Gregg

[Parvati]

Hey, I know the timing of this is poor and I apologize. I wanted to let folks here know that Gregg had a very bad turn around Thanksgiving, and he’s been hospitalized for a month now. Long story short, he’s lost significant brain function and is not able to communicate, so he’s being moved to a skilled nursing facility once his insurance approves it. At this point, it is unlikely that he will return home. His own atheism aside, his sister said that prayers are welcome.

Oh, and the dogs are being well cared for, which must certainly give him some peace if he’s aware of it.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I hope everyone else has been doing well.

[JamesVincent]

Bad news never has good timing and that is very bad news. Our prayers are definitely with him and his family.

[Frater I*I]

Sad to read that.

Gregg was active over at the Fogbow forum, many had been asking about him, I went ahead and informed them of this news.

[jcolvin2]

Thanks for letting us know. Gregg will be missed. I had been worried about him since he had an issue with his foot/toe earlier this year.

Hey, I know the timing of this is poor and I apologize. I wanted to let folks here know that Gregg had a very bad turn around Thanksgiving, and he’s been hospitalized for a month now. Long story short, he’s lost significant brain function and is not able to communicate, so he’s being moved to a skilled nursing facility once his insurance approves it. At this point, it is unlikely that he will return home. His own atheism aside, his sister said that prayers are welcome.

Oh, and the dogs are being well cared for, which must certainly give him some peace if he’s aware of it.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I hope everyone else has been doing well.

[wserra]

Man, that is terrible. Thanks, Parvati, for letting us know.

I met Gregg a few times, although the last time was several years ago. A unique guy. I'm not sure exactly how it came about, but I know that he is an atheist, as am I. Still, I can't avoid the mental image of him one day appearing before St. Peter in a hockey jersey.

If you (or anyone) is in touch with him, please say hi. If you're able to share an address where he can get mail, please PM me.

[JamesVincent]

If you (or anyone) is in touch with him, please say hi. If you're able to share an address where he can get mail, please PM me.

Same here. I never met Gregg in RL, only interacted on here and Facebook, but he always was supportive of the different things I did over the years and gave me some good advice on occasion. Definitely one of a kind.

[Pottapaug1938]

I never had the privilege of meeting Gregg and his airborne attack dachshunds. He is sorely missed around here; and if he is not able to recover, I hope that his passing is as easy at that which my wife had at the end.

[Parvati]

This is an abbreviated version of the update Gregg’s sister shared a couple hours ago, so it’s quite current. The itching she describes is likely resulting from the renal/kidney issues that are common with advanced diabetes.

“Gregg was finally released from the hospital on Thursday, the 28th. He [was moved to a continuing care center]. The facility decor is a little dated but it is clean and has been fairly quiet[.] He will be seeing speech, physical and occupational therapists several times a week.

He is also working on getting off the feeding tube. Before he left the hospital, he was able to chew and swallow ice chips, so that is the first step on getting him to real food.

One of the things I had noticed in the hospital was how he kept rubbing at his arms. They kept mitts on his hands to protect him from pulling out his feeding tube, so the arm rubbing was not doing any harm. Restraints are not permitted at the care center so they took the mitts off of him. His arm rubbing became arm scratching and it became so intense, he drew blood. Some vaseline thick lotion was put on him and did reduce most of the scratching but then he started scratching at his neck and chest. It seems there was a little more going on than just dry skin. His nurse for the day put in a call to the doctor and she called me later to say they were now giving him Benadryl and also Benadryl lotion to apply. I hope to see an improvement when I visit today.

[…] His room is where the old emergency room used to be and I seem to remember Gregg being a frequent visitor here when he was a kid. ”

[JamesVincent]

That is good news. Thanks for that update and hope to continue hearing good news. We are still praying for Gregg's recovery.

[Number Six]

Sorry to hear of his health challenges and I hope he has as good a recovery as can be hoped for. He always struck me as a quite energetic full-blooded American who wanted to live life to the fullest.

[Cathulhu]

I got to meet Gregg and Sarah a couple years ago. Heartbroken.

