Hi Everyone

Sorry that I have not been able to send out reports on Chris the last several days. We were getting ready for a big move. On Wednesday we said Good Bye to our many friends at Daniel Freeman and we moved Chris home to Las Vegas. He is in a local hospital where he can receive therapy several time a day. The actual trip back to Las Vegas went very well. Chris was in a reclining wheel chair in a new van we got that is converted into a handicap vehicle. He slept most of the way and seemed to be comfortable, but the first night we were here he cried almost all night. We've been trying to get settled here but everything is so different. We miss the doctors, nurses, therapists and other members of Daniel Freeman. We miss the constant medical attention Chris relieved from all his doctors - we miss the " up beat " attitude of everyone, we miss the professional but friendly therapy sessions and the kind and capable nursing staff. The time we spent at Daniel Freeman enabled us to have a second chance at getting are son back. Thank you all a thousand times over. I'm indeed grateful.

Chris developed a few problems and his new Doctor Dr. Boatling, Chris primary care physician spoke to Dr. Friedman on Friday. Everyone here can't believe what great care we had and how caring the doctors were that they will call and talk to the new doctor. It made me feel so relived to know that Dr. Friedman called and Chris' many " quirks " were discussed.

Bottom line is we miss everyone at Daniel Freeman. It was our home for 7 months and it was difficult to pull up and go, but we're here now and we'll do the best we can. Thanks Coleen for coming to visit on Saturday.

Good Morning

Chris has had a good weekend. He's not sick, he's becoming more alert, and he's starting to eat again. We're not sure if it's because of the new medicine he's been taking for his under active thyroid or if its "just happening". He has many things going on all the time because of his severe injury. All his lab reports today were good and there will be more taken tomorrow to check his thyroid.

Jen and I have become more involved with Chris' care. Dr. Brown wrote an order for us to be taught to suction (cleaning of the track area ­ inside) and we also are learning to measure and administer medication. We are also giving him his showers and doing his transfers from bed to his wheelchair. We want to be able to do all that's necessary for him until he is better, because he will be better.

On Saturday night the Southwest Tour had their year and banquet. There was a phone line hooked up so they could call us at the hospital & talk to Chris. We hoped he would talk, but he didn't ­ so we ran a tape of him telling Brian goodbye. Then Lee Elder presented the crew of the #70 race car the award for the team exhibiting the spirit of the Southwest Tour. Thanks Lee and all the Tour friends. And congratulations to all of our crew and to the winner of the tour ­ Brian Gernomia and the Cofers.

Good Morning

I think our roller coaster is on the way up. Chris was alert yesterday. Jason and Sheit and Sue were here on Wednesday. When Jason was leaving he asked Chris for a " Thumbs Up " and Chris immediately gave him a great thumbs up. He did the same when Sheet and Sue were talking to him. He has been mumbling and groaning a lot. He has answered "Yes" to questions by the nursing staff. On Thursday he had to have an extra dosage of Tegretol ( to prevent seizures ) and it made him very tired. We could hardly wake him up all day. He did however wake up to have his dinner.Bob Gardner was here all day with us. We feel very honored because it was his birthday - and he spent it with us. He is the nicest guy. He has done so much for Chris , we are glad to call him a friend.

The drawing is complete in Wisconsin for the Go-Cart and other prizes. One of the main prizes was won by someone who races at Cajon and anther prize was won by Bobby Panjonis from Las Vegas. The raffle went very well and again we want to thank all of our friends and relatives in Wisconsin. We also want to thank all those on the West Coast ( Nancy , Deanna, Bob Gardner etc. ) who sold tickets.

Chris had his trach replaced today and he has just a spacer or button. He is doing very well with his breathing. Dr. Brown changed the trach today and will see how it goes this time. It should be comfortable for him.

Sheit and Sue couldn't believe how many doctors were in to see Chris in one day, and how informative and pleasant they were. They have made a horrible situation bearable for us. We are greatful.

Love Barb

Good Morning

No news this morning. Chris is still very quiet. His appetite is not good, but he did eat some dinner. His doctors ordered a Cat Scan today to be sure the shunt was working. So we went down to radiology about noon. The technicians said there was no change. That was good news because it meant the shunt was still okay. A new doctor who saw him today thinks Chris became alert - saw what was happening to him and just shut down and pulled back within himself. I don't know what to think, but it sounds logical. So we just keep telling him he's getting better and that he will be fine.

