Woodle's Dog

Jenny asked me to post (and now a week later I remember!) this about Woodle's dog. Who was the person that came to visit in his last few weeks and talked to Jenny about taking his dog? Please contact me or Jenny.

Thanks!

Watermelon Postulate

In his hand writing, Woodle wrote: If something happens to you and you think it sucks at the time then you can see this as a Big Fat Watermelon...Have you ever sat down and ate a Big Fat watermelon? - Well, having eaten that watermelon and survived just fine the next time something shitty happens to you that you must eat. Then you can look back at that last Big Fat Watermelon and deduce that since you ate that watermelon - this one ain't shit. Woodle '96

Aug 2008 Reunion

Please watch for updates on the next CGS Reunion Aug 8-10, 2008

Follow this link for up to date info

http://cgsreunion08.blogspot.com/

Lisa Shimer Chick Message

Message from Shimer - I added in the picture of "The block" we tagged for Woodle. I realize you can not read it, but it was a great bonding moment for the group.

Lisa writes:
Woodle's memorial was a great tribute to the guy he was & how we will always remember him. Tears and laughs all at the same time. We know those of you that were not able to make it, were thinking of him and his family. The video tribute brought back people faces & memories some of us had not thought of. We all got safely to Frontier camp for more visitng, food & story telling. Woodle must of been watching over us & laughing since we were in nice clothes - he didn't want any of us to have to change a tire. We also took a bunch of pictures & signed a block on the wall in the Frontier Corral that had NOT been written on. We had a little camp fire before everyone had to leave. I wanted everyone to have something to remind of us Woodle & the memories we have that we can hang on to. I gave everyone a horseshoe. We all remember him and Dancer, wearing a cowboy hat & not wearing a shirt.This was something I thought of since we couldn't have the others. Anyway, after I got home, I realized there was more to this horseshoe. When you put 2 of them side-by-side - it makes a "W" for Woodle & turn one sideways & it makes a "C" for Camp. Thank you BA for the Woodle Alphabet. Also a few were linked together - kind of like the barrel of monkies we had when we were kids. The opening in the horseshoe is a sign of Woodle that he's wrapping he's big arms around us & picking us up. Dave Vincent talked about that at the service. For those of you that left early or unable to come. I ask that you get a horseshoe in memory of Woodle. If you can't find one(because you don't have a Tractor Supply in Dallas!) let me know, I'll send you one. Those of you that got one, send someone else one that you know will want one & that may not get this email. Something so simple, now with so much meaning . Woodle could make the simplest things mean so much. When any of ya'll pick it up & or look at it, remind yourself - there is another one linked on each side of you or if we all hold them up next to each other - we've made a bunch ofW's. I brought one to work this morning - It makes a good paperweight & I can see it everyday!!

Jenny, I hope you get this. It was nice to meet you.

Harris Glass if you get this I need your address.

Allison can you post the watermelon quote

Love ya'll
Lisa

Memorial Services

The memorial services for Woodle were very nice and appropriate. Lots of music and pictures. Tina and her husband did a great job creating a video tribute with pictures from birth until now, complete with songs.

The gathering at Frontier Camp was nice. Once Dean brought the food out, the bonding and catching up began. Close to sunset and is when we really started to let loose. I think our visit to the corral helped and gave us all a place to really feel as one. After a refreshing dip in the lake,let me tell you, it was a full moon if you know what I mean(who can resist!), we wrapped up the night at the Rockin' S (PK Pizza, Wayne Dogs, Red Dogs, etc). I think Woodle would have enjoyed watching the generation of camp staff become one. From what we can remember, Jay Craddock led the pack starting his staff career in 1982 taking us all the way to Andrea Walters and Dean who both currently work at camp, but also worked with Woodle.

Thanks to all who made the journey to Eastland and Camp and all those who were with us in spirit. We will miss our friend, but know he will always be with us pushing us to grow greater and laugh more.

Front: Jenny, Joanne

Second: Shane, Amy, Kim (baby Reed), Jenny's friend, Shimer (I'm pretty slick aren't I? twins I could never tell apart - sorry), April

Third/Fourth Row: Allison, Mitch, Shimer, Tina, Ryan, Holly, Andrea, Ryane, Kim

Last Sitting Row: Allan, BA, Bubba

Back Row: Tyson, Andy, Dean, Jay, Paul

P/O was MIA for this picture!!!!!!

Let the Legend Live On

Giving in memory of Woodle so that others my experience the magic of camp. It is asked that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of our friend, our mentor, our brother in life, Michael Scott Woodle. All gifts will go towards helping children attend camp at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce.

http://firstgiving.com/woodle

Thank you again for your love and prayers.

Celebration of Life

The family of Scott Woodle invite those friends who knew and loved Scott, to come celebrate his life with us.

