Final Surgery Another Success

Mike finally had his colosotmy surgery today and all went well. He is in recovery now, but should be out in an hour or so. He will be in the hospital for 3 or 4 days while everything heals a bit and he gets used to the new process. Mike was really looking forward to this, unlike all the other surgeries, so we are all happy it finally happend.

This will give Mike the freedom to go wherever and whenever he wants with no fear of those untimely accidents. Now we can really make use of things like our O's season tickets, fishing, and so on.....

I will be down to visit Mike tonight. Kim brought him to the surgery and has been there all day. As soon as he gets a room and is settled we'll let everyone know.

Red

Talk To The Hand ?? !!!

Mike and I were sitting watching TV last night and he said, "hey Pop's, I can move my hand!" He was moving his right hand at the wrist, where before it just flopped from there. I watched him move it up and down several times! He could also move his right thumb ever so slightly!!

I waited till today to see it again before I posted this.

He is also now able to sit up on a hard surface with his arms behind his back and support himself. He can balance and not fall over with no help from me for a few minutes.

Red

More Donations

I just heard from The Josh Snyder Foundation that their annual Fishing Derby was a huge success again, and that they are going to sponsor a hole at the Second Annual Gotz Strength Golf Tournament as well as making a cash donation to the Mike Gotzens Foundation. This will be the second time they have sponsored a hole.

The Josh Snyder Annual Fishing Derby is held in Cheshire, MA and is a memorial for Josh, who was tragically killed in a car crash about 7 years ago. The funds raised go to several causes around the area. The Foundation and Derby are run by Nancy Snyder (Josh's Mom), Karen Ryan, ( my sister) and a host of other regular vounteers that make it all run.

We here all appreciate your generosity.

Red

First Fundraiser of the year!!

I wanted to update everyone about the first fundraiser conducted for The Foundation this year! Our cousins in Boston held a fundraisers at their friend, Tommy Doyle's bar in Harvard Square this past Friday night. They raffled these items:


Pair of CELTICS tickets (donated from Alyssa Tingle)
One Day of Carpentry Labor from Garrett Tingle Sr., Master Builder and Carpenter
(2) $50 City Sports Gift Certificates
Manicure and Pedicure Gift Certificate to The Nail Box in Watertown
Beautiful Wood Jewelry Box
Melita Single Cup Coffee Maker and Coffee Pods
$100 Cash (from Gemini Scientific)Bath/Beauty Gift Basket
$100 Cash (from Peterson/Griffin Architects, Ltd.)
$100 Gift Certificate to Golfer’s Warehouse
2004 Jason Varitek World Series Jersey
Sex and the City movie DVD
LaCoste Canvas Navy Beach Bag
George Foreman grille
Crème brulee maker kit
Hess Gas Gift Card
Johnny Walker Black Label Scotch/Whisky

They made over $2750 for the foundation and the bar is giving half of what they collected at the door as well!!

Thanks so much for they hard work on this!

-Kim

Mike's first few days home

First we want to thank the people who came by on Saturday to hand out with Mike and allow us to say "thanks" for all your help in modifying the house and for those few who had the biggest part in planning the 2008 Gotz Strength Golf Tournament! We had a nice time and thank you also to Joe and Taylor and Skipper for staying late to help clean up!

We appreciate ALL of Mike's friends and family and neighbors for EVERYTHING that they have done, big or small, for the past 8 months and hope to continue to have your support!

Mike is off to a restful start at home. He has a visiting nurse attending his wound twice a week and reports that it continues to heal nicely. She is also looking into another form of personal care assistant for Mike to have daily since the first one wasn't what he was looking for. He has been fitted into his new custom chair which looks amazing and is getting used to the new fit! It has a wonderful lift feature which assists in others helping him into bed, chairs, shower chair, etc.

The rehab hospital called today and reported some great news that the virus Mike was told he had when he was discharged, will NOT prevent him from attending physical therapy, so hopefully he will start going again as soon as later this week or next week!

Dad will be heading to Daytona all of next week (Feb. 27-March 6) but Mike will be staying at home with our mom. Please stop by if you have time for a visit on the weekend or any weeknight!

-Kim

Great News!

Mike will be coming home this Friday, the 20th! We're excited to have him home and closer to us. Hopefully, he will continue to improve and will be able to go to therapy and resume is normal daily routine as soon as possible. His bed sore continues to heal and he will finish his antibiotics on Thursday so the infection should be gone. Thanks to all who made it down to Washington Hospital Center and NRH during this last several weeks. It really cheers him up (even if you can't tell)! See you all soon!

-Kim

Mike's Visit Home

Mike came home for the day yesterday to wtach the super bowl! He had a pretty good day before he had to go back to NRH. He had predicted the Steelers would win and was happy they did!

We still do not have a discharge date from the doctor, but we're hoping to hear of one soon.

Thanks to all who came over to watch the game with Mike. As always, your company means so much!

-Kim