BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 01:23 PM

psalm 107 vs 19-21.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: gnu
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 09:56 AM

Thanks LH... and Julie.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 09:10 AM

latest update from Julie:

Friday 2300h:

As many of you already have seen on David's Facebook, David is coming home next Tuesday, July 12th! He's so excited! This morning an OT from insurance dropped off some equipment we will need for a while and we are getting everything in place for his homecoming. I'll be in Vineland for the weekend, celebrating Ryan's 16th birthday, cleaning out my desk at work, and packing up my clothes. Today I picked up ribs from the Barrie Ribfest on my way to St. John's, thanks to Mike V., who mentioned it was going on. David was very happy! (me too, I may have eaten more of them than he did). I'm starting to feel glimmers of joy and normalcy for the first time in a long while.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: autolycus
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 02:39 AM

More, belated, good thoughts from this side of the pond.

Hope you can also enjoy your convalescence. A bizarre sense of humour ideal in difficult situations.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: skipy
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 05:26 PM

Great news

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 04:35 PM

. . . or sighting. :-/

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 04:34 PM

Good to hear from you, Raptor! The birds have missed siting you!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 09:15 AM

Good news! - you're going home. all best wishes from Dorset, England

al

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 01:42 AM

Welcome back!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 12:15 AM

So come Tuesday, we can say, "The Eagle has landed!":-)

Great news and good to hear from yerself!

ATB,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Janie
Date: 08 Jul 11 - 10:40 PM

Keep on keepin' on, Raptor!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: GUEST,999
Date: 08 Jul 11 - 10:15 PM

You are more than welcome, Raptor. I am very happy to learn you are getting better. You have been in my thoughts lots.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: gnu
Date: 08 Jul 11 - 09:04 PM

'I feel really good and am going home tuesday."

Well now, THAT brought a tear to me eye! GREAT to hear from you!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: GUEST,Guest RAPTOR
Date: 08 Jul 11 - 09:00 PM

THANK YOU all of you for the well wishes and prayers.
I feel really good and am going home tuesday. Thanks for the CD BM.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 08 Jul 11 - 03:55 AM

I am so sorry I missed this thread. I have not been in mudcat much the last few months. Please send my belated wishes to Raptor for best recovery that can be had.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: maeve
Date: 07 Jul 11 - 01:04 PM

Good for you! I think of you every time I watch the bluebirds and tree swallows feed their younglings.

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: alanabit
Date: 07 Jul 11 - 01:03 PM

Keep the good news coming. Thanks for the update.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Jul 11 - 01:01 PM

Wonderful news.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Jul 11 - 12:09 PM

tuesday 2220

David's getting around with 2 canes now! He's finally off of isolation, so no more yellow gowns and sweaty gloves. Tomorrow he goes back down to St. Michael's to have him arm checked by the orthopedic surgeon. His sister, Jo-Anne, from Ottawa, will be here and is going with him. David has noticed some hearing loss in his left ear, so we will be looking further into that. The team at St. John's meets tomorrow and will probably be setting a discharge date in the next week or so! David's really anxious to get home to Bowie and me!

ps from paul: David posted on facebook that he's coming home tuesday next; plus it looks like the St. Mike's trip to the fracture clinic was postponed 'til thursday.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 11:27 PM

So good to hear of the amazing progress and I love Dave's sense of humour!

Julie, my Rog has worked in that area and we have both been so sad to hear of the fire and at the thought of the huge losses of those things you mentioned being so dear. It is good no human lives have been lost and you have reason to be proud. My heart is always with the critters and fauna, too.

ATB,

kat in Colorado

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 11:22 PM

I'm glad to read that Raptor's healing continues. Julie, I hope you have caught up on your rest. Re New Mexico: my thoughts are with those whose lives are in danger and those who care for and about them.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: gnu
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 06:08 PM

Thanks for the update from both of you. Rap... keep up that sense of humour buddy!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 04:39 PM

from Julie:

friday 1245h:

