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!
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6 comments:
Hi Patty and Lindsay,
Thanks for the update. I have to admit that the thought of Strong Hospital, the "sunken head" and the dreaded exercise machine he used in his hospital room last year give me qualms. But I have been amazed at Walt's progress since the June surgery. His speech is the best since the time of his accident. It can only get better after the infection is cleared up. I'll think positive for you.
I have to agree with Gino. I couldn't believe how well Walt was doing this Summer once they put tha top back on his coconut. This whole adventure has shown us the brain is an amazing organ and Walt is an amazing guy. I keep thinking there was a doctor way back when who told us that Walt might see a pretty good rebound once he got the plate in his head and his brain "sensed" it was in a protected, warm and cozy setting again. It's been a good Summer. Here's hoping for another good recovery and more good Walt-isms coming soon.
Hang in there, Rabitz's. It's been a long road but we got to see some good signs this last round.
Brian & Nan Corry
& all the little Corry's
P.S. -- Maybe when Walt gets out of the hospital and his stitches have healed, you can hide that "sunken head" under a nice new (sterile) Bills hat. The hat of a winner would be a good fit for Walt.
This time of year always reminds me of you and your dad. Trick or treating while our dads filled up all their pockets with as many beers that would fit. One of my favorite memories growing up. You all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Stacy Naylor
Sad news indeed. I'll have some good thoughts and prayers about you amigo.
Keep the faith!
Goegs
Hi All,
I just came from visiting Walt, Patty and Brian to talk to them about some college application stuff. Luckily, Brian didn't wait for me to get around to coming over there with some papers and brochures I picked up for them at a college event at school a few weeks ago. It seems he's already got most everything taken care of on the college application front. So that was good to see.
But as for Walt, I gotta tell ya. For one thing, I know I don't get over there enough but I don't think I've seen him sitting up since I saw him sitting in his wheel chair out in his driveway over the Summer. And anyone who's seen Walt in the last year would have to say how slim he has been compared to his old self. Well, the first thing I noticed tonight when I saw him sitting in his wheel chair at the kitchen table is that he looks like he's bulking up a little. Sure enough, Patty says he has gained 20 pounds since June. He looks much better.
Then Walt really knocked my socks off. While I was talking to Patty, he turned around and asked what sport my son plays at school. Before tonight (since the accident), I had only seen Walt asnwer questions with mostly 1-word answers. So when he tutned around and asked me a question, that was quite a change. Then Patty started letting him really show off. She asked him the score and who's playing in the hockey game he was watching a room away from us. He told me. Okay, that was not bad -- he had to gather that info into his memory from a few places on the screen, remember it all and answer. But it was all available on the screen. Then Patty asked him about a game he watched a week ago. And he started filling me in on the details of that game. Okay, now I'm impressed! Next, she asked Walt to tell me the Bills record. He got that wrong -- BUT he then told me they've lost their last 3 games (which is true). That made up for it.
There was also some other stuff we talked about like his old neighbors from across the street, the Sagers now living in PA, who visited him over the Summer. And he remembered! It took him a few seconds but he remembered.
I had to share this with you all. Wow, what a difference from past visits. It was great to see.
Brian Corry
Our thoughts and prayers for this new step in Walt's recovery. We will continue to check the blog for progress reports.
Jim and Betsy
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