The Recovery of John Wurm

Stem Cells at Work

2012-01-05T23:19:00.002-05:00

It has now been two weeks since John's first infusion of stem cells. Yesterday he had the second infusion of cells collected from the first harvest. We are already noticing some changes. His appetite and strength have both increased tremendously. His sleep patterns have also improved. He is mostly sleeping through the night and more alert during the day. We are watching and waiting for continued improvements as the cells are busy at work. There has not been much time for posting but I will try to update with any new changes. Keep the positive energy coming!

2011-12-22T05:52:00.001-05:00

After some glitches in scheduling, the day has arrived. Today the stem cells will be harvested, processed, then infused via IV. Stay tuned!

Stem Cells Tomorrow!

2011-12-13T23:50:00.004-05:00

It is the eve of the day we have been awaiting for so long! It will be a long day tomorrow, but a day well spent. As you go about your day, please keep John in your thoughts. We are so grateful to all of you for making this day possible. It is inspiring that so many people pulled together to make it happen and we will never forget that. We have faith that the stem cells will improve John's life, bringing positive results that will affect many more lives. Stay tuned for more good news!

Just Another Hurdle

2011-11-15T19:37:00.003-05:00

Last night John experienced another seizure. At first I wasn't too worried since it seemed much milder than the others. It ended up lasting longer than expected so 911 was alerted. The paremedics medicated him but he did not respond to the medication so the decision was made to transport him to St. Mary's Hospital. Once there, he was given a different medication and the seizure began to subside. He had scans and xrays and by then was stable enough that the doctor decided he would be okay to return home. Today he has been asleep the whole day, barely able to open his eyes. The seizure took all his energy and I'm hoping that tomorrow will be better and his appetite will return. Seeing someone you love getting loaded into an ambulance is never easy, last night was a very long night...
We continue to survive one day at a time. John's had many hurdles in the last few years, but he always finds his way past them. The fundraising is going well and we are getting so close to our goal! John will be following up with his neurologist and hopefully we can stay on track for the stem cells. Thanks for all the kind messages, please continue to cheer him on!

Lite-N-Up Reunion Concert

2011-11-05T03:16:00.008-04:00

Lite N Up performing at the benefit concert for John

The concert last night went really well! Great fun was had by all and the band performed to perfection. Still tallying up the proceeds, should have a total by Monday. We will be taking the coins from the Dimes for Daddy cans to the bank for counting. Thank you so much to everyone that made this night possible. It was a group effort by many friends of John's who made sure that everything went smoothly. We are so grateful to all of you for all your efforts. The Wurm family would like to express their thanks to the band members: John Smotherman, Bill Meredith, and Jonathan Grooms. Bill Underwood, (Publicist, MC & auctioneer), James at the Orange Door, Inspirit, Ginny Meredith, Lori Young, Kevin Kaufman-KDI, Janice Fontaine from the Palm Beach Post for her fine article and all the people who helped us get the word out in a short amount of time.

Those of you that missed the concert but would still like to help John, can donate here. Just scroll down to the bottom of this page and you will see a DONATE button.

Donations of any size are appreciated and will help us reach our goal. Thank you!

LITE-N-UP!

2011-11-03T21:55:00.002-04:00

DONATIONS

2011-10-31T14:32:00.002-04:00

If you would like to make a donation to help John, please scroll down to the bottom of this page and the DONATION button will direct you to Paypal.

This will bypass the 5% fee charged by the GoFundMe site. Every bit counts! Thank you so much for being a part of John's recovery.

Stir Your Soul!

2011-10-20T23:12:00.003-04:00

Join us for another "By Donation" Community healing event with special guest Elliott Merles, author of "The Street Prophet" and live music performed by Montrez on guitar and vocals. This uplifting evening will shift you energetically as we focus on healing ourselves, each other, and the planet through guided meditation and sound vibration. Henry Lepler will be playing crystal bowls during the meditation.

PLEASE come out and support our local authors,

musicians and the John Wurm Recovery Fund.

RSVP to Kim Hough 561-715-4573

Sugested Min. Donation for this event - $10 "The Street Prophet," Montrez Music CD's, & Kim's Guided Meditation CD's will be available for purchase at the event.