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a few days. I have hit the point of complete exhaustion and am just kind of hunkered down and in survival mode now that David is doing so much better and I can let down my guard a bit. David is in good spirits and doing more and more every day. He is working on stairs now and they are talking about getting rid of the walker and using canes next week. Still no idea of a discharge date. David has really enjoyed having his brother, Michael, here this week, and it has given me a chance to spend some time at home with the kids. The fire in my hometown of Los Alamos, New Mexico continues to burn and is now the largest fire in the history of New Mexico. It looks like they have been able to keep it out of the town, but it is still burning out of control. On the news you will hear only of the worry about the lab and radioactive stuff, but you will not hear of the amazing people who are donating food and time to feed over 1,000 firefighters and National Guard. You will not hear of the beautiful places, animals, historical sites that have been marred by this fire. It is an unbelievable loss, but a huge blessing that no one has died. I am very proud of my beautiful birthplace and the people there.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 11:33 AM

LOL!!! I don't think it's ready yet. It's a project he will take up shortly, though, as soon as he's able to. Then get a publisher. Then the big TV advertising program begins.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 12:21 AM

Where can I get one?

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 11:18 PM

Julie's getting about a week off to attend to much needed stuff at home, so there's been a short hiatus in the updates. However, I hear that several friends have visited David in the last week and he is cheerful, doing well, and improving steadily.

He told me (in fun) that he wants to do one of those late night wacky commercials that one might see on TV where some guy is yelling loudly about some INCREDIBLE product he has to sell for a bargain price...David's product being a "MIRACLE WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM". It's simple: You buy yourself a $30,000 motorcycle, get your license, take it out a couple of times and then drive it full tilt into a brick wall. You WILL lose weight in the weeks that follow. David has proof of this, because he has lost 42 pounds since the accident. The infomercial will require people to send in $20 to David in return for a detailed manual coaching them every step of the way.

He has a pretty bizarre sense of humour... ;-) I wonder how many people would order the manual?

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 09:20 PM

Be jammin' gears on a Harley in no time...

Good news...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: gnu
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 09:17 PM

Hoping for another update... of course, hoping for another good one. Ts&Ps continue.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Janie
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 08:20 PM

Thinking of you, David. (and you also, Julie.)

Day-by-day it will continue to get better!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 12:01 PM

Here's the Friday update from Julie:

Friday 2300h:



David got to move from the high wheeled walker to a regular walker this afternoon because he is doing so well. The PT also started doing some breath therapy and chest thumping to help clear out the gunk in his lungs. Last night at David's house I was able to access the Mudcat folk music forum and see the thread that George C. started there at David's request. Thank you George and everyone following there for your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement. I printed off the whole thread and took it to David today. He was very touched. And then George showed up for a visit too! I'm home in Vineland with my babies for a few days. Taylor and Ryan just finished exams and Tay's been sick all week with strep throat.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 12:27 AM

This just keeps sounding better and better! Coughing is good for getting pneumonia crud up out of the lungs, but it can sure hurt, esp. if one has been injured as he has. Tell him it helps to hug a pillow or, if someone brought him one, a teddy bear.:-) After heart surgery, the hospital gave me a heart shaped pill to use for "productive" coughing.

Playing the guitar! WoW!

Thanks for the updates and keep up the good work, David!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 10:13 PM

I visited David in his new lodgings today. He's on the third floor of the Rebhab clinic and he has a balcony. From this balcony can be seen an enormous and beautiful weeping willow and some other trees and grass. We talked about stuff for about 2 hours, and then a couple of his motorcycle club friends showed up. He is improving rapidly, left arm is now working fine, but they say he has a touch of pneumonia, so he coughs a fair bit. His mood is cheerful and upbeat.

Here's the Thursday update from Julie:

Thursday 2220h:

This morning I packed up 6 1/2 weeks worth of stuff in my hotel room. It's remarkable what one can collect! Giant thanks to Kim Gate for picking me up and bringing me home to Barrie. And what an overwhelming surprise to come into the house and find that it had been cleaned by my new neighbour, Jennifer! I did not have the energy for that job and was dreading it. After I got settled in and collected some things for David, I went back down to St. John's. David had his first day of therapy and was pretty worn out. They are going to make an appointment for him at a special clinic at St. Michael's to have his lungs checked. We'll go down in a wheelchair taxi. Mary Hetherington and her girls stopped by for a nice visit and David was able to play Mary's guitar, which was a huge relief to him. It was good to hear him sing and play!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: olddude
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 12:11 PM

Great News,
Prayers keep coming your way my friends

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 09:13 AM

Good news!

