New Update on Joe's condition????

[LisaLisa]

Here's the latest update I received from Joe's brother, Shawn this morning. Bad news is Joe may be losing some focus and drive to complete therapy, but the good news is he's only about 30 minutes from me so I can visit, and hopefully help his mom to help him. I'm headed up after work tonight for a short visit - I'll let you know how it goes.

LP

Joe is traveling to the Sacramento area to explore some treatment options. Not likely he will be back here for at least six weeks. He can be reached on his cell between 5 and 7 PST. If he calls you during the day, it is best to call back during the designated time. Phone calls at other times can be very disruptive to therapy.

He is quite unmotivated at present, distractions just reinforce his apathy. He will be having his cranium repaired in about seven weeks. If he mentions getting his eyes fixed, it is best to tell him "his eyes are fine, the problem is his brain and he needs to work VERY hard with his therapists to regain his vision".

He fired his therapist last week, me this week. Hardcore therapy is what he needs at this point. I will not be doing updates until there is some substantial improvement.

Thanks
Shawn

 

[Dirtybird]

Thanks for the update!!! Keep pullin!

 

[LisaLisa]

I spent about an hour and a half with Joe last night. He was really aggitated when I arrived, but I can't say I wouldn't be too - he'd been in the car for almost 11 hours straight (they drove to San Diego from the central coast and then home for some reason). It's also understandable as he's getting frustrated - I mean, put yourself in his shoes. Being a super active guy and suddenly being 100% dependant on others just to survive; it's got to be very hard.

I took him the printout from the fundraiser thread you folks tossed this weekend, as well as the Watercraft World magazine with the article on this Freestyle Surf Slam in Pismo, and my copy of The Addiction (he never got one) and rubbed his sore neck and scratched his little noggin for him; so he was a pretty happy camper when I got done with him.

There's good news and some regression; he left eye is finally starting to track with his right, and he is regaining a little vision in his right eye. He tells me he can see out of his right, but it SUPER dark, so he can basically see outlines only - and even that's sketchy.

Physically, he looks really good. He did take a nice header when he got up in the middle of the night about a week ago and fell, striking his cheek; required butterfly bandages and he's got a nice shiner. As usual, he's obsessed with his caloric intake, and staying healthy.

We spoke extensively about the freeride we have been planning in April in Pismo, but he wants to wait until he can be there. He'll be having surgery to replace the portion of his skull which has been removed to relieve the pressure on his brain right around that time. So for now, it's on hold.

I told him about the scrap book you guys made and signed for him too - he's all excited about that, so I'll make sure he gets it.

Finally, (Nick especially), I cannot tell you how much Joe appreciates all you folks have done, and encouraged others to do on his behalf. He almost cried yesterday when I told him how much you've raised to help him out.

Nice job gang - Good karma to all of you,

LP

 

[Idok]

I spent about an hour and a half with Joe last night. He was really aggitated when I arrived, but I can't say I wouldn't be too - he'd been in the car for almost 11 hours straight (they drove to San Diego from the central coast and then home for some reason). It's also understandable as he's getting frustrated - I mean, put yourself in his shoes. Being a super active guy and suddenly being 100% dependant on others just to survive; it's got to be very hard.

I took him the printout from the fundraiser thread you folks tossed this weekend, as well as the Watercraft World magazine with the article on this Freestyle Surf Slam in Pismo, and my copy of The Addiction (he never got one) and rubbed his sore neck and scratched his little noggin for him; so he was a pretty happy camper when I got done with him.

There's good news and some regression; he left eye is finally starting to track with his right, and he is regaining a little vision in his right eye. He tells me he can see out of his right, but it SUPER dark, so he can basically see outlines only - and even that's sketchy.

Physically, he looks really good. He did take a nice header when he got up in the middle of the night about a week ago and fell, striking his cheek; required butterfly bandages and he's got a nice shiner. As usual, he's obsessed with his caloric intake, and staying healthy.

We spoke extensively about the freeride we have been planning in April in Pismo, but he wants to wait until he can be there. He'll be having surgery to replace the portion of his skull which has been removed to relieve the pressure on his brain right around that time. So for now, it's on hold.

I told him about the scrap book you guys made and signed for him too - he's all excited about that, so I'll make sure he gets it.

Finally, (Nick especially), I cannot tell you how much Joe appreciates all you folks have done, and encouraged others to do on his behalf. He almost cried yesterday when I told him how much you've raised to help him out.

Nice job gang - Good karma to all of you,

LP

that is AWESOME!!!! he is on the way...I have seen this EXACT injury before with GOOD PROGNOSIS!!!

way to go joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:Banane01:

 

[yamaslut]

I spent about an hour and a half with Joe last night. He was really aggitated when I arrived, but I can't say I wouldn't be too - he'd been in the car for almost 11 hours straight (they drove to San Diego from the central coast and then home for some reason). It's also understandable as he's getting frustrated - I mean, put yourself in his shoes. Being a super active guy and suddenly being 100% dependant on others just to survive; it's got to be very hard.

