Standing, then walking
More from Kathy Grant
Brett's being moved to a room on the main floor tonight. He begins OT and PT twice a day starting tomorrow.

He got up again to stand and hopefully will be able to walk in a few days.

Tolerating food through the tube, but no word on when he will be able to eat. He's been off the vent all week.

Many of you have asked about sending gifts. He is now allowed to receive gifts now that he is in a regular room.

He is in room 4115.

And Rick Jakel adds:
Talked with Kathy tonight. Could hear Brett in background.

They are excited about his move to a regular room. It will be a much better, much quieter environment than was ICU.

The move hastens the day Brett will be able to return to the rehab hospital (probably Southern Hills) in Las Vegas.

The PT and OT two times a day is a big deal, too, in helping him regain his strength. The exercise, she says, wears him out.
So once again—it’s all good.

I’m sure he’ll appreciate cards and anything sent to his room, 4115, at:

Brett Grant
Room 4115
City of Hope
1500 East Duarte Road
Duarte, CA 91010

Phone: 626-256-4673

Back to Vegas?
Kathy gives the latest update on Brett
Brett's been off the vent for a day and a half. Clamped G tube so we are hoping his stomach will start working.

He snapped at nurse twice today: didn't want to wear BP cuff anymore and wanted more ice chips than doctor is allowing, so good signs that he feels better.

Looking into two rehab hospitals in Las Vegas, where he will be transferred upon release from City of Hope..

Thank you to all who have visited. He has visitors every day, which is truly unbelievable considering he doesn't live in California.

This just in: The latest on Brett's butt
Kathy gives us the scoop:
Brett was able to get out of bed and stand for a few seconds.

He want you to know that his "butt cleared the bed."

Physical therapist is working on him right now.

Doctor is keeping him off the vent all night tonight. Once he is off he can be moved out of ICU.

No word on when they will resume feeding again.

Thank you for all the support.

Ed. note: We are cheered to get this news. But let's hope there's no film at 11 of Brett's butt.

A word to the wise: Text Brett

Kathy reports on a peaceful Sunday afternoon:
Brett says hello to everyone and wants to thank all of you who have visited him.

Thank you also for all the cards. Not a day goes by that he does not have cards to open.

The nephrologist signed off on Brett's case today, so kidneys are good.

He still can't hold down food, but he is only on the vent at night, which is great.

He still needs work on getting his strength back, but we are hopeful that it will return quickly.

I have Brett's phone today, but if you want to text him a message, you can.

Doctors want him using his phone to help with fine motor skills.

Get well Brett Grant
Brett,

I am glad you are feeling better. I have been praying for your recovery and your family in my church.

Ken Fong

Club pulling together
Las Vegas West Rotary has always risen to any occasion to help those in need; however, Brett's struggle is the biggest opportunity we've had to show the power and grace of Rotary.

A small club has rallied behind one of its past presidents with prayer and support; and it has made a difference to Brett and his family.

Latest report on Brett

Hi it's Emily.

Today my dad was off the went for a total of 11 hours in a row. Yay!

He was changed to a regular ICU bed that can be changed for him to sit up.

He is getting much stronger with the PT and OT.

He wanted to drink something other than water so he drank iced tea and a vanilla milkshake.

He was going strong all day. His kidneys are working but not filtering fully.

Dominic and Zachary come tomorrow so that will also make him happy. I am going home tomorrow for dance team and camp.

Please keep praying. The prayers are definitely working!

Thanks

Emily

The come-back kid

Rick Jakel supplies this endearing camera-phone photograph of you-know-who, and writes:

Dear Rotary friends:

The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” has never been more true.

Brett is truly the come-back kid . . . he continues to make good progress.

Hallelujah!

And this from Kathy, written Wednesday:

Brett's kidneys are working better...doctors are pleased.

Had to stop feeding tube again...He is not tolerating food yet.

He will be switching to a regular ICU bed tomorrow so he can sit up in it and have some aggressive PT.

Overall it is good news. He is still quite weak.

He was off the vent for a total of six hours today. Doctors want him off it completely soon.

Thank you again for the prayers and messages.

