While I know those who are not here are eager to know of Todd’s progress we are currently at a standstill, moving neither forward nor backward it would seem. Todd’s fever has remained our focus for the last few days, and continues today. They take the cultures, the cultures remain nonconclusive, the same can now be said of the spinal tap. He is strong and is struggling with his fever. So we wait until there is something to treat. It is so difficult to watch as he struggles with the fever, but this (we have been assured) is only one of many mountains that we must climb. Today included a cat scan and x-ray, and still we have nothing to go on. He will remain sedated through this evening, for the fever has caused him great distress over the last few days increasing the pressure around his brain ( which we try to avoid). While in some ways this is frustrating, there have been no additional negative developments to compound that which we are already working with. The fluid is increasing in his lungs but they have attributed that to the increase in his fluid intake and are monitoring it. So ready to move beyond this, but it is completely out of our hands.
I started this note a few hours ago, and now Todd is peaceful and is holding his own 38.5, a good number from the last few days. If you read Jim Mason’s note and bits we have gotten from our many sources the low grade fever is doing its work…. Mark Pauline (who has been with me at Todd’s bedside for the last few days while Amy runs around to secure things for us before they leave) said it best, “I can’t help but think that he is repairing himself in ways which we don’t know about”.
That is to say medically all the cultures have come back non conclusive.The doctors themselves are unable to trace the potential origin of the infection, as a premptive measure they put together a new antibiotic cocktail (2) for our dear Todd. That is to say medically all the cultures have come back non conclusive.
October 2, 2007 at 11:38 am
Alex,
I don’t know you, and I don’t know Todd. I came across the story about the unfortunate events that happened to him last week by mere chance.
I just wanted to drop you guys a few lines to wish you good luck, and may Todd have a speedy recovery.
Cooling thoughts,
Luca
October 2, 2007 at 11:57 am
In an attempt to be reassuring, I want to tell you our darling daughter came into this world with a life-threatening lung defect and we almost lost her. It was weeks in the hospital, several surgeries and much grief. And look at her now, just starting a new life in college. I can so relate to what you are going through, the ups and downs, promising twitches and disappointing prognosis. But the body is an amazing piece of work and it figures out a way to keep on going, especially when it feels the presence of loved ones. And don’t underestimate the power of touch. Todd is fighting his battle and you are his steed. Be patient, be loving, nature is taking it’s course and Todd’s fever is expelling the biles. He’s doing his thing and he will succeed. We all send our love and support to you, Todd and all those who are surrounding you.
October 2, 2007 at 11:58 am
Burn it out Todd, whatever it is. Fevers are curatives. We, like you in Amsterdam, know we have a lengthy wait. No rush, take it at your own rate, dude. Just progress–that’s what we all want for you. There are changes happening with you that we can’t see, indeed.
In the U.S.of A. the community is working hard. PayPal is piling up and checks are coming in –more help still needed. As said, this is a long process.
Todd, Trista is thinking of burning some Barbies and dragging them down the street behind her scooter. Are ya interested?
Love, Susie
October 2, 2007 at 12:26 pm
To all at Todd’s side:
The body does work in mysterious ways, but a persistent fever associated with Traumatic Brain Injury can also happen without infection. The term is Neurogenic Fever, and it can be because the region of the brain that controls body temp is damaged. The doctors there are very likely aware of this, (the Hospital is known for brain research) but if I can help with forwarding articles/scientific papers etc. then I am very willing to do that. Send to:
dsutton@rev-one.com
Hang in there, Doug
October 2, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Mi love to you Todd, and Alex . May God bless all this lovely people that are there supporting you and the ones that are taking care things at the distance.
Love to you all Jimena
October 2, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Thank you for updating even when the news is no news. Evolution did it’s thing and made us- made Todd- wonderful, brilliant, well-working self-healing machines. Heal well, Todd, you have 3.5 billion years working for, backing you up. And that’s no joke.
love, to you, Alex, Mark and Amy;
Meredith
October 2, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Thank you for the update (I check numerous times a day). Thinking cool and calming thoughts for you here in San Francisco where it is suddenly fall, crisp and clear. Stay strong and keep healing, our hearts are with you!
