Ken Kaiser & Family Update

[LindaT]

I just wanted to let everyone know that Buzz Thorsen brought Jennifer up to Spokane last Sunday in his motorhome. He is planning on bringing the Kaiser Family home as soon as they are released from the hospital.

Thanks everyone for being so kind.

Linda Thorsen

[rroth]

Becca for 39R

hey all, Becca here. Thanks for all the support. I just came from ICU and Ken is finally out of pain. First time since sunday. They are giving him better pain meds than before and it is helping a lot. His surgery went great. The Dr. says hes glad he elected to operate. He found a shattered disk as well as the broken #4 and #7 vertibrae and he was able to fix that as well. Ken will be on his back in a brace for about 8 weeks while he recovers from this. His broken sternum will heal on its own. For Jared, He is a heck of a trooper. His bandages are off now and it is painful for mom and me to look at but he is getting stronger and finally decided that he'd eat. The plastic surgeon was here this morning and is pleased with the results and says that over time, the scars will practically dissappear. As for his broken upper arm, Thankfully it was below the growth plate and it will heal in a splint in about 4 weeks. As for the CRAP on the applecup thread, J. Micheal did not ask Ken to bring him the boat. He asked Ken if Jeff or Cory could come to Portland and get the boat. When Ken found out the weather was great and no wind he said, "no way. I'm coming to you. Jared and I will have fun, maybe volunteer in the race so we can go out in a kicker boat and enjoy the weekend". I wanted to come along to help with the drive and to see all my racing buddies. So how bout we all just get along here, I thought we were all in this for fun...

[sponsonhead]

To Becca from Lauri Gleason

hey becca lauri gleason here: from what I hear you have a future in emergency medicine. I personally will show you the way. You are an amazing lady. Tell Jared to hang in there and I have a big tub of jelly bellies just for him.

love lauri gleason

[39R]

Thank you everyone!

I am a very proud grandma who happens to belong to Becca and Jared-I am Jennifer's mom and , of course, Ken's mother in law. I want to thank everyone in Region 10 who has sent their good wishes and prayers to my beautiful family. They mean the world to me and I was devastated when I heard of the crash. Becca is my hero, Jared is my superman, Ken is #1 in the son in law books and Jennifer is my most beautiful best friend. All of you in the boat racing community (here and elsewhere) have shown me that they have chosen the right group of people to hang out with. You are all so kind, generous, loving and supportive-I am proud to know you and proud that they are a part of your funny, weird, and, just slightly dysfunctional, family.
Thank you, thank you and thank you!
Penny H (currently in residence at the insane asylum that Jennifer & Ken call home-trying to take care of 5 more grandchildren, without going absolutely bonkers!!!!)

[Kevin Martin]

great post penny and becca, sheryl and i have enjoyed being with you and your family, and i think most of all colin and jared are enjoying each others' company. i'm glad to hear all is well, tell ken we'll see him tonight and that we of course wish him well. i'm glad to hear buzz is staying ,last night they weren't sure thus our efforts to have a back up plan, i'm sure however the offers for gas money could still be used to get this great family home. kevin

[hydroman6]

Ken Kaiser & Family Update

Good to hear that Buzz is staying. Can he carry everyone? If he does, make sure he knows that if they need to stop for a while, I'm about in the middle, and have full hook-ups here at the house if they need to dump tanks or water up, eat, or just let the kids run around for a few minutes. It's a long run from Spokane to Portland. Especially for the young and injured! We're only a couple of blocks off the freeway, and I'm sure Bryce would be glad to see everyone. Let me know if anything changes.

[stoneracing]

What a great family!!!

I had a nice visit with the family today... they are in good spirits! It is really great to see that the doctors just did a great job with Jared! The things they can do these days... Wow.. Ken says one more of "these" and he will be just like new!! NOt sure if he was thinking accidents? surgery? or maybe nurses?(just kiddin!!!)... and Rebecca....... hhhmmmm---- Rebecca?????? hard to put into words for you all.... thinking......^^^^^ o.k. well it's like this... they say that there are *Angels* around us in everyday life ... but you just don't know it... pretty sure you can meet one.... I have...!!! Sounds like they might even let Jared out soon... that is Great news!!! Ken, I sure hope they keep a good supply of goodies to you!!! don't hit that button too often!! hehe.... Thanks-Again-Kevin M.... just let us know if they need anything! They really wanted to race and see everyone in Cali.... I am sure they will miss it as much as everyone will miss seeing them!! Can't say enough good things about a great family!!!