On Tuesday, Kathy wrote:

Doctor stopped continual dialysis an hour ago.

Had to stop feeding tube yesterday since Brett wasn't tolerating it. Will start it again tomorrow.

He was off vent for four hours today. Told me he wants to go home. We are praying the kidneys start functioning without help of dialysis.

He passed a swallow evaluation so he may be able to eat soon if his stomach can tolerate it.

Where to write to Brett Grant

Brett Grant/Patient,
ICU
c/o City of Hope Hospital,
1500 E Duarte Rd.,
Duarte, CA 91010

Well, if he's watching the Cardinals ...

Kathy Grant posts:
Nurses surprised us this morning and switched out Brett's trach so he could talk to us, which made the kids sooooo happy to hear his voice. I told her this morning that the boys were coming in and she wanted to surprise us.

He is still on dialysis but doctors may switch it out tomorrow so it is only three hours a day instead of 24/7. He spent several hours off the vent today, but is very tired afterwards. He watched the Cardinals game with the boys for a bit and highlights of Tiger Woods losing.

Boys go home w/ the Bullocks tomorrow. Em is still here with me ... she doesn't want to leave Brett.

I have never missed Vegas more.  Thank you for the continued prayers and cards.

Earlier, Kathy wrote:
Doctors continue to take Brett on and off the vent to strengthen his lungs.

Still on continual dialysis but they hope to stop it in the next few days.

Physical therapy came in and worked on his left leg. He slept all day yesterday and all night.

He is also tolerating the feeding tube and doctors have reached their goal in feeding per hour so they are stopping TPN today.

Dominic and Zachary are with Em and me today for a bit until they go back home later today.

A texting nun
Kathy Grant reports on Brett
I thought I had posted last night, but I guess it did not go through.Today was a busy day. Started w/ surgeon pulling 1.5 liters of fluid from Brett's lungs.

He was taken off the vent for two hours but then put back on, which is a step in the right direction. Started a feeding tube today.

PT started yesterday. Kidneys are hanging on.

Dom and Zach came to see Brett today thanks to the Bullock family. Brett was thrilled to see the boys.

.Brett's parents are going home tomorrow after almost a month of living at the Marriott. I'm still mooching off of Angela and Jeff.

Emily has been with me all week and does not want to leave, but the Bullocks are taking the kids to Disneyland with their family tomorrow, which is a great break for all of them, but especially Emily.

Our new friend Sister Carmelina from Santa Teresita Church texts me daily for updates, which makes me laugh. A texting nun...

Brett is receiving your get well cards here at the hospital. Thank you. Emily reads them to him daily. Several of you have asked about sending gifts, but please don't yet, as he is limited in what he can receive in I C U.

I'll update tomorrow. Enjoy the weekend.

More positive news about Brett
Rick Jakel reports:
Hung up a few minutes ago with Don Grant, Brett’s father, who was calling from Brett’s bedside.

Again, the news continues to be positive. Brett’s BIG continuous dialysis machine will be replaced with a smaller, portable one, which will not operate full time.

His kidneys are beginning to work. Tomorrow they will begin tube feeding him.

Don said he could be off the ventilator by early next week, which should allow him to talk.

There is some liquid in his lungs. They did X-rays and an ultrasound yesterday and will tap the location to remove the fluid early this afternoon. It appears that Brett's infection is completely under control.

Don, and Brett’s mother, Marlene, are so confident in his condition that they intend to return to their home in St. Louis for a few days commencing tomorrow.

More as I hear the news.

From Emily and Kathy
Kidneys are starting to kick in slowly but they are getting there.They are changing the dialysis from continual to three hours a day starting Saturday.

Brett has some fluid buildup on his lungs. May be pneumonia ... don't know yet. They will be draining it tomorrow morning so he can begin to move around and get back his strength.

Dominic and Zachary are coming down with the Bullocks tomorrow. I miss them so much it hurts.

Brett's parents have been a tremendous source of strength for the family and will be leaving Saturday.

Other than that, thank you for your help and prayers and especially to my in-laws, my parents and Brett's brothers and all of you who have visited, and sent cards.

Please keep praying.