Kristi
October 2, 2007 at 1:40 pm
touch kiss hum breathe deep
heartbeat music reaches in
energy from here to there
###
October 2, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Alex….although I have never met Todd, I wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and am sending healing thoughts to Todd. From everything that I have read about him, he sounds like a wonderful person who makes you very happy and for this I am glad. Best wishes and recovery. Love…Wendy
October 2, 2007 at 1:59 pm
floating in that space “non conclusive” must be draining for you Alex, a sort of purgatory where cleansing and purifying occur. maybe today you could get out and breathe in some fresh air for you. ox B
October 2, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Inspiration is too small of a word for you, Todd… You’ll be up making things again soon! It sounds like you have an incredible support system. Go team Todd!!!
October 2, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Dear Todd and his Angels in Amsterdam.
I have never met you, but I know your mother, Annie, very well. She has always told me wonderful stories about you and your architectural genius. Thus, I feel I do know your wonderful spirit. I, too, am sending cool winds from the coastal waters off of California. May the rythymic waves of cooling, continue to bring down your fever, as your body heals.
October 2, 2007 at 2:58 pm
I just received in the mail, a care-package from my mom in Oklahoma. In it was a letter I’d written to Santa, when I was probably 5 or 6.
In the letter to Santa I asked him to make it colder than it had gotten thus far that year… because I wanted to go sledding and make snowmen, all winter long. I also bragged about liking cold of 10°F or colder, and noted that the 30°F cold we’d gotten thus far that year, wasn’t tuff-enuff for tuffie-chick me. Some things never change, I guess.
Here’s to making the same request to Santa, tho for Todd, and for an early Christmas in Amsterdam with Todd’s strength and healing continuing to progress as wildly as it thus far has.
Endless cold mountains of snow, snowballs pelted at Johnny Rogers from behind quiet trees, and stomach-onto-sled power-launches down steep and windy hills. Sled all you want, Todd- and come back soon, to tell us all about it.
October 2, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Todd
I know you can hear all these wonderful thoughts and prayers being read to you by your guardian angels. So rest quietly and let your body do its thing. It is an amazing organism. Take your time and gain strength from all the love being sent your way.
October 2, 2007 at 5:13 pm
As always, I am sending nothing but good thoughts your way and wishing for the very best for all of you there. Continue to take care of each other and yourselves. Your collective strength is is felt all the way back here and we’re sending it right back to you.
October 2, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Alex,
Thank you for being so strong, and patient, and brave, and loving, and a whole bunch of other adjectives I can’t think of right at the moment. If I were there I’d be telling Todd how lucky he was to have you so hurry up and get well so he can get back to his lovely lady….not to mention all the fantastic friends who are by his side whether at his bedside or half a world away. Thank all of you from the depth of my heart. Aunt Jane
October 2, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Alexandra & Todd –
Just a quick note to let you know that Todd’s in my thoughts and prayers. I have been sending – and will continue to send – both of you and all of your supporters lots of love, light, peace and healing.
Big hugs –
Terre
October 2, 2007 at 7:41 pm
This community has always amazed me, continues to do so and gives me hope and I thank the community for which Todd & Alex are a part of for that.
Todd, all the windows are open in my house and the cool evening fog is rolling in (I’m near the Richmond District). I just played a song for you. The windows are staying open all night, get comfortable.
Alex & Amy Thank You.
October 2, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Todd, I hope you are resting and healing and having beautiful dreams. Alex, I hope you are finding all of the strength, hope, and patience you need.