Wednesday, October 26 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Event will be held at the beautiful Duncan Center
15820 Military Trail (Just N. of Linton on the E. side of Military)
Delray Beach, FL

New way to Donate for John Online

2011-09-24T23:34:00.005-04:00

You can now donate towards John's treatment here. Thank you!

Stem Cells in December!!!

2011-09-14T23:33:00.000-04:00

We are hoping to get John started on stem cells treatment on December 1, 2011. In order for this to happen, we need to raise $15,000. by then. If you can help in any way it would be so appreciated! If you are able to set up any kind of fundraiser, big or small, please do. Every bit counts. John will also need to undergo more hyperbaric oxygen treatments and intensive physical therapy treatments during and after the stem cells so we will need to have continued fundraising activities.

A Light in the Tunnel

2011-09-09T01:49:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I met with Dr. Albert Rodriquez and Jim Vanden Bosch, Clinical Orthobiological Specialist. They are willing to work with us to get John the ADULT STEM CELLS treatment that we were seeking in China. We've been waiting for a long time to make this a possibility and now it finally feels so close. Please keep John in your prayers as we work towards making this happen for him.

2011-07-22T01:53:00.002-04:00

John has been seizure free for several months now and continues to be on oxygen full time. He has had quite a few setbacks since the seizures started but we are hoping to get him back on track. We are still hoping for stem cells treatment in the future but at the moment our lack of funding does not allow it. Everyone we know is going through tough financial times and the donations have really slowed down at this point. We are not giving up, we are still collecting dimes from anyone willing to donate. Keep us in mind if you win the lottery!!!!

No New Changes

2011-06-17T22:58:00.002-04:00

John is still very tired. He is not sleeping well during the night so he is sleeping more during the day. His blood pressure has been lower than usual most days and he is not very interested in therapy. We have been trying to get him up on his feet but he is not helping like he used to. This is discouraging but we won't give up!

Stroke breakthrough on the News!

2011-05-17T23:31:00.003-04:00

Stroke breakthrough stroke, breakthrough, walk - WPEC 12 West Palm Beach

John has an appointment to see this doctor on Monday, May 23. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Maybe this is what we have been waiting for and it's local!!!

Unexplained Seizure

2011-01-29T03:36:00.002-05:00

This week really had it's ups and downs. On Monday, John was standing up and bearing most of his own weight. I was mostly just helping him balance. By Wednesday afternoon he was having a seizure then being rushed to the hospital. The ambulance ride seemed like an eternity and I wasn't sure if he was going to make it. Once at the hospital they gave him something that pretty much knocked him out for the next 12 hours. As usual many tests were ordered. His neurologist reviewed everything and admitted that he felt stumped. He wanted to present John's case at a meeting with his colleagues on Friday to further review and discuss. I was very hopeful that this team of doctors would be able to put their heads together and provide some answers. After the meeting I was given the news that sometimes "we just don't have an answer" He said that they all agreed that what is going on in John's brain is unusual and impressive but they can't figure out why. I cannot accept this as a final answer!!! Someone, somewhere has to know what is happening. I will not give up until I find that someone, I'm not sure where to start looking. Right now I am trying to recuperate from sleep deprivation, stress. worry, and anxiety. I am open to ideas, suggestions, and recommendations. Prayers are always appreciated.

New Doctors for John

2010-12-30T23:34:00.003-05:00

Today John was seen by a new neurologist that came highly recommended to us. In an hour spent with this doctor he answered more questions than all the doctors had in the past 3 years. I felt that his wealth of knowledge was exactly what we needed. The news was not good. He confirmed that John has had ongoing stroke activity in his brain and more damage has occured. I am not sure why this was missed by other doctors. I've been trying so hard not to harbor any ill feelings towards any of them but I knew that the time had come to make drastic changes in John's care. We will no longer see any of his previous doctors as I feel that they were not offering the full commitment to his health that we expected of them. John will be undergoing more tests before we can determine a new plan of care but I continue to seek for him the best I can because he deserves that. We are counting on your continued support, prayers, and positive energy directed towards John's healing. It's been hard to maintain a positive attitude at times but I'm working on that and hoping that the new year will provide a more positive outlook for all of us.

