MTFCA Forum

I took the train to Chicago to see Steve today. On my way to the hospital I passed the Billy Goat Tavern.
The tavern is famous for the Chicago Cubs curse and the following: Cheezborger Cheezborger. No fries, cheeps. No Pepsi, Coke.
Guess what I had for lunch.

I got to the hospital about 11 and Steve was sound asleep. He did not want to wake up. I waited until 1130, and then I told him
he had to wake up for lunch. It worked even though he had a feeding tube inserted Wednesday in surgery. Gets it out of his nose.
I hope it is temporary. They did feed him some crackers and applesauce, so his swallowing should be OK. Hopefully as time goes
on he will be able to eat more so they can remove the tube.

Andy and Andrew(?) also showed up. They brought 3 pens that Andy made from old spokes and a pile of magazines.

He especially enjoyed looking at the Vintage Ford that just came out with the tour in Kansas. He very much enjoyed reading the
part to me about Ed and Karen Archer.

He admitted that he was having problems reading the story because they lost his glasses when they transferred him to the hospital.
I was able to go to Walgreens and get him a pair of reading glasses. That seemed to help a lot.

His color is good and his spirits are good. He talked about installing an auxilliary transmission in his roadster. He talked about getting
home in time to prepare his Thanksgiving dinner. He enjoyed talking with the three of us and stayed awake the entire time. He is looking
forward to getting a laptop and getting back on the web again.

I have to say he was doing pretty good after what he has been through. I hope he keeps it up.

He should have web access, I sent him a new Ipad via the hospital before he went to physical therapy the first time. I hope it didn't get lost or stolen.

Mark

I sent you an e-mail.

This is a very favorable update, you Go Steve !

Very good news. Hopefully he will be able to go home soon. However, it might be best not to rush things quite yet.
We miss your posts, Steve. Hopefully you will soon be up to driving a T.
Norm

Great report Dave, thank you for the update.

Sounds good. Sounds very good.
It is very common for this type of injury to go through a period of recovery, followed by a significant setback. I have seen it many times. Hopefully, Steve has had his setback, and now can get moving steadily forward again.

Ja, WUNDERBAR und sehr gut! Prayers keep going out. Daily.

AWESOME NEWS!

WONDERFUL!

Dave, thanks so much for the extensive write-up concerning your visit with Steve,....in fact, thanks so much for all you and so many others have done for Steve, and also for keeping the whole Model T "community" advised in regard to Steves progress.

Due to a combination of health issues and ongoing computer problems, and, admittedly, other problems due to my age (82), this is my first reply to anything in the forum for quite a long time. In fact, my good wife had to help me get back on the forum today in order to reply to this post about your visit with Steve.

I have a favor to ask of you Dave, or, anyone else here on the forum. If you or anyone else would mention my name (Harold Schwendeman near Seattle) to Steve, he would remember me from a nice visit I had with him and Mike Walker at Chickasha quite a few years ago. I'd like Steve to know that even tho' I've not been able to post on this forum for a long time, I read the posts on the forum daily, and the first thing I always look for is any news about how Steve is doing. He is among the top items on my daily prayer list and I'd like Steve to know that I am just one of the many friends he has "praying and pulling for him" all during his courageous efforts during his recoverey.

Anyway, tell Steve I said "hi" and thanks again to you Dave, and anyone else who might help in passing on my good wishes to Steve!

As posted on Steve's Facebook page yesterday (11/12):

David Hjortnæs

I hope this note goes out to the family. I took the train to Chicago today and visited with Steve. He was asleep when I got there, but at 1130 I woke him up and told him it was time for lunch. That worked. He did have surgery on Wed and they put in a feeding tube. Now it is no longer in his nose. He did eat some applesauce and maybe some crackers, so they are working on getting him to practice eating again.

His color is good and his spirits are good. Two other Model T owners stopped by and the three of us had a good conversation with Steve. Andy brought him some pens he made out of spokes and a pile of magazines. One magazine had a story about the Model T tour this summer in Kansas and Steve really enjoyed reading that.

We talked about his car, and he said he has an auxiliary transmission he wants to install in it. I do not know if he understands or accepts that his car is toast.

The other guys left and I stayed until 1:30 talking. He was getting tired then and I left. I think it meant a lot to him that we were all there to visit with him. It is unfortunate that he cannot answer the phone. He is too weak. If someone could hand him the phone when he was awake I think he could talk. You would probably have to call the nurse first, see if he is awake, then call when she was in the room so she could hand him the phone. I am sure he would love to hear from family. We did discuss how much family he has, and he agreed he should sit down and make a list.

I am pleased with his progress and hope he continues to improve.

It's great that Steve's spirits are high despite everything. Getting him those reading glasses was a thoughtful move. And it's cool that he's already planning projects like the auxiliary transmission for his roadster and Thanksgiving dinner.

Glad he is still chugging along!

Thank you Dave for taking the time to visit with Steve and keeping us in the loop. Good to hear of his progress.

Steve has not been transferred to rehab as of 11/14