Ex-pat Aussie Volksrodder seriously injured in crash (Good news - 10/7/05)

Pete's still in a coma as of right now. He's presently got a shunt in his head right now to control the swelling... He suffered a shattered eye socket and LOTS of lacerations.

With all this... the doctors are saying right now that his prognosis is GOOD so far!

Let's keep the good thought heading toward Portland tonight, folks. Pete and Melanie are gonna need it.


It is going to be a long road for our fallen brother. He has a dark place to come out of and we have to be thankfull that he is alive and there for him on this long journey that he is set out on. Head injuries are a very tough thing to understand, he might come back 100%, or he might come back 50%. We won't know for a very long while what it will be. We have to be realistic about it. I hope and pray that we get the same honery, super-talented, Pete we all know and love, but we have to understand that we may have seen the last stripe come from that gifted hand.

HotRodMatt wrote:... if you are the praying kind say one for a fellow veedubber.

I haven't been near a computer for a few hours now and I haven't read the 100 or so posts from that time so forgive me if I am repeating anything that has already been posted.

Steve called me from the hospital a couple of hours ago with Bill and Lora, Eric and Shawna, He also said that Pete's friend Derrick was there and Melanie's mom and uncle are there for her.

Here is what Steve told me about Pete's condition: The doctors are still keeping Pete in an induced coma because when he starts to come to he starts jerking on tubes and stuff. His blood pressure also starts to elevate which causes more swelling of the Brain so they need to keep him down. He has two blood clots in his brain but they are starting to recede which of coarse is a good thing. He has no broken arms or legs but his collar bone, cheek and eye socket are broken . There are also numerous cuts to his face and both knees are badly bruised.

Melanie has been in to see him for very brief visits. I think Steve said that the doctor saw Pete at around 5:00 PM after which he gave Melanie a big thumbs-up.

Pete has made it through the first 24 hours with a slight improvement so that is a very encouraging thing. For the first time since this thing happened, I finally feel a little bit better. But please keep your thoughts and prayers coming. Steve was able to give Mel a check for $3000. I am so proud of all of you. I know that is just a start for us and we need to keep spreading the word.

It's my understanding that Steve is going to set up Melanie with a user name (Melanie) and password so she can access the forum. If she hasn't had a good cry yet she will after reading what all of you wonderful people have said about Pete. And let me be the first one to say Welcome Melanie. We all care about Pete very much and you are a lucky lady to be with such a great guy. He is going to be fine. Just give it time. With this many people pulling for you guys it can't fail.

Well like I said if any of this is old news, I apologize. Now I am going to get caught up on what everybody has been talking about.

Walt

I just wanted to say again how thankful I am and I know Pete is, along with my and his family. I'm having my mom call the news station, I want this story aired! I've never experienced anything like the heartfelt sympathy from you all. It's so amazing. I've never met any of you, yet when Steve and Bill and everyone showed up, I felt so at ease. You all are such a great group of people.

As for Pete's current condition, it wasn't too good when I had to leave tonight. His pressures were up a bit, which really got to me. I've been fairly calm, until tonight, so I want to thank you all again for this forum. Reading all these posts and seeing all of my husbands photos/work had calmed me down. Although painful to see him, it's also helpful.

I had Pete's dad call the hospital just now and he assured me that the pressures rising is not a huge concern, and pretty much to be expected as things start to settle down in that big beautiful sweet head of his! I would like all of you to give your loved one a big hug tonight. You really don't realize how much you need someone until something like this happens and you don't realize who your true friends are until you need them the most.

I know in my heart that my husband will get better, he just has to and when he does, I can't wait to meet all of you. I still have his birthday presents wrapped on the table waiting for him, so I would like to have a big party for him as soon as he's ready, and everyone is invited.

Thanks again to you Eric, you are amazing! You are ALL so amazing. The kindness and generosity astounds me. It will truely be a huge blessing, as I know he'll be out of work for a long time. Thank you thank you thank you.

Pete is doing the same today. I'm upset because he needed more blood, but what can you do? It's just such a scary thing.