Love,
Jessica
October 2, 2007 at 8:50 pm
I’m a Lawrence, KS ex-pat living in SF. I don’t know Todd but I know what those two beautiful places have in common. Todd, do you remember the university steam-whistle blowing the change of classes? The campanile ringing in the evening? Thunderstorms and tornadoes bouncing all around and the smell of rain on a hot summer day as it hits concrete? I miss those things as the world misses you.
October 2, 2007 at 9:59 pm
I was listening to one of my all time favorite albums (Thunder and Consolation by New Model Army) and the first song reminded me of Todd, and his joie de vivre while making post apocalyptic machinery.
I Love the World
The roll of distant thunder breaks, the afternoon of silence wakes
They hurry through from Petergate as if they know this dance
In fury blind, I drive at night across the moors, the open roads
Beneath the freezing starry skies, racing in some trance
These cities are illusions of some triumph over Nature’s laws
We’ve seen the iron carcass rust and buildings topple into dust
And as the waters rise, it seems we cling to all the rootless things
The Christian lies, technology, while spirits scream and sing
Oh God I love the world
Well I never said I was a clever man but I know enough to understand
That the endless leaps and forward plans will someday have to cease
You blind yourselves with comfort lies like lightning never strikes you twice
And we laugh at your amazed surprise as the Ark begins to sink
This temple that is built so well to separate us from ourselves
Is a power grown beyond control, a will without a face
And watching from outside I wish that I could wash my hands of this
But we are locked together here, this bittersweet embrace
Oh God I love the world
And if one day the final fire explodes across the whitened sky
I know you’ve said you’d rather die and make it over fast
With courage from your bravest friends, waiting outside for the end
With no bitterness but an innocence that I can’t seem to grasp
I know somehow I will survive – this fury just to stay alive
So drunk with sickness, weak with pain, I can walk the hills one last time
Scarred and smiling, dying slow, I’ll scream to no one left at all
I told you so, I told you so, I told you so . .
Oh God I love the world
I love the world
I love the world
I love the world
And the world loves Todd right back.
October 2, 2007 at 10:04 pm
I know Todd only a little, but I wanted to add my voice to the chorus of support. Strength to all of you in this difficult time.
October 2, 2007 at 10:33 pm
The distance is great, but I am sending love and strength over the mountains, over the great waters and oceans to that funky, little city in the Netherlands. I am visualizing cells moving relentlessly throughout Todds body to repair tissues and reach symbiosis. At night in my dreams I look for Todd in his dreamworld so that I can give him a smile, a hug, maybe a stiff drink.
Alex, I don’t know you, but I send you warm, positive thoughts.
Todd, dream peacefully, heal steadily, and come back to us soon.
Agnes
October 2, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Just heard about this- oh my god. Todd has always been extra outgoing and friendly to me, I always enjoy seeing him and yakking about tech things, art and whatnot. I sincerely hope he has a speedy recovery if that’s in any way possible- sounds like all of you are the best possible support team he could have!
Hang in there Todd!
Ryon
October 3, 2007 at 2:09 am
I don’t know you guys, but I wish I did. Having had some similar medical experiences, I can tell you that resolution will come, and sometimes what seem like the darkest days will turn out to have been the best.The day my father was mis-diagnosed with terminal brain cancer turned out to be the day his life was saved. Life is funny that way. Hang tight, hang tough, Godspeed
October 3, 2007 at 4:36 am
Hai Alex
You don’t no me but i was “srl women” when the were touring in Europe 1992..?
Everyday moments of silents to support you both
If i can do something more than sending good vibrations your direction here in Amsterdam let me know.
Warm greetings Tecla
October 3, 2007 at 8:25 am
Sign in a store on College Ave, near CCA:
“Be the thermostat, not the thermometer. The thermometer measures temperature, the thermostat sets it”
I trust you, Todd.
XO – LPS
October 3, 2007 at 6:34 pm
my words here are the carrier wave for our love, healing energy, and constant thoughts.
Heal today, heal tomorrow, don’t give up, we’re all waiting for your return and your grin.
greg