Updates on Lew Comerford

Mulv · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2003, 12:29 PM

Hi All

I see that the other threads are getting quite long and I know everyone is concerned and finding it difficult to seperate the news from comments. Please let's use this thread for updates only, ie no replies and the others as our concern, reply and solutions forum. Thanks guys (and gals) in advance for your co-operation. We will continue to monitor the Crash at T'hill and Cobras RIP threads for discussion.

So here is the latest from Lew's brother:

Steve, I am Pete Comerford, Lew's Brother, and I am emailing you to let you know that we received the fedex package you sent to the hospital containing the polo shirt and cap and the business cards. Lew will see them when he is in a condition to understand and enjoy the cards, gifts and other items.
To update, Lew is still in intensive care and his condition is still
serious. We are measuring improvements in very small steps every day.
His recovery is going to be long and very difficult.

The BACC group had me send him new club cards, our hats and shirts which he should immediately recognize. I will call Pete tonight for clarification.

more as it comes in

Steve

Mulv · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 08:05 AM

All

I spoke with Pete's wife last night and I have the latest details on Lew:

He is on a ventilator which is why he is unable to communicate. Between that and the number of appliances he is wearing for his neck and back, etc. , he is unable to move. That is in addition to the large amount of morphine he is on for pain. This completely explains why he is unable to understand what the cards were for. I was quite concerned by that statement.
Two days ago he communicated with his brother by writing on a piece of paper. He is lucid and now is aware of where he is and how long it has been. It was apparently a bit of concern to him when he found out how long it had been. He has a viral infection that the doctors are helping him fight with antibiotics and his familly has to wear sterile gowns to get in to see him. There is no point in sending him any food or perishable items as he cannot eat. He has really appreciated the cards that everyone has sent as has his familly. They had no idea there were so many of us....

Lew's brother Frank was at the track watching him go around when the crash occured and went with Lew to the hospital. His brother Pete and Mary Ann (his sister in law) arrived after the incident and found out about it by seeing the car all smashed. As you can well imagine they are pretty shaken up still by this. Mary Ann told me they had said to Lew that using a convertible at the track was dangerous. It would be a good idea for us to have them in our thoughts as well...

To update the incident, the car rolled three times and Lew's helmet came off on the second roll which is why he has damage to his ear. They life-flighted Lew to Chico, but the facillity was unprepared for this kind of trauma and thus they went to Sacramento. Something to think about when using Thunderhill which I had not known. Sacto is 80 miles from the track...

They will be transferring Lew to Vallejo in about two weeks, so we can go visit him there. As I look at my calender, I realize what day that is likely to be, so I think it would be really great if we went to the hospital as a big group and did some carolling or something....

As before, let's counter on the other threads or open a new one for the Christmas cheer plan..

Thanks

Steve

ROSS WEAVER · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 11:25 AM

Good luck and well wishes for Lew and his family.

From: the concerned members of the Great Lakes Cobra Club

Tom T. · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 02:16 PM

Steve,

Thanks for bringing us up to date. The idea of getting together and paying Lew a visit as a group is terrific, although we'll probably wreck the hospital in the process....we ain't graceful. Hope to see you soon.

TT

HighPlainsDrifter · #5 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 09:00 PM

Hi,
Glad to hear Lew is stable and concious at times. Don't be surprised if he is dissoriented and can't remember what's going on. Morphine will do that to you, you can still feel the pain but you don't care. When I was in the hospital I'd wake up and wonder who brought in the cards, well the nurse said I was talking to them, but you're not really there, the morphine makes you forget. Check and see when he can take pills instead of a needle, they won't move him until he's off the needle. Then it would be a good time to see him, he'll remember more.
Best wishes from the NWCC.
Perry.

Mulv · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2003, 05:11 PM

All

The latest update on Lew as of today, the 14th:

Lew is still in the ICU. His infection has cleared up in one of his lungs and the doctors are waiting for the other to do the same. He is responding to the medication.
He is in considerable pain as yet, so they are giving him painkillers. This causes him to be rather drowsy and he only enjoys short periods of lucidity. He is healing as far as the breaks are concerned, which is great! It will take some time due to his age of course, however the prognosis is really good in this area. He has a TV which he can watch in short bursts.
The doctors are going to perform a trachiostomy this Tuesday so that he will be able to eat and speak. He is on a ventilator currently and the tubes are inserted in his throat , so certainly the aftermath of Tuesday will buoy him I'm certain. It looks like Kaiser will move him to Vallejo in the next few weeks, so this is good news as well.