Home for Christmas!

2010-12-24T21:07:00.005-05:00

Just a quick note to say that we are home. John was not officially discharged from the hospital. He was not scheduled for any more tests for the time being and we had not gotten any answers to the many questions. So we left, (AMA) because his primary doctor was unwilling to discharge him. One of the other doctors said that whatever was causing the problems (low BP, low pulse, low temp.) that had convinced me to take him to the ER seemed to have been resolved with time. All the tests that were run were fine and no medications were needed. John was hungry and wanted food! He was getting more depressed from being there. He has his color back and the kids have daddy back for Christmas. Sometimes we just have to do what feels right and that is what I have done today after very careful consideration. John is exactly where he is supposed to be. I am checking his vitals much more often than they were checked at the hospital and they are all thankfully, fine. Merry Christmas!

Another Hospital Visit

2010-12-22T22:49:00.003-05:00

John's blood pressure has been erratic for the last couple of days, mostly very low. Yesterday his heart rate also became very low and his appetite was gone. This morning he refused to eat again so it was time to visit the ER. We spent most of the day there and finally he was admitted for observation around 9pm. They have been running all kinds of tests on him and nothing has been determined yet. We are waiting on more tests but really hoping not to spend Christmas here!
Will update when I have more info.

2010-11-08T02:40:00.000-05:00

John has not been very interested in trying to stand for the last couple of weeks. When we try to get him up, he seems like he is having pain. Dr. Maharaj mentioned that the neupogen may cause some bone pain but I didn't think it would still be bothering him. We will keep trying...

Hyperbaric Oxygen Again

2010-10-19T23:48:00.001-04:00

We have resumed our weekly visits for HBOT at Oxygen Rescue Care Centers of America . Two weeks now, and we are already seeing some changes in John. His reaction time is quicker when spoken to and his visual focus appears to have increased as well. We love Crallé Physical Therapy! Everyone there is always pulling for John and giving us new hope for his recovery. We are using the parallel bars to try and get him on his feet again. He seems to be weaker in his legs and not supporting his weight as well as he was before but we will keep trying.

2010-09-11T08:48:00.002-04:00

John remains somewhat subdued. He is still working with a speech therapist and is trying so hard to find his voice. I plead with all of you to continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers because slowly, but surely they are being answered! I continue to try and surround John with as much positive energy as I can. The seizures have caused him some setbacks but we are trying to overcome them.

Summer Heat!

2010-08-01T23:35:00.003-04:00

The summer heat is keeping us mostly indoors lately. I am still transporting John in our minivan but only as needed. I know this is not the safest method of transportation for him. We are still searching for an affordable vehicle with wheelchair access. Please keep your eyes out for anything you think might work. For now, going out involves walks around the block in the evening when it's cool enough but before the mosquitos start biting!

Stroke Rehabilitation And Music Therapy

2010-07-11T16:19:00.001-04:00

This makes so much sense!

Stroke Rehabilitation And Music Therapy

2010-06-30T21:29:00.002-04:00

Today John experienced another seizure like the one on last Thursday. Paramedics were ready to take him to JFK hospital but I don't think I could have dealt with that. Too many bad memories there and it's still hard to even drive by that place. I was able to speak to his doctor before they got him on the gurney. Dr. Byrnes felt that since the seizure was over and all his vitals were normal there was no need to go back to the hospital. That was a relief, since I knew it would just mean days of more tests and no answers. I'm strarting to worry that the neupogen injections that were supposed to increase his white blood cells did more harm than good. He never had seizures before that treatment....

John is in the Hospital

2010-06-25T23:02:00.002-04:00

John experienced a seizure early yesterday morning. I took him to the ER where they started running a series of tests, scans, x-rays, etc. I was told that he appeared to have pneumonia or some type of infection. A CAT scan showed he has a subdural hematoma. The neurologist says this look like a new bleed. I was told that it may have caused the seizure or the seizure may have caused it? His blood pressure was extremely low and it took most of the day to get it up to normal. He was admitted for observation but will be staying until at least Saturday.

Today they confirmed that he does NOT have pneumonia. They have not found any infection. Some blood test results are a bit out of wack but they are waiting for others to be completed. Will try to get some rest tonight and update when I can. Thanks for all the positive energy from everyone.