Saturday, April 19, 2008
1:00 pm
First Baptist Church
405 S Seaman St
Eastland, TX 76448

This celebration of life will begin at the 1st Baptist Church in Eastland Texas and will continue, for those who would like to attend, at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce - Frontier Camp (directions and information will be available at the Eastland Services).

The Time Has Come....

I just spoke to Woodle's mom...he passed away this morning at 10:41 AM. She was with him, and asked him if she could see his beautiful eyes one more time. She said he winked his eye, cocked his mouth a bit, layed his head down and slipped away. She felt like it was extremely peaceful. Her sister was with her, and she was holding his hand when his time came.

As soon as we know funeral arrangements, I will post them here.

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Sunday, April 13th Update

6 pm: I talked with Mitch today. He called to let me know that the nursing staff thought it might be Woodle's last day. His blood pressure was very low and he was fairly still. Mitch is heading back down tomorrow as soon as he can to be with the family and lend his medical knowledge. BA is there along with Woodle's Mom, I am not sure of others. Hospice has been involved since last Monday. Mitch says they are able to offer hands on care for him with about 5-6 staff plus the care he gets from the nursing staff. This is a program that offers so much relief for families and care givers.

8:30 pm: I talked to Woodle's mom just now. She said she got the call at 5-6 am that they needed to come up to the Hospital. BA and she were there to hold his hands, but being true to himself, Woodle pushed them off. Still being stubborn. I told Margaret that I had a dream about Woodle early this morning that he was more his self, happy and feeling much better. We both think it is part of his transposition from this world. Let's pray for his comfort and peace. She also said his BP is 50/24 which is very low, but that his pulse is 100 and temp is 98.2. The nurse told he has a strong heart, so that could keep him going. She also said he has not moved since about noon. Please send your love, prayers and peace to his family, esp those able to be with Woodle as he passes from the physical world. If she remembers, she said she would call me. I will get a blog posted ASAP.

Feel free to call me if you wish. I will be traveling to Dallas Monday, returning Tuesday, but will have my cell. 830-238-7667 hm, 830-377-2747 cell, 830-238-4631wk.

Thank you to everyone that has lent support, made your way to Houston and offered up your prayers.
Allison

Monday Noon Update

I spoke with Dave "Mitch" Vincent at lunch. He had to go back home to work for the weekend, but was heading back to Houston today to be with Woodle. He talked with Woodle's mom and she said things are about the same.

I'll update asap once he calls me back later today.

From Dean Cowser

From Dean Cowser (4/4/08) Gene, I spoke with David Vincent last night and they have move Woodle to a private room and he gave him a bath. Thing are not looking good but David is in the health care profession and he will be there for 6 days. I feel so much better because Woodle will get the care he is needing. BA will be in for the weekend and many more people are getting the news. Thank you for help and all your prayers.

Saturday update

Picture of Shane and Woodle (back) & Jenny and Tina (front) on an early morning fishing trip at Port O'Connor back in '96. I talked with Shane over the last few days.

I just talked to Meredith today. She was on her way home from a visit with Woodle. She felt he his conditioned had deteriorate since her last visit on Tuesday. He was not moving as much, did not seem to be able to speak and was barely nodding, though he did respond. He does seem to gain some energy when friends come to visit, so again, if you have not made it to Houston, we urge you to do so.

From what I gather, the funeral will be in Eastland, TX.

Shower and Shave

I talked to Dave about 2pm today. He had given Woodle a shower yesterday evening and also trimmed his beard. He said Woodle was not too happy, but it will help. He said Woodle was not as awake today, but he was resting. Hospice was coming today to help provide one on one care for Woodle and hopeful ease some of his pain. Dave said they will help him make the transition from this world.

Going for your first Visit

In much the same words that Dean told me, I am going to kind of tell you what to expect if this is your first visit. First, let me tell you that I was SO nervous and scared that I had to ask my Aunt to ride with me to give me support. I even called Mere who told me to put on my big girl panties and get over there - that really did help. :) Also, it is okay to feel scared, nervous, emotional, etc. You are about to go see your friend whom some have not seen in years. Heartland Health is a nice, sunny facility with friendly staff. It doesn't smell bad or feel bad. When you get to his room, take a deep breath. Chances are he will be asleep, but even if he isn't, just go talk to him. From what I saw, he hugged, shook hands or at least acknowledged everyone who came in. He weighs 156 lbs and his arms are a bit atrophied, thin and he can use them somewhat. He has a mostly grey beard, still has his dark hair and skin. His feet/legs are swollen and he can not move them well if at all. He will talk, but you can not hear him that well at times. Now the trick hear is that he said today he is tired of people being in his face all the time. So don't get too close unless he ask you too with body language. He likes to kiss the ladies - so offer up a cheek.