There was a raffle in Wisconsin this past week end to benefit Chris' Medical Fund. It was so wonderful of all those people to give their time and effort for Chris. Thanks go to Chucks entire family in Wisconsin - you all have been great through all of this. Also to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Miller who stared the raffle idea. They are NAPA dealers in Wisconsin. Also thanks to Deanna and Nancy for all their raffle ticket sales.

Well tomorrow is anther day - Maybe it will be the day Chris emerges again - I certainly hope so-

Love Barb

Good Morning

I wish I could tell all of you that Chris continues to be alert and talking to us but thats not the case. He remains quiet and unresponsive to his surroundings. His eyes are open and he's looking around and staying awake for longer periods of time, but he's not answering questions or responding to commands, but by tomorrow morning he could be doing all those things again. Two weeks ago today he was surprising everyone with his level of alertness and his talking. The neurologists say he will do it again. He's in there and connections are happening. So we remain vigilant and hopeful. We had slid into a bit of depression when he went back into his unresponsive state, but Chris had shown us what he could do and that he was still the Chris we knew. It gave us all the encouragement we needed to hang in there. Even when he was first injured you would gain new hope and faith by going to see him. Now he looks just so great !

We had lots of visitors this week- Ricky and Trina and little Chap Marshall and Tonja and beautiful Alyssa. Luis-Paula Pinaopple and Don and Brain and Denina. Thank you all for coming to see us.

Bob Gardner Chris wore his new Cajon T-Shirt today- Happy Birthday Bob.

Barb

Good Morning

Its like riding the roller coaster at New York New York. We were certainly on the upper end last week and we're experiencing the downward ride now.

Chris has not been very response for the past 4 or 5 days. He has not spoken any words we can understand. And his appetite is dimishing. So we are a bit depressed. We were so very excited last week. Chris let us know that he was there and that he was still the same young man that went out to play tennis on Feburay the 9 TH. We're also glad and relived to know that he knows Chuck & Jen & I and his friends . Dr. Ludwig says it is not unusual for this to happen - he may fluctuate back and forth to these highs and lows. I hope we're all up to it. I'm sure Chris is.

He is still eating 3 meals each day - although he really needs to be coached to do so. Barbara Allen has promised him Cheese cake for Thanksgiving - so I'm sure his appetite will pick up for that.

We watched 20-20 or Prime Time tonight - it was about gangs and their disregard for life children or other people. How sad Chris fights every day to regain his life and they destroy their own and others around them. Its all so unfair. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Barbra

Good Morning

Monday Night Football ! Luis came to watch the game with Chris - as he always does. Chris stayed awake during most of the game, but he did not say anything we could understand. Last Thursday night we were playing a recorded Dolphins game and Chris was asked what are you watching and he said "Miami " when the crowd cheered he said "Touchdown". So we were hoping for more from him tonight. But he was making lots of noise and acting like a spoiled child - he spit some food out at Jen when we didn't give him the soda he wanted ! He's developed a taste for Sprite. He'd really rather have Dr Pepper but its to much caffeine.

Lee Elder and his family were here today. They stopped on their way back from Phoenix. It was good to see them. I wish we were going to the Southwest Tour Banquet with all of them this year. We really miss all the racers and there families. Unfortunately Lee couldn't visit with Chris much because he was having a test for visual potential and his hearing. It lasted over a hour and we won't have the results until tomorrow. It won't tell us if Chris can see but it will tell us if the lines from his eyes to the part of the brain that processes the waves from the optic nerve.

We had such a wonderful week last week. Chris was alert and knew us and Jen and his friends. Although he is still eating very well and he's making attempts to talk we have not been able to understand much of what he says. I hope his speech improves again.

Barbra

Good Morning

Sorry there was no fax on Friday. We had such a wonderful week - Chris as you know is coming out of the coma and is actually making responses to situations and to other people. He talked to Jason Allen and to Toni Mulligan on Wednesday night. An Thursday night he was on the phone with Brain while the race team was in Phoenix. We couldn't understand much of what Chris said to Brain until he told him "Bye Brain ". It was so clear !! Jen and I were so excited on Thursday he put his arm out to hug me. When I tried to pull away ( after a minute or so ) he pulled me back and said "No ! I Want a Kiss " Boy I was happy ! He has said things to Chuck , Jen, and I and on the phone to a few of his friends. It has been an amazing week. We are awed as we watch him begin to do things we all take for granted - such as using his napkin or licking his lips ! A meal takes us over one hour because we try to help him learn to use a spoon again. His appetite is good - he's been waiting almost 9 months to really eat.

The last 2 days he has been quiet again. He is eating good, but is not as vocal- We'll see what happens today

Barb