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elemental
Gym climber
Lander, Wyoming
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Jul 14, 2007 - 03:29pm PT
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BOBBY UPDATE FROM FAITH 7-14
Dear All,
Last night, the powerful and loving prayers, healing vibes and thoughts
flowing to and through Bobby from all of you, and so many others, all around
the world carried such divine power and grace and love and the effect on
Bobby was so extraordinarily positive and powerful. I am awed and Bobby is
blessed (as are we).
Many apologies for the sparse updates, it has been busy and full and the
days fade away with only fraction of the things I would like to attend to,
addressed. But we've now got our routine at the hospital the medical staff
at Mt. Sinai are amazing. Specialists abound and it seems like every
possible thing is being covered. The picture shrine is growing and we've
snuck all sorts of other shrine-like items around the room. Bobby is also
getting lots of alternative care (reiki, energy work, etc)--healing coming
from every angle.
Many of you have asked for an update of Bobby's medical condition. This is
tricky to get into because with head injuries there is so much unknown and
the brain is such a mysterious thing...I can only leave it at that for now
until we actually learn more ourselves and these things all take time. But
that we have plenty of. On the physical side, he has been dealing with a
multi-drug resistant pneumonia, which seems to be responding to the latest
cocktail. He still spikes a few fevers, but they are trending down and his
white blood cell count is also down. These are very good things. He is
getting food again, which I know he's happy about and the biggest news of
yesterday is that he was off the ventilator for most of the day. This is
huge as ventilators are one of the biggest sources of infection. He got a
bit tired and they put him back on at night.
Bobby is still in a coma (not drug-induced), but is showing significant
signs of alertness. His eyes track noise and he is moving his hands and arms
and generally feels very close to the surface.
He had an MRI two days ago, but we are still waiting for the full report.
We can't thank you all enough and I wish I could give every one of you a
huge hug. Sending thanks and love always,
Faith
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L
climber
Atlantis...before the flood
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Jul 14, 2007 - 09:08pm PT
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Thank you so much for the update, Faith.
Bobby has gone from a perfect stranger in a coma to a brother and friend for many of us who check this thread daily. Between your hospital reports and the endless stream of wondrous stories about Bobby's larger-than-life existence, one can't help but like your brother instantly, and empathize deeply with his family and his situation.
During my half hour healing meditation for Bobby last night, I felt a tremendous surge of energy about halfway through the process. Like a brilliant light, only on the inside. I think there were hundreds, maybe thousands of people turning their thoughts and energies towards Bobby just then...and I received the distinct impression that Bobby was going to be just fine.
I'm not a psychic or anything like that--just someone who meditates everyday. What I experienced last night was so out of the ordinary and intense, I truly believe it was the result of many minds focused on Bobby's complete recovery...we were all tuned-in to Bobby's channel.
I don't think it's about hoping anymore. It's about having complete faith in the process of healing.
Namaste,
Laura
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terry dean
climber
cody/bklyn
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Jul 14, 2007 - 10:18pm PT
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Love to you Faith. I just got back from 3 weeks in Venezuela (apparently a popular place to be lately as I read the past posts on this forum) and am so heartened to see Bobby is here in NYC now. I look forward to seeing you both.
A funny thing. Just before I left, I was at a friend's wedding, and who was the groom's cousin? but Liz English from MCT camp. (small world huh?) We had a lot of catching up to do, of course, apparently I "broke up with her" for Christina Houghten? and she never fully recovered... :) we had quite a laugh over the irony. She asked that I pass on to you greetings and much love.
Bobby, it's so good to hear you are putting up strong fight.
See you soon.
Terry Dean
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jul 15, 2007 - 12:28am PT
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hey there faith... and all... say i hope that this news from another head injury can be of encouragement... all head injuries are different, as the brain is so complex---even as you are learning.... this is one family that has gone on before you, and they are conquering.... long and slow....but they are gaining wonderful VICTORIES.... with all the folks helping your brother at the hospital, as they did for lee akin, here's hoping that soon it will be bobby turn for such victory stories as this, too, though they will be HIS OWN PERSONAL ONES, they will be most treasured... keep holding on to the good lord's hand.... here is some encouragement from lee akins story....
http://www.equestmagazine.com/article11-7-a6.htm
*extra note, hope all is well, i have a poem to send you--perhaps that is your email address, i will try, later and send it....
