Posted by
Rachel Cook on 9:37:44 1/5/2010 from 132.239.230.44:
In reply to: Giles Douglas seriously injured in Singapore posted by
Rachel Cook on 17:20:48 1/3/2010 from 68.101.159.153:
Main email update from Mike Perry who is traveling with Giles...
...Point being; there's some basic info. you need, to be on the same page as me.
-On the very first day I tried in vain to get U.S Embassy assistance for transport to Singapore...or anywhere. They refused.
I immediately called a mutual friend in the US who loves Giles and has PLENTY of dough. He was immediately standing by to provide medevac whenever.
Meanwhile I, and a West Oz couple he's been sailing with, in another boat, went about getting him some good emergency care and finally into a great hospital.
-Giles has now been in an excellent hospital for a couple of days, with European trained doctors and English speaking staff and state of the art eqpt.
He had been there before, for another issue, and it was HIS choice to go back. He is very happy with his doctors and his treatment.
-I spoke with him today and he was pretty good considering he was 11 hours on the table getting his elbow and hand re-built last night.
He's still very groggy from the surgery and VERY emotional from the event of his accident.
It is his request that no one call him yet as he hasn't the energy to speak or engage, (and a nurse has to hold the phone for him). I am complying completely with his wishes.
THE ONLY THING OF IMPORT NOW, IS WHAT DOES GILES WANT TO DO NEXT?
To correctly answer that we now have to wait while he recovers from the surgery and starts to take-in the options. This will take a week or two in my estimation.
Of course, if you ask Giles, right now, he wants to stay near Petrel. But he needs to come back to Earth and talk about all of his options in a clear and calm mental state and as I said, this is going to take a week or two, by my guess.
-There are MANY possibilities and his welfare and comfort are my priorities in presenting all of them and engaging him in analysis of the outcomes and eventualities of each. He is aware that I am willing and able to go to him at the least request, but he has asked me to stay here and I'm in regular contact with the Australian couple who are on the scene as well as with his medical team-several times a day, every day.
Petrel was taken to a safe harbour in Rebak and arrangements have been made to keep her there. We have mutual friends there as well and 2 Aussie friends have a 50' Cat parked there. Giles knows his boat is well placed and is happy about that too.
...The nastiest part is over. He's alive and in good hands.
He's had the scare of a lifetime and has had a lot of surgery in the past week.
(Around 24 hours worth, all up.) He needs to recover and grab a moment to think---THEN make plans.
We are all sweating on his future but as of today, it is far improved. I'd even say bright, but rehab will take some time. However, they are saying he'll make full recovery. When you get smashed like he did, that's amazing. We shall see. With his determination I believe that he will.
Where is the best place for him to be to do rehab and when?
It's entirely up to Giles. For now, he's where he wants to be.
For now-I'm offering 2 prayers:
1. THANKS to God for saving my friend! 2. Well being for his present and future.
Thanks for your email, all the best,
MP
Note: ...just spoken with Giles and he's about 2 hours post-op and pretty spaced, (of course), but also lucid and very tired.
He seems good. I am waiting for a call from his doctor as re: results of the op.
I will post these as they come to hand.
He was also talking about the bird flying outside his window and was telling me that the people and the hospital were: '...just unreal.'