It is possible to visit, however it may not be advisable at this juncture. It is quite a strain on him to try to stay aware during visits according to Mary Ann, so I think we should wait and try to bring him some cheer at Christmas. I will wait until I get news of his ability to eat before I send our gift from the BACC..

It looks pretty upbeat right now, let's all pull for the guy....

Steve

Randy Rosenberg · #7 (**permalink**) 12-21-2003, 11:04 AM

Here's an update from Janet from the OTR forum, dated 12/20:

---------------------------
Just rec'd this from Lew's brother Frank. Sounds like Lew is finally doing better. It has now been 4 weeks since the incident.

<<I just heard today from my other brother that Lew was transferred to Kaiser Sacramento. Why there and not Vallejo, I don't know. Lew's tracheotomy when well. Pete saw him yesterday and reported that Lew was smiling and was fully alert. He is healing well.>>
---------------------------

Happy Holidays,
Randy R...

Mulv · #8 (**permalink**) 12-21-2003, 12:09 PM

Hi All

Here is the latest from Pete.....

Steve,
I just wanted to give you an update on Lew. He is much better although still healing and it will be a long road to recovery. On Friday he was transferred to Kaiser in Sacramento but I do not yet have details as to the ward and room etc. I hope to see him today and be able to give more details on Sunday. I will leave it up to you to notify others in the Cobra groups about the updates. As for visitors, I feel he is still not quite ready for them except for family and very close friends as he is still unable to communicate and is still fighting a mild staph infection. Also, since I am ending up with all the mail anyway I suggest that for the near future communications be sent to
PO Box 646, Pollock Pines, CA 95726-0646.
I will be bringing everything to Lew when he is able to enjoy them. Pete

So there you go! It is looking really good so let"s all keep the good wishes flowing!

Steve

Mulv · #9 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 09:53 PM

Hey There...

Here is the latest update as of today:

I spoke with Pete and Lew is still in intensive care, although he is now at Kaiser in Sacramento. His neck fracture is healing well, but he will need a brace for the one in his upper back. He still has pneumonia unfortunately, so we will still have to put off our visit. He stood out of bed yesterday for the first time since the crash, so I am sure that he is in good spirits with the progress. He is still unable to speak as the tubes are still in for the ventillator. They are ready to start his physical therapy now, and as one who has been through that sort of thing before (11 months to fix an ambulatory problem) - I feel for him. It really hurts! Otherwise he is in good spirits, knows the date and is able to watch TV , so basically he is in good recovery, although it looks like about 6 or more months before he has most of his movement back.

We should plan our visit for the first week of February, although I expect that I will not be around to participate by then.

Let's all hope that Lew's pneumonia disappears soon so he can put up with us cheering him up.

Mulv

Mark Roe · #10 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 10:04 PM

Steve--

Thanks for keeping us up on Lew's progress.

Allan and I went for a drive today and we talked about Lew....our thoughts a still with him and his speedy recovery.........

BTW--when are you moving?????

Mark

Lumberman · #11 (**permalink**) 01-06-2004, 10:48 AM

Steve:
Do you have an address where I can send a card to Lew? I had heard that he should be back in Vallejo by now. Is that the case?
Thanks,
Dave Jones

Tom T. · #12 (**permalink**) 01-06-2004, 12:41 PM

Steve, thanks for the update. I'd meant to ask you at breakfast on Saturday but didn't get to it. Sounds encouraging.

TT

Mulv · #13 (**permalink**) 01-10-2004, 07:46 AM

All

If anyone would like to send a card to Lew ,here is the address:

Lew Comerford
c/o Pete and Mary Ellen Comerford
PO Box 646
Pollock Pines, CA
95726-0646.

Do not send perishable food items! I know some of you failed reading comprehension and did not understand the first message in this chain, but this is important! Lew cannot eat! He has tubes in his throat! You are wasting your money! I know the last one will ring true even with those that are English challenged.....

Seriously, he will really respond to cards and letters.....

Thanks for keeping him in your thoughts

Steve Mulvey

Lumberman · #14 (**permalink**) 01-23-2004, 11:37 AM

Good news to share.