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eric/erin
climber
meeteetse, wyoming
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Jul 15, 2007 - 12:21pm PT
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Hello Bobby, Faith and rest of family,
Erin and I have been praying and thinking of you all and especially you Bobby. I know Faith is probably by your side every moment she can get. Make sure you get enough rest Faith!!!
Over the past few weeks there is not an hour that goes by that I don't think of you Bobby. Just reading some of the forum letters you seem to be an inspiration to us all.
Just to keep you up the weather here in Wyoming. It has been pretty hot in the past few weeks, however, the last few days have been cooler with some slight rain showers in the Meeteetse area. There are slight patches of snow left in the high mountains still this year. By this time last year the snow was all gone.
In late June, I took Erin up to Robber's Roost and stayed the night. It brought back many memories of our childhood and teen years of moving cows. I remember your trusted mount "Kelly" and all the miles you two put in together. Faith would usually ride numerous horses while you rode Kelly for the most part.
Just being outdoors is awesome. I hope you can experience that feeling sometime soon. It rained at our house for a short spell last night, and just to smell the rain was invigorating.
We prayed for strength and healing within you on Friday night at 8:00pm. It is just awesome to know the Lord can do miraculous things when you turn towards him and let him come into your life. I know I'm finding that out more as I mature and age with time.
We will continue to pray for you Bobby. There isn't a day that goes by that we haven't prayed or thought of you many times.
Get rested up my friend, since I'm sure you will want to hit the ground running when you wake up. You will probably be wanting to scale the hospital walls with all the ambition that you have.
Faith tell your dad and mom that we think of them often. You all are an awesome family to say the least.
Love and prayers from Wyoming,
Eric, Erin, and Tade Geving
P.S. Tell Bobby that we taught Tade to say "Go Bobby" last night. Tade will be two in August. Bobby last seen Tade in January. So "Go Bobby Go"
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Cheryl Bragonier-Vukelich
Social climber
Des Moines
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Jul 16, 2007 - 11:28am PT
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Faith and Bobby,
Thank you so much for the update! I am glad to hear that the vent weaning is going so well. That is key.
I am teaching a class Wednesday on brain injuries..........I am going to throw in some pictures of you and have a moment of silence.
I just know that you are going to pull through this, and do something inspirational! I am hoping that, sooner than later, you will be able to come talk to our children that have TBIs to inspire them.
Love and prayers,
Cheryl
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Heather Merten- Cowden
Social climber
Hagerman
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Jul 16, 2007 - 01:27pm PT
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Hi Bobby,
I have yet another spectacular training opportunity for you when you feel up to it. Saturday I hiked to the peak of Hyndman which is the 9th highest peak in Idaho at 12,009 feet. The highest peak is 12,600 feet. This hike is a photographer's dream. I don't know how many times I said I wished I had my camera. So the trek is 6 miles from the trailhead, but you literally gain 5,000 vertical feet when you reach the peak. Truly it was amazing for all the wildflowers were blooming around the high alpine lakes.
The last 1000 vertical feet it basically vertical bouldering, but at the top of course you have amazing views and a 4000 vertical drop off the east side. A prayer was left for you at the top in the old nalgene bottle that some other summiter left a time before, and I know you will get up there some day to read it.
The most spectacular thing about this hike was swimming in the crystal clear alpine lake at 10,000 feet, with the most luscious green grass surrounding it, and masses of colorful wildflower. I just floated there in that cool water looking up at the majestic peaks of Hyndman, Old Hyndman and Cobb, thinking again how I wished I had a camera to capture this perfect day.
12 miles, 5,000 vertical feet, and your camera. This is must for you to do.
Have a great day, Bobby and love to Faith too.
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Lori Christenson
climber
Las Cruces, NM
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Jul 16, 2007 - 02:10pm PT
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Bobby, Faith and Family
So glad to read that you have the support needed to create the healing atmosphere that is so powerful at this time. Faith, we hope that you too are finding the time to heal and send you our strength as well. I don't think a day has passed that we haven't thought about you all. We have been inspired by the places that you all have been and experienced. We will continue to send you our well wishes and plan to see you back in Wyoming someday soon.