I took him the printout from the fundraiser thread you folks tossed this weekend, as well as the Watercraft World magazine with the article on this Freestyle Surf Slam in Pismo, and my copy of The Addiction (he never got one) and rubbed his sore neck and scratched his little noggin for him; so he was a pretty happy camper when I got done with him.

There's good news and some regression; he left eye is finally starting to track with his right, and he is regaining a little vision in his right eye. He tells me he can see out of his right, but it SUPER dark, so he can basically see outlines only - and even that's sketchy.

Physically, he looks really good. He did take a nice header when he got up in the middle of the night about a week ago and fell, striking his cheek; required butterfly bandages and he's got a nice shiner. As usual, he's obsessed with his caloric intake, and staying healthy.

We spoke extensively about the freeride we have been planning in April in Pismo, but he wants to wait until he can be there. He'll be having surgery to replace the portion of his skull which has been removed to relieve the pressure on his brain right around that time. So for now, it's on hold.

I told him about the scrap book you guys made and signed for him too - he's all excited about that, so I'll make sure he gets it.

Finally, (Nick especially), I cannot tell you how much Joe appreciates all you folks have done, and encouraged others to do on his behalf. He almost cried yesterday when I told him how much you've raised to help him out.

Nice job gang - Good karma to all of you,

LP

It's all about trying to be there to help and give back to someone who has done so much to inspire us... He is our mentor and we will always be "The Guy" we all look up to.... It's our pleasure as a group to help him!!!!

:Banane01:

 

[douglee25]

Thanks for the update Lisa. Good luck Joe.

Doug

 

[extreemthrottle]

Thank you lisa!!

that's what its all about IMHO!!

joe is THE MAN... always has been... always will be!

It's all about trying to be there to help and give back to someone who has done so much to inspire us... He is our mentor and he will always be "The Guy" we all look up to.... It's our pleasure as a group to help him!!!!

:Banane01:

could'nt have said it better, so X-2 for me!!! come on joe!! were all pullin for you bro!

 

[LisaLisa]

Hey gang - keep the rally for Joe up - if you can, take a minute out of your day and drop Joe a card, letter, joke, book, etc. to:

Joe Kenney
C/O Jacquelyn Kiefer
4910 Lexington Circle
Loomis, CA 95650

 

[kawasakit2me]

:cheer::arms::notworthy::beerchug::cheer2::hail: Hope all is going well for Joe. :thewave::bananalama:

 

[sjetdilts]

our prayers are with you joe

its good to hear things are looking better!:arms: hang in there bro! jersey crew is pulling for ya!

 

[tom21]

worst thing about this type of recovery it how dreadfully slow it is, its not like a bone mending its just waiting. Keep positive man,it will get better, which is easy for all of us to keep saying when we are not the ones who had their lives turned inside out and upside down, but if the shoe were on the other foot what would you be saying?

just have to find a way of taking advantage of your recovery, have someone "lose" you at a Hooters or Victoria Secrets at the mall maybe? its just good honest fun.

hang in there!

 

[eastbay]

anything new!!!

 

[LisaLisa]

Hi All,

I went to see Joe yesterday. He's still in Loomis at his Mom's house and continues to undergo Therapy. He's gained a little weight, and looks good, though knowing Joe, I'd bet he thinks he's too heavy (about 218 lbs.) Still counting calories like a mad man!

Though he and his family don't see it, Joe's vision and balance have improved significantly since I was last able to visit him about 5 weeks ago. The vision in his right eye is permanently gone, but the left eye is rated at 20/70, and I was impressed with what he was able to describe as seeing in the restaurant during dinner. Still, the vision is seriously impared.

I took him for sushi, and we put a terrible dent in my Visa, but we really enjoyed ourselves. His short term memory is still bad, and I got the impression he is starting to lag back a bit on attempting to remember things such as names - when in fact, if he's pushed to remember, eventually he can. It's easy to try to be helpful and give him the information, but it's not helpful to him in his rehab.

I have to be perfectly honest; Joe is *very* depressed. He made some disturbing statements to me during our visit, and I cannot say I don't blame him for feeling the way he does. I just don't think he's seeing the progress he makes daily as it's so incremental, and the quality of his life and lifestyle have been negatively impacted.

Joe's birthday is this coming weekend (June 16th) PLEASE take a moment and drop him a card or give him a call. We're at a point now where people have gotten busy and we're forgetting to touch base with our friend. He seriously needs us now, and I know for a fact hearing from any of you will really brighten his day.