It’s too long a story to explain my connections with Lew but there have been several over the years. A mutual friend came by my office yesterday and told me that he had been to Sacramento to visit Lew in the hospital earlier this week. This is an update on Lew’s condition according to him.

Lew is still in ICU, still tubed up, can’t speak yet because of the tubes but he is in good spirits, alert and is up and about. Lew is expected to be transferred to the hospital, Kaiser I think, here in Vallejo next week. I was told that it is still a little premature for visitors. More time is needed for Lew to get more strength back before he starts entertaining again. His hospital stay is expected to last several more weeks but the prognosis, with time, is good for a complete recovery.

Have a great weekend and hope the sun stays out.

Dave Jones

Randy Rosenberg · #15 (**permalink**) 01-23-2004, 01:17 PM

Thanks Dave! (timing is everything) I just received an update from Pete this morning, as follows:

----------------
As for his current health, he is slowly getting better. Although still in ICU he is now sitting in a chair for short periods each day and is standing. He is not off the ventulator totally but is off part time during the day. He has begun eating solid food (chopped and softened) a few days ago and we are hoping he will be ready soon to leave ICU and, hopefully, be transferred to Vallejo. The one major problem he does have is a nerve-damaged left arm and the prognosis is guarded about how much eventual use he will have.
I now feel he has no problems with visitors now as long as those who do visit him realize that because of the trach he cannot talk. He can mouth words and can write on a tablet. I would tell you the room number but that can change (he has moved 3 times since he transferred to Kaiser). Ask at the hospital info desk. The Kaiser address is 2025 Morse Avenue (at Alta Arden) in Sacramento. Also please have anyone who desires to send cards etc.to use the following address: PO Box 646, Pollock Pines, CA 95726-0646. I take anything that comes to the box (set up specifically for Lew's stuff) down to Lew to read.
Please feel free to let everyone know his general condition and that he now can have visitors.
----------------

Regards,
Randy R...

Randy Rosenberg · #16 (**permalink**) 01-31-2004, 01:54 PM

Here's the latest from Lew's brother Pete:

-------------------------------
Lew finally had his trachea taken out and he is now able to talk. He was moved ot of ICU to a general ward 3 days ago and is taking solid food. His recovery is going well with the exception of his left arm that has nerve damage and he is unable to lift it or bend his elbow. They are still doing tests and it may have to be operated on again. Right now the prognosis on recovery of that arm is unknown. It is generally felt that he will be in Sacramento until sometime next week at least and then the hope is to be transferred to Vallejo if the medical condition allows it. He would love to see visitors but because of uncertainty he recommends you call the Hospital, Kaiser Sacramento, at 916-973-5000 before making a long trip, to see if he is still there and where in the hospital. Lew thanks everyone for their prayers, support and cards. He will probably answer them when he is able in the future.
-------------------------------

Regards,
Randy R...

CSX 4039 · #17 (**permalink**) 01-31-2004, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Randy Rosenberg

Lew finally had his trachea taken out

Ouch. That sounds painful.

Just kidding. Thanks for the update. I think he had his tracheostomy TUBE taken out, not the trachea itself.

2 months in the ICU. Wow. That means, by definition, he was in severe peril. Glad to hear he is getting better. That sounds like it was a close call.

Glad he's on the mend.

Randy Rosenberg · #18 (**permalink**) 02-12-2004, 09:07 AM

I just received an update from Lew's brother Pete:

-------------------------
Lew was transferred to Vallejo Care Home, 2200 Tuolumne Street, Vallejo. Room 404C. Phone 707-644-7401. He would welcome visitors but call ahead to make sure he is not tied up in rehab. He is doing well except for nerve damage in his left arm that renders it useless. The prognosis is uncertain as to whether he will gain use of the arm and how much.
-------------------------

Regards,
Randy R...

superskippy · #19 (**permalink**) 02-12-2004, 09:28 AM

Sounds like a Road trip is in order.

Randy Rosenberg · #20 (**permalink**) 02-23-2004, 12:06 PM

I've just learned that Lew is scheduled to be checked out of Vallejo Care Home and heading home this week. Lew is still having problems with his left arm.

I've asked Lew's brother for his opinion on the best way to go visit Lew (I assume we should call first

My thought is that we should plan a visit after breakfast on Saturday - how does Saturday the 6th sound? Of course, I want to hear from Lew (and/or his brother) if that date works...

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Randy R...

edit: Lew may not be headed home on Tuesday, but most probably sometime this week.