2010-06-10T03:13:00.002-04:00

Lately John is only staying awake long enough to eat. His appetite is way down and he doesn't seem very interested in food or anything else. I'm trying to find ways to keep him alert but he only wants to sleep.

Still waiting....

2010-06-02T21:47:00.002-04:00

John just seems to want to sleep ALL the time. He is awake and alert for small periods during the day but does not seem comfortable. I am hoping this is all part of his healing. We are all hopeful that the stem cells are doing their work and this is what is making him so tired. It would just be nice if he stayed awake a little longer. When he is alert, he looks upset and like he wants to say something. I wish I could read his mind....

2010-05-07T03:16:00.002-04:00

John still appears to be in "shut down" mode for the most part, but in the last week he has had some moments of being alert. He appears to be trying to vocalize more during these periods but it is still difficult to understand what he is trying to say. This makes it very frustrating for him. He seems very intent on communicating and I'm certain that eventually these sounds will become more understandable. He is still having a lot of weakness when trying to stand.

2010-05-05T23:16:00.001-04:00

Please try to stay awake John!

Phase 1 of Treatment

2010-04-30T07:56:00.001-04:00

So many of you have called or written to ask about John’s treatment. These past two weeks have been very busy and I haven’t had time to respond individually so I’m hoping to answer some of your questions here. The treatment that John is undergoing is not a stem cell transplant. It is part of an experimental procedure, which is known to stimulate stem cells and increase the population of circulating stem cells within the body. There have been cases in which this increase of stem cells have led to increased healing and some restored functions in patients undergoing the treatment. The treatment normally lasts 6 weeks and medication is administered in 3 phases. John has only received the first phase of the treatment. Some patients have seen changes as early as 5-6 weeks into the treatment. At this time, John is not going to continue phase 2 and 3 due to lack of funding. We are hoping to see some positive changes resulting from Phase 1. We are also hoping to raise the needed funds to continue treatment. This is the first time a patient has undergone just Phase 1 so we are unsure how much change/improvement to expect. The treatment has mostly made him very tired and he is sleeping much more than usual. I like to think of it as a “closed for remodeling” mode. This could also be a result of the long, tiring days. (We are all experiencing that.) Yesterday he seemed a bit more alert than he has in the last two weeks and we are monitoring closely for any change. We are heading down to Boynton again today for the last series of blood tests. Please keep the positive energy flowing and I will continue to update with any changes we see!

Cinco de Mayo Lunch

2010-04-27T22:15:00.000-04:00

Go Stem Cells!

2010-04-25T14:47:00.002-04:00

We are home now after finishing up the first week of stem cell therapy. Today John received the last two of 14 injections, over 7 days. A very long week, glad it's behind us. We go back tomorrow, Wednesday, and Friday for follow-up blood work. Next week should be somewhat easier. Now it's time for the stem cells to start getting busy! Go stem cells, GO!!!!!

2010-04-24T12:10:00.001-04:00

We are at the Stem Cell Institute waiting for results from this morning's blood draw. If all is well, John will be getting 2 more injections and then back tomorrow morning for more blood tests and the last 2 doses of medications.

Stem Cell Therapy!

2010-04-19T23:48:00.003-04:00

Day 1- Today we headed down to West Boynton Beach to start John's therapy. After we arrived and got settled into the hospital type room, John had blood drawn to determine dosage of the medication. The doctor came in to examine John. Then he interviewed us while being videotaped. We agreed to have this done because I found that watching videos taken of other patients who had undergone similar treatment was very helpful in our decision-making. I understand that the treatment is experimental and we are all learning from this. I plan to document everything I can through pictures and video. John is the first patient here receiving the treatment for his specific condition. The medication used is expected to stimulate his own stem cells within his body. He is being closely monitored through blood work. We waited for the blood test results and then it was time to get the medication. He tolerated the injections well and did not appear uncomfortable. I think the worst part was being in a hospital type setting, which for me brought back too many painful memories. I imagine John was remembering too. Tomorrow we are going to do things a little differently. We will only stay in the room while it is necessary and during the "waiting" part we will go out for a long walk. The entire staff at the transplant institute treated us with so much kindness and respect and that made for an easier day. Still, it was a long day and we didn't get home until after 6pm so it's time for sleep now.