Continued healing thoughts from the UK

Love Khatt x

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: alanabit
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 04:26 AM

Good news - not just healthy but fragrant as well now!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: open mike
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 01:25 AM

wishes for continued improvement for you and best wishes for Raptor and Julie..you little love birds!!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Janie
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 12:13 AM

Thinking of you, David/Raptor.

May the wrens and sparrows sing you awake each morning.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 09:21 PM

Good news! Keep healing!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: CapriUni
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 06:30 PM

Yay for wheels! Once you're upright and mobile, the world looks so much better.

Pretty soon, Raptor, you'll be unleashed once more!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: gnu
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 04:06 PM

INDEED IT IS!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Crowhugger
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 02:07 PM

That's great news.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 12:49 PM

update from Julie:

wednesday 2130h:

When I arrived at St. John's today, David had had a long and wonderful shower, shaved, dressed, and been on a recon mission all over the hospital in his wheelchair. Needless to say, he was feeling pretty darn pleased with himself. They will not be sending him back to St. Michael's, as they are not overly worried about his lung infection. He had some assessments today and everyone is amazed at how well he is doing considering how sick he was. I will be checking out of the hotel tomorrow and have a ride to Barrie. Thanks again for all the offers of help. Visiting hours at St. John's are 12:00 to 8:30 p.m., by the way, for anyone wanting to visit.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: DougR
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 12:17 PM

Best wishes to Raptor and my friend, L.H.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 04:32 PM

Heh! ;-) I'll do that, 999.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Crowhugger
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 04:32 PM

Just saw this thread--all best healing, David! Glad you let us know, LH. And hugs to Julie coping with this curve ball.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: GUEST,999
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 03:30 PM

"Tomorrow he gets his first shower in 46 days and will be assessed by occupational therapy and physiotherapy."

Please let David know that 46 days ain't a world's record. I hold that I think. Took my boots off and never saw the cat again. Wish him well for me, please, LH.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 02:07 PM

Continued good news for the most part. And a room with a balcony! Good oh eh!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 12:15 PM

latest update from Julie:

tuesday 2100h:

Hey everyone! Wow, thanks for all the offers of rides. You guys are all so good to me (us). Things have changed a bit, so everything is on hold for a couple of days. The doctor at St. John's is concerned about David's lungs and may send him back to St. Mike's, so I'm going to give it a few days and make sure David is really staying there before I leave the hotel. It's easy to get to St. Johns on the subway and bus from here. St. John's is lovely in an old residential neighbourhood. Everyone is very nice and made David feel comfortable. I got to go on the ambulance transfer with David, which was great. Right now, David has a private room with a balcony! There are lovely grounds with a path and lots of big, old trees. I got to take David for a walk in a wheelchair this afternoon. He put on real clothes and breathed real fresh air, heard birds, smelled flowers, felt the breeze. It was sooo good for him! Tomorrow he gets his first shower in 46 days and will be assessed by occupational therapy and physiotherapy. MRI results showed some tears in some knee ligaments, but nothing requiring surgery. I'll keep you posted when/if I need help with a ride later in the week. THANK YOU!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 08:51 AM

Good news, LH. Thank you for the update.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: I don't know
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 04:53 AM

Just read this. Hope the recovery continues well & you are soon riding a bike again.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 04:19 AM

good reports & good friends

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 10:52 PM

Little Hawk, I'll be keeping Raptor, his fiancee, and friends like you in the Light. Thank you for sharing this information. I'm glad he has the Canadian Health Care System and is already able to use a walker. I pay for one of the best available in the US and once was in an induced coma for almost a month. When the insurance money for my occupational and physical therapy ran out, I was just starting the transition from a walker to a cane. (I'm much better now because of what I've done on my own. Unless you saw me stepping off a curb or walking down stairs with no railing, you wouldn't know I'd ever had a problem.) Please continue to let us know about Raptor's progress. I'm glad he has you for a friend.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Janie
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 09:14 PM

Terrific! And I'm betting David will be a "star pupil" with the PT folks at the rehab hospital.

