You guys geep writing and I'm going to run out of paper.

Loud and clear Ray.  Thank you and AMEN

I am hoping the bod doesn't get separated as these two start moving around.  Betty, as of 20 minutes ago, has not seen joe yet, even though she has been protesting.  I can see it in her face.  I think I have DeRosa convinced to see if he can have her at least moved next to him so she can touch him.  The girls and I all agreed that a mirical may happen.  DeRosa said he will try to do it around 8:30.  She's due to be flown to New York at 11.  We all plan to be there.  I have a funny feeling, there will be a response.

Never in my life, and I've seen some pretty bad ones in my day, have I EVER seen two people battered so badly and defieing (SP) everything the doctors are saying.  It's pitiful to look at a woman that is younger in spirit than anyone I ever knew.  She lays there, she want's to cry, but can't.  She now knows the extent of Joes injuries and shows the torment of not being at his side.  She still can't talk, legs are responsive, but won't move, right arm is re-constructed, no movement in her right fingers.  She is a beautiful woman, physically and mentally.  My heart is broken to see here.  The image will haunt me for many years to come.

Thanks Guys.  Keep up the good work.  Now I get to print this for tomorrow.

Peace be with you all.

Thanks for the favor Chuck.

In and out of here.

Joe is stable, but still out.  They have been doing 1/2 hour surgery sessions restoring the blood vessels that were shunted together.  I did notice some color coming back to his skin today.  He was ashen white since Sunday.  It's either he is revitalized with the connection with his wife, or they just fixed something.  He is very cold to the touch.  That concerns me.  I touched his hand today and talked to him.  I told him about how we as a group have pulled together and of all the prayers you all have been doing.  He moved his pinky on his right hand for me.  Trust me, DeRosa was right.  He KNOWS!  He knows Betty is alive, he knows we are there, he knows you are all pushing for him to stay with us.  When this is all over, I'll have to set up his PC so he can use it while he is in rehab.  I'll bet he has something to say to all of you.

Joe is a funny sort of guy when it comes to people.  He doesn't let too many in.  He has no family left other than his wife and kids.  Not too many know him from FL because he doesn't say much.  He enters the chat room and yaks with Mike and the boys, I often bust his butt whne he is there.  I can hit him with a stone from here.  He hasn't logged into FL in months.  But he visits daily.  He just doesn't say much.  I busted his butt big time over the "LARS" thing he did.  (You old timers remember that one)  It was a practicle joke on all of us, done right here on my PC under my nose.  He is a practicle joker that's for sure.  He and Betty often would throw buckets of water at me, on me Betty dumps them down the back of my shirt on hot nights.  I got used to having empty pockets.  They would push me into the pool, and that's just the summer stuff.  How about Joe, sneaking into my bed room and putting sand paper inside my clean underware.  That one was a real killer.  Not to mention a little tough on the ol'. . . . .

It's a miracle he didn't bleed to death.  My hats off to the quick thinking Paramedics with starting plasma stat before doing anything else.  As I understand it, they were having Pizza a 1/4 mile away and actually heard the impact.  They stuffed their lunch and headed for the wagon, waiting to make a right or a left from the parking lot.  Their response time was 45  seconds.  Fortunately, the hospital is only three miles from the scene and land transportation was the fastest choice.  It's apparent everyone was prepared for this as the rescue unfolded.  The good old days it brings back for me.

Betty is in New York, I won't be seeing her for a few days.  Wendy and Casey explained what was going on with me.  The decision to stay here with Joe and they stay with Mom was sound.  She seems to understand.  The purpose of this surgery is to try to restor her motor functions.  Here she is said to have a 1 in 10 chance of full recovery.  Her surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning, then it's wait and see from there.  If her body responds she may be back here as soon as Sunday to recover.  Wait and see.

That's it for now.  I'll send an email to Spanky to have him do a "Can Man" for me or drop you another line as I know more.  I will be a bit scarce for the weekend.

No News is good news.

As I understand it Betty is doing fine.  Here motor functions are greatly improved.  At the same time, they did some extensive facial reconstruction.  I didn't know how bad it was.