Energy For John

2010-04-14T21:03:00.002-04:00

Benefit Lunch for April

2010-04-08T01:44:00.002-04:00

On April 14th, a benefit lunch will be hosted by Ellie's Catering and John's Kravis family. This will take place in the Persson Dance Rehearsal Hall @ the Kravis Center. 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL. The cost is $10 per person. For more information, please click here or call Diane @ 651- 4317. You can also email her at Carlton@kravis.org

All proceeds from this event will go towards John's Recovery Fund. With help from all of you we have been able to raise enough funds to begin stem cell treatment for 2 weeks. Thank you so much!

Stem Cell Treatment gets Closer!

2010-03-18T23:52:00.001-04:00

We have scheduled a starting date for John to begin his stem cell treatment! April 19th, 2010.
There are still some tests we need to get done but I feel that things are finally falling into place. This will only be a partial treatment but I'm hopeful that we can raise funds to continue the full treatment. Today John had a visit with a new neurologist and it went very well. He will be following John's progress throughout the treatment.

New Hope for John

2010-03-03T23:08:00.004-05:00

Today John and I met with a doctor located in Boynton Beach. Dr. Dipnarine Maharaj has been working with stem cells for many years and has been able to get many cancer patients into remission. In working with stem cells he has developed a way to "stimulate" the cells and increase the work they do naturally in the body. We spent a couple of hours discussing how this treatment could help in John's recovery. There are still some tests that need to be run but we have an appointment for next week to start those. The treatment normally lasts for six weeks and is done in three increments. We still don't have the funds to cover the entire treatment but Dr. Maharaj has agreed to try the first round which will last 2 weeks. I will keep everyone posted on when the actual treatment will begin. We can see how John tolerates it and how his stem cells will react. We are very excited about going forward with this. As some of you know, I've had great apprehension about John and I leaving the country for treatment. I can't imagine being on the other side of the world without the kids. I've prayed for an alternative solution and I'm hoping this is it. John was included in all the discussion and when I asked him how he felt about being treated he gave us a thumbs up!

Please keep us in your thoughts and throw some positive energy our way.

2009-12-30T23:02:00.000-05:00

We are trying to get John up on his feet as often as possible. Weight bearing is stengthening his legs and he is able to tolerate it better now. We can feel a big difference now in the effort it takes and he is able to stand for several minutes at a time with support.
Go John!

Dimes Add Up!

2009-12-23T22:54:00.004-05:00

Micaela is still collecting dimes for her daddy and as of today has collected almost $700. That's a lot of dimes! Yesterday our good friends. the Lippels, brought over a jug full of dimes all the way from North Carolina. That really helped bring up the total and motivated Mica even more. Thanks everyone for saving up your dimes. Remember, if you need a container for your workplace or home, we have plenty. We can also email you a label jpg if you want to print one for your own container. Leave a comment here or call us @ 561-649-2916

2009-12-02T23:16:00.000-05:00

John continues to become more vocal! Please keep him in your prayers. He needs all the encouragement he can get. His frustration is obvious when he is trying with everything he's got to get out a word. Sometimes it is spontaneous and clear and other times barely audible but the effort is always there.

3 Little Words with a great BIG meaning

2009-11-25T23:50:00.001-05:00

This afternoon around 4:00 I was talking to John and I told him I loved him. Something in his eyes looked a little different so I said it again, and then a third time. He was looking straight at me and then he said it back! Perfectly. No mistaking it for something else. I tried to remain calm although my heart was pounding and I called the kids over and told them. They were very excited and gave dad lots of kisses and hugs. I asked him if he would say it again. He tried and tried, and was finally able to get one word out. "LOVE". We all witnessed how hard he worked to get that out and it was enough for us. We could feel it and that was enough.

