independence day tribute

I have published a letter to the editor that Dad had published in the Nashville News. This Independence Day, if you knew and loved Brooks Tolleson check out this tribute from his son.

It was written for Veterans Day, but I just couldn't wait. May your 4th go off with a bang--or several thousand.

racecar is a palindrome

Periodically, I'll post something related to family members that I find on the Web. In this search, I have discovered that there are racecar drivers named "Grey Tolleson" and "Andy Holt."

Suspecting that they are not our 'real' Holts, I instead offer you this news item from the Canyon News.

Cha-cha-cha

Re: Mary's Surgery
It's amazing to me how much misinformation can be transmitted via the web. If you want the true story, give me a call.

More importantly, I made my retirement official last Friday. All the bosses were out of town, so they'll be the last to find out. I was filled with trepidation as I handed in my letter, but the very minute I did, I felt pure joy. NO WORKSHOPS ALL SUMMER!

Rodney knee surgery update

This one is from Robert:

Subject: APB -- Rodney - Update

Thursday morning has brought a huge change in Dad’s condition. I stopped by for a quick hello on my way to work and when I got to his room I found someone who was restless and ready to go home. He looked great. Apparently, he turned a corner sometime in the middle of the night. His pain has subsided greatly and he may be on his way home tomorrow morning.

More info as it becomes available,

rh

I stopped by the hospital this morning (Wednesday) on my way to work to see Dad. He had the operation yesterday afternoon and he seems to be recovering well. The pain was greater this time and the added medication is making him somewhat nauseas. He is in good sprits and was on his way to some physical therapy. I plan to stop by during lunch to visit some more. It is interesting that doctors are asking patients to write on themselves as a way of making sure they operate in the right place. Dad marked his previously operated knee with ‘Thanks’J

The number to his room is 703.391.4538.

Yours in passing the gossip,

Robert Holt

Chief Information Officer

Mary update #7

She's home now and doing great. Family friend Sharla Autrey is staying with her to help for a while.

Mary surgery update #6

She's done all of the physical therapy they've expected of her. It seems that her yoga training has paid off big time in recovery. Now, it's just a matter of putting in the time. They said today that she'll go home on Thursday. Yeah, mom.

Uncle Rod--let us know how you're doing. If I get an email I'll post it here.

surgery update #5

OK, it was a rough weekend. Everything seems to be fine now, but we've survived a rough weekend.

Short version: Mary left the rehab facility on Saturday and returned Sunday morning. She seems to be physically fine.

Long version: The weekend crew at the rehab hospital just did not do a good job with Mary on Saturday. They prescribed the wrong exercises--they didn't listen to her--they did some things that bruised her--the physician on rounds didn't listen to her and even chastised her for things the staff failed to do. She had a right to be angry and chose to leave the rehab facility--a process that took most of the day Saturday.

Saturday evening (back home in M.S.), she was not able to get all of her medications locally. She called her doctor who ordered her to go to the nearest emergency room. She did go to the er at Nashville late Saturday night. They got her medicated correctly and sent her home with a plan to return to the rehab facility on Sunday.

She did return Sunday morning. She still seems to be doing well.

My take: Mom was right to be angry--I don't blame her one bit for leaving. Her healthcare, however, will be best served by staying as long as necessary. We should pray for her continued recovery as well as for proper healthcare from her hospital. Mom, I'm proud of you for returning. Way to go.

surgery update #4

This time it's from Barbara. I'll quote her email here:

Just talked with Mary by phone. I tried all last night to call the Rehab Hospital and the number was always busy. Same this morning. So I left a message on her voice mail to call me, and she finally checked it this morning and did.

She was sent to the Rehabilitation Hospital yesterday from the regular hospital, and thinks she is ready to come home already. Maybe she is. She's on a walker (with supervision) and had a shower this morning (wrapping her bandage in plastic wrap). She's been to the "gym" but feels she doesn't get enough one-on-one attention there. Maybe she would be better off with a home visiting therapist.

She hasn't seen her doctor since she's been in the Rehab part. When I asked her when she wanted to come home she said she was ready now, but I'm sure she'll have to check with him to get released. I don't expect a call in the next few hours, but I told her to give me three hours notice and I'd come pick her up.

She thinks she can stay in her house now, with Sharla's help, and maybe she's right. But she won't be able to drive for a little while, I'm sure. When I talked with the doctor after her surgery he said She's young and she'll be right up, and I guess he's right. On the other hand, she may be over-estimating her ability to be independent right now, too...

SO -- bottom line is, Mary is doing great and is ready to come home, but we'll wait and see what the doctor has to say about that.

If you want to call her in the Rehab Hospital, her private room number is (deleted). But you'd better do it fast -- I think she's ready to break out of there!! Good thing I have her drivers license, and good thing her car is in Mineral Springs or she might just hobble home today...

-B.

P. S. Rodney, you're next!!

surgery update #3 -- rehab

Mary has been moved to the rehab facility. You can use her cell phone number to call her now. I won't list it here to avoid malicious trolling for phone numbers. If you need it contact me. Family members, it is listed in the family directory.

She's doing very well, walking and anticipates getting home some time next week. I kind of hope it's a little longer than that to give her more time to recover. I'd say C. Jaye's prayer worked.

knee surgery update #2 (wednesday a.m.)

C. Jaye spoke to Mary and Barbara. Here is her update:

I got the update from Barbara this morning, and she's doing a little better. The doctors had to put her on 3 different pain medicines because of reactions. She is now on Demerol and it seems to be the best one. I talked to her, too, and she's in a pretty good amount of pain, but seemed to be in fairly good spirits, considering. I told her I would pray that God would heal her as fast as if she had the body of a 16-year-old. She laughed.

The direct number to reach her room is (I think it changed as of Thursday--I'll post a new update when I have more--Greg).

Hope you-all have a great day!

mary's knee surgery update

I just talked with my mom and with Barbara. Mom said she's doing good. She was still in quite a bit of pain and couldn't really talk a lot.

Surgery was a success. It turned out to be very necessary--she was down to just bone on bone in the knee. The surgery, however, was quite a bit more complicated than expected. It was also more painful than expected and she had something of a deficit in post-op pain medication this afternoon, but is back on it now.

Barbara is with her and will stay the night with her. They're at St. Michael's in Texarkana and I won't leave the contact info here, but if you need it, just call me.

Barbara, thank you so very much for just being there. You're a great patient advocate (and a great sister, too, I'm sure).

Pray that Mary's pain will subside and that she'll recover quickly. Thanks. Greg

My News Story

No cool pictures, but here's a link to a court case I helped to win recently: Daily Camera news story.

Enjoy!

run forrest run

In order to build some interest and establish some content for our old family blog here, I thought it might be nice to go out and find Web stuff of interest to, for, by or about family. So, I present here the West Coast Chicken Run 2007. It is definitely one of the more interesting Web sites I've found--and not just because I happen to be in one of the pictures. So, check it out and answer this question: What is John "Uncle Rodney" Holt doing to this tree?

If that leaves you hungry for more history, check out the larger Chicken Run site.