Hey, Gang:
This just in from Verne Wandell:
It is with pleasure that I report that Gordy continues to improve. Following is a portion of an email I received from Connie this morning:
"Gord is doing so well now. He was up and walking 3 times yesterday and sits in a chair the full day. He still has an IV so is not able to take a shower yet but is able to do the basics on his own. His breathing is still labored and he is still on oxygen but is able to use a portable tank to walk around.
Spud has been under a lot of stress worrying about Gord. The weather here has been in the 90's each day. Spud needed to stay home yesterday and just rest.
Gord called me last night from his new room. After 7 nights in intensive care he is now in a private room!! He can now receive cards if people have been sending them I don't know if they were returned or if they hold them until they get into a regular room. Gordon's smile is back, it was gone there for awhile."
You can send those cards or flowers (or whatever) to:
GORDON ENSING
C/O SPECTRUM HEALTH - BUTTERWORTH CAMPUS
100 MICHIGAN ST NE
GRAND RAPIDS MI 49503
This looks to be a better day. I will let you all know if I hear anything new. On my behalf, thanks to the folks at MTM and at Cornerworkers.net for helping keep the information accessible and to all of you who have expressed your care and concern for this wonderful man.
Regards,
Verne
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
OK, TRY THIS ONE...
Does ANYONE out there with some F&C experience speak fluent Korean? Or perhaps you know of someone who does? Please have them e mail me at swintal@cox.net or jhs@champcar.ws
Over and out.
JHS
Over and out.
JHS
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR GORDY
Hello everyone:
As a number of you already have heard, longtime CART Chief Observer and Indy Lights Starter, Gordon Ensing has been hospitalized and is intensive care, suffering from a rare condition called Relapsing Polychondritis.
Early this year Gordy came down with what he thought was going to be a just a nagging chronic condition, but it is a rare illness that can take several forms, usually affecting any tissues in the body which are cartilage or cartilige-like in nature. His condition began to worsen as he worked two weekends ago as the Starter for the USGP in Indianapolis, where due to the nature of the event, Gordy got to display the checkered flag for the first time. This round has compromised his pulmonary function severely. He was taken to the hospital last Thursday and had deteriorated until he was put on a ventilator over the weekend. He remained mostly unconscious through the weekend, but started to show some recovery progress Monday.
There is no definitive prognosis as of yet but, once his lungs are clear, the doctors can determine a course of treatment and provide one. Anyone interested in reading an overview of the disease can go to: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/6412/RelapsingPoly.htm for general information.
The thoughts and prayers sent thus far must be working, as there is better news as of Tuesday evening. Although clearly not out of the woods, doctors removed the respirator and chest tube on Tuesday and Gordy continues to breathe on his own. He was also able to sit up in a chair and talk. This is all very good news. He is still quite weak and needs lots of rest. He is still in ICU as well, so no cards or flowers can get to him. They were hoping to remove the rest of the tubes today so he could move around a bit.
I have been receiving my prime updates from Verne Wandell of the Michigan Turn Marshals, and he is collecting any emails that he will forward on to Gordy, his wife Connie and his dad "Spud" whenever appropriate. You can send your thoughts to verne@valleyedit.com Connie has asked that she not get calls at this time, so please confine your inquiries to Verne's email.
Verne further writes: "For those of you who responded directly to me, I have saved all of your emails and will forward them to the family when they have the time and ability to read them. For now I am just collecting them. Please do not hesitate to write as it is no inconvenience and I am sure Gordy will appreciate reading them when he is able. On behalf of Spud and Connie I would like to thank you all for your concern and thoughts. As Gordy continues to improve I will update you regularly. He has a long battle ahead but with the strength your love provides I am sure he will prevail. "
I would encourage anyone who has been touched by this wonderful and caring man who has done so much for the cause of volunteers and Flaggers in this country to keep him and his family in your thoughts, and to drop him a line when you can.
JHS
As a number of you already have heard, longtime CART Chief Observer and Indy Lights Starter, Gordon Ensing has been hospitalized and is intensive care, suffering from a rare condition called Relapsing Polychondritis.
