Patti & I are leaving for Italy today.

Hello all,

First I want to thank everyone for their love, support and patience.

Dad is still stable but Patti and I feel we need to go to Italy. We are leaving frantically right now. We leave at 5 pm and arrive Italy 5 pm tomorrow. We plan on being there until the 9th, Patti may stay longer if needed. Tex and Tristan are going to stay here and hold down the fort. We love all of you and could not do this without you.

Love,

Lynnette

Encouraging news from Italy

I just got a text message from Sue, she spoke with Dr Silvia DiMaio (she is an anesthesiologist that is very familiar with dads case & Sue has a good rapport with. A side note, a radiologist friend of Aunt Joan's who specializes in the brain, spoke with Dr. DiMaio Saturday. She was very impressed with how knowledgeable Dr. DiMaio is with the entire case & left the conversation knowing that dad is receiving excellent care!) Dr. DiMaio said they reduced the sedation in order to run some neurological tests. Dad remains stable and is able to move his left side, but not his right side. He will remain sedated for the time being. Sue said the Dr sounded encouraged. I felt that dad needed to slow down/stop with the physical work he takes on (building steel carports, weed eating acres in HI, etc). This is not what I expected, but I will take it gladly.

Thank you for the prayers & good thoughts & please keep them coming.

Steve

Italy Update 06/29/08 1030 Ca time

Sue just got back from spending 2.5 hrs with dad. Visiting hours are only 5-7:30PM daily. She checks in with the doctors during the day, One of the neuro surgeons told Sue that dad remains stable. This is really great news, even though we want better! Sue says dad looks good, his skin color looks fine, it's just like he is sleeping. Sue said they have a monitor that has a picture of the brain with numbers on it. I assume this monitors activity. There is nothing scheduled, still just watch & wait. Sue said that when she was speaking to dad, she could see his blood pressure change a little bit, so he is enjoying her visits (Johnnie is visiting him as well... thank you).

I know this is not much of info, but really it is the best information we could have expected!

Again, no news is good news!

Steve

Love from Aunt Nita & Uncle Dave

Lynn,
Please know that you and all the family are in my constant prayers. You are all very strong as is your faith and this will get you through these difficult days. You are doing such a great job of keeping us all in the loop, I know this is not easy - I love you all and I am praying for you all.

Please share my thoughts with Steve, Patti and Lisa. My arms are wrapped around each of you

spiritually and my prayers will continue.

Love and strength to each of you, Aunt Nita

( Give your Mom a Hug for me )

Italy Update 06/28/08 730 am

Sue called this morning at 5AM CA time & said they were taking Dad back into surgery because the second hematoma was getting bigger. She sent me a text at 7AM saying he was out of surgery, but that is all she knew. I called the Dr. at 8AM is this is the info I received.

After the 1st surgery Dad was in ICU fully sedated (which I learned is also termed a medically induced coma) & intubated. They would reduce the sedation enough to perform Neurology exams and look for responses (open eyes, move hands, feet, etc). Yesterday morning, this was all no worse than before the first surgery. Yesterday evening the neurology results had degraded to worse than before the first surgery. They did a CT scan and saw that there was blood on the left side causing pressure on the right side. This required immediate attention & thus the second surgery. They did not drill a hole in the first surgery, they removed a small portion of the skull. For the second surgery, they went back thru the same location. They said there was blood front to back on the left side & a little on the front right side. They were able to evacuate almost all of the blood on the left side as I think that is where they entered. They removed a small part of his brain on the left frontal lobe that was already destroyed from blood & trauma. The Dr. said this is a common procedure with these types of situations. This part of the brain controls ones ability to control reactions and/or express himself. As the Dr described it to me, it's like laughing loudly or softly & not being able to control which. Sue had said the other day that Dad would yawn loudly, I think this was the reason why. An ICP (Intracranial pressure) monitor has been placed. The Dr. said they thought all of the blood was from one vassal & they didn't think the bleeding was from different locations. She said they did not think it was actively bleeding now.