He's going to be getting a trachiotomy, so they can put the tube directly into this throat, apparently its fairly standard, and will allow them to remove/add back the oxygen a lot easier. This is going to happen tomorrow.

He's still on the sedative, but they take him off of it at the shift changes, which would be twice a day, I believe and see if he responds. If not, they put him back on it, I think they're thinking is if he's not able to open his eyes yet, might as well keep him REAL calm.

It's really sad and hard to go through, all the waiting. Obviously I'm VERY happy he's still here, fighting, it's just getting discouraging. Reading all your posts does help me, so thank you for that. You guys are all so great. I noticed that get well card and all your happy birthday wishes. How cool is that?! He'll be so excited when he can read all of them.

I will write again tomorrow.

Witnesses say that speed was involved in the mishap

Purple Martin wrote:Hope he gets better soon!

Witnesses say that speed was involved in the mishap

There's a lesson for all of us.

bugeyedbabe wrote:purple...they also say there were potholes....so once u hit one..begin to swerve...u lose control and car gains speed....

i've seen ppl travellin limit who never ever speed...gain it when they hit a pot hole...or swerve for nething...

when i teach my kids driving...i tell them..unless its a person...hit the damn thing....u swerve u speed...u tend to hit bigger things...

WHEW! what a day! You guys would not believe it. Thanks to Eric for letting you all know. What a guy he is!!!! Ok, so last night he was trying as hard as he could to wake up, but the poor guy was so drugged. The nurse last night finally explained to me just how much he really has been on ..a SHIT load. I couldn't believe it. Then today, they turned down the sedative half way, and he opened his eyes a little, turned it down a bit more, opened his eyes a LOT, turned it ALL the way off, he smiled at me, opened his eyes when I asked him to, and then was even responding when asked questions.

He can move his head up and down for a "yes". I said "can I kiss you on the cheek" I got a YES. ha ha. It was so awesome. Then I kept yacking in his ear and I could tell he was getting really sleepy, so I said "Do you want me to go now and let you sleep?" he said YES. haha. WELL! the NERVE. I'm so just kidding. Poor guys is so tuckered out. Well, as you can probably tell, I'm VERY happy, and I wanted to share this with all of you that have taken such a huge interest in my husband, and have been so nice and generous and supportive and encouraging. I thank each and every one of you.

Pete's brother Tony reads this website a lot, and I know it's been of great comfort to him. You guys are all so amazing. He wasn't able to come over with mum and dad, but I know he'll get to see Pete real soon. Thanks again everybody. I'll write again tomorrow. I think it's going to be slow small steps, but all steps toward recovery! yippy

carisma wrote:i think all clubs should do a drive to help raise some money, if everyone of club members even gave $5 each, it would help with something,theres a lot of us,,,even our work mates and neghbours would help im sure of it,colleen

O.K. I have a story to tell about these shirts... This will get you scrounging under the couch cushions!

Tim (AKA Superdeluxe) told me a story about these shirts:

Pete and Tim did a shirt design about a year ago with "Pistol Pete's Custom Signs" on the back and a pistol up front. Sadly, Pete wasn't able to fund the project, but has always wanted to get these shirts done.

A couple of weeks ago Pete and Mel came across a shirt that said "Johnny Cash is a friend of mine". Pete told Tim how much he liked it , but said he couldn't spring the money to buy it. Well if you know Pete you know he is a HUGE Johnny Cash fan. (Sidenote: At the crash site I found Pete's Johnny Cash sticker he had in his trunk. It's waiting for him in my shop.)

WELL, our friend Tim put two and two together and altered the shirt to what you see now - "Pistol Pete is a friend of mine" .

SO, what I'm saying is THIS IS A PISTOL PETE DESIGN! This sin't anyone elses work but his. To wear with pride! What are you waiting for? This is a shirt anyone that has been involved with this suituation needs to have. Damnit, buy three! Make this shirt a part of VW history -"yeah I remember way back when the WHOLE VW WORLD came together to help our friend Pistol Pete!"

Thanks to Tim for the imaginative way to give back to Pete... You are da MAN!