Thanks for keeping us updated, LH.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: akenaton
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 05:03 PM

A small Scottish voice to add to the good wishes David.....you have been very unfortunate in your accident and injuries, but very lucky to have a friend like George, it says much about you....Ake.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 02:47 PM

Yes, the Canadian Health Care System gets a lot of criticism in the US. Meanwhile, we have people robbing banks in the US so they can be locked up and receive prison medical care, and that's no joke.

But I digress. Back to Raptor and his recuperation. Keep your chin up, friend!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 02:37 PM

GREAT news!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: maeve
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 01:27 PM

Thanks, LH.

Walk, stretch, recover...then fly, Raptor.

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: alanabit
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 01:25 PM

Lovely news. Keep us in touch and keep letting the good man know how much we value him.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 01:05 PM

Wow! What good news and what a fantastic health system and employer!! He is one determined guy!

Continued thanks givings and lots of Light and Love to all involved.

Thanks for the updates, LH.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: olddude
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 12:39 PM

Still praying my dear friend

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 12:22 PM

I pray for his speedy recovery!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 12:17 PM

The latest update from David's fiance:

monday 2220h:

Day 44. Last full day at the hospital!!! Yes, we are going to the rehab hospital tomorrow, barring any last minute problems with David's knee. They did the MRI this evening, and they will report by morning, but the plan is to send him to St. John's Rehab hospital in north Toronto at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. David is thrilled and terrified all at once. Today he walked around the floor twice with the walker and was very proud of himself. He got the cast off his arm and just has a bandage over the stitches now. Lots of good stuff, lots of new unknowns, but we are making a big step forward!!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 02:01 AM

gnu - I suspect that's exactly what happened. David was riding in the company of several other riders, and they were in a small town, not moving very fast. As David turned at the intersection, he appeared to hit a bump, and suddenly accelerated rapidly onto the sidewalk and piled into the wall of the ice cream shop. I know the place, I drive by it frequently. I'm pretty sure his wrist turned the wrong momentarily and he unintentionally accelerated the bike. He remembers nothing about the incident. His fiance was riding passenger on another bike close behind with a more experienced rider. David had arranged it that way, as he felt she'd be safer, since he's not that experienced. Good thing he did!

The first car on the scene had a registered nurse in it. Another good thing. She reacted fast and helped stabilize him and call for help, and he got airlifted by helicopter straight to Toronto. The helicopter landed in a field right behind the main street of the town.

Fortunately, all this is paid for by our standard Canadian public health insurance. Otherwise David would be wrecked financially as well as physically. His employers have continued paying him full salary for the duration of his hospitalization! He is a very well-liked man with a lot of friends, employers included, it seems.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jun 11 - 10:04 PM

That sounds like some accident, indeed! I used to babysit for the family of an orthopedic surgeon who lived a few doors up the street from us, and I remember one day my brother told him that he was thinking about getting a motorcycle. Oliver made it clear in no uncertain terms that he thought motorcycles were death machines; at that time he said he put an average of six motorcyclists back together each year. He didn't want my brother on his operating table. That seemed to end the desire for a motorcycle.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: ranger1
Date: 20 Jun 11 - 09:54 PM

Good thoughts from one birder to another. I meant to post my excitemet about seeing my first bittern last month, just never got around to it.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Jun 11 - 09:49 PM

Still here...

Prayers a' comin'...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Donuel
Date: 20 Jun 11 - 09:23 PM

Shheee it, I shoulda knowd that rebel Spaw has been a midnight rider.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Jun 11 - 07:31 PM

You know, the other day, these lines came into my memory, unbidden:

"Stretch your lovin' arms
Way out in space;
You do the Eagle Rock with style and grace
Put your left leg out, and you bring it on back.
That's what I call 'Ballin' the Jack'"

Maybe now I have a clue as to why they're there.

Step lightly, Raptor. If not literally, yet, at least in the mind.

May not feel like it now, but you'll find your rhythm again. I've no doubt.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: maeve
Date: 20 Jun 11 - 04:19 PM

David- I'm still working on regaining strength and flexibility in my left arm, after a break almost 2 years ago. Tell you what: When I play my guitar, strengthening that wrist, I will think of you and your healing.

Bluebirds are nesting here. Let's see how you are by the time the eggs hatch, eh?

Prayers continue both for your healing and for strength, rest and hope for Julie as well as for you.