The plan is to keep him sedated the next 24-48 hours & monitor the ICP. They will also lower the sedation to perform neurology exams. If all remains nominal they will do another CT scan and decide if it is time to take him off sedation so he can breath on his own. The Dr. said they can use the intubation to help control the ICP, but they are not doing that now as it is not required.

The Dr said in the best case (which is what is going to happen!!) Dad will recover fully with some decreased strength on his right side and difficulty expressing himself. This will require the ICP to remain low and no more bleeding.

The Dr said if the ICP pressure goes up from edema (fluid trapped in tissue) and not from bleeding that there are therapeutically approaches to reduce the swelling caused by the edema that does not require surgery. The Dr said that if the ICP goes up from bleeding, the neruo surgeons would probably not operate again and this would be a very bad & potentially life threatening situation. So NO BLEEDING!

Then next 24-48 hours are very critical, so please continue to send Dad all the good thought & prayers you can!

In my mind, no news is good news, so don't let the lack of updates impact your positive thoughts!

Stacy - can you call your dad & update him for me, also ask him if Glenn is in the loop (I will try to call Glenn as well).

Best,

Steve

Italy Update 6/27/08 1130 am Ca time

I spoke with Sue & she was able to spend some time with Dad & she really enjoyed it! She said his skin looks good. Visiting hours in the ICU are 5-7:30PM, although they are allowing her more time than that. She was asked to leave this evening as a critical patient was brought in & that is standard for any ICU. The Doctor she spoke with said the surgery went well & does not think his condition has degraded (not exactly sure what that means, but it's better than it could be). A CT scan was done prior to surgery last night & they found second hematoma, they had originally thought there was only 1. The surgery cleaned up one of them. They say his blood is coagulating well now & they think the second hematoma will clear up on its own. They will do another CT scan in the next day or two. He is still in the ICU & fully sedated. The doctors have said the recovery will be a long slow process (over days), so there is nothing set as far as when & what will happen next. He will stay in the ICU for the time being. Sue said Dad's right hand is swollen & when she asked why, she was told it was because of him not moving it. I believe this was part of the decision to operate (guessing).

She again said that she is happy with the care that he is receiving! Language is not a problem that requires a translator. She can communicate with the doctors, it's just that they are not always available to field questions.

I think that is it for now......

Steve

Italy Update 06/27/08 530 Ca time

Dad is recovering in ICU. They have him fully sedated to keep him immobile and plan to wake him up slowly to monitor how he clinically wakes up. Sue was told to expect an update in 3 hours or so & after the last "3 hours" she was told for the surgery, she is expecting about 5. I expect to hear from her in ~5 hours. They did a CT scan prior to surgery & Sue was told they removed everything they wanted to. She was not told about any complications encountered in the surgery, so I will assume everything went as planned.

Was he in surgery for the last 9 hours, we really do not think so, but are not certain how long he was in surgery. Sue is learning that the hospital experience as a waiting family member is quite different than what we expect here in the US. She expected the Docs/nurses to come to her with info immediately after any information was available & that is just not the case. She has learned that she needs to proactively stop the Docs & get them to answer her questions. It was a VERY long last 9 hours for Sue & the rest of us with our minds running amuck when it really didn't need to be. It appears the surgery went exactly as planned in "somewhat" the time frame expected. Sue has said that she is happy with the care Dad is getting and I agree from where I sit. I hope he can stay in the ICU as Sue has had a good experience there with the Docs & nurses as well as the mental comfort you have seeing the constant care that is received in any ICU, this one included.

The Sun is coming up & I am going to try & sleep!

Keep up with the good thoughts & prayers as they are obviously helping!

