Homecoming

Just so everyone knows, my dad is home. He has a picc line in his arm so that we can administer the meds for his staph infection. Hopefully this will be his last week on them. Other than that, he is just resting and recovering. He is still pretty tired from the events of the past few weeks but he is eating well and talking like he was before. Hopefully he will continue to get better so that he will excel when he restarts physical therapy after the new year.

Thanks for checking in and for thinking about my dad :)

Update Part 3

Patty says: Walter does have a staph infection in his head. He will be on an antibotic drip for 2 weeks. I do not know when he will come home. Visitors are welcome as you know, just wash your hands when you come and go for both his and your benefit. There is also antibacterial hand sanitizer on the wall to the right of the bathroom (and on the walls throughout the hospital). He is VERY bored and REALLY wants to come home. I will keep you updated. Thanks for all of your love and support!!

Strong update

Patty says: Walter is doing well. He was sitting in his chair when I went up today. He is alert and talking. The report on the infection is still not in so I am guessing that he will be there for the whole weekend. If you want to visit, call the hospital, or me, to see if he is still there. He is pretty bored and would love visitors.

Thanks for all of your wishes and prayers. Keep them coming!!!

Surgery = successful

Patty says: Walter's surgery went well. It took no time at all to get the fake bone out and for the Dr. to clean up his cavity. They will check this for staph and will have a report within 2 or 3 days. He is scheduled to be in the hospital for a few days but we'll update as we know more.

Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers and keep them coming!!!

Surgery update plus finally, a night out!

Hi all. My dad's surgery will be Wednesday November 19th at Strong. Hopefully he won't be in the hospital for too long...it was like 3 days last time so I'm sure this stay will be comparable.

We had a fun weekend. My cousin Amy on my dad's side got married so my mom, Tip, and Brian cleaned my dad up and loaded him in the van to go to the reception. He did very well and we all had a great time together. He got to see some of his cousins from out of town (HI BRIAN AND JEN AND EMILY in WI!) and had a few Genny Lights so the night was definitely a success!

Dad and his kids...


The four of us...


We'll post surgery updates once we have them. As always, we love reading comments and knowing who is out there reading this! XOXO!

Not again! Surgery news...

Hi all,

My dad went to the doctor today and the fake bone they put in his head over the summer is infected so he has to have surgery to remove the piece. We are very sad about this news because he has made so much progress, particularly within the last month or so. We feel awful that he has to go through another invasive surgery...a terrible "reward" for all the progress he has made.

The surgery will probably occur sometime in November...we will post when an official date is scheduled. It will be at Strong again and they will remove the problem piece and he will be back to having a "sunken head" again for 9ish months, when the doctors will try to put another piece in and hopefully achieve better results.

The positive is that we know he can definitely bounce back after the surgery since he has done so well since his surgery in June. Yet, hospital infections and facing another surgery in 9 months are definite concerns for us so please send any and all positive thoughts his way!!!! Thanks for your support!

Fall Fun

Patty says: Sorry I did not blog in Sept. As you know, my days are Walter-filled and busy.
Walter is doing wonderful!! He speaks 99% in English now (rare aphasia). He is very alert and sweet (? Walter, yes really). We have conversations ex-Turn it on Channel 21, I will go out with the girls and come home and he will say "how did it go?", his favorite show is now
2 1/2 men and he makes sure he does not miss it. I ask him what his cat's name is and he says "Sterling" or is that the boy cat. I saw a kitty on Channel 13 on Thursday for adoption and I asked him if we could get another kitty and he said "no we have enough kitties." We do lots of music therapy and he recognizes lots of the oldies. He now knows his birthday, the year but not the President of the US. He said that the President was Stephen (his brother.) He still has a tremendous appetite. He would eat all day if I let him. When I get up every am, I always get a little Walter smile and Good Morning.