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jun 11 - 03:06 PM

A brick wall? That can happen easily if something else happens that causes a sudden swerve and loss of balance. I bought my first bike from a guy who hit a brick wall after swerving to avoid a dog in a parking lot... lost his balance at relatively low speed and his right wrist was at "that angle" and trying to correct it meant extreme acceleration... at the WRONG time. Buddy broke his neck.

I had some work to fix it but I got the bike cheap. It was a Rice Rocket... Kawi KH 500 2 stroke... "Go fast, straight line". Not much good on short corners.

Good to hear Raptor is doing better.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Jun 11 - 02:31 PM

ClaireBear said: "Prayers and visualizations of returning health and strength are speeding to you on white wings, Raptor. They'll be kind of funny-looking, probably, cos bears aren't so good at prayers and visualizations, but they're deep and sincere nonetheless."

I didn't know bears had wings either..........


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Charmion
Date: 20 Jun 11 - 01:10 PM

As an ex-medic, I have a permanent grudge against motorcycles. I have seen way too many people maimed and/or killed in consequence of small mishaps that happened while riding them, especially (but not necessarily) at speed.

I so hope Raptor's recovery goes well. Thanks for keeping us in the loop, LH.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: ClaireBear
Date: 20 Jun 11 - 11:52 AM

Prayers and visualizations of returning health and strength are speeding to you on white wings, Raptor. They'll be kind of funny-looking, probably, cos bears aren't so good at prayers and visualizations, but they're deep and sincere nonetheless.

Blessings.

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Jun 11 - 01:34 AM

Raptor,
Very soon you'll be flying high again. Some of the residual twinges of pain may stay with you. If so, take 'em as warnings to not be so reckless. It is not good for your health.

Be well and live long.

Art Thieme in Peru, Illinois---USA

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Janie
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 11:06 PM

Thanks for the update, Little Hawk.

David, continuing to send focused thoughts for healing toward you. Try not to worry about that left leg and knee - worrying won't add anything to healing. You are just now in a position to focus intentionally on healing to the fullest extent possible, and what is possible is probably well beyond what it may feel like right now.

Hearing that you have been so grievously injured really hits home right now, with my own mother and sister in the process of recovering from being seriously injured in a car accident. Both are much further down the road to recovery than either they or the doctors projected for this point. both have a long ways to go, but they are getting there, inch-by-inch at first, then day-by-day, and now, week-by-week.

Healing will come!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 09:25 PM

Spaw - He lost an argument with a brick wall on the side of an ice cream shop. Put a nice big hole in it and darn near made his way through to the other side. Why did he hit the brick wall? That's a bit of a mystery. The bike may have malfunctioned...or he may have accelerated momentarily when he meant to brake...as can happen on bikes fairly easily (the same thing caused me to have an accident on one once when I was inexperienced, and David had only been out about 4 times on the motorcycle since getting his license.) He can't remember a thing about it, he can only remember from about 20 minutes before it happened. He was very happy that day, so it certainly wasn't a deliberate attempt at self-destruction.

David is continuing to improve markedly. He sends thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. He's quite worried about his left knee and leg which are not working well at all, so he asks for prayers in regards to that. It was mainly his left side that took the impact. It broke his left arm, collar bone, all the ribs on the left side, punctured lung, and he had to get his spleen removed. The fact that he survived at all is pretty amazing.

I figure he's got stuff to do here yet, and that's why he's still with us.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 09:21 PM

Oh, Raptor, you've been through so much. Sending light and love and healing thoughts to get you through this one.

Thanks, LH, for letting us know.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: GUEST,999
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 07:10 PM

Hey, man. I'll send prayers, hugs, whatever. Please say hello from BM. And tell him he should get well. Soonest.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: KT
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 04:48 PM

Wow, Raptor! Sounds like you've been on quite a ride! May your healing continue and your recovery be swift and complete. It appears you still have work to do! Holding you in thought and prayer KT

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 04:28 PM

adding a prayer for a good recovery and thankfulness of a life preserved.asking God for spiritual insight for you both.hope you dont mind me saying so.
heres a text for a birdman,i hope will be raptors experience-

"but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strengh;they shall mount up with wings as eagles;they shall run,and not be weary;and they shall walk,and not faint."
isaiah 40 vs 31.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 02:30 PM

What a story!

