Al Benson Medical Fund

[Cameraboy]

Al Benson had surgery Wednesday at Emanuel Hospital in Portland to repair damage to his ribs and a punctured lung suffered in an accident on Lake Lytle in Rockaway Beach on Sunday. The doctors are very pleased with the outcome, and he should be able to start seeing visitors this weekend.

The final tally was 12 ribs with fractures. The surgeons tacked the rib pieces together with titanium straps that resemble bicycle chain links. They also repaired the lung puncture, and declared his liver OK.

Al had been laid off, and we have managed to get his insurance coverage reinstated for a few months. However, Al will be on the hook for the premiums and any co-pays or deductibles. Given the Life Flight from Tillamook and almost a week in ICU, it will be an expensive boating accident.

To that end, we have set up an account at Bank of America. If you wish to make a cash donation now, you can go to a Bank of America branch and make a deposit to the Al Benson Medical Fund (that should be what any check is made out to). You will need to specify that it is an Oregon account; the account number is 48500 1614874.

If you would rather mail a check, make it out to the Al Benson Medical Fund, and note the account number in the memo field (48500 1614874). You can then mail the check to this address (Attn. Denise Johnson):

7314 SE 19th Ave.
Portland OR 97202-6254

There will also be some other fundraising activities, and my wife Denise will be contacting some of you to help her organize that.

The Benson family has deep roots in boat racing, with Al's uncle Al and father Don driving limiteds and unlimiteds in the 50's and 60's. Thank you in advance for your support.

[drbyrne55]

Get well Al,
We're happy to hear you are doing better. Look forward to seeing you soon. Our thoughts are with you.

Thanks Mike for the update and setting up the medical fund.

Dan

[Cameraboy]

Thanks, Dan - we'll pass your note along.

[m58rr50hydro]

Al Benson

Al Benson had surgery Wednesday at Emanuel Hospital in Portland to repair damage to his ribs and a punctured lung suffered in an accident on Lake Lytle in Rockaway Beach on Sunday. The doctors are very pleased with the outcome, and he should be able to start seeing visitors this weekend.

The final tally was 12 ribs with fractures. The surgeons tacked the rib pieces together with titanium straps that resemble bicycle chain links. They also repaired the lung puncture, and declared his liver OK.

Al had been laid off, and we have managed to get his insurance coverage reinstated for a few months. However, Al will be on the hook for the premiums and any co-pays or deductibles. Given the Life Flight from Tillamook and almost a week in ICU, it will be an expensive boating accident.

To that end, we have set up an account at Bank of America. If you wish to make a cash donation now, you can go to a Bank of America branch and make a deposit to the Al Benson Medical Fund (that should be what any check is made out to). You will need to specify that it is an Oregon account; the account number is 48500 1614874.

If you would rather mail a check, make it out to the Al Benson Medical Fund, and note the account number in the memo field (48500 1614874). You can then mail the check to this address (Attn. Denise Johnson):

7314 SE 19th Ave.
Portland OR 97202-6254

There will also be some other fundraising activities, and my wife Denise will be contacting some of you to help her organize that.

The Benson family has deep roots in boat racing, with Al's uncle Al and father Don driving limiteds and unlimiteds in the 50's and 60's. Thank you in advance for your support.

TKX Mike
for taking the lead here!
sure glad Al is doing well and hope to see him racin soon!!
Let's all pull out a few extra "fun tickets" and help a great racer.

[Don Muncie]

Al Benson's medical fund, and current condition.

I took the morning off and went to Emanuel hospital to check up on Al, much to my surprise and delight, I saw a man sitting up and was handling things extremely well! The staff really don't want visitors today, but things should be better tomorrow. If you visit, I might suggest a call to the front office first, that number is 503-413-2200, Al is in room 1650. The only thing I might add is Al has 12 broken ribs besides other injuries, talking has to hurt so I would ask us to stay mindful of this, for those who experienced broken ribs, you do know what I mean!

He does have this request, to keep him and his family in our prayers, I said it would be my pleasure to pass this along. Al is truly an amazing man, full of grace!

Rest well, Al!

[Don Muncie]

Update on Al

I went up this afternoon to check up on Al, he's doing great! He's eating, very talkative, he even has color!! He did tell me to tell all of you who covered him in prayer "Thank you so much!" Al may be discharged as early as Thursday? I asked him why he was so wanting out? I mean his nurses are great looking! I always get the ones that are 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide, if they wore red earrings they could be a bus!! The hospital staff is very please and a bit surpised as to his recovery, it's going so well. All for now, I'll probabky go up thursday morning to check in again..oh, he's in room 1525 now...thanks all!

[seanp3]

Don

Thanks for the update. Its great the recovery is coming along so well. It sounds a bit like Al's a little itchy to get up and going.

[Don Muncie]

Update on Al

I went up this morning and found a man in a bit more discomfort! They yanked the tubes out of him yesterday and he now gots a better idea of what broken ribs really feel like! He still don't complain! He was hoping to go home today, but it might be this weekend before he can make that trip. I just ask us all to lift him up, keep him covered and just do our best to be available should any need come up from anybody. I think of you'all as family, Al's part of my family, and so are you! Caring and sharing, makes life gooooooood!!!

[Don Muncie]

Al still has a bit more "work" to do.

I hope I don't wear this out, but I feel it neds to be said. Al had a bit of a setback yesterday, they had to put a tube in to pull the air from around his lung. He didn't get to go home today and probably won't until Monday. This morning, Al and I took a pretty good walk around the grounds of the hospital and he's doing so much better! I know he has to be in incredible pain when he walks, but he won't complain about it! I just ask those who believe in the AWESOME God, to please lift him and his entire family up, this has to also be a really good strain on his mom and dad, who are fantastic people by the way!

For those who just don't know what Al's truly going though, I had almost the same injury some 20 years ago and I cried like a little baby for a month! Al don't know it, but every time I see him, he feeds me some more "humble pie", I'm slowly getting a taste for it!

[Don Muncie]

Final update on Al!..It's great news!!!

I made my last trip up to the hospital this morning to find Al in great spirits..he's going home!! Even the nursing staff was a bit upset to see him leave, one askd me if alll us racers were this easy going, I said, "uh, no!" I told her I'm a butthole when I don't feel good and Al still likes feeding me "humble pie", it really taste good now!

Al did ask me to tell all who lifted him and his family up in prayer; "Thank You!" For a small framed man, he truly does have the heart of a giant!


THANK YOU ALL, VERY MUCH!!