Tom, Lynn and Tommy joined us for a movie and dinner. Walter did very well considering that we were gone for 6 hrs. He does not sleep all the time which is great too! The only negative report that I have is that Preferred Care has stopped his therapy even though he was making gains. Don't we all love our health care system. He only goes 1 day to Nazareth. The other problem is that his head has been draining slightly since the June surgery. The Dr. said that if by the end of Oct. the head is still draining he will need another surgery to take that bone out and will have the crushed head and helmet again. 9 months later they will reinsert the bone and hope that it will not get infected again. Remember I said a long, long, long, long, road. So, please pray that the draining stops so he does not have to have surgery.

I want to thank Marcia for helping me with Walter's therapy and Kelly, I will call you soon. Walter does very well with Marcia and he beat her in Battleship the first time they played. We love you Marcia!!

Thanks to Walter's buddies for their weekly visits and to share a beer or 2. That is the best time for him (besides eating). And he always remembers who came (short term memory).

Thanks always for my "Special girlfriends for their support and laughter" I will never forget you guys. Thanks to Cheryl for her special visit. (Walter loooooved your tattoo and did ask to see it again).

Feel free to stop by and say hello to Walter-he loves visitors!!

August

Patty says: Glad to have the surgery over. Still in a lot of pain at the moment but it will get better with time.

Walter is continuing along that long, long, long, road to recovery. He is speaking lots of English words but with some aphasia. He has that wry sense of humor back and loves to tease. Therapy has started back again but he only has 12 visits left for the year. We will try to extend that through preferred care but you know how that went last time. Nazareth College can only see him one day this next semester. How can you learn to walk again with no therapy? I might have to take thousands out of the bank to get him therapy. I know that he will walk again-he just needs the therapy and someone to believe in him. (which I do).

I still am desperate for people to help me with Walter at home-brain work and exercising him. I have the exercises that I can show you. Even if it is once a month for 1/2 hour. We would be eternally grateful.

Thanks to Tom for helping to fix my cupboard and for always being there for Walter. Thank you for taking him to dinner and the movie. He also enjoys going for a beer with you!! Friends like you are rare but wonderful!!

Thanks also to my "special girlfriends" who give me strength and love. This is a very difficult journey for me and the kids and Tip but we will keep going till we get Walter back.

Please let me know if you are available to do some therapy with Walter.

Love to you all!!-Patty

Patty's surgery

I know my dad is supposed to be the star of this page but we all know my mom is the REAL star. She had knee surgery yesterday morning to repair her partially torn meniscus. Everything went fine and she was home by yesterday afternoon. She will need to rest for a few days then she will be back in the game.

My dad is still hanging in there. I talked to him on the phone a few times this week and he was very clear in his 1/2/3/4 word responses, which is great and not always the norm. It is such a rollercoaster ride but we hope it will be less topsy turvy as time goes on.

Hope you are enjoying your summer!

Hi Bloggers: Just wanted to post a quick update. Walter is doing well. I took him down to the Crescent Beach for lunch Tues and he remembered the name of the Lake (Ontario). He really enjoyed getting out for the afternoon and did very well. He was in his wheelchair for 11 hours. And he actually stayed awake. We both loved sitting by the Lake and really felt like we were on vacation. We will go again soon!!

People have been asking about my surgery. I will be having this on 7/30. I had to wait to make sure Walter was doing well. We still need to pray for no infections. The Dr. said that the plastic piece they put in his head could get infected. I thought that was strange.

Geno and Kathy came over today and Geno did some brain work and played tic tac toe. Tom came over and checked out the new wheelchair that Walter will be getting. It will be lighter for me to push and much more practical. It was funny the wheelchair guy-Ron said that Walter had ordered a red one. He must want to match the wheelchair to his new van. Impressive!!

I want to again thank Dick, Timmy, Tim Leo, Danny and Tippy for staining my deck. It looks beautiful!! Walter truly has the most dedicated and wonderful friends!! Thanks to Dave W. for helping with my pool and cupboard. There is always something breaking around here!!

Thanks again to the "girls". You get me through the days with laughter and friendship. I love you all so much!!!

That is all for now. I will try to post at least once a month to keep you updated.

Have a great 4th of July and have a beer for Walter!!!!!!! Patty

Homeward Bound

Patty says: Today, Friday, Walter is coming home. The Dr. says that he is ready and I think and hope that he is. He looks good, very alert and eating well.