Gratitude

2009-11-24T23:41:00.005-05:00

We are so thankful to have people in our lives who are so giving of themselves and who genuinely care. Here is Ray Cralle, along with Aneta working today with John to help him get stronger and able to stand on his own. Notice how well he is using his left arm for support! Unlike many of "the other medical professionals", the staff here has always believed in John and in their ability to help him achieve his goals. The work they do weekly has greatly contributed to John's rehabilitation and continues to do so. Ray Cralle does not give up on people and has been working to rehab some of our brain-injured vets as they come home from war. His non-profit organization known as HopeSprings also generously provides help for children who have encountered brain injuries from near drowning and other accidents. Therapy here combines hands on treatment in conjunction with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to achieve the best results.

Please help us show our gratitude by making a tax-deductible contribution to HopeSprings in John's name. It only takes a minute to do but can make a huge impact in the lives of many families. Thank you!

http://www.hopespringsinc.org/

More Dimes for Daddy

2009-10-29T23:19:00.005-04:00

Mica is still busy working on her "Dimes For Daddy" fund. To date she and her brothers have collected a little over $500 towards John's recovery fund.

The kids are still making containers and trying to get them

out to as many people as they can.

If you are interested in taking one to your home or workplace please

Hard Work and Determination

2009-09-08T22:25:00.003-04:00

John was working on standing unassisted today during therapy with Ray Cralle in Delray. His left knee is being supported with just a gentle push. Other than that, it's all him! This takes a tremendous amount of concentration and work on his part. He probably feels like he just finished a marathon so he is extremely tired afterwards.

Hot August Night

2009-08-22T10:19:00.006-04:00

Thanks to everyone that came out to the concert last night. It was wonderful to see so many friends out to support John and his recovery. Because of all of you we are getting closer to our goal of helping him get better!

A JOHN WURM Benefit Concert

2009-07-28T12:04:00.007-04:00

Please join us at this concert next month!

It will get John closer to getting the stem cells treatment.

Thanks to all of you!

Visit The Kravis Center website for more information and to order your tickets.

Dimes for Daddy

2009-07-07T22:11:00.005-04:00

Today I met David Aldrich in Delray while John was getting Oxygen therapy. It was very inspiring to speak to him and to see in person what stem cells can do! I am even more determined to see this happen for John. On the way home from HBOT, Mica was reading David's story and said "We HAVE to take daddy for stem cells. I explained that we had to raise a lot of money in order to do that and she said she wanted to help. She came up with a plan and

"Dimes for Daddy" was born. She is going to ask everyone she can to donate dimes for John's stem cells transplant. She has been working hard on this endeavor along with her brothers. I am really proud of them. They are realizing that they can make a difference!

Not in the USA

2009-06-10T02:48:00.001-04:00

Stem cells are helping people from all over the world. We have so much in this country but we can't get stem cells here. Not right now anyways. If you want stem cells you will have to go elsewhere. I've been staying awake late every night searching the internet for information on stem cell research and success stories. I am more convinced than ever that this is the path to follow. I've talked to John about it and get the feeling that he is receptive to it. He listens intently while I explain the simple procedure and what it could mean for him. I know that this will help him. There is no chance for rejection of the stem cells since they will come from his own blood. It saddens me to think that our country is lagging behind so many others that have been using this treatments for many years with great success. I understand the need for safety and long term study of non mainstream treatments. What I don't understand is why we let pride get in the way of advanced healthcare. So what if someone else figured it out before us. Can't we learn together? Teams of doctors from different countries have worked together in the past. I'm pretty sure it all comes down to $$$$. That has always gotten in the way. It seems to me that if it wasn't for money and competition, this world would have seen a cure for cancer and many other diseases by now. It's late and I should step off the soapbox and into bed for now.

Standing Tall

2009-05-15T23:59:00.000-04:00

I have finally been able to find a standing harness that works for John. Now he is able to get up on his feet a few times a week. It is so inspiring to see him standing up. I'm hoping that as his legs become stronger, he will feel confident enough to take some steps. His left leg is not quite ready to cooperate yet. Right now we are just working on being upright for 5-10 minutes at a time. It also makes it a lot easier to get some good hugs in and the kids are loving that!

Adult Stem Cell Research

2009-04-21T02:34:00.004-04:00

There has been much controversy in the media lately involving stem cell research. Many religious groups are fighting against it because of the involvement of embryonic stem cells. I've been doing my own research online and have found that there is an overwhelming lack of evidence that embryonic stem cell use is really helping. There have been problems with cancerous tumors and an inability to control these cells once they start to rapidly multiply. I have never even considered this as something that would benefit John.