I also had a bird observation that had me thinking about posting on one of his bird threads recently. I only ever see egrets flying alone, but last week I saw four or five snowy egrets flying together across the highway - it was magical, they are so beautiful! Pass it along, with my best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: CET
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 01:52 PM

Thanks for letting us know, Little Hawk

Raptor is a very good musician, and one of the most generous and hospitable people you are ever likely to meet.

My prayers are on their way.

Edmund

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 01:21 PM

With an experience of a half-million miles on bikes (with several feet on the pavement) and waaaay too many times with comas and the clinical death thing, I have some idea of whatcha' got going there Rap!

Did you high side, low side, or lose an argument with a car? Whatever it was, get better quick......but relax if it takes awhile............


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Donuel
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 11:41 AM

Raptor, keep recalling how it felt like flight when you would ride.
Don't let this keep you from riding again one fine day.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 07:37 PM

Raptor, wishing you a speedy recovery!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Mrrzy
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 05:02 PM

Little Hawk, thanks for starting this thread!

Raptor, we'll be pulling for you!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 05:00 PM

I had 2 accidents on motor bikes. The first one could easily have killed me, if I hadn't been wearing a helmet...and I was young and flexible at the time. I gave them up after the second accident and have opted to have 4 wheels under me since then.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 04:59 PM

!!!(((***David***)))!!!

* = prayer sparkles

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 02:37 PM

I remember when my brother got rid of his motorcycle. He was speeding down a long grade at the Oregon Coast when a deer leaped out just in front of him. He kept the bike upright but fishtailed and twisted all over the place. He said that's when he truly realized that all that was between him and the unforgiving highway was two narrow wheels...

Hope you feel incrementally better today than yesterday, David.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 02:25 PM

I wrote a song featuring birds, and now, watching the Decorah eagles, I find it's about eagles. It was an accident, if there are such things.

Raptor, my mother loved to watch birds and, in large part because of your threads, I have been interested. A number of them have been fed because you inspired me to watch them, and I'm sure they'd thank you too. If they knew about you, and if they weren't birds...

Heal well!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 01:51 PM

Going in to light a candle and say a quick prayer.
Heal
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: gnu
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 01:03 PM

Indeed Kendall... last ime I dumped mine was the last time. I required a minimum of three wheels since then.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Monique
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 01:02 PM

Healing thoughts and best wishes!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: kendall
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 12:18 PM

There are two kinds of motorcycle riders. Those who have put one down and those who are GOING to put one down.
I speak from experience.
Hang in Mate, you will make it.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 12:14 PM

LH, thanks for letting us know and please tell David thanks for the privilege of doing what we can.

I am giving thanks for his strong spirit and will and the incredible body of healing which is his. Will keep him in my thoughts and thanks givings as he continues to a full recovery in Divine time; this or something better for the highest good of all concerned.

With much love and gratitude,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 12:05 PM

This is terrific! Exactly what David was hoping for. His fiance, Julie, is running a daily report on Facebook about how he's doing, so I will post a link to this thread on that page so they know about it.

Thanks, everyone!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 11:52 AM

As Townes van Zandt said "shake the dust off of your wings" and fly again soon, friend!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 11:21 AM

What Freda said. He sounds like an incredible "man among men".
And if you love him so, LH, that's enough for me.

Wishing him a recovery as full, fast and pain-free as possible.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: bfdk
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 10:49 AM

Best wishes for a speedy recovery *winging* their way to you from Denmark!

Bente

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 09:56 AM

The power of prayer from people you love is an amazing thing!!!

Rest easy and keep on healing Raptor...we've got you covered!!!

Much Love,

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Jeanie
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 09:35 AM

Prayers and good thoughts zipping their way across to you from here in the UK !

- jeanie

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: JennieG
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 09:34 AM

Good thoughts from me too.....heal, Raptor!

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: freda underhill
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 09:32 AM

What an amazing man to survive that. I'm sending strength and good wishes from across the planet!

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Robyn
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 09:14 AM

Healing thoughts from New Zealand.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: saulgoldie
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 09:00 AM

All my thoughts and prayers to you, Raptor. Get the well, soon!