Next week you may come to see him.

Thanks to all that went up to Strong to see Walter. And thanks to all of the bloggers for their postings.

Enjoy the nice weather and have a beer for Walter!!

Update

Hi everyone,

My dad is currently on the 7th floor of Strong, wing 1400, room 4. Interestingly enough, this is the cardiac unit, because apparently they didn't have an room on the neuro floor for a man who had a scheduled brain surgery. Ahhhh, the hospital system.

Anyway, his head/incision looks good and he has fevers that go up and down as a result of the surgery. Fevers later down the road may indicate an infection (God forbid) but for right now, we are being told that they are normal.

He does wake up and look around and try to communicate per typical Walter-style so nothing has changed on that front.

We don't know for sure how long he will be in the hospital but as always, visitors are welcome.

Step One: Surgery

I just talked to my mom and my dad made it through surgery okay. He was just coming out of the recovery room and they were trying to get him his own room as an attempt to circumvent the threat of infection. He had the bone flap put back on and a plastic surgeon put some new skin on his head where there was substantial scarring before. His whole head had to be shaved again. I don't know what room he will be in but once he is settled, visitors are certainly welcome.

Details

Patty says: Walter's surgery is on Mon. am at 8:30. Please pray for no infections and a quick recovery.

Update - Surgery Soon

Patty says: Finally the time has come for Walter to have his surgery to put the bone back in his head. The surgery is scheduled for Monday, June 16th. I think he is the strongest and most alert since he has been home. He is still pretty aphasic but knows exactly what is going on. He has been working hard on his arms and legs. I am giving him lots of ice cream and food to fatten him up before surgery. As we speak he is out with his brother and Tom Wahl for a beer at Hooligans. He is going to a medical day program once a week which he seems to enjoy. We have had lots of visitors to keep his brain stimulated. He helped Corinne to decide which card to play when we played euchre. He is still reading lots and watching his "favorite" The military channel. He never gets tired of TV and always told me if anything ever happened to him to "prop him up in front of the tv and he would be fine". And he is.

I want to thank his friends again for their dedication to Walter. Our wedding party guys have really come through for Walter at this most difficult time in his life. Not to mention Tom, Gary and of course Tippy. Tippy has helped me with bringing him to the many, many dr. appts. I was feeling very worn out for a while there. I am going to have surgery while Walter is in the hospital on my other knee. I tore my meniscus in the other knee pushing the wheelchair up and down the ramps.

Walter will probably be in the hospital for at least 2 weeks. Visitors are welcome and appreciated!!!

Thanks again to my "special" girlfriends for their continued support. I do not know what I would do without them.

If you want to give Walter a good luck and get well wish, I will read them to him in the hospital. Please continue to pray for a quick recovery from this surgery with no infections to complicate things. St. Jude: Thank you for favors received.

Yay for May

Patty says: Walter continues to hang in there like the champ that he is. Each week I see more progress. His English is coming back and he was able to tell me this AM that his breakfast was "donuts." I said to him "you are so smart" and he gave me that classic Walter smile and "cute face." His therapy at Nazareth college is over till the winter. That is a bad thing since I am struggling to find him therapy for the summer. If any of his friends could help me work him out that would be great. Basically, it would be simple exercises and supervising him on his floor bike.

Thanks to Tom for setting up the bike and Timmy and Dick for setting up my living room ramp. Thanks again to Geno for everything and thanks Vicki for bringing Tessa over. Yes Kathy she is beautiful and smart. Walter and I really enjoyed our visit with her and hope she comes over again soon.

However, I must get something off my chest that has been bothering me since Walter's accident. There are a handful of his friends that have not been a support to Walter and that is really shameful!! Hopefully, you never will know what Walter has been through and if you do hopefully your friends will not abandon you. Like I said it is just a few but it really hurts. And usually it is the guys that are the closest to Walter. He is still with us and could use a visit or a phone call to hear your voice. I am sure that if the situation were reversed, he would not abandon you.

Thanks to my "special girlfriends" that are always there for me to make me laugh and to share a visit with Walter. He loves you guys very much. And I will be forever grateful for your friendship!

