Visited today - my "Trip Report"
Got to spend some good quality time w/ Chris and Diana today... but I think I
bored the heck outa him to the point of putting him to sleep... ha, ha!
Anyhow... For what he's been through, I'd say he looks good - not that Chris is
my type 
or would ever win a beauty contest
. He is still quite tender (busted ribs), and is still got the
'joy' juice 
flowin' in to his arm. Nonetheless, we had a had a nice walk around the floor... at quite a quick clip for someone who has been thru the severe trauma he has experienced. (BTW, they related that his attending physician was the same one who operated on US AG Ashcroft. I thought that was kinda kewl.
) He ate while I was there, and he has a good appetite, so that is a blessing. (No John, I did not offer to help him w/ his chow.
Took him a Jeep book and an
ALLTHINGSJEEP.com glow-in-the-dark pillow case. (Between the morphine, percocet and glow-in-the-dark, his dreams might get pretty intense!)
He wanted me to pass on how very much ya'll love, prayers, comraderie, support, and willingness to help truly means to him. Diana re-emphasized it as well. Keep the cards, prayers, calls coming please... he is very encouraged by the support of his Scrambler brothers despite the fact that few of us have actually met one another in person.
On Walt's great and generous suggestion: I do not think they are quite ready for us to descend upon them yet. IMHO, Diana is just getting by (coping) day-to-day w/ this major 'life event' and has not given the house mods a lot of thought. (I think Truck may broach this issue w/ her in the next few days, and will report back...) 'Til then - rest assured - Chris and the Martin family will not want for anything (but maybe sleep) so long as Truck and I "have the conn" (that's squid 'boat drivin' talk
for you non-nautical types). Of course, that's not to say any of the rest of the MD/N. VA guys are not welcome to join in the effort(s).
That said, I DO think we may be able to do some
homework for Chris in a few weeks... once we figure out what needs to be done, collect the materie'l, etc. One of his co-workers is also well-versed in this sort of 'work' and may be able to collect up the materials we'll need.
Also discovered that Chris heat his home w/ a woodburning stove... maybe we can build up his woodpile?
(No idea on how well stocked-up he is.) It sounds like they may be pressed for space... for the hospital-type bed Chris is going to need for awhile. (I noted that extended sitting was not real comfortable for him, standing every 15 mins or so - seemed like he was more comfortable standing, but that standing also sapped his strength threreby requiring him to sit again.)
Sounds like he will be out of work for a number of months, so his needs may be extended and substantial (don't forget, there are either 8 or 9 kids in that house). I say that only that we don't approach our sincere volunteerism as a sprint when we maybe oughta pace ourselves for a 5 or 10K.
Finally, there is a certain amount of amnesia as to why (&) what occurred. Chris and Diana are as curious as to what happened as the rest of us - no accident report received as yet.
I think that about does it for now... If there is anything more I can do, pls let me know. I'll probably try to go see 'em again in a few days.
Keep prayin' for his recovery and that their needs will be met... Ya'll are better'n blood family!