So if you are on the fence about going, I would say go. Once you do, you will feel better. I sure did.

Thursday-Room Change

I went back to see Woodle this morning. He was awake but I am not sure if he knew who I was. He didn't really want to talk. I had some pics from camp taken in 1995 and 1996. I posted them on a poster board. His Mom, Margaret was thrilled as the staff at Heartland Health had not know Woodle as we did. She was showing everyone. Woodle has a new room and it is GREAT-his AC works for one, he is alone for now and the window is bright and sunny. When I left around 2pm, several friends were with him. While he didn't add much in to the conversation, he didn't want us to be quiet, so there was lots of talking going on.

David Mitch Vincent is in Houston now. He works in a facility much like the one Woodle is in. Woodle's Mom signed for Mitch to have permission to see his chart and know what was going on. I think this will help since Mitch knows what he is looking at and it is not just medical mumbo jumbo.

I would urge all who want to see Woodle to travel to Houston soon, but know he may not recognize you nor talk with you. And, if he does talk, it may not make sense, or it may make complete sense in his philosophical abstract way.

For now, the plan is for me to call into Mitch or Margaret every day or so to get an update, then I will post it on this blog. This way, everyone does not have to call all the time. While I was there, Margaret's phone rang non stop which is wonderful but exhuasting for her.

If nothing else, send your love. He is now in room 2204.

Letting Everyone Know...from Gene

From Gene Schramme:
All,

Many of you know Scott Woodle, he's been living in Houston, TX for several years, and his liver has caused him quite a health struggle. As of late, he is deteriorating quickly- he's hospitalized and the family has been called. I encourage you to pray for Scott, and family and peace for him. His battle with Liver issues really had his immune system in a tailspin. He contracted a staph infection in his neck and has been in and out of the hospital and treatments since last October. Apparently, the staph had been absorbed by or affected his vertebrae in his neck entering the spinal fluid; nonetheless, the staph infection has now infected his brain. He is at Heartland Healthcare West, 2939 Woodland Park dr., Houston TX. 77082. He is coherent, but his caregivers and doctors have contacted family and friends encouraging all to visit as his coherence will diminish quickly. Dean & Lorie Cowser are driving down to Houston as I type this, they are taking lots of camp memorabilia, and a DVD that Jay Craddock found from the summer of 1988. It has “a day in the life @ CGS” from bus loading at Ownby stadium to green trees and taps at the end of opening campfire, and all the sights and sounds (like the bell ringing when the buses arrive at camp).here's the website for the nursing home Scott is located at, http://www.ucomparehealthcare.com/nhs/texas/heartland_health_care_cen...

April 3, 2008

I had my first visit with Woodle last night. I thought to start writing a blog so that people would be in the know as much as possible. I know we all have questions and there are not a lot of answers. Basically our friend is dying. There is little hope he will come out of this alive. So while we still have him, we need to send him our love, support and strength and we need to do this for each other. Losing a friend or family member is not easy, and losing a young friend is even harder. If there is any possible way you can get to Houston, I urge you to do so. Don't wait, go now. So, here goes, I'll try to update as often as I know more.

2/2/08 visit: It has been about 4 years since we last saw each other, though I had talked with him by phone a few times. To say the least, he does look a bit different. He weighs about 120 lbs, has a mostly grey beard, his signature black hair and that dark skin. He can not move himself well, though he is able to give good hugs and kisses, of which he requested a lot. I am not sure he knew who I was, but that didn't matter. David Vincent was there also. While I did not know him previously, it didn't take long for stories, pictures, etc about CGS to come out. It took me a while to be able to speak. The shock of it all is a bit overwhelming. But David helped. He had been there all day, so he talked and I nodded a lot.

Woodle slept most of the time I was in the room, so I just sat and let him sleep. This also gave me time to feel more at ease with everything, look at things around his room, etc. It helped that Dean had left several CGS items about the room, David had pics and his family left pics. The staff came in to change his dressings, sheets, etc. He has some open bed sores that are large. During all this, I decided to go to his head and hold his hand and try to offer up some support as the staff was gentle, but about business. He became more alert during the process and started talking in his abstract way about the misery he saw in my eyes. Talk about feeling bad and great. He was aware, but wait, he was aware of my sadness. But then I got over it and started talking some more. He made some sense, but there was some talking that David not I could follow the thought process, so we just went along with it. Woodle wanted lots of kisses, so I gave him lots. We were able to get him to eat a whole snack pudding and drink, which is more than he had in a while. After this he seemed tired, so I asked him if he wanted to sleep, he nodded yes, then I asked him another question and he nodded, then I asked if he wanted me to shut up and he nodded yes. I just laughed-good ole Woodle, tell you like it is. No sugar coating with him. I stayed till he relaxed then headed home for the night.
Allison