Where is Jello?

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Steve Grossman

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 29, 2009 - 11:22am PT

I'll add my love and regards to the wave......I hope you are feeling better soon, Jeff!

Tarbuster

climber

right here, right now

Jan 29, 2009 - 11:28am PT

Thinking about you Jeff and hoping for the best.

Reilly

Mountain climber

Monrovia, CA

Jan 29, 2009 - 11:37am PT

Jeff, we only met once in Talkeetna but 30 years on I can still feel your warmth and sincerity. All the best!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 29, 2009 - 11:43am PT

very best wishes jeff

mike

Toker Villain

Big Wall climber

Toquerville, Utah

Jan 29, 2009 - 12:01pm PT

Off White,
I know what Jeff would say about washing your hand (BTW, how did you clean the OTHER one? LOL), but won't sully this heart warming thread.

In sneaking out of OR on sunday in the snow storm I was actually spotted and corralled by his friend from Ogden, Mary, who said he's having trouble just moving around.

I wonder if Malcolm saw him that day as planned. It was a substantial storm.

I don't think it is indiscreet of me to say here that Jeff has been re-diagnosed.
It is not MS.
There is a mile long name for the brain condition which mimics the symptoms of MS, but the news is similarly ,.. well, challenging.

Conrad

climber

Jan 29, 2009 - 12:38pm PT

Hi Jeff,

The route your climbed on Tullarju with Alex "No relation" Lowe in the 80s was a highlight for both of you. In separate conversations you both commented on how nice that adventure was.

To the energy & vision you have brought to our silly game ~ all of us here in taco-ville toast you.

Big smiles,

Conrad

dougs510

Social climber

down south

Jan 29, 2009 - 12:54pm PT

Jeff,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hope your feeling better soon.
Doug

MisterE

Trad climber

One Place or Another

Jan 29, 2009 - 01:08pm PT

Sending my best wishes as well

to a wonderful and inspiring man.

Erik

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Jan 29, 2009 - 01:12pm PT

Jeff, you're an inspiration for many of us on the mountains and off. Hang on to the holds.

maldaly

Trad climber

Boulder, CO

Jan 29, 2009 - 01:13pm PT

I spent a few hours with Jello on Sunday. It was great to see him and in many ways if felt just like old times. We sat around his house, talked and dreamed about climbs, redesigned a bunch of gear and laughed our asses off. Jeff is still Jeff and always will be Jeff. I encourage all of you to call or email him. Stay with him during these difficult times.

He has whats called olivopontocerebellar atrophy. Read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivopontocerebellar_atrophy and http://www.webmd.com/brain/olivopontocerebellar-atrophy-hereditary.

Its a degeneration/dessication of certain parts of the brain causing a list of symptoms that, in many ways, mimic MS. He has a lot of trouble getting around and uses, at minimum, a couple of canes. He now has a walker as well as a wheelchair but doesn't like it too much. The OPCA affects his arms as much as his legs so propelling it is difficult. Here's the good news: We figured out a way to get him a Segway. It should be delivered in mid-February and since he lives right up next to the mountains he can access the bike path the parallels the base of them. He's really looking forward to getting outside and zooming around again.

Western docs are pretty grim about the prognosis, and have told him to get his "affairs" in order. That sucks but, typical of Jeff, he's been doing some alternative therapies which has actually improved his ability to breath and speak. For those of you who have talked to him in the last few years know that talking for him has been a torturous affair. The OPCA interferes with your ability to form words as well as causing your epiglottis to shrink resulting aspiration and choking. That's what all the choking, gagging and poor speech was about. Well it's a lot better since he started his therapy and with any luck will continue to improve. The aspiration also made it really hard for him to sleep so that been an improvement as well.

He just moved into a new house that has a much better floor plan than his old family house did. That combined with modern appliances and an open kitchen/living room area make it feel really nice.

Piton Ron, sorry I stood you up on Monday. I would have liked to visit Kyle.

Cheers,
Mal

Jello

Social climber

No Ut

Jan 29, 2009 - 01:15pm PT

Whoa!!! Just got a phone message from Ron about this thread. It's overwhelming how fast the folks on this forum respond. I am having some troubles, but it's not so acute that I'll be going away anytime soon, so you can rest easy on that.

Part of the reason for not tending to ST much recently is that I've been remodelling a smaller house and moving out of the old Lowe family hacienda which I bought a few years ago when my mom passed away. Now, it remains to clean up the old place and get it on the market to see how little it will bring - hopefully enough to cover what I owe on it! All of this "moving" and "clean up" and "remodelling" is being done by friendly proxy, of course.

Regarding the degenerative brain disease that I have: the good news is that it's not ms, and the bad news is it's not ms. Just this week I've recieved more info from my neurologist of the exact nature of the problem. It's one of a number of rare diseases affecting the brain stem, olives and cerebellum. Essentially, those areas are atrophying - the incredible shrinking brain syndrome...

So, from here on out you'll have to cut me some slack when I lob a dud here on the Taco!

A full TR will have to wait until things are more settled, but in the meantime know that each one of your well-wishes raises my spirits immensely. I love all you Supertopians.

-JelloJeff

survival

Big Wall climber

A Token of My Extreme

Jan 29, 2009 - 01:17pm PT

Jello,

Such an inspiration to so many of us.
All the best to you and your family.
What can we lowly tacoans do for you?
Our thoughts and prayers are rolling out to you across the miles.
BIG TIME!!
Peace,
Bruce

bhilden

Trad climber

Mountain View, CA

Jan 29, 2009 - 01:28pm PT

Jello,

I know you are hanging tough. We are all pulling for you!

Bruce

Largo

Sport climber

Venice, Ca

Jan 29, 2009 - 01:29pm PT

The palm at the end of the mind,
Beyond the last thought, rises
In the bronze decor . . .

----

Jeff is up against it, but I trust his heart is warmed by all the consideration we can give him on this forum. My thoughts are with you, buddy.

JL

Anastasia

climber

Not here

Jan 29, 2009 - 01:40pm PT

Jeff,
You should let people rub your belly. We all happen to love ya', care about you, etc. and it's your fault for being a lovable guy.
Sending my best energy,
AF

survival

Big Wall climber

A Token of My Extreme

Jan 29, 2009 - 01:42pm PT

Nice post Largo,
well done.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jan 29, 2009 - 01:46pm PT

Mal
Thanks for your news.
Jeff--you are incredible.

Roger Breedlove

climber

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Jan 29, 2009 - 02:04pm PT

Hi Jeff,

I hope the moving and resettling goes smoothly and well. I also hope that you post up pictures--video would be best--on your new Segway. What class climbing do you think you can get out of her? I see a whole new world being created here. Class 2.3c comming up.

Godspeed. All the best,

Roger