Joe is still in la la land.  He is going to be waken tomorrow.  The girls are staying in New York with Mom at present and will try to be there.  I was asked to be sure I be there for the event.  You betchya I will.  I'll even shower.

I called DeRosa on his cell phone today, he's off this weekend and someone is covering.  He noted that since they put the two of them together, he has seen a trickle of improvements in Joe.  He admitted that he has never seen anyone in this condition survive.  Doc said he should have died last Sunday Night.  I mentioned to him to check the chart, as I update the pages every day.  He noted that he reads the new stuff, praising the Forward Look Clan for their concerns, efforts, and prayers.  He also said, "You guys must be some sort of special bunch".  In spite of all our squabbles, dickering, bad senses of humor and so on, HE'S RIGHT!  You people are special!!!  Let's see the Chebby clubs or the 300 Club, or the Imperial Clubs respond like this.

When the new Forum started, it seems to me, (Supported by Kenny, Can Man, Daven, and of coarse Chuckster) I said this new forum will bring us closer together.  Since I have mentioned that we are a family. (And fight like one too)  Well you fellow Members are a family.  I am proud to be in association with you all.

Now that DeRosa has come to reality. . . . There are still good people in this world, He went to West Orange, NJ today to look at a 56 Desoto a friend of mine has.  Don't know if he bought it, but he did say he was going to take it to Hibernia Auto Restoration to make it "New".  There goes another $100,000.  Chalk up another new Member

Thanks everyone.  I'll give you an update tomorrow night.  Tad busy here.

All I can say is . . .It was so exciting to see Joes eyes flutter open. 

It took a bit of time for him to adjust to the dim light.  Couldn't say much as he has that darned feeding tube down his throat, and a breathing shunt in his neck.  He was confused, quite dis-orentated.  He had a look of dispare on his face. . .  Wendy came over from the city arriving some half hour after he awoke.  He is obviously in a great deal of pain.  After about an hour or so, he began to start moving his arms and hands alittle.  He squeezed both our hands with a grateful grip.  He didn't seem to want to let go of either one of us. 

Wendy and I took the task of telling him of Bettys fate. . . . He appeared relieved that she has a good shot at being OK over all.  Gave him a pad and some crayons to see if he could write a little to comunicate.  That would at least relieve him of some frustration.  He managed to scribble out "I lov u" and on another piece of paper, "bety com son?"  At least that what we think he said.  Later he discovered he could croak out sounds, but they didn't make any sense.  We called Casey on the Cell (Hospital says that's a no no- - we did it anyway).  He croaked out a few faint sounds to her and then to Betty.  Once again we dumped a pint in tears, but this tiime in Joy for his success.

I don't know what Betty said, but there was an exchange of grunts and growns from both sides.  When the call was completed, he had a look of content in his face.  After a week, he looks like it might be Joe under all those cuts and black and blue marks.  The swelling on his face has gone down considerably.

It's been exactly seven days since the accident happened. . . . . We have poured ourselves to the lord asking for their lives to be spared.  I have to admit, it was a good idea I started this thread.  Each and everyone of us can stand back and be proud to say we did something good.

A special thanks to Snotty.  Snotty and I go back a ways, I bought a car from him 2 years ago and we have become close friends as a result.  For those of you that don't know him, he is a Methodist Minister In Wasco, California.  I sent him the link yesterday, he was on vacation.  I know he was back at the pulpit today and I am sure his congragation knows all about it by now.  Snotty!  Please ask the Lord to find another messenger or ask him to check my schedule first next time!  LOL   He HAS given me enough power to endure.

Someone asked how the other victims were.  The driver of the first truck, the one that hit Joe head on, died on Tuesday of multiple head and chest wounds.  He was hit in the face with a 59 Saratoga as it went airborne on the second impact from the rear.  The body was separated from the frame.  The second driver was uninjured.