Saul

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: olddude
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 08:57 AM

OH my Gosh, he got my thoughts and prayers ..

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 08:20 AM

Very best thoughts and regards from Charlie in Dunfermline.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 07:43 AM

I hope your recovery continues well Dave.

And thanks for the birdwatching threads. I enjoy them.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: bobad
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 07:40 AM

Get well soon Raptor, we're pulling for ya.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: jacqui.c
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 07:30 AM

Very good thoughts coming from Maine. As Maeve asked - anything else we can do?

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: MartinRyan
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 07:15 AM

Not much given to prayer these days - but very best wishes to a fellow birder.

Regards

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: billybob
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 07:14 AM

Lighting a candle and sending healing thoughts and prayers from the UK
Wendy

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 07:08 AM

An EX Biker - Done the ICU bit myself ! Good Thoughts to you mate !

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: gnu
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 06:20 AM

A big YES from me too.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Morticia
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 05:51 AM

You've both got mine xx

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 05:51 AM

Thinking of you, Raptor, wishing for your health and strength to grow day by day.

Bonnie in Ireland

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: maeve
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 05:46 AM

Please send my regards to Raptor. He's in my prayers, and I'd already been thinking about him because of a recent owl visitor. If there is a further need (Letters? Music cds?)please let us know.

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: David C. Carter
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 04:11 AM

Please add my name to the list of well wishers.

And good on you, for starting this thread.

David

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: alanabit
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 04:02 AM

Thanks for letting us know LH. He has always come across as a good guy over here and I know that over recent years, he has had more than enough to deal with already. Please add my name to a very long list of people here, who are willing this fine man to return to us in good health.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 03:04 AM

sheeminey Sound like you are a very lucky man, Raptor. The best thoughts I can muster come winging straight across the continent to you. May you improve every day, may your pain decrease exponentially, may your spirits rise and lift you above all worries. Get well, dang it.

Thanks, Little Hawk, for letting us know.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 12:17 AM

beautifully said,Janie, I'll second that!

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Janie
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 11:04 PM

All my good thoughts and intentions winging north like a great, swift raptor, Raptor.

So glad that you pulled through, and may you be surrounded by healing light as you step out onto the road to recovery.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 11:03 PM

Thank you! Signing off now till tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Beer
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 11:02 PM

I'm not a man of prayer, but for Raptor I will give it my best. Certainly good thoughts are coming your way.
Adrien

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 10:43 PM

Thanks, Bobert. Much appreciated.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Bobert
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 10:42 PM

Sumabich!!!

Prayers comin' Raptor's way...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 10:40 PM

Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Dave Swan
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 10:29 PM

All best wishes to you both.

Subject: BS: Prayers and Thoughts for Raptor
From: Little Hawk
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 10:21 PM

A little over a month ago my longtime friend David (Raptor) was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident. It would have killed most people, but he's a very strong man with tremendous vitality.

To make a long story short, he lay in a coma in St Michael's Hospital in Toronto for 3 weeks. They kept him under with massive amounts of sedatives (it took about 5 times the normal dose to keep him from waking up, because he has so much vitality)...they did this because they felt it was safer to keep him comatose while he did the initial healing, due to many very serious injuries. He's been out of the coma now for about 2 weeks, and is getting better.

I visited David today at the hospital, and he requested that I start a thread on Mudcat asking for people's prayers and thoughts. He did this because he feels strongly that the prayers and thoughts of his many good friends here in the local area were crucial in saving his life. (this is not the kind of thing David would normally think about, but his experience of nearly dying seems to have shifted his outlook on spiritual things a great deal). The doctors say he was clinically dead for brief periods at least 11 times, but he's still here. David calls that a miracle.

In any case, he has felt so much helped by the prayers and good thoughts of his many friends here in Ontario that he would appreciate any others that can be send from farther afield too.

So that's why I'm posting it here.

To describe David, he's a musician, a lover of music by people like Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Tom Waites, etc; he's a big, tall, strong, enthusiastic extrovert who loves the outdoors, animals, specially birds...David is a world-class "birder", and can tell you anything you want to know about North American birds of all types. He likes kayaking, snowshoeing, all outdoor activities like that. He has a big heart and a wacky sense of humour. He is a good man. And one of the best friends I've ever had.