Hunt Leavitt updates and well wishes

[sglossner]

Hi everyone. After a weekend racing in Wilson, NC I met Hilary this am and got the latest on Hunt. He was moved to Step 2, which is more good news. He is now on the 7th floor of Cooper Hospital. He is eating soft foods and now is developing an appetite. The jaw surgery went well-no wire. He still has an IV giving him liquid nutrients and they are monitoring his oxygen intake. Hilary met with the Dr. on Friday and they went over the list of things going on. His back has a “stable” fracture which means a brace may suffice (no surgery). He’ll have the neck collar on for six weeks. His lungs are good and they will cut down slowly on the oxygen he is getting to see how he does. Neuro-specialists will assess his brain injury and how he is doing cognitively. The doctor thought if all continues smoothly he might be in Cooper Hospital another week or two before being released for rehab in North Carolina. He is talking, although very confused. When asked where he was at one point he said "the library". Hopefully, time will heal everything. Nothing has been mentioned about the teeth yet. I'm guessing that will be further down the road for Hunt. At my encouragement, Hilary and I went to Commerce Bank today and opened a joint account with what was collected at Wilson, NC and what was sent to me on her behalf. Rena Howard even made jewelry to sell at the races to raise money for Hunt. This will at least enable her to cash checks now as she only had a bank account in N. Carolina. The bank suggested rather than giving out the account number and not being aware of who or how much was being deposited to the account, having any money/checks sent for Hunt for me, since I am the "local" person. So, for those that offered to help you can send them to my address at: 13 Washington Way, Tabernacle, NJ 08088. You may make them out to either Hilary or myself and we will deposit them into this account. Hilary wants to personally thank everyone for all their support, both emotional and financial.
I have to say how proud I am to represent the boat racing community. It's nice to know how many of you care. I'll update soon. Jill Glossner

[sglossner]

Well, even better news to report. It looks like Hunt is headed for North Carolina!!! He has been going through rehab at Cooper, walking, talking,etc. The problem was transportation. He must be flown home. While his primary insurance did not cover it, his secondary will. So the logistics are being worked on. If all goes well, Hilary will leave NJ on Sunday and Hunt will be delivered to the Rehab hospital in Wilmington where he may be for two to three weeks. The facility is attached to the Wilmington Hospital and is near their home so Hilary may visit on a daily basis. Jill Glossner

[DrRick34-0]

Good to hear that things are progressing. Just let me know when I can help. I have got my tools ready. I know they probably have taken some panoramic xrays of his jaw. This will show me how many missing teeth etc. If there is any way Hilary can send them to me by mail or email it would be helpful.

Rick Miller
drrm340@aol.com

2209 S. Main
Grove, Ok 74344

[Dick Tyndall]

This is great news to hear about Hunt. We continue to keep him and his family in all of our thoughts and prayers. I hope that being close to home will ease some of the stress and make things easier on the family.
And thank you Jill, for keeping all of us informed on Hunt's progress and for all that you have done to make Hilary's stay there a little more comforting with all that has been going on.

[MARK SHELTON]

Hunt Leavitt

This is GREAT news to have Hunt and Hillary coming home to Wilmington.It's gonna be a long tough road for you both but you have lots of friends and racers that are gonna help wherever we can. Hunt's gear is at my house and can stay as long as it needs to. If you need any help with yard work, heavy lifting ect...ect... let us know and we'll be there. You took a hard punch and you are proving every day how tough you really are. Hang in there buddy and take it day by day. Craig, Gene and I are looking forward to a cold one with you someday soon. Take care and we all are hoping for a full and complete recovery.
Mark Shelton
Red Wing Shoes Racing
Wilmington NC

[L. Allen]

Keeping the Leavitt's in our thoughts.

[ryan_4z]

Wow, this is really great to hear. Thanks Jill, for keeping us posted and all you have been doing to help Hunt and Hilary through this. You are truely a saint.

[Jack Stotts]

I'm so happy to see the news on Hunt's progress. I know things will be better as he gets near home. Hunt and I had become close friends through the years and it has been especially hard to see the reports on the extent of his injuries. I know Hunt is tough but he took a big hit. I appreciate the efforts of those keeping us all posted on his status as I know Hillary does also. All my best to the Huntster! Jack

[sglossner]

Scott & I found an hour to go see Hunt last Friday and wish him well from all of you. This was my our visit as only family have been allowed previously. I didn't think he was ever going to let go of my hand!!! He is so grateful to all of the boat racers, he and Hilary both just tear up when they think of it. But the good news was that he was going home on a commercial plane on Monday and has made such remarkable improvement, they are letting him go home and he will be an out-patient for therapy. He is in for a lot of rehab, but we had an hour's worth of conversation that actually made sense!!! His complaint was that he was still so sore in the neck and back area and he knew he couldn't remember everything (especially the accident). So, as happy as I am to see him recover and go home, I am a little sad to say good-bye, as both Hilary and Hunt have become great friends. For those of you that have mailed things to me, thank-you, I will continue to put them in the bank account from which Hilary can withdraw and we will eventually close out. From this point, please send well wishes directly to: Hilary Leavitt, 2902 Park Ave., Wilmington, NC 28403 She still has not gotten on Hydroracer but plans to. The family does monitor it. Jill Glossner

