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