You can write to Joe at:

Joe Kenney
C/O Jacquelyn Kiefer
4910 Lexington Circle
Loomis, CA 95650

You can also call the house and chat with him between the ours of 6-8 p.m. PST at 530-412-0719. Please bear in mind that discussing jet skiing/riding, while it's what we all have most in common with him, is deeply depressing for him, so try to maintain a positive vibe in the conversation by staying on a different topic. Challenging, but it can be done.

Joe needs his real friends now more than ever, Please take a minute from your day to show him you still care.

Thanks,
Lisa

 

[sjetrider]

WOW, I was really (as we all were I am sure) hoping to here better news. Joe doesn't know me from Adam, but he has been ispirational to me and this sport I hate to here this. VERY sad.

 

[LisaLisa]

I hear you - and understand where you're coming from. Many folks thinks he's just going to bounce right back and everything is going to be hunkey dorey - but this is a very serious, traumatic brain injury Joe has sustained. He has a long, hard road in front of him.

It's a miricle he's even alive, much less as sharp as he is - but it's starting to really wear on him and he is really in need of some emotional support right now. Even if you've never met him, please show you care and drop him a simple card of encouragement and support.

Thanks,
LP

 

[yamaslut]

Thanks for the update Lisa....

 

[Moondance]

WOW, I was really (as we all were I am sure) hoping to here better news. Joe doesn't know me from Adam, but he has been ispirational to me and this sport I hate to here this. VERY sad.

I hear you - and understand where you're coming from. Many folks thinks he's just going to bounce right back and everything is going to be hunkey dorey - but this is a very serious, traumatic brain injury Joe has sustained. He has a long, hard road in front of him.

It's a miricle he's even alive, much less as sharp as he is - but it's starting to really wear on him and he is really in need of some emotional support right now. Even if you've never met him, please show you care and drop him a simple card of encouragement and support.

Thanks,
LP

I agree with everything that's been said. And it has to be frustrating for him & his family. We have to step back though & think about how much progress he really has made. If you think about when the injury occurred & how his life was actually touch & go for some time, he is a living miracle. So like Lisa said, let's all take time to let him know he has not been forgotten.

We love you Joe.

 

[LisaLisa]

Honestly - he IS a freaking miracle....we didn't find out until weeks after the accident that his spinal chord had been partially severed. It would have killed, or at the very least paralized anyone else, but I think with Joe being in exceptional shape, and the Big Guy Upstairs having his own plans, he was allowed to stay intact with us here.

 

[SuziQ]

Lisa,

I have a cool inpirational music card for Joe I would like to send, I wrote a small note in it last week, but it just sits on my coffee table for I have no idea where to send it. If you could help out so I don't have to search forever, I think it would help. :smile:

 

[Moondance]

Hi All,

I went to see Joe yesterday. He's still in Loomis at his Mom's house and continues to undergo Therapy. He's gained a little weight, and looks good, though knowing Joe, I'd bet he thinks he's too heavy (about 218 lbs.) Still counting calories like a mad man!

Though he and his family don't see it, Joe's vision and balance have improved significantly since I was last able to visit him about 5 weeks ago. The vision in his right eye is permanently gone, but the left eye is rated at 20/70, and I was impressed with what he was able to describe as seeing in the restaurant during dinner. Still, the vision is seriously impared.

I took him for sushi, and we put a terrible dent in my Visa, but we really enjoyed ourselves. His short term memory is still bad, and I got the impression he is starting to lag back a bit on attempting to remember things such as names - when in fact, if he's pushed to remember, eventually he can. It's easy to try to be helpful and give him the information, but it's not helpful to him in his rehab.

I have to be perfectly honest; Joe is *very* depressed. He made some disturbing statements to me during our visit, and I cannot say I don't blame him for feeling the way he does. I just don't think he's seeing the progress he makes daily as it's so incremental, and the quality of his life and lifestyle have been negatively impacted.

Joe's birthday is this coming weekend (June 16th) PLEASE take a moment and drop him a card or give him a call. We're at a point now where people have gotten busy and we're forgetting to touch base with our friend. He seriously needs us now, and I know for a fact hearing from any of you will really brighten his day.

You can write to Joe at:

Joe Kenney
C/O Jacquelyn Kiefer
4910 Lexington Circle
Loomis, CA 95650

You can also call the house and chat with him between the ours of 6-8 p.m. PST at 530-412-0719. Please bear in mind that discussing jet skiing/riding, while it's what we all have most in common with him, is deeply depressing for him, so try to maintain a positive vibe in the conversation by staying on a different topic. Challenging, but it can be done.

Joe needs his real friends now more than ever, Please take a minute from your day to show him you still care.

Thanks,
Lisa

Lisa,

I have a cool inpirational music card for Joe I would like to send, I wrote a small note in it last week, but it just sits on my coffee table for I have no idea where to send it. If you could help out so I don't have to search forever, I think it would help. :smile:

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