[NYGman]

Met Gregg (and Wes and his wife) and a few others, a while back with my Dad when Gregg offered tickets to see an Arlo Guthrie Concert in Radio City for Thanksgiving, something Gregg did annually. Would have loved to join him for a few more, the show was amazing and very special, to Hear Alice's Restaurant plaid at the appropriate time, by the man himself. Always found him a smart and entertaining type of person, with a larger than life presence. I really enjoyed meeting Gregg, and send my prayers to him, his atheism aside, it can't hurt

[Parvati]

Things are looking up! Great strides in the last week or so. As per the family:

Hi everyone. I know it has been a while since I posted an update but that was because there wasn't much to tell. He was moved to (the) Care Center on December 28 and his condition was much of the same. He could follow some commands but still no verbal communication except saying Ayeee. He almost seemed depressed at times. I was worried that he was giving up. About a week ago, he became irritated with the therapy staff and told them this was stupid when they were trying to get him to do something. He also used the F word. We were overjoyed for any words!

And then last Wednesday, it was like a switch was turned on in his brain. He was trying to get things out but not all of the words were there. But he was communicating with us. And more has been coming everyday. He is able to tell staff if he is uncomfortable or if he needs anything. Therapy has him walking the halls and getting him stronger after being bedridden for so long. He's asking questions and able to answer things we ask him. Sometimes he gets frustrated as he can't always find the words he wants and somethings come out as words that don't make sense in the context.

And then today was a big day. He has had an ng tube for feeding since he was admitted to the hospital. But it was not a long term solution so there was a surgery scheduled for the end of this month to switch to a g-tube. In his previous state, being able to feed himself was not possible. But to move forward, he needed to pass a barium swallow test. If you have never had to have a barium test, it is not fun. The solution looks and has the consistency of paint or elmers glue. They had given him one in the hospital and he was unable to do it. Well they gave him one today and he passed with flying colors, so the ng tube is gone! He had some applesauce, turkey and a cookie for lunch. I was there tonight when they brought him dinner. He grabbed the jello and cleaned the bowl. He ate about a third of the chili and half of the hash browns and half of his corn muffin. I think he drank the lemonade in 2 swallows. He declared himself full. It was so wonderful to have him enjoy food again after living on liquid nutrition for so long.

So that's the latest. I hope to have many new updates to add in the next few weeks. He still has a long way to go before we can get him home and reunited with Root Beer and Biscuit.

[NYGman]

Amazing news, thanks for the update!

[The Observer]

Yes, good to hear. I know he has had a number of challenges over the years but he always appeared to be a fighter when his health was on the line.

[Frater I*I]

Wonderful news.

[jcolvin2]

Yes, good to hear. I know he has had a number of challenges over the years but he always appeared to be a fighter when his health was on the line.

"An honorary Sicilian when death is on the line."

So glad to hear that Gregg is doing better!

[Parvati]

And another milestone: a visit from the doggos!

As shared by the family:

A big day for Gregg! Root Beer and Biscuit came to visit! I don’t know who was happier, Gregg or the dogs. They are spending the night at [L]’s doggie B & B and will get to visit for a little while in the morning before they return to their temporary home with cousin [A]. I have video too, just haven’t figured out how to post it yet.

The therapist also decided that Gregg was finally strong enough to take a sitting shower. They have been giving him bed baths but just not the same. He said it made him feel so good to be clean. All in all, it was a very good day!

[Frater I*I]

One of the members of Fogbow was able to visit Gregg, here's his report...

I stopped in to see Gregg today and am incredibly happy to report his recovery is remarkable. He speaks well with just the slightest pause occasionally to search for a word. He even quoted great men of literature for me; "Rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated!" He looks great, has a vey positive outlook, and gets around very well in his chair, he even escorted me to the entrance when I left.

I told him how much we all missed him on the forums and just how important he is to 'The Fogbow'. He was very happy for all the support from you all, it means a lot to him you can tell. He says thanks to everyone, with a special shout out to Luke / Orly he said he was replying to Luke on matters concerning the 699th when things went south on him.

When I got there he was just finishing up with his speech therapist and waiting for lunch. Then after lunch he will see the speech therapist again and several hours of work with the physical therapist. He expects to be going home in a couple of weeks and the way he looks it could be even sooner IANAP.

We talked a bit about a train exhibit we were planning to attend when I came down with covid and Gregg got sick. As soon as he is up for it we will try again. I will probably stop in early next week and I will keep everyone informed.

[Gregg]

Rumors of my death are greatly over rated.


Thanks, your continued support means a lot to me.