Em and Kathy

What Duncan did on his vacation

Some people might choose the Caribbean. Others might head for Hawaii or escape to Europe. But not our Duncan Lee.

True Rotarian that he is, Duncan took the lovely Irene on a romantic retreat to Rotary International headquarters in exciting Evanston, Ill.

Here -- fresh from his camera/phone -- are some shots revealing the fun and games.

Left, Duncan greets a statuesque Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary.

Bottom left, big wheels Duncan and Irene with the Rotary wheel. Bottom right, the entrance to the RI HQ.

From our ambassador in L.A.

Duncan Lee reports:
I just visited Brett at the hospital,and dropped off their mail.

Even though he couldn't speak, he was touched with emotion when I presented our signed stuff animal. He was conscious and had some facial expressions.

I didn't see Kathy who was showing the children L A, but I did meet Brett's parents.

It was nice to not have his quick-witted comebacks. I challenged him to be back at Rotary by the time I can next make a meeting in mid-August.

Overall, it just takes time for him to recover and additional encouragement would be helpful.

It was an honor to be the club's ambassador to cheer Brett up.

The news I’ve been getting is all, thankfully, good!

Chris Springer, our newest member, signs a big baseball for our ailing member Brett Grant. President-elect Bill Pierce brought it to our joint meeting with the Las Vegas Fremont club. Many members signed the toy and it'll be given to Brett. Knock it out of the park, big guy. We love you. We miss you. And we want you back soon. We need your expertise and help with the fundraising efforts.

The joyful headline on this piece comes from the email the club received today from Rick Jakel, the good friend to our club, and mentor and best buddy to our own Brett Grant.

To use a baseball allegory that would, we hope, bring a smile to Brett: There is joy in Mudville. Mighty Brett is getting better.

Rick reports:
"Just hung up a short time ago with Emily, Brett’s remarkable daughter.She told me that he had progressed to where today he is able to nod his head “yes” or shake it “no” . . . however he still cannot talk because of the tracheotomy.

He continues to improve and 10 minutes ago was scheduled to go back into surgery to hopefully get his incision closed up.

Right now the news I’ve been getting is all, thankfully, good!

More as I hear further updates."

That's wonderful news, indeed,  from Rick. Brett's many friends are cheered.

We had more wonderful news at our joint meeting with the Las Vegas Fremont club Tuesday.

Right there beside our esteemed PDG Tom Novotny, was his lovely -- and equally hard-working wife Robin. She looked as radiant as ever, just a week after a cancer operation at St. Rose Hospital in Henderson.

We love you Robin. Great to see you looking so well.

And then, last night, came this update from Kathy Grant at the Care Pages website:

Dr. Pigazzi was able to close Brett's abdomen today.

He is very aware but still frustrated because he cannot speak. The doctor also put in a feeding tube. Next step will be to get him off vent so he can talk.

He has been receiving the cards you are sending to the hospital. Emily reads them to him. She read all the comments on the poster that was signed last week at the All Star game too.

More good news from Kathy Grant
Brett's vent settings were lowered again today. He's breathing on his own with little support.

He is aware of his surroundings, but frustrated because he can't talk.

Surgeons are trying to close up abdomen tomorrow, but they may not be able to.

Doctors are pleased with his progress, but say he has a long way to go.

Emily started reading him the get well cards and pictures you have all been sending.

Thank you again for all your support.

Indian wrestling? That's great news
Rick Jakel reports this wonderful story
Just hung up with Don Grant, Brett’s father, a short time ago. I took notes as we talked and the best quote was: “Signs are super that he is on his way.”

There have been improvements in Brett’s condition every day since Friday.

Don told me they are going to be weaning him off the ventilator. Because of his tracheotomy he cannot yet talk but he can push his legs and move his foot, arms and knees.

His hands remain swollen, but there has been a dramatic reduction in his overall swelling. There is a lot of eye movement.

He apparently is in some pain with the withdrawal of the sedatives. They are able to give him a little water through sponges.

Don told Brett that he could “beat him Indian wrestling and Brett pushed back against my arm.”

Sorry we won’t be at tomorrow's meeting with you—but Sharon and I “made up” at our own home club here in Elgin this noon.