Steve

Italy Update

I just got a call from Sue & the Doctors have decided they need to operate to relieve the pressure from the hemorrhage. According to Sue, this decision was based on Dad not responding well with movements on the right side of his body. The surgery involves a small hole near the hemorrhaging area and they will remove the excess fluid/blood from the area. They went into surgery within the last 15 minutes (8:45-9PM CA time). The surgery is supposed to last about 3 hours & Sue is going to call me when she hears anything and I will immediately email what we know.

Think good thoughts!

Steve

Italy Update

Two updates today.

I spoke to my sister Wendy (Johnnie's mom), it was so nice to talk to her! She has spoke with Sue and Johnnie. Sue is doing OK and is glad to have Johnnie there. Johnnie is a pillar of strength. For those who do not know, Johnnie is my niece and was with dad and Sue for her high school graduation trip. Wendy said she understood the collision occurred head on and the family from the B & B they were staying at called the ambulance to take both their son and dad to the hospital. The boy (24) riding the motorcycle (enduro type) was treated and released. The family of the B & B have been very supportive.

Steve called me this afternoon, he said that he thinks it is good that dad has been moved out of ICU. the bad part is that in ICU their were English speaking doctors. In the neurological ward they all speak French so the language barrier is a problem. There is no AC on this floor and it is a bit warm there. They are trying to reduce the meds dad is on so he is uncomfortable in the heat and with less meds. Steve is going to touch base with the doctors tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the support and love!

Itally Update

I do not want to be too optimistic (thanks for that trait Dad!), but they are moving Dad from the ICU to a Ward in a couple of hours! Yeah!!!! I am not sure what has stabilized to allow this move, nor do I care immediately, I am just thrilled that the move is happening! I think this is a big step in the right direction! Sue is doing well & will be going back to the hospital to accompany Dad on the move to the ward. We are all very happy that Johnnie is there for support!!! I believe this move will allow Sue to stay in the room with Dad as she has had only limited access while he has been in the ICU. Sue says Dad "looks" like Dad with the exception of one big black eye (and another small black eye) and a bald spot on the back of his head where they put in a couple of stitches.

Thank you all for your thoughts & prayers, keep them coming!!!

Steve

My Daddy & Me...

I was born December 17, 1971

I always loved to hang out with my dad!

We loved that Rubix Cube!

We climbed Mount Lassen!

You brought me a second mom and danced with me at your wedding!

I believed anything you said like, "get a little closer to that buffalo".

We enjoyed waterfalls.

You bought me the coolest shoes!

You showed me around Hawaii and treated me like a queen.

You taught me how to be a 49er fan!

You taught me about the higher being.

You made all my big events!

High School Graduation

Police Academy Graduation

You watched me put on a vest and a gun even though you did not want me too.

We've jumped out of perfectly good planes.

You taught me to ski... "off we go into the wild blue yonder, riding high into the sky...."

You gave me more than a college education.

Boise State Graduation

You gave me another of many of the best days of my life!

You've showed me the world!

Glastonbury,

Paris,

San Francisco,

Dublin,

You renewed our vows,

You continue to teach us to work hard and play hard,

You helped welcome our new son, your grandson,

You rooted for BSU even though you wanted to root for Hawaii, OK you really didn't do that.

You were there when we baptized our son,

We have so much more to do together dad, get better soon!

I love you.

Sorry Mom!

So mom just called me and she said, YOU WERE NOT A WHOOPS"! She told me that I had to post a public apology so here it is...lol. YEA, I WAS PLANNED!