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rstoney
Social climber
Cody, WY
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Jul 17, 2007 - 01:06am PT
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Howdy to all --- I'm just now catching up (yep I'm a bit slow) but what an amazing list of messages and great way to keep up. Bobby, obviously there are a LOT of people pulling for you, many of which echo our thoughts and prayers from Wyoming. You've been through quite a bronc ride lately ... hang tough in there, partner. To Faith, Anne, and the rest of the family --- we all wish you our very best --- KEEP the FAITH and STAY STRONG!!!
Rick Stonehouse and family
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jul 17, 2007 - 02:01am PT
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hey there dear faith...
this is hopefully some encouragement from someone that has gone on the this "trail" before you... i had accidently found this when working on my novels.... it was a new event--and many folks were praying for this young man too.... he has since pulled through... here is his event's in order story, posted long ago by his mother:
http://www.simleywrestling.com/KyleAnderson.htm
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Kate Borgelt
climber
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Jul 17, 2007 - 01:03pm PT
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Faith~
Bill and I pray for you and Bobby everyday. Wrap healing arms around Bobby. Thank you for the continued updates. Wishing I was closer. Love Love Love. Kate Borgelt
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Cynthia Weed
Social climber
Cody
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Jul 17, 2007 - 01:13pm PT
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Hi Faith and All,
Faith, I have been thinking about you reading to your brother. You probably do not remember this, but one time I read aloud to Bobby, and he was the best audience I ever had. Cast your mind back to the days of Wednesday Weekday Church School. Do you remember that from time to time on Wednesdays, all of the helpers and all of the little children would help prepare an evening family meal?
Of course some of the helpers were more help than others and some of the children were no help at all. It was one of those days at weekday church school, too much busyness everywhere and it was suggested that maybe I might like to take some of the busier children off into a little room and read to them until supper was ready.
Well, I was happy to do this and I had the perfect book. I had what I considered to be a hilarious…albeit somewhat irreverent…children’s book called The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf by Jon Scieszka. I won’t traumatize you (and Jenni Desarro and Nathan Weed) with too many details of this tale…but in this story, the wolf did sneeze down the home of one little piggy and (yikes) in effect killed the pig. Thinking it a bad idea to waste pork, the wolf ate the pig and decided to try another neighbor. And so it went.
Here's what you have to contend with if you read this book to little weekday church school children…you have a wolf eating pigs. Which is, to be fair, what wolves do. Now Faith, you never see the wolf actually put each pig in his mouth. And you never see the pig's faces prior to their devourement…but you and Nathan and Matty and Jenni started edging out the door looking askance …*not* Bobby Model. Bobby stayed right there for the entire story; he laughed heartily and guffawed loudly and hooted appreciatively in all the right places. Like I said, the best audience ever!
If you would like I would be happy to send you a copy to read to dear Bobby. I’ve looked it over and it (trust me if you can) is still as funny as ever.
Thinking of you all oh so very much,
Cindy Weed and family
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Mees
climber
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Jul 17, 2007 - 01:56pm PT
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Peter Chivers, thanks for creating that awesome story of your wild ride on the Model crazy train, it was such classic BoMo. Well done, I felt like I was right there with you guys.
I finally got a few more pictures to add, sorry if the quality is low they were scanned from slides compressed etc... enjoy
Taken when we first entered Yosemite Valley. The young master was hard at work capturing Yosemite, about the time Bobby really started shooting a lot of photos. I was so impressed with his dedication and knowledge even though he hadn’t been a serious photographer for long
On the way to Snake Dike (Half Dome)
Bobby and I went up to the South Fork for some ice climbing. This was late 90’s so he had started to establish himself as a top notch shooter. He shot a fair amount that day and mailed me some slides later. I was really excited to get them to see what kind of amazing ice climbing shots he'd managed tocome up with--- this one was my favorite
his sense of humor is precious.
pulling every day for you big guy MUCH strength and hope to you and family
Pat
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Lyon Davis
Social climber
Cody, Wy
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Jul 17, 2007 - 05:50pm PT
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Bobby, the beer slayer.
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Kalakay
Big Wall climber
Bozeman, MT
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Jul 18, 2007 - 01:27am PT
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Bobby,
It's mid-July, hotter than hell and you still haven't paid us a visit. Take time to rest and recover because you're going to need all your strength in the adventures we have planned.
