with the infectious disease specialist so perhaps something new will be found out to put a stop to all the bloody bugs doing their worst.

Patty was going to wait intil she knew exactly where in the hospital Walt would be spending the night and she would be heading home too.

Cheers
Corinne and Rick

Off on A Trip

Patty just called to say that Walt has yet another infection and is going to Park Ridge tonight. Patty will keep us posted on the results. Patty had asked the Hurlbut to do blood work today and it just came back with a very high white blood count and a temp of 101+.

Lots of prayers

Love to all.
Corinne
t

Phase 3

Rather than do the obvious and poke fun at the name "Hurl-butt", I feel like reflecting for a moment. The move to Walt's new temporary home feels like a new phase. In hindsight, Phase 1 was survival at Strong. Phase 2 was "WTF?" at St. Mary's . I'm going to call Phase 3 which has yet to play out, "Remarkable Upturn".

The new place is easy to get to and pleasant to visit--more so than a hospital. It's more of an elder care place but they seem capable of caring for Walt and getting his physical therapy started again. The rooms and public spaces have lots of windows to the outside which cheers up things. Walt's room has a nice, calming view and the staff has been friendly and supportive. Walt seems to be feeling good and is ready for visitors.

In the photo with Patty, Walt is having dinner in one of the public rooms. Walt's response to the room was "Wow". It was like eating at the old Edward's restaurant downtown (not the food--the atmosphere).

In the photo with Tim Charron, Tim is working with Walt's right arm to get it unclenched and to help Walt initiate some control of it. That clenching is part of the muscle "tone" problem you have heard about. Tim is able to get a lot of interaction out of Walt--it's pretty amazing, especially for a Charlotte graduate.

The success of Phase 3, Remarkable Upturn, will hinge in part on friends and family who can visit and interact with Walt. I hope you can participate.

New Place - Update

Visitors wanted. Walter is at the Hurlbut Home across from MCC (the college). It seems like an OK place. You can park in front of the home, walk in and press the button on the left wall and they will let you in. He is in room 25 at the moment (same room as St. Mary's)(weird). Danny and Lori (our neighbors) came to visit and he was pretty good. He said "Hi Danny" and "Hi Lori" in English-plain as day. He tried to socialize and did pretty well with Walterisms and smiles. I am so proud of him!! We will keep you posted. It will be great to have a new set of therapists work with him and hopefully help him.

Contact info: (Thanks Gino!)
The Hurlbut
1177 E Henrietta Rd
Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 424-4770

See you at The Hurlbut!

Goodbye St. Mary's!

Patty says: Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. St. Mary's just called. They are in my words "kicking him out." But that is not a bad thing. For now, he will be at the Hurlbert Home. They have offered a private bed and therapy. I will be paying 300.00 a day. And I will be fighting the insurance company. When Walter gets settled visitors would be welcome. Keep praying for his recovery and that insurance will kick in. Then we will send him to Northeast where he can recover with his mountains by his side to give him strength.

Thanks for all of your continued support!!

Almost had a Kodak moment

Walt's camera has had 3 shots left in it for a couple of months. I decided to ask him to finish up the roll on Saturday. He gave it a good effort but couldn't quite press the shutter button with only one hand.

As Patty mentioned, Walt had a good week compared to some recent ones. When I visited he tried talking with me--I think he may have been complaining about the "boots" that were on his feet to keep them from curling. Overall he looked relatively comfortable. Maybe he has beat his most recent infection.

I have reprinted Patty's recent message below. Walt may be leaving St. Mary's soon. I'm hoping he will be able shoot the rest of the pictures that are left before he leaves. If not, I hope someone uses it to record his last day at St. Mary's.

****************** From Patty *********************************
Patty says: Tom: Northeast is 1 hr from Albany off of the thruway. Walter has been accepted, now I have to convince insurance to pay for this (otherwise I have to pay 791.00 a day) Yikes! It is what it is.
Walter cannot have a garbage plate yet. He is on pureed food for now because he could not keep his head up to eat because of the "tone".
Thank you Tom for your continued support!! You are a wonderful, caring and kind friend. All friends should have your qualities!! The world would be a better place to live.
Thanks to everyone who visited Walter this week. He had a good week. Hope this continues!!
See you at St. Mary's!!