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I just got off the phone w/ Mike's (chihiggs) roommate... Mike was in a terrible, terrible accident last Sunday. He is in the hospital and finally breathing on his own again. They just took him off the respirator. He is still in ICU though. He has a broken collar bone, shoulder, every rib on his left side, his pelvis, a punctured lung, ruptured spleen... there's more, but thats a fair idea of his injuries. No one knows what happened yet... the police found him unconcious and not breathing along side the road. He had crashed his motorcycle, but there were no skid marks, no other vehicles around, or anything in the road. He hasn't been able to talk yet, but they are hoping he will be able to soon. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. I will keep posting as I hear more.

Jaimie,

Did you ever find out if Mike has family here local? What's the latest news about how he's doing?

Oooops. I just checked these posts again.

Sorry JAIMI

I appreciate the efforts of HAZ members for chihiggs. Any shooting stars I observe on a hike will be for chilhiggs speedy recovery and return to the trail and I will include him in my prayers. Please post what assistance you plan on his behalf.

Man, poor Higgs! I hope he has enough sense to lay still and recover!
But a practical question: I don't know Mike or his living situation, but does anyone know if he has a cat locked in his apartment that is getting hungry, or anything like that? I'll bet he'd appreciate someone looking in on his pets, if any.

Mike has a dog named Toby, but he also has a roommate and a girlfriend that is looking after her.

Wow,
Sorry to hear about Chihiggs. Just got back from the GC with GTG and Zenphx (more on that later and elsewhere) late last night and am catching up on news. What I can add from my background (Trauma ICU) and Jaimi's description, is that Chihiggs won't be going home any time soon. He will have a rehab stop as well before home. The idea of organizing a help effort is a great one as Mike will need support on many levels when he gets out. I would suggest however, that if we can somehow contact family, we can find out the area of greatest need. It may or may not be monetary. I hate to be a wet blanket here, but if Mike does'nt have insurance, he may lose everything anyway, regardless of how much we donate. He may be better off going broke and qualifying for AHCCCS (State funded health care), In this case, he and his family may benefit more from other efforts we can offer such as getting him around to a multitude of appointments, follow up visits, meals as previously suggested, etc. Everybody's situation is different. That's why I suggest pinpointing his most pressing needs first.
I have'nt met Mike but was just talking with GTG about him while on our Thunder River backpack. Apparently they just met on a training hike for our trip. My best wishes go out to him.

Good idea Mike.

I would like to help in anyway I can. If anyone is collecting a list of names to give to the family, please put me on it.

Can we send cards, or anything else, anywhere?

I called his roommate last night, but only got the message machine and haven't gotten a call back as of yet. I also called the hospital this morning, but couldn't get any info as I'm not a family member. I'm doing the best I can to try to get everyone's questions answered as quickly as possible w/o overwhelming Mike's friends and family. Keep the comments and suggestions coming, and don't get me wrong... I'm more than happy to get the info and answers, it just isn't that easy!! So, please be patient w/ me!!

Understood! Being in the business, I know we are very low on the pecking order here, and frankly there are more important issues at hand right now for chihiggs. We appreciate your efforts Jaimi, hang in there. I'm sure we can all be patient until the time comes for us to pitch in.[/b]

OKAY... I wasn't satisfied sitting around waiting, so I made some calls to some old friends (since I used to work at this hospital) and this is what I found out.

GOOD NEWS!! Mike was moved over the w/e out of ICU. He is in stable, but still serious, condition. Anyone wanting to send cards can do so...

Michael Higgins, Room #624
c/o Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn
7400 East Osborn
Scottsdale, Az 85251

As I hear more, I will pass it on.

jmzblond wrote:OKAY... I wasn't satisfied sitting around waiting, so I made some calls to some old friends (since I used to work at this hospital) and this is what I found out.

GOOD NEWS!! Mike was moved over the w/e out of ICU. He is in stable, but still serious, condition. Anyone wanting to send cards can do so...

