HELP WANTED

Work is being scheduled to add on to Scott's home. Plans have been approved and work will begin soon. Tradespeople and general help will be needed and much appreciated! Please contact one of the following people if you would like to volunteer your time to this great cause:

Tradespeople (carpentry, drywall, paint, electrical, etc.), please contact Joe Lamuth at (714) 231-9475. He will be the point person on this job.

General help, please contact Candy Zwart at (714) 826-8636.

Keep an eye out on this site for updates on scheduling, etc. THANKS!

Update on Scott 10/17/07

Hello Everyone! Just wanted to send a little update on Scott. I feel as though every time I send something it is for something going wrong, bad news that needs prayer, so today is different. My update is all good news! Starting last week, Scott has been doing so good. His kidney doctor prescribed a low dose high blood pressure medicine that he takes at night, and his blood pressure since has seemed to be under control. Also, last Tuesday he went to physical therapy and kicked some serious butt! His therapist couldn't believe all he was doing, as a matter of fact she hadn't seen him for 2 weeks (because he had been so sick) and she thought he had been somewhere else, with another therapist! We also had a couple meals out, which are challenging because Scott has a hard time with holding silver wear and getting his chair under tables, etc. He worries that people are staring. But we have had good practice and great success each time, and it really builds his confidence, and mine. I actually get really nervous on these outings, too. We went to the dentist, which we were both a little nervous about that, could they accomodate us in the wheel chair, the x-rays, etc. but it all went well. So, I just thought you would all like to know that your prayers are being answered as are mine. I know a lot of you pray for my peace as well as Scott's health, and it really has gotten us both through each day. Thanks so much for your love and support, and please continue to cheer Scott on!!!Love,Wendy

Scott is Home!

Hey Everyone! Scott is home! Yippie. They wanted to watch one more day for a fever, so they finally let him go today at 5:30. His blood pressure was still low, but they pumped him with fluids and told me as long as his fever did not exceed 100 he was good to go. He ended up having a Urinary Tract Infection, Pnemonia (which I guess he still has for up to 2 months?), and a bowel infection that more than likely he got in the hospital. They sent us home with an antibiotic and instructions that he take it easy until his next chest x-ray in a month. Also, he has to religiously, for the rest of his life, breath into this inhaler thing to prevent pnemonia. So all of you that see him must help me nag him on this, because I think we are in for a lot more of these infections followed by pnemonia if we are not on top of this breathing thing. Thanks for all of your loving prayers and thoughts. I appreciate it more than you will all ever know.Love,Wendy

Update on Scott's Hospitalization!

Hi Everyone, I don't know too much right now....they finally put Scott in a room at 10 PM and got him on his "special" mattress and everything situated for him. They still are not sure what kind of infection he has...the biggest thing is when they did his blood cultures this morning it showed very high white blood count which also is septic???? I don't know what this all means, but for sure there is an infection in his body somewhere. At this point we are hoping it is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) because this is very common in quadrapalegics and can be treated easily. At this time though, they are not sure. It could also be his wound (which I don't think it is because I treat it and see it 2x a day and it has only looked better) or lungs, they did a chest x-ray, so we will see. They also have him on isolation as a precaution which also means the boys cannot visit. They don't even know he is in the hospital yet, so I am so bummed that they can't go see him. It does look like he will be there for at least 3-5 days. Please continue to pray, I have a feeling we are in for a lot more infections in the years to come, this first one is scary, though!!! I just want Scott to feel good for more than one day!!!! By the way, he is already teasing the nurses, so at least his sense of humor is in tact!!!! And he is making Steelers bets with the guys at the hospital......football!!! Yikes.Thank you all so much for ALWAYS being here for me. I do appreciate it and love you so much!Love,Wendy

Back in Hospital

I received a voice mail this morning from Scott's brother, Danny Dalton. He said Scott had to go back to the hospital due to some "blood issues". I will post more information as I receive it.

--Paul

Thank you, from Wendy

Hello Everyone! I hope you all know by now that Scott has been home almost 2 weeks. It has been crazy, but somehow, by the grace of God, we are getting by day by day. Some of you may not know, but on the first day of rehab months ago the therapist asked Scott what his goal were...his first answer was to go to his sister's wedding. Well, he achieved his goal tonight. I didn't bore you guys with all of the pictures but I thought you would like to see a few of our family. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for getting me through the past 6 months. It was honestly the darkest time of my life but it definetely had a lot of light to it, too. To see the support, love and friendship that is in our lives is truly a gift that i can only thank God for. You have all done so much for me, and I will be forever grateful to each and every one of you. I know I can get through the rest of my life with all of you by my side. Thanks so much!!!Love,Wendy

Scott Goes Home!

Scott is HOME!! The new adventure begins! There will still be updates to let you know how progress is going!

Looks like Scott will be home tomorrow!!

So far so good. It looks like Monday is the day!! Keep positive thoughts! I will let you know how it goes!

Scott's Homecoming day!

Scott will not be home today like origially planned. But, he will be home next week for sure! Wendy is staying with him at the hospital so the two of them can establish a routine. Christian and Caiden will be home from their Pennsylvania vacation next Sat. Aug. 4th. It will be so awesome for them to come home to both Mommy and Daddy! They are looking forward to it!

At this point Wendy has a bed ready for Scott but she still needs a ramp built for Scott to enter the front door. I know she has had MANY offers and is now ready for action. Dale has already removed part of her porch posts to make the entry wide enough so it just needs a ramp from the walk up to the door. Please feel free to give her a call or an email ortizmom@pacbell.net or simply just go over and do it. She will be at the hospital consistantly for the next several days.

Please direct your prayers to Scott's homecoming. He CAN NOT wait much longer! That man wants to get home so badly!

Thank you!

Scott in Rehab!

Scott is doing great in rehab! He is getting stonger each day and you can see how wonderful he looks! He will be home soon!

Scott's Homecoming is Drawing Near!

Hi all! Wendy had a good "family meeting" with the powers that be at Kaiser. They agree that with progress going as well as it is, Scott will be home by the end of the month! The goal date is 7/27! I am sure that is not soon enough for Scott but, it will give him a bit more time to get comfortable with maneuvering himself and it gives Wendy the opportunity to make sure she has things good and ready for him at home.
Scott thanks you for all the emails! Keep them coming! Please understand that he is still working on his typing skills and won't be able to reply. But, keep sending the encouragement. He really enjoys it!
God Bless!

Rehab is going really well. Scott is learning how transfer from the bed into his wheelchair on his own and becoming stronger and stronger each day!
He was having some blood pressure issues but those have been resolved by correcting some of his medications.
Scott is also off all pain meds. That is huge because he now has a clearer mind to work on his recovery.
This all leads to Scott coming home. That goal is becoming more and more obtainable. And the sooner the better for Scott! He is really homesick and of course just wants to be at home with his family.
The fun news is that Scott is now online! He has his laptop and an internet card and is able to receive emails!! So please feel free to send him some love zitros@pacbell.net It will be great for Scott to hear from everyone first hand!!
Keep praying! Let's pray Scott home soon!

Blessings to you!