Saturday, August 16, 2008

Moved Room

Thanks for remembering to leave a comment on the blog with your ID. I’ve been printing them out for him. They really help to perk him up! Thanks!

Lif's been moved across the hall to room 926.
All things considered its' a pretty nice view overlooking the Longfellow (a/k/a "Salt & Pepper") Bridge & Charles River estuary at the Science Museum

His contact info is:

Craig Lifner
Room 926 Spaulding Rehab
125 Nashua St
Boston MA 02114

Monday, August 4, 2008

Lif's Progress-03

To: all who are rooting for Lif Please remember to leave a comment on the blog with your ID. I’ve been printing them out for him. They really help to perk him up! Thanks!

Hi Everyone

Thanks for checking in & leaving posts/comments.

We (Beth & I) took Ruth in on Saturday after work & hung-out with Lif for awhile.

His progress is really remarkable--considering what he endured three (3) weeks ago when all of this happened.

Lif's brother Kurt from Colorado has landed in Boston & will be visiting for most of this week. His presence will certainly be a pick-me-up for younger brother! :)

Brett did a great job puttin a poster/collage together for his Dad with all sorts of family pictures & memorable moments. (Personally, I'm salivating at the thought of seeing his pic in the tux he wore to his prom: brown with a yellow chiffon shirt!)

As an added emphasis, Brett even added an "Only in Maynard" bumper sticker!

I heard that a bunch of the BU trades-guys went in to visit him today. Thanks guys!

A big (& belated) thank you should also go out to Lif's ecumenical peers at BU, including Sister Olga & the staff of the Hillel House with the Rabbi & Lif's favorite Susan Sloan.

Well, more info as it develops. Take care,

MVK

Friday, August 1, 2008

Lif's Progress--02

To: all who are rooting for Lif
Please remember to leave a comment on the blog with your ID.
I’ve been printing them out for him. They really help to perk him up!
Thanks!


Visited Lif after work yesterday.

He was sitting upright in bed & was able to speak clearly & coherently--pretty much 'normal' !! :)

His mood & demeanor was very positive. The (puréed) dinner he had just completed was the first 'solid' food he has consumed since this happened.

He was able to move both of his arms (left better than right).

Last night was the first time he wanted the TV on & asked to find the clicker

As previously noted he's been doing physical therapy.....I was pleased to see his sneakers in the corner of the room!

All-in-all he's definitely on the mend. Thank you for your continued well-wishes.

MVK :)

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Lif's Progress--01

To: all who are rooting for LifPlease remember to leave a comment on the blog with your ID.I’ve been printing them out for him. They really help to perk him up!Thanks!

Visited with Lif today after work. He was snoozing when I arrived but awoke when he sensed somebody close by.

He was happy to see me (at least I think so!). We caught-up on a few topics & chewed the fat for awhile.

Lif's was much improved from Sunday.
His appearance & spirits were better. Some of the motor functions to both sets of limbs were returning, although his right side still appeared to be significantly hindered.
His breathing seemed slightly more relaxed & his speech was more coherent.
Crikes....he was even able to cop a small smile!

Not wasting time the professionals at Spaulding have already started him on a rehab regime--including (starting to) walk with parallel bars.

Lif is comfortable with the idea of this blog to better share his Progress with his family, friends & network of longtime peers, clients, colleagues, etc.

He only asks for your prayers and well wishes for speedy & healthy recovery.

If you've read any of this blog, it would be greatly appreciated for you to leave a post/comment that we can print-out & bring to him. This would really cheer him up. Thank you.

Move to Rehab

To: all who are rooting for LifPlease remember to leave a comment on the blog with your ID.I’ve been printing them out for him. They really help to perk him up!Thanks!

Lif has been moved to the Spaulding Rehab-- one of the best facilities of its’ kind –in Boston.
We brought Lif’s Mom, Mrs Lifner (“Ruth”) to see him again at Spaulding on Sunday ~ 6 PM.
Presumably because he had just been ‘rotated’ & he was in the midst of taking medications, his spirits seemed a bit down. But he showed a positive expression when he saw him Mom.

His contact info is:

Craig Lifner
Room 926
Spaulding Rehab
125 Nashua St
Boston MA 02114


Thank you for your continued prayers & blessings.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Lif's Accident

To: all who are rooting for LifPlease remember to leave a comment on the blog with your ID.I’ve been printing them out for him. They really help to perk him up!Thanks!


On Sunday 13 July 2008 our very good & dear friend Mr Craig Lifner ("Lif") suffered an unfortunate accident at his home.

While performing some routine home improvements with his son Brett, he fell approximately twelve (12) feet from a ladder, landing on his neck & right side.

Brett, quick to contact the paramedics, stayed by his fathers' side continuing to talk to him in order to keep him awake & alert until professional medical attention arrived.

Lif was brought directly to the helipad at Emerson Hospital in Concord and 'life-flighted-out' directly to Mass General where he remains as of this writing.

Lifs' injuries are comprised of a broken neck, back & ribs (right side).

He has limited motor function on most of his right side which is believed--and hoped--to be attributed to the temporary swelling/bruising and NOT more permanent nerve injury.

The Wednesday following the accident Lif underwent surgery to fuse his cervical vertebrae.*

Because he is currently unable to eat, drink, easily swallow or expectorate, todays' anticipated move to the Spaulding Rehab has been postponed.

In my opinion Lifs' aesthetic/outward condition has, over the course of a week-plus, improved. Much of the outward bruising has begun to subside. His speech is more easily understood & audible despite the after-effects of such a major procedure.

Candidly.....while it pains me to author this....I don't believe his musculo-skeletal condition is as resilient.

And yet despite all of this Lif is working hard to maintain a good & positive outlook on his situation.

It was very nice for all of his friends, peers & colleagues to send him cards, flowers & general well-wishes for a speedy & healthy recovery.

He was happy to see his friends from BU, Concord, etc during the week and especially happy to finally see his Mom, Ruth, on Saturday & Sunday afternoon.

Please join my entire Family and I in extending our thoughts, prayers and well-wishes to our buddy.

And thank you, too, for sharing this blog with any of Lifs' extended network of family, friends, peers & contacts.

Because this is being published in the Public Domain I am not comfortable disclosing the Familys' contact information online.**

Best,

Mike Kebadjian mike@kebadjian.com


*this is the procedure where they access the vertebrae by incising the front of the throat & "moving everything aside while they do the job."

**I would be happy to provide further information once I've ascertained the veracity of the inquirer. Please email me. Thank you for your understanding.