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
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
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