I went over to the yard yesterday to see if I could look at the Saratoga again.  It too was impounded and moved to the Police Impound yard.  I can't get in there and it's a 10 foot shielded fence.  I couldn't see the car there, it may be in the garage.  I did see a mangled 383 and a 466 trans though.  Tail shaft is gone, right exhaust manifold is half there, valve cover is gone, throttle body We put EFI in the car 2 years ago, was sheered right off the intake, distributor is folded back, oil pan is flat- - sump is non existant, and the water pump and A/C compressor is gone.  Looks like a fan blade imbedded itself into the right valve cover.

That's it for now. . . .   I'll try to get some pics of the car for you as soon as I find a local to let me in the police garage.  This is  routine for a death by auto incident.

Thanks Guys

Crashed last yesterday eve and never logged off. . .  ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

I have recieved several emails regarding setting up a donation fund.  Thank you to all.  But, please don't do anything for them just yet.  I need to discuss this with the family first.  It will be a while before I can get everyone together.  But I don't think money is a problem or a big concern.  Besides knowing them, they are liable to deny the contributions.  Stubborn bunch. . . .

About the only donation, well not really, will be to sell Joe my Saratoga.  What the hay!  He helped with half the car anyway.  Right now it's in the body shop, but won't be ready for a year.  That time table will probably work.  He got a letter from the truckers insurance company yesterday.  They are trying to settle the car for $500.00.  Yeah that's right, FIVE HUNDRED!  That was quick. . . More like $25,000 is more like it, as that is what My Sara will cost when it's done.  FYI, I sell my Sara to Joe, and I will be finless.  I'll be banished.

I haven't been to the hospital yet. . . . .  Took a video of the fireworks last night to play for Joe on my laptop.

Since I will not be at Carlisle, now for two reasons, I wish you all a great time there.  Hang a picture of me up next to Jessica Pooh Hoo.  The mind is there, but the spirit has to stay here and take care of business.

I just realized, I don't even have a picture of these two. . . .  I guess that's what happens when you see them every day

Just a quick note

Betty seems to be doing better. . . She is struggling, I haven't see her since Friday.  She's in New York where she got more brain surgery done.  Supposed to be back Thursday this week.  I talk to her 6 or 7 times a day.  She desprately wants to be at Joes side right now.  Better make it soon

Joe is in and out. . . He seems to be going backwards.  He is getting more surgery in the morning.  His liver seems to be doing OK, it will be two weeks before they know for sure.  His kidneys are still not functioning right yet, they are trying to seek the problem.  He seems to be going down hill for some reason.  He knows that Betty is doing OK, but can't stay awake for more than a minute or two.  His vitals are waivering in a downward fashion.  Dr. DeRosa is starting to worry.  As I said before, these two have been joined by the hip for 30 years.  DeRosa and I are trying to get Betty back here sooner.  He's been running into a stone wall in NYC.  But he isn't her primary doctor either.  Her primary is also in the ring with us.  It worked a mirical before, we need it again right now.  I try to talk to him, but he doesn't seem to be responding.  His grip on my hand is weaker than ever.  Right now, things don't look that good for him.

I'll keep you posted.

Joe,

You're going to get better,betty and all of us are pulling for you.I send you lots of fwdlk healing and strength from Canada. Strengthen that grip and resolve and come back to all of us,especially your family. Steve needs an upstanding type like yourself to keep him in line. Two semis were not enough to take a special person like yourself!

Any news on Joe today? I continue to pray for him and Betty and it's saddening to hear that he is still struggling.

Sorry, I have been too depressed to do this, but I guess I owe you members a update.  BTW  Thanks for all the input here.  I still print the updated pages and take them to Joe and read them aloud.

As of last night, and a few members on the chat were aware of this, Joe had fallen back to the propably won't survive list.  He's still on it at this time.  But is still with us.

Betty was flown in, arriving here around 11:15 this morning.  She was rushed to Joes side as we demanded.  (Half the hospital staff was waiting for the Medivac to land)  The two were brought side by side where she was able to touch Joe again.  Joe had more surgery yesterday and is pretty well drugged up.  Very little response from him, but the monitors did bump up in activity.  He now has Betty at his side in the same room.  (God help the administrator if he tries to interfere, it violates all the hospital rules) When I left a few hours ago, she was yacking away a mile a minute about good things, spurring on things he loved to do and their common interests.  Betty is fully aware he might not make it.  Being a Psycoligist, she knows how to do it and is working her years of experience overtime on him. 