To my neighbors: Walter will be out front with me all summer so stop over and say Hi. I know that he has enjoyed all of your visits.

We are still waiting for his bone flap to be made. Hopefully in the next month it will be ready. It will be great to get that over with.

That is the update for now. Enjoy the beautiful Spring and keep praying for my Walter.

Pimp My Ride

Happy Spring, even though the weather hasn't quite caught up to the calendar!

Last weekend was very exciting for my family, as we purchased a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan completely outfitted to fit my dad's wheelchair. It looks like a "regular" van from the outside but the passenger seat can be removed, there is an electrical ramp that folds down to load and unload my dad's wheelchair, and the inside boasts an intricate locking system that secures his wheelchair when he is in the car.

The new chariot...

A view of the electrical ramp...

The space for his wheelchair...

The heavy duty lock that secures his wheelchair...

The captain in his new ride (with his very manly chocolate milkshake)...

Our first outing included my mom, myself, and Uncle Tip. The three of us loaded my dad pretty easily and took him for a ride past the lake, which is his favorite. Ironically, we passed the spot where he fell and hit his head when we were on our journey. We stopped at Schaller's for ice cream (that's where he got the chocolate milkshake). Overall, it was very exciting to get him (and my mom!) out of the house. It has been very difficult keeping my dad cooped up in the house since my parents were both so active and love to go out to eat, to sporting events, to concerts, to my brother's activities, etc. Having this van allows my mom and dad to get some of their independence back. Though getting him out of the house is not a walk in the park, it is great to have the option to do so and it is great to save money on transportation costs for doctor and therapy visits. During the week, my mom and brother took him to Chili's and he had his favorite appetizer. The van will hopefully allow us to make more memories as a family, as opposed to staring at each other in the living room!

Thanks to all who visit and help my mom out (and keep her sane!). The work never ends for her and she can certainly use ALL the help she can get. I will be living in New York City this summer starting May 15th so I will not be around to help on the weekends. I hope that by the time I come back and start school in the fall, my dad will have had his surgery to replace the still-missing piece of his skull and that he will progress both physically and linguistically.

Hope all is well in your lives. Thanks for checking in!

One Year

Patty says: March 13, 2008- Walter had his brain injury one year ago today. Wow what a year from hell!!! I am thinking about that day-the beautiful sunshine, the warm weather-68 degrees-the afterwork kiss he did not want to give me-because he was in his snotty Walter mood-said cause that was " how he was". Yes, that is true. But if he had given me that requested kiss how truly special that would have been.

Right about now, Brian and I were at Strong sitting with a social worker and a Dr. who said that my husband's brain was swollen and that he probably would need emergency surgery as soon as possible if that swelling did not go down. Was I surprised. No not really. I put his name on his bike years ago just for this moment. I always knew something like this would happen to Walter but not this bad and lingering. He almost got hit once and was driven off the road several times. When he rode, I would be on the porch and would hear an ambulance and cringe. He still had so much adventure-loved to ski the biggest hill-bad knees and all. Still did some 4 wheeling with Homer and loved to go up North with Tom to snowmobile.

When he was in his 20's he jumped from an airplane-when he called me after the jump he was soooo happy!! My adventure man. That is why I am not surprised how this journey turned out. If he was on the deck that night reading and napping, we would still have our wonderful, wonderful, life.

Now, our days consist of medical appointments, therapy, phone calls, bathing, changing, dressing, transferring, feeding, tons of wash, paying the many bills, fighting with Preferred Care.

The good news is our friends and family who have stayed faithfully with us on this horrendous journey. This really is what is getting us through this. We love our visitors-thanks to Sue and Dave for the visit today and for the beautiful roses!!Thank you Cheryl for offering to pick up my medical supplies. I am overwhelmed and so thankful for the help. Thanks to Gary for fixing Walter's bed. Now I know what Duck tape is. Thanks to Timmy for helping me with the wheelchair. I am not a nurse or a mechanic. But I am having to learn lots of new and exciting things. I am missing our day to day conversations but when he smiles at me everything is all OK again. We are so lucky to still have Walter with us and he is fighting soo hard-still.

