Thursday, November 18, 2010

NO SUCH THING AS A COINCIDENCE?

You all know this man:

Last January, Mr. Bob collided with a car waiting to make a left hand turn and the policeman who witnessed the event, confiscated Mr. Bob's license. Previous to that fateful evening, Mr. Bob had a flawless driving record. His four year old van had none of the dents and scratches that often begin to appear on an older person's vehicle. In the ensuing ten months, as Mr. Bob attempted to regain his license, he visited the DMV, his primary doctor, a neurologist, an orthopedic surgeon, weathered several MRIs, saw a back doctor and a physical therapy group, and was no closer to getting his license back than he'd been on February 1. At long last he was put in touch with Glendale Adventist Hospital's Driver Rehabilitation Program where he's undergone an evaluation, and is now working toward getting a Learner's Permit and eventually a road test. Meanwhile he's going for physical therapy twice a week, learning strengthening exercises for a weak leg and ankle.

Now, meet our long-time friend, Roger 
     
For some time, Roger's been battling cancer and undergoing rigorous chemotherapy sessions. In September as chemo was being administered, a mysterious complication took place, putting him immediately into the hospital. Chills, high fever, uncontrollable coughing, eventual sedation lasting nearly a month, give or take a few days, seven perplexed doctors, massive doses of antibiotics and more medical wrinkled brows. Best that can be said now is that it was some sort of unnamed pneumonia. Somewhere in that time Roger suffered a stroke. His speech and creative thinking has returned 100%, but he's needing to learn to walk all over again. Recently he was transferred from Verdugo Hills Hospital, close to his home down to Glendale Adventist Hospital and wonder of wonders, he and Mr. Bob are undergoing therapy in the same room at the same time. 
What are the chances of that happening?



5 comments:

  1. It's good to see that they are both getting closer to their goals!

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  2. susan writesWow, thank you for sharing part of their journey. I will be happy to see Dad and Roger in December. Keep up the good hard work guys

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  3. 2 incredible guys!
    I hope I will be able to visit with your family when they are here!

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  4. Hallo, Jane,

    I am so sorry to read about the difficulties with your website. I also cannot write any comments ...

    The story of Bob´s driver licence is awful, really awful. Oh, and he is so tough to stand all these procedures!!! Good luck to him!

    Roger. I was so shocked to read about his cancer and the pneumonia!
    You know, when I had cancer, I could not drink, eat, talk. My eyes were deeply red. I could not walk. It was hell, bloody hell. So, I know, what you are talking about. And my wishes for a wonderful recovery go to Roger. Good music, laughter at the moment, when a little piece of power came back, confidence in life - that helped me. But even today it is hard to me to remember this time.

    To you and Bob

    my best wishes!

    Linda

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  5. Two sad stories but full of hope. NEVER GIVE UP! that is the message!!

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