Tanya's earlier visit to the US
Tatiana Vinda, winner of our club's global raffle called It's Vegas, Baby, will be coming to us later this year from her home in Moscow with her daughter Victoria, 14.

Tatania, known to her friends as Tanya, already is an accomplished international traveler. Her VIP vacation to Las Vegas will be at least her second trip to the United States. She also has attended Rotary International conventions in Birmingham, England and Montreal.

At the Birmingham convention, Tanya met Wanda Day, then president of Florida's Marco Islands Sunrise Rotary Club who invited her to visit the Sunshine State.

The picture, courtesy of the Marco Islands club, shows Tanya, left, with Wanda when she visited Florida for two weeks after the convention in England.

Tanya also gave the club a short presentation about her home town of Moscow.

At the time, she was president of the Moscow East Rotary Club, one of nine clubs in the Russian capital.

Asked what she liked about Florida, Tanya said: "The beauty of Florida and the beautiful colors of the ocean and gulf."

Asked what most impressed her about the United States, she said, "The hot men here."

Here's hoping Las Vegas men measure up.

News from Tom about Robin

Robin was released from the hospital Saturday about three days ahead of

schedule. She is now recuperating at home which is much easier on her.

While the prognosis is good, she is certainly not out of the woods.

They took 8" of colon out along with 32 lymph nodes. Of the 32, 12 tested positive to cancer. We think that probably will mean chemo which, we are ready for.

We want to thank you for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers as they worked. It is very flattering to know we have friends like all of you.

Thanx

Better news from Brett
Kathy Grant reports:
Brett is resting comfortably. He is being weaned off all sedation and I don't think he is fully understanding where he is or what has happened. He is trying to speak and recognized family and friends. His lungs are continuing to improve, and his kidneys have started to pick up.

My parents are going home tomorrow, and Brett's parents will remain for at least a few more days. Emily and I am staying in Riverside with Jeff and Angela indefinitely.

Doctors and nursing staff are impressed with Emily. They cannot believe how much grace and maturity she has shown throughout this ordeal.

She is always smiling upon entering Brett's room. I am usually sobbing. Several of the nurses have told me they have never seen such a 15 year old, which makes me very proud.

Boys are still in Las Vegas playing ball. Thanks to all of you who are helping.

Thank you for the prayers and messages.

Ladies and gents, mark your calendars
Las Vegas West Rotarian Ted Gurr will speak Friday, July 16 at UNLV about conflict risk assessment in the U.S. foreign policy establishment to fellow Rotarian Christine Springer’s Crisis and Emergency Management program.

Ted, distinguished university professor emeritus at the University of Maryland, and founder and consultant to the university's Minorities at Risk project, will zero in on countries at high risk now and discuss the imminent crisis in Sudan.

The audience will include mid-career emergency response officials in the executive MA of Science program.

The talk will be part of a reception between 6 and 8 pm at Greenspun Hall on Maryland Parkway at University Road.

Please dig deep for Brett and his family

As we all know, Brett Grant is in serious condition at City of Hope hospital in Los Angeles following complications from cancer surgery.

Kathy and the family are suppporting Brett as best they can. This means frequent trips to LA for Kathy and the children as well as keeping the home fires burning in Las Vegas, and a consequent heavy financial burden.

We all want to do whatever we can to help the Grant family in this hour of critical need. Friends have set up a donation account for Brett and his family. Anyone can deposit into it at any Wells Fargo branch. The account is in the name of Kathy Grant and the number is 1940733734.

Please dig deep to help the family of our brother Rotarian and one of the brightest lights of our Rotary club. Let us pray that it will not be too long before he is back among us with his characteristic humor and charm; and back in the bosom of his precious family, for which he is such a wonderful dad.

As Rotarians, we are generous in working to help needy people near and far. Brett Grant is one of our own.

Greg Kinkead stepped up early in response to a request for help for Brett. Greg has offered to host Kathy and her family at his condo in Orange County when they are in California. His generosity goes a long way to help the family deal with the high cost of accommodation there. Many thanks, Greg.

Please pass on this plea to anyone who knows Brett.

