72 replies to this topic

[DiverBabs]

Harold -

Thanks so much for the update on Barb. We certainly will continue to keep Barb (and all of you who are supporting her) in our thoughts and prayers.

As Kamala said, if there is anything else we can do to help please let us know.

Barb - Thoughts and Prayers for a speedy recovery lady!!

Diverbabs
"the other Barb"

[scubachick84]

Harold - thanks so much for updating us about Barb and please send her my best wishes. She is a truly remarkable lady and I am delighted to hear that she is on the road to recovery. Barb had us all laughing on Thursday night when asked for ice cream only to realize that there had been a bowl sitting in front of her for half an hour! On Friday, we had a great drift dive and I noticed Barb alongside me several times, looking calm, cool and collected while I was a bit of a dork trying to adjust myself to the current. She is a warm and generours person and I hope we'll see her on the board soon!

Please tell her I am thinking of her!

Paula

[Travelgal]

Thanks so much Harold for the update@ We will be looking forward to hearing more from you until Barb is able to let us know herself! We all look so forward to her recovery and renewed strength@! It was truly an honor to meet you and her mom and daughter at the hospital.....you are all such strength and inspiration for her. Give her our love! A card is in the mail today to her as well!
Paula

[WreckWench]

I have just rec'd the following update from Harold, Barb's brother. Some personal information has been removed with Harold's permission but I wanted to share the balance of the information with you as it is TREMENDOUS NEWS!!!

New Update on Barb!!



Barb has been transferred to the inpatient Intensive Rehab Unit within Mercy Hospital. Her new room number is 4110. The BEST NEWS is that the long term prognosis is an expected COMPLETE RECOVERY PLEASE KEEP HER IN YOUR PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS.

At this point the plan is to have Barb remain in this rehab unit for 2-3 three weeks, and than have here transferred by train back home to New Jersey. Based on here status at that point the options range from transferring her to a local inpatient rehab facility(fortunately we have a few excellent centers very close to Barb's home), or, if she able to, in-home rehab.

Thanks in large part to all the incredible help that so many of you provided, and the good fortune of which way the hurricane headed, Barb unquestionably has the very best(and as she has said, the cutest), DCI Dr. on the east coast. He has treated over 1500 DCI patients!! Because Barb didn't present with symptoms that were clearly indicative of DCI he worked tirelessly to ensure they had the correct diagnosis. Only after calling other DCI specialists in the country, he found a colleague at Duke, that had a patient present the same way as Barb did 20 years ago!! In large part because of your collective heroic efforts, Barb is Alive, thank God!!!! and on her way to what appears to be a full recovery

On a personal note, I have read through your various posts about Barb and my eyes and heart fill with tears every time I read them. You are by far, both individually and collectively, a group that I, and my family will be forever grateful to for all that you have done and your outpouring of support to both Barb and our family. And while I am unable to dive, If I ever have the opportunity to meet you, it will be my pleasure and my honor.

I am a strong believer in Karma, and the story I mentioned in my previous update of how Barb saved two people from drowning last summer certainly justifies that belief and faith. It was Barb's Birthday the first week in August and now I am confident that next year will be a grand celebration.

That's it for now. I will post again as things progress.

Thank you seems inadequate so please understand there is so much more I want to say to all of you.

Live Fully, Play Hard and Dive Safely,

Harold



HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!!


I just rec'd a call from the hospital. Barb is making better than expected progress and they now plan to discharge her Next Friday, September 7. As long as she continues to progress the way she is, her rehab will be on an OUT-PATIENT basis at a nearby facility. Clearly this is GREAT news. I have a ton of calls I need to make so I have to go. Until Barb is able to post herself I will keep you informed as best I can. As the song goes 'I so excited I just cant stand it'.

Harold

[Topless]

That's wonderful news. Hopefully she's on the road to a full recovery.

[DivingDeb]

YEAH!! B A R B
This is FANTASTIC news. My prayers continue to wish for you a rapid & complete recovery.
All the Best
Deb

[Starfish Sandy]

Great news!

[WreckWench]

May I echo the sentiments made by Barb's brother about our group...

The finest acts in compassion and human caring occurred and continued to occur from the time Barb got ill until now. Each member of the trip that could assist, assisted in some way...either small or large realizing that it could have been them. That sobering thought hit us all...what if this were me...would someone help me? And instinctively everyone did what they could knowing the answer would be 'yes'.

And the outpouring of prayers and well wishes from members of our community have been so indicative of how wonderful this community truly is.

Thank you all for your support, your prayers, your well wishes and your cards and letters to Barb.

[DiverBabs]

Talk about bringing tears (of JOY!) to your eyes!

That is wonderful, wonderful news

Again, if there is anything we can do to help with getting Barb back home and on the road to full recovery, please just ask.

You have huge support group here... don't hesitate to take advantage of it!!

More Thoughts and Prayers coming your way!

Barb
aka Diverbabs

[dustbowl diver]

Fantastic news indeed!!

[Travelgal]

What a great post Harold and thanks so much for taking the time to keep us all informed! Barb you continue to be in our prayers and "We are all so excited, we just can't stand it"

[MissOcean]

This is great news! I'm very glad to hear she is doing better!!! She's still in my thoughts and prayers!

[1Scubadiver]

A comment from Barb

Last night I read Barb all of your post that expressed your concern, encouragement, offers of assistance, being there for our family, your tears of joy over her progress, and on and on. After the tears stopped Barb replied with (I'm paraphrasing just a tiny bit),' What an incredible group of people. We were just really getting to know one another when this happened. For so many people to react and respond the way that all of them(you) did is remarkable.' Simply put, she is positively overwhelmed with your outpouring of Care, Concern and Prayer!

From there the discussion became pleasantly repetitive about this amazing group of people, who in an instant, and without hesitation, became unassuming hero's THAT SAVED HER LIFE The bottom line to those of you who were there and helping Barb, whether it was hands-on, behind the scene, or simply praying for her. Barb wants everyone associated with sd.com , whether on this dive, or those members who have only read/heard about, to know how much gratitude, appreciation and love that she feels for all of you .

That's it for now. Have a Great Holiday to those of you in the US and a Great Weekend To All .

[WreckWench]

Harold...please tell your sister that we feel the same way about her! Have a wonderful holiday weekend! And if she is strong enough....ask her to call me! I'd love to speak with her if only for a moment!

[DandyDon]

Thanks Harold. This thread has a lot more views than posts as many just quietly enjoy the good news, but - keep it coming...!

And I see that you're learning board controls.