Not an hour goes by that we don't think of you. We miss you friend.
-Tom, Betty and Fritz Kalakay
P.S. Here's a slightly incriminating photo to get you riled and give others a laugh. Be forewarned, I have others that are much less flattering...
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Big B
climber
Cody, Wyoming
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Jul 18, 2007 - 01:41am PT
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Bobby and Faith,
Thought that I'd share a few words from another inspirational person, Mike Vallely a 37 year old pro skate boarder. After a trip to Israel and upon leaving Tel Aviv; Mike V talked about his life and he said,
"The journey continues and I'm more determined than ever to do the distance. Twenty years, twenty years... I failed, I fallen, but I got back up.
Still I go on. Still I FIGHT!
I will never give Up!"
Bobby I know this is your heart, keep on fighting, keep on working to get better. Little steps, don't push to fast, take your time and heal yourself.
To Faith: I wish I had the words, but I don't, just know that love from all corners of the world surround you, Bobby, and your family. Keep your head up and stay strong as you are the rock, the stone that will not crumble. Like everyone says "you got to have Faith." And Bobby does.
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WillH
Sport climber
Salt Lake City
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Jul 18, 2007 - 02:11am PT
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Bobby, I've been thinking about you a lot lately. We were supposed to hook up for a bit of climbing up in Wyo around now but I guess I'll have to take a rain check until you're back on your feet again.
I've put together a collection of my favorite photos of you and I hope you don't mind me sharing them with all your friends around the world. We've had some great times over the past decade and I expect many more to come! I"m going to need another strong oarsman on the Grand again so I'm counting on you being ready when the call comes!!
Hang in there my friend. I hope you can muster a chuckle or two thinking back over all the good times.
Your good buddy, Will
Well I hope this works. I created a gallery of photos of Bobby on a web site called Smugmug. The URL to Bobby's gallery is http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3151784
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matt power
climber
Brooklyn, NY
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Jul 18, 2007 - 01:51pm PT
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I was fortunate to spend an amazing three weeks this past February with Bobby. We were working on a story together for National Geographic Adventure, which will be out in the September issue. with a selection of astonishingly beautiful photos by Bobby. We climbed Mount Kenya, following the 1943 route of Felice Benuzzi, the author of "No Picnic on Mount Kenya". The story was Bobby's idea, and I was lucky to be the one he tossed it to, considering I had never been mountaineering before. We spent 7 days on the mountain with our friend Alex Fiksman, and made it up the Southwest ridge all the way to Batian. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life, and Bobby was incredibly patient and encouraging for this novice climber. We made it all th way to 17000 feet on a route none of us had climbed before, and bivouacked at the Howell Hut. I could never have made it without him, and my thoughts are with him and his family.
much love
Matt Power
http://www.matthewpower.net
I have many great pictures from the climb I'd like to post, I just have to figure out how to do it.
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Mees
climber
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Jul 18, 2007 - 05:01pm PT
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These Photos are from Matt Power's trip with Bobby to Mt. Kenya
(I'm helping him post them)
Elephant tracks in the bamboo forest
Bobby and Alex Fiksman in the bamboo forest along the Burguret Route.
American Camp, below the Darwin Glacier
Naro Moru Route
Mount Kenya Massif w/ giant groundsels
Bobby on Batian's SW Ridge
Bobby descending the Normal Route
Me and Bobby at Batian's summit, 17,058 feet
Bobby at point Lenana, sunrise
Bobby below the castles on the Burguret Route, with lobelia flowers.
Naro Moru Route
Bobby at 12,000 ft, with inversion clouds below, looking out across to the Aberdares.
edited for captions from Matt Power
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matt power
climber
Brooklyn, NY
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Jul 18, 2007 - 06:11pm PT
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Hey Faith,
Matt Power here. If there is anything I can do while you are in New York (if you or any of your family need a place to stay, etc) we've got a big house out here in brooklyn right near the express train, and we'd be happy to host your family or friends. Lord knows I crashed on your floor in Nairobi for long enough! Don't hesitate to call if there's anything I can do:
Matt 917 302 8688
And is it possible/helpful to visit Bobby?
Our story will be out in a month, and the photographs are terrific. National Geographic Adventure will also be posting a portfolio of his Mt. Kenya images.
Sending good thoughts across the East River
lots of love
MP
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