Hey all. what a day! More good news! Pete was moved from ICU today, into a unit that's a step down, still a bit more intensive than a regular room, but MUCH better. It's a nicer room, with more privacy and he is right next to an awesome garden. too cool. We didn't think he'd be moved today..AMAZING! He was pretty sleepy all day, was awake on and off to give us a quick nod or shake of the head here and there. Then on our last visit, around 8.30 pm tonight (Monday) he gave me the biggest smile ever. I told him we'd let him get some sleep and would be back in the morning, and told him I loved him, thinking he'd only smile back, but he said "I LOVE YOU TOO" and I could actually here the words (in a wisper due to the trach) we were all so shocked! then he kissed his mom on the cheek. ahhhh..what a nice little bugger. Ya gotta love him. He's doing great, has a little infection at the trach site, so I'm sure will be REAL glad to get rid of that. Hopefully within a week, it will be GONE. I really can't see him being in that hospital over another two weeks. I'm so stoked. I've been receiving the nicest cards in the mail from people all over the globe, along with generous donations. I can't thank everyone enough. In a day or two I'm going to take down all the cards to show Pete. I did want to mention that even though he CAN have visitors now, I'd like to wait a day or two and ask him if he WANTS visitors yet. Not that he doesn't love you guys, but ya know when you feel REAL crappy....I'll let everyone know ASAP when I get the green light from him. Thanks again you guys, you're all so great. : )

Now on to the important stuff..PETE! He's doing about the same today. He was SO sleepy all day, and then woke up around 4pm today. He was so wide awake several times, it was great. I got several smiles out of him, as did his mom and dad, and I even saw him laughing with one of the nurses..then it was lights OUT. haha. He's getting a lot of sleep, which is good. Basically, the general plan now, as the doctor explained to us, is for him to wake up a bit more, and be less aggitated. His lungs are doing better, he's coughing less, and in a couple of days, they're going to address his trach. It all depends on how he's able to swallow as to when they'll start reducing the size of it, and eventually get rid of it. I think he's going to have a lot of physical therapy as well. So for now, it's small steps, which is just fine. It's just SO good to see him smile. He's grown quite the beard!!! I asked him if I could give him a shave tomorrow and he said Yes. thank good. hee hee. Thanks again everyone..for EVERYTHING!!! the support, the generosity, and the laughs.

OHMIGOD! that Cruise looks so cool. thank you guys! You Aussies ROCK! Pete will get such a kick out of all this. Again, thanks to everyone for all your encouraging words. They truely lift me up at the end of a long hard day. So...on to Pete!

We walked in his room this morning, and he was sitting in a chair, still with restraints(he still trys to get out of there from time to time).

Apparently, he had walked a little bit that morning with the help of a physical therapist and walker but still...cool huh?! Then the nurse got him back in to bed, which he did most of the work for himself. He is strong!

He was awake most of the day on and off, thanks to us pestering him. Let's see..I got two kisses, a face massage, and two "I love yous" haha, today was a good day. He got a little cranky towards the end of the night, but he had such a long tiring day, I could tell he was starting to get a little confused and frustrated, so we decided to let him rest. That's the hard part, when you KNOW he doesn't want you to go, but you need to. Breaks my heart.

He did have a swallow test, and didn't quite pass that today, but tomorrow might be better or the next...he'll get there. As soon as he can swallow ok, they'll start reducing the trach.

Dependind on how well he progresses, he'll either go to a rehab facility for awhile, or come home, but again, not sure when that will be. Things are still pretty much up in the air. He's really hanging in there and being such a trooper. I know I wouldn't be doing as well as him.

Ok, so a little humor.... Pete is all itchy 'cause he's growing a beard (which I'll be shaving tomorrow!) and he was scrunching his face all up, and while doing this, did the Elvis lip curl to one side (which he's always done to make me laugh) so I go..HEY! Do that again..kay? and he did the biggest lip curl ever, then started laughing. He cracked himself up. Isn't it amazing how we can be in a situation like him, and still laugh? It really makes you think about the stupid little things we get upset over. Thanks for everything...everybody.

