Al our starter

[Dr Goggles]

Ooops, I forgot to add, here's a pick of Al with his gear:

when I was in the Golden Staph' Hotel last year they hooked me up to a suction device, it was electronic, it sounded like a fourstroke twin accellerating between gears.... ah those moments at 3am , loaded on morph, flat on my back , neck brace , all quiet except for braaaaaaarp , pause, braaaarp, pause, braaaaarp.....



Get well soon brother...........

[DahMurf]

Update from Lisa, Al's wife:

Hey Debbie-
It's Saturday early early morning and Al wanted me to update you.  We were able to bring him home yesterday late afternoon.  Both he and the doctor thought that he would be more comfortable at home.  But that's a big NOT!  He's still miserable.  But we're trying to keep him maintained with his pain meds. 
They sent him home with oxygen and that seems to help some.  However, we do not have the hospital bed that he was used to so, we're doing the best we can keeping him comfortable in the recliner.  He says it "Sucks".  I just could not imagine the discomfort he feels.  He's still a little confused at times, not hard for him though! - just kidding.  The pain meds seem to mess with his mind.  He is kind of funny at times.  I should have gotten a tape recorder.  Anyway, I'm just glad I was able to bring him home.  But I think he's going to work me to death taking care of him.  Nighttime is still the hardest with the orientation and not knowing where he is or why he's got the problems he does.  But we're seeing a slight improvement each day.
He finally got to see his bike yesterday.  It's at our house.  He's thinking he can fix it, but the insurance adjuster has already said it's a total loss.  I was thinking that it would look worse than it was, considering the way he wrecked, to me it held up pretty well, but what do I know. 
 
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers.  It means alot to all of us.  He still has a long way to go.  Biggest problem I'm going to have is getting him to RELAX and not do anything.  Yeah, right.  He's a stubborn one!  If you hear any loud yelling, it's probably me going outside and letting off some steam.  But I wouldn't have it any other way, I'm really glad he's still around to drive me crazy.
 
take care and thanks again for you and Todd coming by to see us. 
Love ya, Lisa

[t russell]

Thanks
terry

[Freud]

What more can Deb and Todd do for the people of Maxton?

First Dave Owen.  They are still supporting his wife.

Now Al.

Bonneville has had Cris and Ed Shearer. Maxton has Deb and Todd.

When there are awards, these two should be recognized.

They are friends that can't be repaid.  What a lovely pair.

FREUD

[DahMurf]

Thanks Freud that's sweet but this is family and that's what you do for family.

[DahMurf]

Latest update on Al.
He's home! Still dealing with the pain of course. Not sleeping much and still suffering some disorientation and hallucinations. I believe Lisa said they had him on some oxygen to keep his O2 levels healthy.

He'd be happy to hear from anyone that would like to call just remember this is Al we're dealing with and he lacks the good sense to moderate his phone calls and to not talk to the point of exhaustion so if you call, which you should, just remember to keep it short so he doesn't over do it. And remember, he can't talk without his hands so if tells you about the accident you can bet his hands will be flailing around further wearing him out! hehehe

Al & Lisa Freitas
6332 Foster Store Rd
Liberty, NC 27298
336-565-8028
Email: alfreitas05 [at] bellsouth [dot] net (you know the format replace the [at] with @ and [dot] with . and remove the spaces)

[DahMurf]

Oh yeah, one more thing, a big thanks to Kimberly Beall (the Gate Keeper) & Bill Murphy (Rustang & prestaging this meet) for stopping by the hospital on their way home from the meet to check on Al. It was a great thing to do and Al really appreciated it!

[Uncle Jimbo]

Thanks Deb, and Lisa for keeping us up to date with Al's recovery. 
Keep the faith Al, our thoughts and prayers for a complete recovery are coming atcha.
Hats off to you Lisa, I am sure its a bit of a chore for you now.

[Dan Stokes]

Let me add my "Get Better Soon" to the chorus.  Al, take it easy on the nursing staff!

Dan

[White Monster]

I just got off the phone, talking with Al.
He is feeling NO pain (still on lots of meds) and was in pretty good spirits, considering.
The only things that get to him are; laughing, sneezing, coughing and hiccups.
His scrapes and bruises are healing pretty well and scabbing is starting, which is good getting air to some of those abrasions.
He managed his first real shower yesterday (whew !) and got a shave in, so his two week beard is gone.
He said he would try and get to the June meet, but wouldn't be working. Duh !!
All in all doing very well.
 

[JRoberts]

I called Al this afternoon, but there was no answer.  I left a message and will try again tomorrow.  I'd like to get up there to see him, but don't want to intrude since he is at home.  We'll see.

[MiltonP]

You saying Al can grow a beard on that babyface?  No way!       get well soon Al.

[DahMurf]

Here's an update written by Todd:

Al's moving around better... still in pain of course and still a pain to Lisa of course (that's a good thing). There's (expectedly) more of a problem keeping him from doing things then worrying about what he cant do yet.

So the thoughts and prayers have helped tremendously, but please keep them in your mind as his sister (Dianne) died yesterday after a suprisingly (at least to us) short battle with cancer... his not being able to be there was alleviatted to some extent with a well placed and touching phone call just before her passing, and his little brother and older sister were there when she passed.

Dianne lost her husband about 5 years ago and their son Stephen was to graduate high school yesterday (yes, on the day he lost his mother), so please direct any prayers you can his way.

Dianne was cool as cool can get when we were kids, I always looked up to both Al's sisters and Dianne was a vibrant and beautiful lady (ok, a FOX as I considered her in my early teens) who always had time for me as a kid to bs or whatever.

Godspeed Dianne, I understand Ray will be watching out for Stephen down here as you and Mark do from above.

Al, my brother... I love ya and you know my whole family(which has always been yours) is thinking about each of you.
Mom, Dad, Crystal, Shelly, Craig and Todd (and each member of our families as well of course).

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Give him a little time -- but not too much.  Nancy and I called Al the other day, just for a couple of minutes, just to shoot the breeze.  He sure didn't sound annoyed that we called.  He's getting better -- but he's still ready to hear from each of us.

You're in our thoughts, Al.

[Freud]

Well he was good enough to answer my fone call. That bugger will make it. He's so determined.

Best wishes, AL.

FREUD