Hello LJ’s…
Our care package for Grant arrived yesterday…I got a short note from Grant this morning and a longer message on the caring bridge website from his mom…along with a photo…
If you have not seen this blog——YOU CAN STILL CONTRIBUTE…YES…he will still be in Milwaukee and 1500 miles from home for several months…see my first blog for the story of Grant…the most courageouos person I know…
He is approaching day number 250 in the hospital…and has missed his entire senior year of high school…he has gone through 2 transplants and after the 2nd one…has had many setbacks…
The push now has been to get him from living at the hospital to an outpatient situation at the Ronald McDonald House…near Milwaukee…(cant remember city outside Mil…)
I posted a request from LJ’s to make/send fishing lures…in order to give him something to hope for…since he was starting to really lose hope and give up as the hurdles and road blocks added up…
If you would like to contribute…I ask for some lures or something fishing related (books/dvd/etc..) AND most importantly—-A GOOD FISH STORY…
I will send packages periodically as I receive lures…
THANKS…EVERYONE!!!
HERE IS THE NOTE FROM HIS MOM Wendy ON CARINGBRIDGE:
”Day +194 (this means day 194 POST 2nd transplant—-but day 250 in hospital this coming monday)
Take a look at this photo of fishing loot that came in the mail yesterday! Some of you may recognize the name “Matt Denney” from CaringBridge guestbook entries. Matt and I worked together at River School a number of years ago and he was also one of Grant’s teachers in middle school. He is a member of a brotherhood of woodworkers called “LumberJocks”. Matt told these guys about Grant and the result was this fantastic fishing themed care package. Some of these lures are handmade wooden collector’s items! These guys not only made lures but dug into their own tackle boxes for more gear and a few fish stories to boot! Jack- what kind of wood are those big ones? Also in the box, an exquisite piece of scrimshaw fashioned from a slice of elk antler, a DVD about fly fishing and a nice box to hold the lures! What a great motivator for Grant… goin fishin’! Wow! Thanks so much to Matt, Jack, Ralph, Todd, Steve, Jerry and all the rest. You guys are awesome!”
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
17 comments so far
majeagle1
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417 posts in 375 days
posted 186 days ago
All I can say Matt is that “This is just AWSOME” and so are you for doing this for him.
Keep it up and I’ll see if I can come up with something also. Would love to contribute.
-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/
a1Jim
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15557 posts in 456 days
posted 186 days ago
He looks like he’s very happy.
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
Napaman
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3417 posts in 956 days
posted 186 days ago
I agree Jim!!! I have been watching his progress since last summer…since he entered the hospital…and he has gone up and down…many times there have been super requests for prayers…and then things get better and then back…
The last 6 weeks since his last big hurdle has been slow steady progress…so to see him smiling has made my day!!!
thank you!!!
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
mtnwild
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1979 posts in 406 days
posted 186 days ago
I am conflicted in my emotion, but it’s good to see a smile. Thank you so much for your involvement. Tell them that the lures were made with Figured Maple and were a fun thing for me to do. I hope they bring in the big ones. Thank you, you guys…..........
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
Napaman
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3417 posts in 956 days
posted 186 days ago
thanks sooo much Jack…I will tell them about the wood…and I hope to make mine this weekend now that my kits came…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
cabinetmaster
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7999 posts in 437 days
posted 186 days ago
AWESOME ….............I am so glad to see that smile and to know we had a part in this. It looks like this care package has given him some new life. And the note from his mother said it all. Thanks Matt, I’m glad to have helped.
No let’s see some others get on the bandwagon for a good cause. PLEASE HELP MATT…...FOR GRANT”S SAKE.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
Karson
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25274 posts in 1279 days
posted 186 days ago
Our best blessing go out to him on his contuinued recovery.
And on his fishing successes.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Napaman
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3417 posts in 956 days
posted 186 days ago
Thanks so much Jerry…since I have been following his health for so long I have seen so many ups…and downs…so I coulndt not help…or to make more sense…I feel compelled to help…they are such good people,...
Yes…PM me if you would like to contribute in any way…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Napaman
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3417 posts in 956 days
posted 186 days ago
Thank you Karson!!! Still time for some lures from you….lol…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Todd A. Clippinger
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5590 posts in 978 days
posted 185 days ago
I really appreciate the update.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Napaman
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3417 posts in 956 days
posted 185 days ago
thanks todd…and everyone!!!
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Loucarb
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901 posts in 324 days
posted 184 days ago
Matt,
I am sending Grant a package that I hope he will enjoy. God Bless
Napaman
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3417 posts in 956 days
posted 184 days ago
LOU!!! Thank you so much….matt
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Napaman
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3417 posts in 956 days
posted 180 days ago
CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY…I was all ready to report that today was the big day…and that Grant was released from the hospital to live at RMH…and he was RELEASED…but then they got a call back today that he had a nother serious infection…so after 5 hours of freedom…he had to check back in to the hospital…
They are hoping for a re-release this weekend…
The emotional energy is my concern…they were so0000oooooooo ready get out after 250 days in the hospital…but with our positive thoughts and prayers they will be out soon…
matt
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Napaman
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3417 posts in 956 days
posted 175 days ago
GREAT NEWS…..GRANT IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL!!! He was supposed to be out last monday but had a “hiccup” with a scary infection that popped up…but yesterday he posted a note after his first full day of staying at RMH (Ronald McDonald House)...he will live there with his mom while receiving outpatient care…for the next several months…
Not sure what estimate for home is…but this is a huge step forward after more than 250 days in the hospital…
Matt
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Napaman
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3417 posts in 956 days
posted 55 days ago
GRANT IS COMING HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Mark Shymanski
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1549 posts in 591 days
posted 55 days ago
Great to hear he is on his way home… Soon it will be time to get those lures wet!
-- ...it's rennovation time!!!