Motobob

[crashe]

Unfortunately I've just heard that the surgery has been delayed till Monday, which is frustrating to say the least.

He'd like to have visitors today, and during the weekend of course. AKL Hospital, ward 75, room 4. Go say hi, he'd love to see you.

Am heading up there today......


I think scorpygirl was popping in to see him last night... as she works at "Lollipop" at Starship Wednesday night's.

[shafty]

Hang in there Dude, when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and sounds like your attitude is primo, - well done so far, Merry Christmas

[crashe]

Popped up to See Paul today..... he is in good spirits.....
He chatted away about all sorts of things.....

His lunch arrived and I helped feed him baked beans and mashed spud with jelly pudding... Hospital food really doesn't improve at all.

He nurse arrived to turn him, so at that point I said bye......

So if anyone is free during the daytime... call in to see him.
As he tends to get most visitors in the evening.

As Keystone said visiting times:
11am to 1pm then 3pm til 8pm.
1pm to 3pm is usually rest time for the patients...

[SwanTiger]

So if anyone is free during the daytime... call in to see him. As he tends to get most visitors in the evening.

Cool, I am hoping to go in and see Paul sometime soon. I am just getting rid of the flu at the moment so it's probably not the best time to go

[_Gina_]

Had all the best intentions to pop in this week, however the work shite has interferred - SUX.

Will definitely pop in next week and I will be doing it (visiting, that is) during the day.....
See you then Paul....

Gg

[Keystone19]

Paul has headed into surgery. Please hold off on the visits till I can give the all clear next week.

Thanks.

[crashe]

Paul has headed into surgery. Please hold off on the visits till I can give the all clear next week.

Thanks.

Wow he was all ready for the operation to happen on Monday.......

Hope it all goes well for him.

Keystone, can you please keep us up to date.

[WRT]

Fantastic news, he was holding off eating lunch in the hope that it would happen when I saw him earlier on today, really stoked for him! Pass on our best wishes for a successful surgery and quick recovery Jill.

Ta,
Walt

[klingon]

Paul has headed into surgery. Please hold off on the visits till I can give the all clear next week.

Thanks.

Great news. Surgery is never fun, but the sooner he gets it over with the sooner he'll be on the mend. Thinking of Paul today.

[Alice]

Guttered for him / you,
I know someone who has been in a wheelchair for many years after a sporting accident.He rode around Lake Taupo in the Lake Taupo cycle challenge a few weeks ago.He enjoys getting out in his racing rig regularly to keep fit and active.You can get some real lightweight, high spec rigs these days.He has a new one arriving from the states any day now.

All the best with your rehab, keep smiling.(Easier said than done at times I know.)

[Keystone19]

Paul had surgery to stabilise his spine late on Friday afternoon. After some breathing problems in surgery he was venitlated and transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. After 24 hours in ICU he has now been transferred back to his ward. The surgery went well and now rehabilitation can begin. Paul should be up for visitors from Monday. At the moment the visits are keeping him positive - and he loves to talk about bikes and racing - so please come on up.

[yungatart]

That is good news, keystone.
Good luck to you both on that long road of rehab.
We are thinking of you guys.

[Nicksta]

good to hear.... i have no doubt i'll be picking his brain a lot about racing....

[crashe]

Keystone - Cheers for the update......
Glad to hear all went well.


Yep I agree, he does love to talk about bikes and racing.....
his face lights up when talking about them.


Will pop up again sometime next week..... during the daytime.

[Cleve]

Hey everyone. I am Paul and Jill's teammate and was there on the day with Paul when he had the big one. (In fact just behind him). We usually dice with each other on the track and on that day he was running hot. However his lap times were slower than previous ones when he crashed. So it wasn't that he was going too fast or beyond himself. It was just a racing crash, made worse by what Puke is like. The whole thing has been a big shock for me as Paul is not just a teammate but a bloody good friend. I haven't known him for that long but he is just one of those guys that you feel you have known for a long time and that he has been a mate since you were kids.
Paul was in a pretty rough way after the surgery (last time I saw him was in the ICU unit the day after). It sounds like it was a horrendous experience. Anyway I will be back to see him soon again and will be there to support him through all this and to whatever he wants to do afterwards.

The crash has caused a few rethinks about the racing and has also got me a bit mad about track safety in NZ. Some people say "well you can choose to not race there" but that is not the issue (and also for those young kids chasing sponsors just NOT an option).
The basic fact is that Puke is irresponsibly and unnecessarily dangerous. When you crash on a fast corner you should just slide. Maybe be a bit bruised but still able to get up and maybe even do the next race. You SHOULD NOT slam into a wall and then have your bike slam into you.

I don't want to give up racing. Doing it with Paul, Jill, Jonno, Shaun, Anthony, the late Bruce and the late Darryl etc have been brilliant experiences and I am addicted to the thrill of racing.
However falling off and hitting things that don't need to be there are not on. Street racing is a personal choice thing and nothing can be done about them, but circuit racing is a different beast and all of us should be pressuring for these things to change.
Cheers all for your support for Paul. He appreciates it.