Mike Stone

[rroth]

Becca

So...Jared gets his external stitches on his forehead out today at 2. Once his fever drops he’s goin' to be released. He’s doing GREAT today! Yesterday he slept off and on just about all day and today it’s all we can do to get him to sit still. Kens doing GREAT also! He’s able to get up outa bed to use the restroom know (that’s a step!) AND he got his first meal this morning since Sunday night. Still unsure when they're going to release ken were thinkin' in a day or so.
Again, I wanted to say thank you for all the support! And a special thanks to those that sent the gifts and went outa the way to stop by...
Mike Stone-The food and your company was AWSOME thank you! Iv eat WAAAAAAAAAY too much darn hospital food...hehehe
Ashley, Colin, Kevin and Sheryl-Jared REALLY enjoys your company every night! The sponge bob pillow hit the spot!
J-Michael, Jeff and Cory-man o man... Jared sure envies you guys! You three driving up to spoken to see Jared meant ALOT to him!
Annie, Randy and Gail Thurman-Thank you for the frog and balloons Jared enjoyed the gift!!
Steve Bartlett-Your Company was nice thank you for stopping by! ! !
Mike, Kim and Brian-The flowers were beautiful thank you vary much!
Brian pomquest sp? -We heard that you beat us to the hospital Sunday night...thank you for stopping by! !
Johnson’s- Thank you for all your guys's support and help! It was nice seeing you at Othello!

[Kevin Martin]

BILL DIAMOND....thank you so much for the check towards to the gas bill for these folks i'll be sure to get to them the day it arrives!!!! to everyone who has offered to help, and to those of you who have helped ,thanks, i know it will relive these folks greatly, and help the healing along!!! jared played on the floor with us for an hour or so last night, ken looked much comfier after his operation kevin

[Cameraboy]

Rebecca, we look forward to having you guys back in Oregon. Wish you guys could join us in Pleasanton, but maybe next year. We'll make sure everyone follows your orders and has FUN.

[rroth]

Becca Roth (75R)

Yeah mike...were REALLY bummed that we wont be making it to CA this weekend! Wish I could see the ash race sounds like it’s going to be intense. ACTUALLY wish I were competing in the race hehehe. Naw but I know that’s a long drive for those coming from OR and even longer for those up in WA so if you get tired...do us a favor and pull over for an hour or so it might just save you in the long run! Even if you don’t think your that tired. We were only 30 min from the pits and I was convinced I’d be fine and...
Whelp I hope everyone has fun and most importantly is safe!
Mike, maybe you could tell Brian M and his grandpa Frank B. “hi” for me?!?!?!

[rroth]

Goooood News

We just found out that ken well be released tomorrow afternoon and like I said Jared has already been released as of today soooooooooo.... that means we'll be hittin’ the road sometime after noon.

[Cameraboy]

Awesome!

That's great news and even better advice. As Tony Perman said Sunday, one of the most dangerous things about our sport is getting to the race site. Several of us are flying down, but I'm with you in asking the folks driving and hauling our stuff (thanks!) to take it easy and get there in one piece.

Looks like Grandma Penny will be relieved of Tyler duty soon

[39R]

Amen

Amen to that!!!!!! Not only Tyler, but Cameron (a mini Tyler), Jamie, Kevin and Brittany duty. I am reallllly looooking forward to Jennifer & Ken getting home. I miss Becca and Jared-and they are in for a lot of hugging and kissing. Maybe I shouldn't say that-they may decide to stay in Spokane!
Again, I want to thank everyone in Spokane and everywhere else, for the help, love, prayers and good wishes that you sent to my family. Without you, we could not have handled this crisis very well. You guys (racing community) are the best, or totally awesome (as the kids say.)
I want to add my second to Mike's second to Becca's comment (does that make it a fourth, or is it a third, or maybe a second squared-I am sooo confused) of the not driving when you are tired caution. Everybody, everywhere, take your time, there is no race that important!!!
Speaking of tired-I am all tuckered out! I think I will go beat up some kids, then go to bed.
Lots of love, hugs and thanks,
Penny-aka SuperGrandma

[Kevin Martin]

could someone post a mailing address for the kaiser family please? the are many folks inquiring about helping or where to send something to help. thank you. we'll miss the family here in town but wish them well at home in their recovery!!! thanks for what you've given my family and i over the past week, good freinds, and something to be thankful for!!! kevin martin