Bob’s Rot ary Blog175
4/12/14
Happy Easter, Happy Passover to All!! Better late than never; or as Mark Twain stated so adroitly: “The reports of my death have been greatly exagerated.”
Yes it has been a while since communicating with my friends, and I must apologize, Too many of you I am into drama and I really didn’t need to trouble you with my personal health problems. The result has been loss of contact and the need for a 28 year old body instead of a 67 year old one. After the convention in Lisbon last year I returned to the USA and committed to my family that I would spend a lot more time with them and stay in the USA. I do love being with my children and grand children as well as my mom. I promised to deal with all health issues avoided for 8 years. Now living in Eloy Arizona which is approximately half way between Phoenix & Tucson I began establishing a network of Doctors at the University of Arizona Medical center. A Rotarian friend Margaret Richardson lent a hand with obtaining great Doctors and PDG’S Dr. Ron and Sandy Goodsite on the ground in Tucson. On january 14, 2014 I Ws sideswipped by an eighteen wheeler at a stop light in Casa Grande Arizona. I was not moving and well the impact was significant and took my vehicle out for 45 days, At the time I felt fine, but within 4 days I was feeling electrical charges around my pacemaker and heart. I went to the Pacemake Clinic at the Univerity of Arizona and they tested everything and a initial look was fine. Within a week I was called back and told that the lead to the heart was cracked in the accident. I couldn’t believe my ears. This was at the same time that numerous colonoscopies and sigmoidmoidoscopies were being done on my colon to determine if it was malignant since there were so may ruptured polyps and infected growths. All biopsyies were benign. The decision was made to do the colectomy on March 14. I am recovering with he help of family, friends, neighbors and Rotarians. In late February the collison repIair shop called and let me know that impact of chest to steering wheel had broken a steering rod that had to be replaced. Well at least we knew how it happened My new pacemaker was installed on April 11th at Univerity of Ariizona Med Center. A bit in an Arm sling and I will all be set to go up to family birthdays in the SF Bay Area later this month. If all goes well I will go to the Rotarty International Convention in Sydney and look forward to seeing you all there. I will not be throwing around 75 lb suitcases as in the past, so lend a hand if you see me. Two critical Rotary Projects still need your help if you or your Club so wishes, 1. A continuation of the Wheelchair project where we assemble wheelchairs in Livingstone Zambia for surrounding areras. We need to raise about $29,000 to bring in and an additional 450 p’are already in place. We just need your help with completion of the funding. This is not a Rotary Matching Grant, but IRS documentation for taxes is available. Just Contact me. 2. A Paradigm changing educational program to actuallu get students to schoolwith the uniforms. Books fees, shoes and cost is being prepared and will be rady for rool out at the convention. This will be a very unique project that your Club of donor friends should consider financing. My new home is at 4966 W. Picacho Dr. Eloy, AZ 85131. Cell 949-887-3266. I hope to see many of you during the year and hopefully in Sydney in June at the Rotary International Convention. Bob