Betty is not mobile, but has enough useage of her left arm to be able to do simple tasks like wash his face with a cloth and massage his fingers.  She is on Joes left side, and facing him. (Her bed is backwards in the room)  She is ignoring he own wounds and problems for the time being.  Except for some physical theropy she will stay at his side for the next few days I am assured.  Otherwise she has been moved to the gaurded list.  She can't chew anything, swearing at the goo they are feeding here.  Wants me to go to our favorite burger joint and get her the works.  We spoke loud enough for Joe to hear, pretending he was in the conversation.  A private nurse in with both of them now.  He needs constant care

Betty has 95% of her motor functions restored.  This is a result of the Brain Surgery in NYC.  Her face is disfigured but has had the facial bone structure reconstructed already.  It's up to Leone (The Plastic Surgeon) from here on.  Her right arm is still imobilized, and her fingers are working (That's the 5% missing).  They expect almost a full recovery for the arm, she'll loose about 20% of the useage.  The girls are looking for a recent picture for the plastic surgeon, Betty is a beautiful woman for her age (Beautiful in very many ways) . . .   I think I said, she looked 20 even though she is 48.  I enjoy here devilish behaivior, always pulling some harmless prank on me.  Right now I miss that.  Last several stunts she pulled would be a beach bucket full of pool water dumped down my shirt.  It was fun.

I couldn't stay for any more.  This is getting harder and harder for me.  Falling into a hole.  But still optomistic.

LOL  Mike  He was the one that was trying to cut corners when he helped me put the chassis together.  But like we have all said here, "It's my car Putz!  My Money!  I will do the job right!!  He always agreed with me anyway. . . .

Basically I put allot of money into that car where it counted.  Even new body bushings.  He's getting a new car for cryin out loud!  Well that's OK, he's be able to drive it for years before he has to mess with it again.  This one will even have swivel seets.  I think he'll need that.

Corner cutting  HA! :)

Yeah Doug. . . I am obviously rattled with all this.

You wrote that, and it will be read to Joe in the morning.  But I would like to have someone else say this besides me.

I intend to tell Joe "I need him on his feet so he can kick (or try too) my ass".  That has been a standing joke between he and I for the last 17 years, since I met him.  I haven't had a good way of saying it to him.

We know his is listening, sometimes he moves his head slightly.  We watch the monitors thinking he is trying to communicate with us that way.  I could be wrong, but my impression is he is trying to get out of his cacoon and become part of the human race again.  And Oh Boy!  What a race it is.

I always skip part of my reports to try to keep things on the lighter side.  I don't want him to know what we know.  But I am sure he knows what his condition is.  I have been looking around to see if I have any pictures of he and Betty, none so far.  It would be nice to put a face with a name.

I got a call from the State Police today in response to me getting some pics of the car.  They did this as a courtesy to our locals.  They told me I cannot go near the car, and the car is being taken from the town garage tomorrow.  I asked them if I could get a few of their shots of the car, the officer took my email address.  He was kind enough to listen to how much involved our group is and understood we are a big family.  He told me he would see what he can do for us.  He is into those old chebbys, never thought about old mopars.  He said the next time he sees an old Mopar, he "would have a new respect for them".  It will be a few more days before I will have anything.  Maybe someday, I will be able to show you all what this little Welchman survived. 

By the way, Joe is a shorter version of me.  He's 5'7", was 200 pounds, and has shoulders on him that filled the seat of his car.  I often teased him about being shaped like a funnel.  Those ham hocks he calls hands are like a pair of vice grips too.  He tightens  things with his fingers I have to get a wrench to loosen.  (Maybe I'm just getting too old  LOL)  He's tough!  Real tough.  This is the guy that I want with me when I take on a bus load of punks. hehehehehe

So this post will be passed over tomorrow. . . .

Thanks Ray. . . You and I were posting the same time.  I hope to have good news for you when you return