[sglossner]

I am sharing an email Hilary just wrote to me. FYI
Jill,

I’m grateful for the Memorial Weekend because the phone calls and therapists, and calls to doctors and insurance has slowed down and I can almost breath again. This has been a hard transition for sure. Hunt is sleeping most of the day. Up long enough to do his physical rehab and eat and then is ready to collapse again. We will see the neurosurgeon June 4th and he hope to get the collar off, since it is making sleeping so hard. Still on Percocet which he will be for some time. I haven’t begun to start to find the oral surgeon, since we felt the neurosurgeon was first in line! I’ve not gotten on the hydroracer.net yet nor has Hunt but the day will come. Let people know how much their communications mean and at some point we will be in touch as well. Love to all you wonderful family,\Hilary

[HRTV]

I am sharing an email Hilary just wrote to me. FYI
Jill,

I’m grateful for the Memorial Weekend because the phone calls and therapists, and calls to doctors and insurance has slowed down and I can almost breath again. This has been a hard transition for sure. Hunt is sleeping most of the day. Up long enough to do his physical rehab and eat and then is ready to collapse again. We will see the neurosurgeon June 4th and he hope to get the collar off, since it is making sleeping so hard. Still on Percocet which he will be for some time. I haven’t begun to start to find the oral surgeon, since we felt the neurosurgeon was first in line! I’ve not gotten on the hydroracer.net yet nor has Hunt but the day will come. Let people know how much their communications mean and at some point we will be in touch as well. Love to all you wonderful family,\Hilary

Jill please pass this information on to Hilary this is from a post left by Rick Miller regarding Hunt's oral work.

DrRick34-0
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Grove, Oklahoma
Posts: 110

Good to hear that things are progressing. Just let me know when I can help. I have got my tools ready. I know they probably have taken some panoramic xrays of his jaw. This will show me how many missing teeth etc. If there is any way Hilary can send them to me by mail or email it would be helpful.

Rick Miller
drrm340@aol.com

2209 S. Main
Grove, Ok 74344

[Hunt Leavitt]

Busted but not broken

This is Hunt, finallly (with help from my wife Hilary). The first and most important thing I want to express is my incredible gratitude to all of you, racers or not, who have posted here, sent emails, cards, letters and checks, and helped take care of and store my equipment. The overwhelming support from the racing community has gone a long way in helping me in the early days of my recovery. I'm told that my brain injury will probably completely heal, so that is the biggest relief for us. I have no recollection of the accident or the following eight days. Right now I am working on healing a broken scapula and ribs, neck and back fractures (with accompanying nerve damage) and starting to replace eight lost teeth. Rick Miller's outstanding offer to help with my dental work is another example of this group's generous and amazing support. Because I am unable to travel at this time, we will probably have the dental work done locally. Overall ,I am still very weak and spend most of the day resting and sleeping, but as I get my strength back I will be able to post on hydroracer and to communicate with you individually.
These words can't express the true thankfulness that I feel daily towards all of you. I know your thoughts and prayers have made a real difference.
With gratitude,
Hunt (and Hilary)

[HRTV]

This is Hunt, finallly (with help from my wife Hilary). The first and most important thing I want to express is my incredible gratitude to all of you, racers or not, who have posted here, sent emails, cards, letters and checks, and helped take care of and store my equipment. The overwhelming support from the racing community has gone a long way in helping me in the early days of my recovery. I'm told that my brain injury will probably completely heal, so that is the biggest relief for us. I have no recollection of the accident or the following eight days. Right now I am working on healing a broken scapula and ribs, neck and back fractures (with accompanying nerve damage) and starting to replace eight lost teeth. Rick Miller's outstanding offer to help with my dental work is another example of this group's generous and amazing support. Because I am unable to travel at this time, we will probably have the dental work done locally. Overall ,I am still very weak and spend most of the day resting and sleeping, but as I get my strength back I will be able to post on hydroracer and to communicate with you individually.
These words can't express the true thankfulness that I feel daily towards all of you. I know your thoughts and prayers have made a real difference.
With gratitude,
Hunt (and Hilary)

Hunt this is the post I have been waiting for be strong and know that we are all here for you, one day at a time buddy

Dan

[Fast Jack]

Huntster OTHS , Very happy to hear from you, get well and we will talk soon, Minkmyster

[csh2z]

Hunt, It's great to hear you are on the road to recovery. If there is anything we can do, please don't be afraid to ask. Hope to see you up and around soon.