Then I started reading about the Adult Repair Stem Cells (RSC). It is fascinating to learn about the great success stories coming from the use of RSC. They are being used to treat an assortment of illnesses around the world with continued success. Yesterday I came across an article specifically regarding the use of RSC for stroke patients. It covered a study conducted in India on several stroke patients. Here is a story about a patient in Germany who was successfully treated. It will be years before this type of treatment will be offered in the U.S. Americans are undergoing treatment by traveling to other countries to receive the stem cells produced by their own bodies. This is what I am considering for John. We can't wait for the 8-10 years it will take for the U.S. to get on board. Adult Stem Cells are improving lives right now!!!!

Joy

2009-04-11T22:56:00.001-04:00

We have a new family member and she and John have become very close friends. Joy loves to snuggle up on his lap and he really seems to enjoy her company too. She is a natural " therapy dog" and is a constant companion.

Green Cay Wetlands

2009-02-23T14:38:00.007-05:00

Here is John enjoying the sunset last week at Green Cay Wetlands. He was really looking so much more like he used to here and I feel lucky to have gotten this picture. He always seems happier and more peacful when he is outside enjoying nature. We were able to see a big variety of birds here, especially at this time of year. John's view from his chair did not allow him to see most of them but he seemed to enjoy the fresh air and peaceful atmosphere.

This is an example of John's view from the wheelchair:

Happy Birthday, John

2009-02-05T00:23:00.003-05:00

We had a quiet, family birthday celebration with peanut butter cookies (one of John's favorites). John is working really hard on communicating and is able to make a few hand signs now. He continues to try and speak but it is still hard to understand him so it's great to have another way to communicate.

Inauguration Day

2009-01-20T23:14:00.002-05:00

We found this sign today on the way to Hyperbaric therapy.

Someone thought the name of this street should be changed.

I wonder if anyone got lost.....?

Delray Beach

Juno Beach Pier

2009-01-04T20:43:00.003-05:00

John got a chance to get a little fishing in today at one of his favorite spots.

Christmas

2008-12-25T23:26:00.003-05:00

Our friend Jim brought us a delicious Christmas dinner

and had a nice visit with John.

Thanks so much Jim!

Hope Springs

2008-11-20T02:50:00.006-05:00

Hope Springs Inc. is a non-profit organization that supports people with special needs. They are currently making it possible for John to continue weekly hyperbaric oxygen treatments and physical therapy with Cralle Physical Therapy. We are working on ways to raise funds for Hope Springs since they depend on charitable contributions. Our dear friend, Amanda Lamb, is currently holding a fundraiser through Pampered Chef. You can help Hope Springs Inc. and John by clicking here. If you would like to make a contribution directly to Hope Springs Inc., click here. If you put John's name in the note section the funds will be earmarked for his therapy. Thank you.

Family Time

2008-11-08T22:41:00.004-05:00

A visit from Beth and John's mom, Elaine.

Rock the Vote

2008-11-04T23:44:00.006-05:00

Boo at the Zoo

2008-10-28T23:30:00.009-04:00

Today we went for an early Halloween celebration at the Palm Beach Zoo. The kids got to trick or treat and check out the animals all at once. There was a great cool breeze and John seemed to enjoy the fresh air of fall.

John Chillin'

2008-10-11T21:41:00.008-04:00

Here is John enjoying a cold drink by the pool. He still enjoys being in the sun as much as ever. Michelle's boyfriend, Gene installed wheels on this chair to make it easier for John to enjoy times like these with his family. We are so grateful, thanks Gene!!!!

Speaking of Michelle, no matter how hard she works John, he can't help but

love her and she is one of the few people that can get a smile out of him.

