Hunt Leavitt updates and well wishes

[L. Allen]

It was so great to see your post Hunt Leavitt!!!
Wishing you a smooth road to recovery and sending you lots of good wishes.


The Allen's

[LISA JENNINGS]

Welcome Back

Hunt,
What a great day it was when I opened up Hydro-Racer and saw that you had posted a update on yourself ! We are all so blessed that you are still with us. Hopefully your recovery will get easier as the days go by.. Can't wait to see you in the pits.
Alex, Lisa, Ashlei & AJ Jennings
Team J Racing

[Fast Jack]

Hunt, how about a quick update on your recovery? Thanks , Shawn

[Check-book]

Augustine Racing echoing Fast Jack

Yes, I'm sure everyone would like to know how you're coming along.
A lot of us have been through rehab of some intensity or another and know how hard it can be some days - for both of you. We'd like to be able to send encouragement as well as best wishes.
Anyway - here comes both - ATTA BOY!!! and LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE RACES!!!
Pat

[DougMc]

It would be good to see an update.

[Hunt Leavitt]

Update from Hunt

I am now writing myself so there is good progress to report. The best news is that the neurosurgeon says that I should have no long-term brain damage although I have some nerve damage in my right arm, causing a lot of weakness, that could over a year. Interestingly, the doc tells us that nerves regenerate at the rate of 1" per month. So, with an arm approximately 18 inches long, you do the math. There is still a lot of pain in my shoulders and upper back but this is usually handled by Percocet. An X-ray this week shows what could be a lesion in my right lung. I think it's the result of one of the broken ribs poking into the lung so we'll check that out too. The most obvious issue I deal with is my 7 missing front teeth ( 3 top, 4 bottom). There is a big scar between my mouth and chin where the doctors say my bottom front teeth ripped through at the point of impact. Since I can't shave easily because of the tender chin scar and a very weak right arm, I've grown a really scruffy beard which is easy but makes me look like some kind of a chain saw massacre perp. I will probably have dental implants, which are screws drilled into my jaw bone onto which new teeth can be screwed. But it takes 4 months from drilling the screws in until they completely graft with the bone before putting on the teeth, so I will be toothless until October, maybe until Halloween. Interestingly, I have absolutely no memory of anything from the early morning of Saturday, April 28 until 8 days later, after I had been through several operations, a steel plate put in my jaw, and a morphine-induced coma for several days. The docs say memories of the wreck may come back in 3 months or so (causing a bad case of post traumatic stress syndrome) or maybe not at all (my preference).
My good friends Mark Shelton (upcoming 25SSR driver) and Craig Murden (semi-retired multi-class runabout driver) delivered my trailer and boat this week. I was surprised how good the boat looked. The left side cockpit coaming is broken, the dash panel is broken, there's a hole in the right sponson, and various other chips here and there but basically the boat is fixable. I want to thank Gary Pond and all the others who rescued my boat at Millville, dried out the motor, and loaded everything up for me. There are many others that I will try to thank individually but I have to mention John Howard who may have saved my life by turning me over as I was unconscious under his boat and the incomparable angel Jill Glossner who organized so much and visited me in the hospital with husband, Scott.
From the beginning the most significant thing that I have felt is gratitude, gratitude for all of you who sent cards, letters, and checks and all of you who prayed for my recovery, and all of you who just thought about me and sent good wishes. I KNOW that all of this helped me in my recovery and will continue as I keep getting better. Although this marks the end of my racing career (a sealed in stone promise to my wife Hilary) I have nothing but admiration and deep thankfulness to all of you, the racing community. It is an honor to a part of such a group.
Hunt

[MGallagher]

It is great to see you typing such a plentiful response of great news. It sounds like you will be making a lengthy, but full recovery(That's Great!). Keep up the good work Hunt and I second that ATTA-BOY!!!

Being that I haven't raced in almost 2 years(and still managing to go to alot of races), I know it is possible and very enjoyable(to my wife and family especially) to go to the races and not race. So, I am sure we will be seeing you at various races.

Keep your head up!
Matt, Rachel, and Jackson Gallagher

[Fast Jack]

Hunt on the mend

Funny how hair will grow on a mashed up chin but not on your head!! The memory loss could be a good thing, guess we are all sguare on that deal Sat morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad to know you are recovering well,I hope all you personal stuff got back, Alan A . and I cleaned out your motel room at Millville for you. Hope to get more recovery updates. Your friend , Shawn

[Jack Stotts]

Hunt, it was great to see your post and read things you've said about the accident. Also thank you so much for the email. I hope my medical "knowledge" was of great value to you. I'm going to Constintine and spectate on Sunday as there are only two mod classes running. I have a very hard time staying away when there is racing nearby. You'll probabaly have the same trouble.

Sounds like you are feeling somewhat better which is great news. Some to go but I know you can do it. Jack, Third member of AARP Racing

[Howie Nichols]

Hunt,
Great to see your on the mend. We wish you continued health in your healing process and hope to see you in the pits next spring even as a spectator.

Howie, Kristen, Becca (14-F), Pete, & Donna

[ryan_4z]

Glad to hear that things are going well Hunt. Keep up the positive attitude and all will be well in the long run.

[Hydroglobe17J]

Hunt, I'm glad to hear you getting back into shape. We met Friday night at Millville for the first time, I was away from racing for awhile too.As you could see Friday night, don't worry about any brain damage, it does not hinder us boat racers!

[HRTV]

For anyone looking to check in on Hunt his thread has been moved to the Region 4 general section