Daddy's Accident

Dad was hit by a motorcycle while jogging yesterday (Tues. ~ 11:30AM local time, Italy is 9 hrs ahead of CA time) in Italy. He is in an ICU in Genoa, Italy being monitored with a head injury. The doctors say the he is "neurologically stable", although a CT scan shows blood around the brain. He can respond to requests to move his hands,feet, etc. & the surgeons have felt it NOT necessary to surgically relieve the pressure. This is a good thing! Surgery does remain a possibility if his condition degrades. The area of the bleed is the part of the brain that controls speech & that is where the local pressure is, so he is unable to speak. They are keeping him sedated as he started thrashing around when they tried to take him off sedation. The doctors are hoping that the bleed will slow & stop (they took him off the blood thinner he usually takes & put him on meds to help his blood coagulate) & the blood will be absorbed naturally. I spoke with the Dr. in Italy this morning & will do so again tomorrow. I don't expect to get another update until around midnight (9AM Italy time). Sue & cousin Jonnie are staying in a motel not far from the hospital & seem to be holding up ok.

Please keep dad in your thoughts & prayers!

Steve

My big brother

Growing up I was considered an only child since we were spread so far apart. I have two sisters and one brother whom most of you know, Lisa is the oldest, then Patti (coco clams...), and then Steve. They say I was not a "whoops" baby but I still think I was. I am 100% ok with that. I was never close as I was growing up with my brother and sisters because I was so young and my mom and dad separated when I was young. As I have gotten older Patti and I have become inseparable, Lisa and I are getting very close as she moved to Idaho, Steve and I have grown closer working together.

I remember my older brother sticking up for me when I was a little girl. Throwing kids in the bushes who picked on me, that is when he wasn't picking on me: )

This morning my big brother had to call me and tell me my daddy was in an accident in Italy. He did so good! I got the call at 630 am. Steve said, " you are probably wondering why I am calling so early". I said yes. He told me dad was hit by a motorcycle while jogging in Europe yesterday. He is in a hospital in Italy in critical condition. As I started to loose it my big brother got my attention again and finished telling me the situation. He was so strong.
I know it was killing him inside. My big brother is still taking care of his baby sister.

Steve, I love you very much!

In the shower with dad!

Ok, so today I came home to find Tex and Tristan in the shower. I new he was using the little seat to prop TJ up in the shower but I never imagined how cute it would really be. You know those pictures you put up in high school that you never want your parents to let out of the house, well, this is going to be one of them! I could not resist!

(Tex not pictured by his request, lol...)

The Lion

So, you have all heard me talk about "the lion" and some of you have seen it, for those who have not here it is. Enjoy

Hanna's Front flip into the pool!

Here is one of Hanna's proud pool moments, she has mastered the front flip: )

Houston we have teeth!

OK, so I know this is a funny picture but Hanna and I were sitting at the field Sunday and I thought it would be great to try to get a picture of Tristan teeth. It was much harder than you would think. Hanna was trying to make him smile and I was trying to take the picture when his tongue was not in the way. Notice the two white teeth on the bottom!

Another tournament...

Saturday we spent the day at the park with dad watching him play softball. It was so stinking hot. I could not believe it! Tex won their first two games and then lost their third and they were scheduled to play Sunday at 10:30. Mom, Lisa and I went to the luau put on by my old hula group. It looked like it was going to be great until the thunder storm rolled in. It was so funny. We are at a luau in Idaho, during a thunder storm holding down the tents. Needless to say we did get to eat and it was very good. The girl got to perform and we all had a great time. I was able to snap this shot of Tristan with the girls! Thanks girls!

Brotherly Love....

This is a short video of Garrett playing with Tristan. Garrett did not even know I took the video. G is so good with his little brother! G went to his mom's for the summer and I miss him terribly!

Tristan is sitting up on his own!

Home Plate

So, a couple weekends ago we were at Tex's men's tournament and it is kind of tradition for all the kids to run the bases when there parents are done playing. So we took Tristan for his first trip. Here are some photo's.

Happy Father's Day!

To a daddy that I can never thank enough for all that he has taught me...

And to a daddy that I thank every day that he is in my life and what a wonderful life we share together!

And to all other daddy's!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

A busy week!