Meanwhile, Rick Jakle continues to update us on Brett's condition with this encouraging news:

Friends:

Talked with Brett’s father last night. He said they had somewhat reduced his sedation and Brett was slightly responsive to voices. Infection appears under control. They are encouraged, but emphasized there’s a long way to go before he’s completely out of the woods.

Kathy Grant: Update on Brett

Brett's out of surgery. Surgeon put in a trach, which will help him breathe and save his vocal chords.

White count is good, but they were unable to close the wound. Said it would be another week or so before they can close the wound.

We are closer to being "out of the woods," as the doctor stated. We are still concerned about his kidney function.

Thank you to all of you who are helping me with the kids, the house, running errands ... and especially prayers. I am returning to California on Saturday.

Emily Grant reports on her dad
Okay, so the doctors are going to clean my dad's wounds and hopefully close him up.

He is not as swollen and he is progressing and the doctors will be waking him up slowly.

He is going to get a tracheotomy so that his vocal cords are not damaged.

The prayers are working. Thanks again.

(This from www.carepages.com. Open a free account there and search for Brett Grant for all the details on the brave fight of this remarkable man.)

Editorial comment: Thanks to YOU, Emily. You are a plucky young woman. Clearly your father's daughter. We are all with you. Much love to you, your family and your wonderful dad.

The latest news on Brett

Rick Jakle reports:

Gang:

Went over and visited with Kathy tonight. Brett had a good day. More urine output. Good vent settings. No setbacks or negative news. And that's a very good thing.

His local LV oncologist has been on vacation--got the news about Brett todayand immediately declared himself part of his support team and has been intouch with Brett's surgeon in LA.

Sharon and I travel to Chicago tomorrow. More news as we get it. Thought you would enjoy the images of Coach Brett and Dom.

Kathy asked me to thank all of you for your prayers.

My best,

Rick

The Russians are coming ...

When Tatiana Vinda of Moscow got an email from America telling her she'd won a VIP trip to Las Vegas, she first thought it was some kind of joke.

Russians play practical jokes on each other on April Fool's Day just as we do in the United States, but Tatiana didn't know if we did it on the same day.

Maybe, she thought, Americans have a July Fool's Day on the Fourth of July.

She knows better now. She's busy planning her trip to Vegas.

Tatiana is the winner of the mammoth It's Vegas, Baby Internet-based global raffle from The Rotary Club of Las Vegas West.

"I’m absolutely happy to have a chance to visit Las Vegas. I think this city is one of the miracles of the world created by the hands of people," says Tatiana.

"Also I've never stayed in a five-star hotel and never traveled by limousine."

As winner, Tatiana earns a four-day, expenses paid trip to the entertainment capital of the world, including round-trip air fare.

She and a partner will be treated to a stay at one of the world's most glamorous hotels; a top-drawer show and fine dining in smart restaurants with taste-tempting menus, amid the brilliant sunshine of this cosmopolitan desert oasis.

The contest drew attention and entries from around the world. On Sunday, July 4, Independence Day, we drew the winning entry. Tatiana was one of nearly 500 entrants in the groundbreaking raffle.

The contest truly put The Rotary Club of Las Vegas West on the map, with entries from such exotic places as Fiji; Botswana; the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion; and Finland.

The contest was not restricted to Rotarians. Everyone, everywhere, was invited to enter. But the winner is a Rotarian.

Tatiana is a past president of the Rotary Club of Moscow East. The club is named, not for its geographical location in the city, but because its members are people who moved to the capital from areas in eastern Russia.

Tatiana was just settling in back home from a trip to Montreal for RI's annual convention when she got her email sent by President-elect Bill Pierce. Now she's planning on heading back across the Atlantic.

Tatiana is a charter member of the Moscow East club, which was established in 2005. She is the immediate past president.

The divorced mother of Victoria, 14, Tatiana is representative in Moscow of a German company that imports business gifts and promotional items from Europe and China.

"We've had just 20 years of Rotary in Russia," says Tatiana.

"You know that our country was in isolation for many years. Now we are happy to be part of the international Rotarian community."

In Montreal, she says, she was delighted to meet and make friends with Rotarians from around the world.