We still have lots to pray for and hope for. Walter will have his bone put back in in 2 months- they have to make up a new bone because his bone had staph (surprise, surprise. We must pray for an uncomplicated surgery with no infections. (I am really nervous about these infections.) Walter seems quite susceptible to these. This will be a long, long, long, recovery. Years, and Years.

Please pray for strength for The Rabitz family. I just want our simple life back-coffee on Sun. am, Walter making pancakes (but not swearing), cooking by the grill and chatting, trips to Sam's, having a meal at Chili's, watching the cooking network and me watching Walter cook with my glass of wine. Wheelchair or not -all of these things will happen-very soon. I am going to buy a handicapped van soon. The transportation charges are soo high.

The tears are streaming down my cheeks now so I must end this reminiscing. So Walter-We all love you sooo much and we know you will fight this thing-Keep smiling for the girls. You make all of our days!!!

Walt and Friends

A few friends visited Walt recently to celebrate his birthday a few weeks after the official date. The group was heavy with former Charlotte high school types and other Walter cronies including Patty, Tip, Gary & Debbie Demchock, Tim & Carol Charron, Chance ( from the Miller clan), Dick and Bernie Flemming, me and Kathy. I guess the highlight of the evening was when Debbie gave her rendition of Marilyn Monroe singing "Happy Birthday." The picture here that captures Walter at that moment is near the end of the page. It shows Walter looking rather--hmmm, let's see how do I describe it? I guess "wistful", "electrified", or "eternally grateful" might sum it up. (You can find the MM version on youtube, www.youtube.com//watch?v=ha3Pyt4wsGA .
It was a bit like old times.

Update

Patty says: Walter continues to improve every day!! He actually asked for a hot dog the other day. He is still more alert and sleeping less (except on therapy days). Lindsay called and when he was done talking to her he said to her "here is your mother". WOW!! he makes my day!!

I must continue to thank Nelson, Marsha, Timmy and Gary for their weekly visits and the brain work that they do for Walter. I am convinced that this interaction is what helps him progress week after week. Nelson reads to him and plays tic tac toe. Marsha does lots of different activities. Gary and Timmy are very special friends!! Also, thank you Tracy and Danny for your special delicacies (the beef burgandy was awesome) Walter really liked it!! Thanks to Tom for the garbage plates and Gary for his electrician help! Thanks to my "special girlfriends" who continue to lift my spirits and help me get through the days with laughter and love. Thanks to all who visit Walter and give him a smile!! You are all welcome to visit. Walter would love to see you!!!

The passing of a dedicated Walt Watcher and truly amazing human being

Patty says: One of my "angels" died at 12:00 this am. The funny thing is I was wide awake and thinking about him. Really!! I was thinking about how every day at Strong John Anderson would come to "check on" Brian, I and Walter. We would be sitting there alone day after day and after work-like clockwork John would come down the hall dressed so handsome in his suit and tie and always greeted us with a big smile and a hug. How blessed we were to have him on our side!! At the time, Walter was doing pretty bad but I am sure that he heard John's voice every day. When Walter went back to Strong the second time, I was sitting alone and John walked in with his big smile and Maureen. My sweet angel.

John was also a wonderful Dad and Lindsay's second father. John was a true family man with a great sense of humor!! Lindsay was so happy at the Anderson's and stayed overnight often. John's oldest daughter Shannon is Lindsay's best friend from high school and she too is an angel. She was tried and true when Lindsay broke her hip twice and people seemed too busy to take the time like Shannon did. She is her father's daughter and she will be a lifetime friend for Lindsay-which are very hard to come by. Lindsay often said that John and her Dad were the best Dad's-ever!! What a great compliment!!

I told John after a concert a few months ago that I "loved him and he was my angel". He just gave me that smile as if to say "It was nothing-really. But it was something so big and real to me and when I have sleepless nights I will lie awake and again think of my "angel" and how truly blessed The Rabitz Family was to have John in our lives. Forever thought of and always missed-Patty

The Birthday Boy!