Well, it has been a crazy busy week. Angee got sick and mom was in California we had a lot of vacancy and a lot of work to do so Tristan and I went to work. I would get all my normal work done and go home and get Tristan so Tex could go to work and then Tristan and I would go show apartments. We got them all rented! Then we got them all moved in! Then it happened.... Tristan and I got sick. It sucked. I was supposed to play in a co-ed tournament this weekend and didn't even get to play. Our team won though, the whole thing!

Hanna is 1/2 way there! She graduated today!

Hanna graduated yesterday.She earned a series of awards, the most recognizable, The Presidential Award for maintaining a 3.5 or higher for 3 years. We are so proud of her! Pictured are Mr. Clapp (her teacher), Tex, Hanna, & her mom.








Her is the actual graduation.
















Post graduation.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Friday:

Well, we were off to San Francisco to surprise dad for his 70th Birthday which is actually tomorrow. We could not very well tell dad we were there so Tex, Garrett, Tristan and I decided to stay in the city and see the sights. We started off by having some breakfast in Socceleto, then we stopped to get some pictures of the Golden Gate. Here are some shots from the first day.

Koit Tower - The building on the left is a tribute to fireman.

Tex and Garrett went to the top. I waited with Tristan because he was asleep.

After going to Koit Tower we went down to the wharf to grab some lunch and go to the aquarium. It was so much fun!

We found Nemo....



...and Dori...



Garrett and TJ went through the "tube". Garrett showed him all the fish.



We saw Jellies,


Schools,



and Sharks.



We even got to pet the sharks!



While we were in the aquarium Patti called she met with us and stayed the night.

After hooking up with Patti we grabbed a bite to eat and then went out to see the Sea Lions. Tristan would not quit watching them, it was so cute!

FOR ALL OF YOU THAT I TOLD SHE SHAVED HER HEAD WHILE IN INDIA, SHE LIED! SHE SHOWED UP WITH A WRAP ON HER HEAD AND ALL OF HER HAIR. THE BRAT!
I AM SO HAPPY SHE IS HOME!

Saturday:

We got up and grabbed a bite to eat and Tex wanted to take a Trolley ride to Union Square and do some shopping so we were off. Here are a few shots from the ride...

See this biker, he was going strait up the hills you see in the picture above. He STOPPED at a red light and balanced until the light changed without putting his feet down. It was incredible!

Once we got to Union Square we walked around and did some shopping. There was a group from China doing a production and there in the corner of the square was a cute little coffee bistro. You could tell it was going to be great. I have always said that I would never order a Cappuccino unless I was in Europe because it just is not the same but I was willing to try it here. There is nothing like a great cup of coffee with your sister after she has been gone for 2 months.

This picture should say it all!

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

THE PARTY

WE ALL MET AT TAO TAO IN SUNNYVALE FOR DINNER

THE SURPRISE

Before dinner Sue gave a nice thank you to dad, the guests, and introduced the kids to make individual statements. All the kids stood and spoke to give dad thanks. Patti gave her heart, Steve was to character, I was the crier, Wendy was heartfelt, and Lesa would not go after my cry fest. It was very nice! Dad came around afterwords and thanked each one of us!

THE CAKE - WHAT? NO 70 CANDLES

After the party Tristan started to get fussy so we left sooner that we probably would have. Of course he fell asleep as soon as we hit the car so Tex took us all across the Bay to get a view of the city at night. What a sight!

Sunday:


We slept in and then we went back to the pier to get one more sourdough bread bowl with clam chowder. I swear this is my favorite! While we were eating we had a great view of all the boats on the bay. Tex got this great shot of this catamaran in front of Alcatraz. After a few stops it was back to the airport. Which I might add was my worse day at the airport EVER! First I could not find my Id. Then I got selected for a security check. Once I got through security I realized I left me credit card out side. So I went back out and found the card. Then I got tagged for security again. Luckily we showed up early. Then I am playing with Tristan in the stroller pushing him back and the last time I pushed him a little too hard and he bonked his head on the stroller. I was miserable!