Hi everyone. boy, my husband sure is agreeable for being in such a shitty situation. Everything the nurses ask him, it's "yes", even when they come to poke him time and time again, he gladly hands over his finger. It's pretty amazing. I always get so sad at night, having to leave him, he tends to get confused when he's tired, and wants to come with us so bad. It's heartbreaking. .....sigh... on to the GOOD News, we went in this morning,and he was sitting up in his chair, without his hand restraints, only had on his jacket restraint so he doesn't climb out of his chair! We were able to take him for a stroll in a wheelchair outside in the garden at the hospital..twice! He really liked that, and after each time, slept like a baby for an hour or so. He's so brave, doing great. Tomorrow they're going to fit him with a smaller trach and start some speech work with him, hopefully in a couple of days he'll be able to plug that sucker up and talk to us.

I asked him to do the Elvis lip curl..and he did it again..twice. Still has that sense of humor, he also kept grabbing my nose, and then messing up my hair, which he found quite amusing. Then, he tried to tell me something he wanted, but I couldnt understand him, so he gave me the ol' "thumb up your bum" sign, it's an Australian thing where you make a thumbs up motion and bring it high up in the air. haha. We all about died laughing. He's a fiesty little bugger. Overall , today was great, and every day he's doing better and better, it's just hard to leave him. Thanks again for everything, we all appreciate it so much. I'll write again tomorrow.

Hey all, time for another update. and this one is SWEET! Pete had a very busy day today. When we first got there, you could tell he was feeling pretty down, so we took him outside after he walked a bit with the physical therapists. I think it helped cheer him up a little.

No sooner had we got back in, the guys to switch is trach over came in. Within 10 minutes he had his finger over the trach hole, talking!!! He had quite a lot to say too. Told me how he wants to go kayaking up the river, he wanted to know if he could still ride his bike...of course!!! and told me to bring him some socks and a tank top.

Haha, gotta love him, he's so funny. He asked me if we all wanted to go somewhere a bit funner, which made us all tear up, even in times like these, he's so thoughtful. We assured him that we'd do LOTS Of fun stuff really soon and that he's going to be back to his old self, good as new really soon.

He did the Elvis for his mom again and told her that he could even do it on the exact same side as Elvis himself did..tooooo stinkin' FUNNY! He kept playing with this suction thingy and trying to get his mom and I with it.

Also, he had his first meal tonight, and did so well, he even was feeding himself. Seeing him walk, eat, go outside, and TALK did us all a world of good, as it did him.

I bought him a cowboy monkey which he got a kick out of, AND a stuffed green rat that resembles Rat Fink, and he loves that, although he did ask "what did you have to pay for that?!" all out of the blue. cracks me up. I told him I had his wedding band on my other hand, keeping it safe for him, and he told me not to lose it. Always was a worry wort.

He was confused about several things, but over all, did VERY well. I told him to just let me know as soon as he wants to see his buddies. I'll keep asking him every day.

On another note, I received another check in the mail today from Steve, and I want to thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart, as does his entire family. I know I've said it before, but it would have KILLED me if I couldn't take time off from work to be with him, and because of all of you, I can. Thank you SO VERY MUCH!!!!

Hi everyone, sorry, it's still just me, Melanie, but hopefully Pete will have internet access at the rehab center, he's going tomorrow morning, at 10! woo hoo!!! It's another step in the right direction, he'll have a lot of physical and mental therapy, get to wear his OWN clothes, etc. It's going to be really good for him. He's really itching to get on the computer, so hopefully soon. I got a package today from Oz, from Matt and Coopgirl..THANK YOU TO YOU BOTH! hmm..Vegimite...... haha. Nah, seriously, thank you both. His parents were thrilled to see it, I think his Dad has been going through withdrawals.. The sticker you guys made is so freaking cool. I'm going to have to take a picture of it and get it on here, and I have a frame for it. pete will love it. : )

As soon as I know what the visiting hours are like at the rehab center, I'll let you all know, I know he has a few people that would like to visit. Again, thank you to all of you for your incredible support. Every day I tell Pete about what everyone has done, and he says "wow" and "geeeeezus" ha ha. Will write more tomorrow.