Patty says: Thursday (January 31st) is Walter's birthday. I thought that it would be fun for him to get birthday wishes through the blog. If you are reading this blog, please send him birthday wishes. It is a really good way to celebrate his fight to have another birthday. He is a real winner and a true fighter. He is getting better every day and I am witnessing a miracle!!

Happy Birthday Walter and may you live to 100!! I love you!!!

Engage those abs!

Hi, Rick here. I popped into the blog to do some adminstrative housekeeping and thought I would make this quick post. My Aunt Anna and I paid a visit to Walt and Patty yesterday. I'm not going to make things sound all rosy and wonderful, but I am encouraged by what I witnessed and participated in.

Having just completed a four week intensive personal training regime, I have been searching for an unsuspecting soul to which I can impart some of the same pain/gain exchange that I have been so fortunate (is the sarcasm bleeding through?) to experience.

I found that soul yesterday.

Yes, Walter is up to counting reps out loud and receptive to challenge. Here's the workout: Three sets of ten bed-rail pullups, three sets of six left knee bends and three sets of six left leg raises. The last set of leg raises had some resistance applied by the trainer. Then some right leg stretching and a couple of right leg raises.

The piece de resistance - that's french for "really cool thing" - was the right hand move. I held a ball about three inches away from Walt's right hand. I told him to touch the ball. He said "I can't". I said "you can". Then I yelled "you can". And Aunt Anna said "oh yes you can Walter". And he moved his hand unassisted about a half way to the ball. Alot to be said for the power of the will.

So for those of you who, like me, have no idea what to do when you go visit Walt I suggest playing personal trainer. He's to a point now where he's able to participate.

I know I got at least as much out of the experience as Walt did.

New Year New Beginnings

From Patty

Happy New Year to our Walter watchers! I read over my last entry a month ago and I am happy to say that Walter is progressing every day slowly and things are the same as they were then. He is aware, alert and soo funny. Every day he makes me smile with his Walter isms. He is progressing with his home therapy, including speech, occupational and physical therapy. The therapists seem pleased with his progress and hopefully he will go to therapy outside the home soon.

He is talking more english every day too but is still ephasic. His appetite is still tremendous and Tom bought him his first garbage plate-which he ate with no swallowing problems-and with no heartburn? He has had pizza and was in his glory eating this too!! He is still infection free except for the same eye infection since his Strong days. When he does not approve of my tv taste (especially QVC) he flicks his tv fingers vigorously. He is soo funny. Do I change the channel? No not really. Oh maybe sometimes. I did tell him next week when idol returns I will go upstairs. What a sap I am.

I hope all of the bloggers had a great holiday! We had our Walter xmas present home and we were lovin our time with him!!
I will not have lots of time to blog but will try to do a monthly report. I have an aid 3 days a week for now. I will soon cut that to 2 days.
I cannot thank everyone enough for their love and support!! Thanks to Joanne for her continuous love and humor and for helping me to laugh. Marsha, Danny, Tracy, Gail, Norma, Nan, Mom, Cheryl, Donna, Lori, Jean, Noreen, Melissa, Bernie, Sue, Geno, Gary-Thanks for you wonderful visits and for your delicious food!! Thanks to Tim my for stretching Walter's arm and for all who visit and give Walter strength to go on and fight. He needs to see his friends to get better. The guys really make Walter happy!! You all are welcome to come over and see him!! Work friends especially-Walter would love to see!!
Happy New Year to all and keep praying that our Walter will one day walk, talk and be able to have that beer! If I know him, that time will come-and I will see that it does!!!

January 11, 2008 7:23 PM

Hi Patty and all the Walter Watch folk. I have been checking the blog from Australia and have been missing the regular updates on my mate Walt. I keep planning to call and speak to him but as you can see from this time stamp the time difference gets a little dificult to manage.

I hope everyone has had a great Christmas and New Year. I have been spending every minute with various Family members in various parts of Eastern Australia. It is a veeery hot summer here. For example under the verandah on my brothers farm (Ranch) near Denniliquin NSW was 115 F. It is going to be a shock to the system returning to the snow and cold, but I am looking forward to catching up with you all,
Much love
Corinne