Michael Higgins, Room #624
c/o Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn
7400 East Osborn
Scottsdale, Az 85251

As I hear more, I will pass it on.

You're pretty special Jaimi. Thanks for the update.

Thanks for all your info Jamie. It's reassuring to know he's out of ICU. Please feel free to PM me on anything I can do to help you organize anything. Everyone here has had such wonderful ideas. Having been in a long recovery process myself I don't think people understand how truly appreciated their gestures are, no matter how small they may seem.

You guys are pretty impressive. Especially you, Jaimi.

Thank you everyone for all your kind words and compliments. Under any other circumstance, I would love to talk about me!! And when Mike is out hiking again w/ us, we'll do that (oh man... I sure hope you all know how funny I think I am right now!! )

But... let's talk about MIke (chihiggs). He is an ASU student studying to be a science teacher. He's great around kids, as my boys thoroughly enjoyed his company on our Haunted Canyon hike. He truly loves the outdoors. He hikes, mountain bikes, camps, and (unfortunately) rides motorcycles. Someday, he hopes to marry a belly dancer ( did I mention he's a funny guy!! ) And I don't feel like I'm doing anything that he wouldn't do for someone in the same situation.

Now, back to the business at hand. It sounds like most everyone is in agreement on the meals idea. I will get that organized w/ Mike's family and friends when I know of his release date from the hospital which won't be for a while. As far as the monetary aspect or donations, what are everyone's thoughts on that?? Bank trust account? Patient bill account at the hospital?? Or nothing monetary, just gestures like the meals, errands, etc?? I know my boys have volunteered to walk Toby, his dog!!
: : :

So glad to hear ChiHiggs is out of ICU.I have a friend in skilled nursing there.I will call her and have her check on him.Anyone who has done any hospital time is aware that any kind gestures go a long way. Thanks for the info.Thoughts and prayers are with him.Lets keep those cards and wishes going!

jmzblond wrote:He hikes, mountain bikes, camps, and (unfortunately) rides motorcycles. Someday, he hopes to marry a belly dancer ( did I mention he's a funny guy!! )

That's not funny, it's good thinking! I married a belly dancer, and wow!

You are too funny Jamie!!

On a more serious note, I think we should find out what Mike may be in need of the most. I am thinking a Bank Trust Account would be good, but his family will know best.

Wow, I don't know how I missed this but what shocking news. What a horrible accident. Someone must have been looking out for him. PLEASE count me in on the dinner thing, ok? And let me know anything else I can do to help. I'll get a card off in the a.m. and super thanks Jamie for keeping us informed.

Kelly

I haven't responded to this one yet because I have been pondering what I could do to help. I came to the conclusion that I can't do a whole lot. I hope that I can be included in the meal thing if that becomes a reality.

I hate situations like these. It sucks that it has to happen to someone we know - but stuff like this happens to people we don't know all the time, and you can only hope they have the support of family and friends the way Chiggs does. He's lucky/blessed.

Mostly I hate situations like these because I feel so darned helpless to do anything about it. I want to be an E.T. type character and just wave a magic want and heal the person; I want to do something unique and really truly helpful, but the best thing is just to join in with the best efforts of others and hope my small effort makes a difference.

Well... GOOD NEWS!! Mike had shoulder surgery today, and grapevine has it that he might go home tomorrow!! So far, it sounds like his dad is planning on taking care of him. Also sounds like some good, home-cooked meals are in order!!

Everyone that seriously wants to cook a meal, please pm me or email me at jmzblond@yahoo.com. Let me know what you would like to prepare and what day/time is best for you. I will find out exactly where he's going to be, what he can and can't eat, and when is best to start. But lets all pull together and get this organized.

P.S. Sorry if this is kinda last minute. I've been in bed for the last two days w/ a cold and just finally rejoined the land of the living today.