A Visit from Jim and Beth Wurm

2008-08-31T23:55:00.001-04:00

Jim and Beth came by for a visit from South Carolina this weekend. John was happy to see them. I'm not sure what Jim said to John but he was able to get a smile out of him! I think he enjoys spending time with his brother so hopefully they will be back soon.

~~~14 Years!

2008-08-20T08:46:00.006-04:00

That's how long I've been married to this remarkable man.

Happy Anniversary, John!August 1994

More photos I found...

2008-08-01T01:12:00.003-04:00

The Sun, the Beach, John....

2008-07-28T02:37:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I was going through some boxes that had been stored for a long time. I came across some old photos including the one above. This is one of the first pictures I ever took of John. We had just started dating and he had picked me up for a picnic on the beach. That's when I realized what a hard core sun worshiper this man is. I had to sneak up on him to get the picture. If you know John, you know he is not the type to pose for a picture. He looks so relaxed and happy here. On the beach, with the warm sun on his face. Every time I look at this picture I think I fall in love a little more!
I've got to find a way to get him to the beach again. He needs to feel the sun on his face without the humidity or the mosquitoes. He needs to be near the water with a fishing pole in his hand!
I also found some old video tapes of John on stage with two different bands. He really seemed to enjoy watching them. I asked him if he remembered playing and he nodded. He also seemed to be playing air guitar and bass appropriately but when I put an acoustic guitar on his lap he didn't seem too interested. I think he wants the electric guitar with his amp....
Here is a short clip of a solo:

Michelle Vermuellen

2008-07-27T01:26:00.000-04:00

Michelle came into our lives last summer when our insurance company sent her for home visits. John was not as strong as he is now and she started off by doing range of motion exercises and stretching /massaging him. They hit it off right away; they are both from Wisconsin and both musicians. (Michelle's a drummer) She wasn't willing to let him sit around doing nothing and he eventually gave in to her persistence. After just a couple of visits it was obvious they were a good match. When the insurance company notified her office that John's insurance had been cancelled and the visits were to cease, that didn't stop her. She knew that John needed her and to her it was never just about a paycheck. She is one of the most compassionate people I have ever known. Almost a year later she is still coming to see John every week, twice. She brings out the best in him and is one of the few people that has made him crack a smile. With her help, John continues to get stronger. She is such a positive influence on all of us and is like a member of our family now. We are so very grateful for everthing she does. Thanks Michelle!

We love you!

Lunch for John

2008-07-24T02:55:00.000-04:00

Today there was a benefit lunch held at the Kravis Center for John sponsered by Ellie's 50's Diner. We were asked to take John since there are so many people there who wanted to see him. I think he was a bit overwhelmed since it has been over a year since he was in the building. He had been very alert prior to arriving but when we got inside he immediately tuned out and was not very responsive. We received a very warm welcome from everyone and there were times when he kept his eyes open and really focused in on the person who was speaking to him. I wonder how it feels for him being there. Even for me, it was very emotional. I can still picture him walking around there, knowing every face and every inch of that building. I know he has never really liked being the center of attention but the fact that he didn't keep his eyes closed the entire time makes me think he wanted to be there. The Kravis was a huge part of his life for so many years. Being there might trigger some new things for him. He just needs to take it all in slowly. I know that hearing all the familiar voices is good for him. I wish it was easier to get him out more often to be around people that he knows. There is another lunch in the works for next month. I wasn't really sure what to expect today, I wish I had brought the camera along to get pictures of everyone. John's friend, Rick Gonzalez took the kids to all the places in the building where John used to let them explore and they talked about it the rest of the day. I think it did them a lot of good as well to get back to the Kravis Center. John was very tired when he arrived home. He took a nap, ate some leftovers from the lunch, and finally had a good night's sleep last night.

2008-07-11T03:09:00.001-04:00

Outside of Ellie's 50's Diner after lunch

John Wurm

2008-06-15T07:27:00.000-04:00

I know there are so many friends out there pulling for John.

He's got friends all over the world who love him and hopefully this

blog will help bring everyone a little closer as we all cheer him on

during his recovery.

2008-06-13T23:40:00.002-04:00

This blog is about John Wurm and his recovery from a hemorrhagic stroke (aka intracranial hemorrhage, brain bleed) which occurred on March 1, 2007.

2007-03-26T23:43:00.002-04:00

These are the three little faces that looked up at me as I tried to figure out a way to explain things. How was I supposed to tell them that the doctors held so little hope for their daddy? How was I supposed to prepare them for the possibility that he could still die? I did the best that I could and they hugged me and we cried together.