All proceeds from the contest go to help underprivileged children in at-risk schools in Las Vegas, and the other humanitarian programs of the club.

Our own Tom Novotny, immediate past governor of District 5300, picked Tatiana's winning ticket from a drum at a club barbecue at the home of President-elect Pierce.

Immediately after the drawing, Bill emailed the news to Tatiana, who -- given the time difference -- was fast asleep in Moscow. Entrants in the Internet-based contest were told the winner would be notified by email.

Entrants were obliged to submit email addresses with their Internet entries. Each entry was allotted a paper ticket. Those were then popped into the drum for DG Tom to pick from.

"I want to thank Tom particularly for picking my ticket as the winning entry," says Tatiana.

The contest drew widespread support from people across the world, with notable mass entries from Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

It even attracted the attention of Rotary International itself for its daring use of the Internet to spur interest in a project by a Rotary club.

And the winner is: From Russia with love

Our club's It's Vegas, Baby Internet-based global raffle drew attention and entries from around the world. On Independence Day we drew the winning entry,

The lucky winner of a four-day VIP trip to our exciting home town of Las Vegas is Tatiana Vinda of the Russian capital city of Moscow.

Tatiana's winning entry was one of nearly 500 from Rotarians and others around the globe and in most US states.

The contest truly put the Rotary Club of Las Vegas West on the map, with entries from such exotic places as the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion; Fiji; Botswana and Finland.

As winner, Tatiana earns a four-day, expenses paid trip to the entertainment capital of the world, including round-trip air fare.

She and a partner will be treated to a stay at one of the world's most glamorous hotels; fine dining in smart restaurants with taste-tempting menus, amid the brilliant sunshine of this cosmopolitan desert oasis.

The contest was not restricted to Rotarians. Everyone, everywhere, was invited to enter. But the winner is a Rotarian.

Tatiana is a past president of the Rotary Club of Moscow East. The club is not named for its geographical location in the city, but because its members are people who moved to the capital from areas in eastern Russia.

All proceeds from the contest go to help underprivileged children in at-risk schools in Las Vegas and the other humanitarian programs of the club.

Our own Tom Novotny, most recent past governor of District 5300, picked Tatiana's winning ticket from a drum at a club barbecue at the home of President-elect Bill Pierce.

Immediately after the drawing, Bill emailed the news to Tatiana, who -- given the time difference -- was probably fast asleep in Moscow. Entrants in the Internet-based contest were told the winner would be notified by email.

Entrants were obliged to submit email addresses with their Internet entries. Each entry was allotted a paper ticket. Those were then popped into the drum for DG Tom to pick from.

The contest drew widespread support from people across the world, with notable mass entries from Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

It even attracted the attention of Rotary International itself for its groundbreaking use of the Internet to spur interest in a project by a Rotary club.

Welcome aboard and all hail brave Brett
It is fitting on this first post on the new blog for The Rotary Club of Las Vegas West that we pay tribute to our ailing member Brett Grant as he battles complications from his cancer operation in City of Hope hospital in Los Angeles.

I took the photograph of the usual suspects -- and some others -- Sunday, July 4 at the home of President-elect Bill Pierce, the day of his 21st annual July the Fourth barbecue party.

The group gathered to send affectionate well wishes to Brett and his family. If you look closely, you can see the written good wishes held up by spouses Gina Cox and Robin Novotny. Robin is herself a brave cancer survivor. And she, too, is undergoing yet another operation as this is written.

On behalf of the club and all its members, I send our good wishes to Brett and Robin and their families. And I ask those who pray to do so for these two wonderful people and their families.

Among my goals as president of the club for this Rotary year is to help build a closer fellowship between us all. I'd like us to realize that we all are in this together and so are our families. To that end, I have resurrected the moribund Family of Rotary coordinator. Candace Lansberry has agreed to take on the role. Let's all help her to do a great job.

And oh, before anyone asks, let me answer the unspoken question: The young lady in the bikini adding class and glamor to the shot is Bill and Rose Pierce's lovely and indomitable lass Ashley, herself a tough fighter against a vicious disease. The other sweet young thing at the right is her friend.



-- Bernard Hunt