Spider Bob Condition Thread

[jplracing]

Many of you already know about Bob's medical condition. He was pretty beat up in the T8 crash during AmU.

Currently he is medically sedated. As of this morning they plan to continue having him "under" and don't have an eta as to when that will change

They also plan on completing a scheduled MRI and Cat scan today

Also, in an effort to allow the hospital staff to work and allow bob to rest, I would ask that people refrain from going to see him. As soon as he is able I will let you all know the visiting hours etc....

It is my understanding that Bob should be able to fully recover from his injuries, however will have a long rehab infront of him.

I will update as I know more....any questions let me know

Joe

[rybo]

In the interest of keeping this thread clean please post all well wishes in the MRA races thread. Let's leave this one open and uncluttered so that Joe can get updates to us.

Thanks!

[rforsythe]

Then lock it so we don't clutter it with our concerns and questions.

It's remaining unlocked so Joe can post.

Please respect this and use the other thread for conversation on this.

Thanks!

[jplracing]

Bob's current condition

There really haven't been any major changes in Bob's medical condition today. He did have an MRI yesterday, where they did find some more damage to his lungs. They ended up putting a few more tubes in to ease his breathing

They also plan on installing a Trach and to remove the breathing tube to lessen the stress on his neck. However, he will remain sedated for a number of days in the future


Questions please pm me

Joe

[rforsythe]

The word you're looking for is "trach" as in Tracheal Tube.

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Best wishes to Spidey and family, and friends, and hopefully he'll make a full and spidey, er, speedy recovery. Um, I know there's some thought to keeping his actual condition private, but is there any more news? Generally, medically-induced anything is not a good thing. Any tidbits you can share?

[rforsythe]

From what I understand the sedation is a pain control mechanism, and also necessary because of the intubation.

[jplracing]

Ralph, Terri and I went to the hospital yesterday evening.

Bob is pretty much in the same state he has been for the last few days. However, the hospital does plan to install a trach and feeding tube some time next week. This will allow them to bring him out of his sedated state. The are also in the begining stages of developing a plan for the remainder of his injures. Once Bob is awake he will be able to have vistors, if he so chooses. However, until that time I would ask that we respect his privacy and allow him to rest in private.

As for Steve Fish, we did drop off his card. However, without being family we were unable to get any detailed information. At this point he is still sedated and appeared to be in the same condition he has been with the last few days

Joe

[jplracing]

Weekend Bob update:

The hospital plans on installing the trach and feeding tube this morning. However, they plan to leave him sedated until his lungs and ribs have had a chance to heal and it is more comfortable for him to breath on his own.

I have also been in contact with his brother and mother. They wanted to express there thanks to everyone down here that are helping and donating money. They are actually suprised that we as a group are helping as much as we are.

Joe

[jplracing]

Monday update.

Bob's condition really hasn't changed. The hospital was able to put the trach and feeding tube in over the weekend.

Currently they are going to keep him sedated for some time without any clear idea of when he will be concious

Joe

[jplracing]

Well it seems that we are going to reach that stage were nothing is really happening with bob's condition.

So today's update is basically the same as yesterday


Joe

[rybo]

Joe,

In many ways this latest update is a good thing. To me it means that Bob is stable and the sedation is allowing him to start healing on his own. We are all pretty much Type A personalities around here and we want results NOW, but healing takes time.

Thank you for your continued dedication and keeping us posted.

s

[Buddau]

Yes, thanks for keeping us up to date.

[Mental]

+1, the same as yesterday is good news, becuase it means it ain't gettin worse.

[jplracing]

Once Bob is awake he will be able to have vistors, if he so chooses. However, until that time I would ask that we respect his privacy and allow him to rest in private.

I have received some questions about visiting Bob. Please read the above statement

Even if you are thinking that this statement doesn't apply to you. Please re-read the above statement

It is important to realize that that Bob is medically sedated. He is not aware that you are there. So if you think going is a good thing it is really for your personal satisfaction or personal morbid curiousity and is in no way helping Bob

So by flooding the hospital with visitors only distracts the hospital staff and may cause undo stress for the staff and other patients. When Bob is awake and aware he can make the decision of whether or not he has visitors or not. Therefore, PLEASE RESPECT BOB's PRIVACY AND LET HIM REST!

[jplracing]

I spoke with the hospital this morning.

Bob is pretty much same. All things cnsidered he is doing pretty well.

Other than that I really don't have too many new details

Joe

[jplracing]

In an attempt to answer questions from the MRA board, I decided to copy and paste this here as well to hopefully avoid any confusion and to answer any looming questions

Guys,

Yes Glen and Ralph's responses are correct. The overall plan is too allow Bob to heal in comfort.

As I have mentioned in the past, he doesn't have any injuries that are life threatening or could diminish is long term capacity for life. However, the trauma he sustained was pretty great. As such, he will have a pretty long road of rehab in his future.

It is also important to note that I have been intentionally vague as to the laundry list of injuries and there potential outcomes for few reasons. They all surround Bob's personal privacy. Since this is an open internet forum I can't guarantee who is reading the information and what conclusions they will jump to. I am sure that when Bob is more aware of the situation he will be happy to share the list of injuries, however I feel that is his decision and not mine.

At the beginning of the season Bob asked me to be the emergency contact in case something happened. As noted by Glenn, Bob's family is in Canada. I have been in communication with them (and with Ralph and Terri's help) we are working on action plans to help Bob with his short and long term future.

So hopefully I have answered or addressed any concerns that anyone may have. However, please feel free to PM me (or Ralph) should you need something or wish to help with Bob's recovery.

Also please remember that we are holding a benefit track day to help Bob with his expenses. Everyone's participation would be greatly appreciated.

Joe


http://forums.mra-racing.org/viewtopic.php?t=4992

[jplracing]

Finally some positive news to share

We went down to the hospital to check in on Bob.

He is awake and responsive to his surroundings, he even through us the shocker!. He is currently breathing on his own, albiet via the trach tube. The hope is that Bob will continue breathing on his own through out the remainder of the weekend. Should this be the case they plan on changing is trach to a style that will allow him to be able to speak.

Once this happens he will be transfered to a Denver long term acute rehab hospital. The hope is the transfer will be on Tuesday, however that is still a little up in the air

As of our meeting with the ICU staff today, they have requested that we NOT flood the hospital with visitors. Therefore, he is still not accepting vistors. However, after the transfer we hope that will change.

Any questions please let me know via PM

Joe

[~Barn~]

Great news!

[pilot]

Man, that is excellent. I'm sure Bob will be happy to hear all that has been going on and what is planned for, track day in November, etc!

Any news on Steve (try wearing a doctor's coat and hitting up on one of the nurses, ha).

[Buddau]

That's the best news I have heard all week!

[denverbusa]

Very good news. Thanks for the updates here. While many of us don't know him all that well enough personally to go visit we do care and are thinking of him and hoping for his speedy recovery.

Best of wishes to you Bob!

Likewise to Steve as a kindred spirit and fellow rider, get well soon.

[bandido]

Excellent news, Thanks for the update.

[rforsythe]

Steve has already been transferred to Denver, don't know the exact details on that. There is a thread about him on the MRA board.