Early this year Gordy came down with what he thought was going to be a just a nagging chronic condition, but it is a rare illness that can take several forms, usually affecting any tissues in the body which are cartilage or cartilige-like in nature. His condition began to worsen as he worked two weekends ago as the Starter for the USGP in Indianapolis, where due to the nature of the event, Gordy got to display the checkered flag for the first time. This round has compromised his pulmonary function severely. He was taken to the hospital last Thursday and had deteriorated until he was put on a ventilator over the weekend. He remained mostly unconscious through the weekend, but started to show some recovery progress Monday.
There is no definitive prognosis as of yet but, once his lungs are clear, the doctors can determine a course of treatment and provide one. Anyone interested in reading an overview of the disease can go to: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/6412/RelapsingPoly.htm for general information.
The thoughts and prayers sent thus far must be working, as there is better news as of Tuesday evening. Although clearly not out of the woods, doctors removed the respirator and chest tube on Tuesday and Gordy continues to breathe on his own. He was also able to sit up in a chair and talk. This is all very good news. He is still quite weak and needs lots of rest. He is still in ICU as well, so no cards or flowers can get to him. They were hoping to remove the rest of the tubes today so he could move around a bit.
I have been receiving my prime updates from Verne Wandell of the Michigan Turn Marshals, and he is collecting any emails that he will forward on to Gordy, his wife Connie and his dad "Spud" whenever appropriate. You can send your thoughts to verne@valleyedit.com Connie has asked that she not get calls at this time, so please confine your inquiries to Verne's email.
Verne further writes: "For those of you who responded directly to me, I have saved all of your emails and will forward them to the family when they have the time and ability to read them. For now I am just collecting them. Please do not hesitate to write as it is no inconvenience and I am sure Gordy will appreciate reading them when he is able. On behalf of Spud and Connie I would like to thank you all for your concern and thoughts. As Gordy continues to improve I will update you regularly. He has a long battle ahead but with the strength your love provides I am sure he will prevail. "
I would encourage anyone who has been touched by this wonderful and caring man who has done so much for the cause of volunteers and Flaggers in this country to keep him and his family in your thoughts, and to drop him a line when you can.
JHS
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
NO TIME FOR UPDATES
Hey everyone:
Yes I know I'm falling behing as usual, but my drawing board and travel schedule is calling. I should be able to post some thoughts on Milwaukee, Portland and Cleveland when I return next week. Stay on the CCWS website for the latest features!
If anybody is still on the fence for Cleveland, we are really short of Marshals this year, going up against the mighty June Sprints and a Lake Erie event at Mid-Ohio! Contact Dale Strimple RubberChicken74@msn.com We'd LOVE your help!!
Thanks!!
JHS
Yes I know I'm falling behing as usual, but my drawing board and travel schedule is calling. I should be able to post some thoughts on Milwaukee, Portland and Cleveland when I return next week. Stay on the CCWS website for the latest features!
If anybody is still on the fence for Cleveland, we are really short of Marshals this year, going up against the mighty June Sprints and a Lake Erie event at Mid-Ohio! Contact Dale Strimple RubberChicken74@msn.com We'd LOVE your help!!
Thanks!!
JHS
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
GORDON KIRBY'S THOUGHTS
Hi Gang!
Milwaukee over, Portland next, thankfully in my own time zone. I'm up to my neck in work, trying to get a piece done for the 20th Running of the Molson Indy Toronto.
In the mean time, PLEASE have a look at this Gordon Kirby article from Champ Car's website. In Gordon's always excellent and often poigniant way, he sums up why in his opinon there will never be a unification during someone's lifetime...
http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=9091
Later,
JHS
Milwaukee over, Portland next, thankfully in my own time zone. I'm up to my neck in work, trying to get a piece done for the 20th Running of the Molson Indy Toronto.
In the mean time, PLEASE have a look at this Gordon Kirby article from Champ Car's website. In Gordon's always excellent and often poigniant way, he sums up why in his opinon there will never be a unification during someone's lifetime...
http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=9091
Later,
JHS
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