I haven’t written anything for a while because I haven’t had the strength, desire, coherent thoughts to write. The only reason I’m attempting this is to fill you in over the past few days.
I was released from the hospital on the 16th = a week early. I still, however, have daily trips to the hospital that last anywhere from one to five hours.
Thoughout much of this time I have been very nauseous and very weak – barely able to walk 20-30 feet. I should be exercising more, but
In spite of the above, I am making gradual improvement. But I am still filled with despair, This is so not who I am – a frail, hairless little man who walks like he’s 80 years old.
And now Rita. My brother is here with me (do I need to explain that Rita is a hurricane and not my brother’s name?), which is a very good thing. But we’re both novices at this hurricane stuff
So now I quess we’ll see if we made a smart decision. We don’t have any flashlights, we’re very low on milk, but we do have half a dozen biscotti and countless whirley-bird toys to shoot into the 140MPH winds.
Thanks for everyone’s kind words and thoughts. I’m most appreciative of each of them. Beyond that, please pray for my brother and me. We’re in need of all the spiritual help we can get during the next three days.
Rick
Hey, Rick, thanks for posting. Kent and I have been concerned as we’ve watched Rita’s progress on the news (yes, the hurricane, not your brother). Do you have the option of waiting it out at the hospital instead of your apartment? Or would that be a worse scenario? Or are you just so glad to be out of the hospital that even a hurricane couldn’t drive you back there?
We’re glad to hear you’re improving. Remember that inside that frail, hairless, little old man is a 23-year-old youngster just waiting to get out and slam down a Mountain Dew. Give him time.
Please keep posting. We look forward to hearing from you. And stay safe in Houston.
Rick,
We’re praying for you harder than you know. Remember you have a wealth of friends that care about you & how you’re doing. That strong man is still inside you. Just keep encouraging him to come out. He will come back in time. Please stay safe. Pam
It was really good to read your e-mail, Rick. I’ve been checking it daily. TONS of people at ENCOR have been asking about you. We all care about you and miss you!…..even Jennifer. She needs you there to give her your usual grief! There’s no one to harass her without you! We’re glad Rita went elsewhere and that you are safe. You WILL get better…hang in there! Love you!
Linda & Roger
I just received a verbal invitation for you to attend a special birthday celebration that Char is planning for Dale on March 10 or 12th — his 80th birthday. You will be receiving a formal invitation but I thought you would like to have something special to look forward to. So, the way I figure, you’ve got 5 months to get in shape. I think you’ll make it much sooner than that — I pray each day for you to get stronger and for you to have the faith in your healing. I KNOW each day will get better. Love, Mom
Hello Rick! I haven’t heard anything about you for a few weeks. I’m hoping that’s because you are doing well. I’ve been going through youth group papers and found “The Wiltons” by Richard J. Zaiss. Your contemporary (at the time) satire … March 17, 1974. I’m thinkin’ we need to revisit that! Pete is still picking pumpkins in Peoria (he says it’s his last year doing this … but we’ll see). He should be back in Omaha around the middle of November. Do you know when you’ll be back? We miss you terribly (with or without hair … although you look smashing either way).
Pete & I met in St Louis last month to go to the “old” Busch Stadium on last time. We’ll miss that stadium and it’s arches mirroring the big arch; but the new one looks good so far, and it’s supposedly “state of the art,” or “arch” if you will. Hope the Cards do well in the series.
Well, know that we are thinking about you often; and know that we love you and think you are WAY COOL. Pipi (and Pumpkin Pete)