URGENT- Don Souden Has Had A Stroke

[belinda]

Thanks for the update Bunny. You can tell him I am still working on my article actually it's turned into a series of them now lol

I'll be sending some warm sunny Christmas wishes his way too

So sad for Paul Begg too. Life just isn't fair

[Archaic]

EVERYBODY Is Welcome To Write To Don

Hi everybody.

Thanks for the plea for cards & letters, Dave. Don most definitely remembers who everyone is! (I still laugh over him casually correcting my mispronunciation of "Cogidubnus")

Poor Don is terribly lonely and bored in that facility. As you can imagine, the average patient in there is not up to discussing the finer points of Ripperology. or the latest book they have read.
Don always asks me to thank everyone who has written. He also always tells me to make sure I say that he intends to email his thanks personally as soon as he is able.

It won't make any difference to him if your card arrives after Christmas- it can be New Year's wishes! He's told me it makes him feel good to know he "isn't forgotten".

And as Dave suggest, Don would love it if new members or people who don't participate on the boards but have perhaps read one of his articles (or just wish to be kind and say hello) were to write to him. If anybody has a comment on one of Don's articles or has read his novel (The Same...Only Different, available on Amazon) he would be most happy to hear your impressions.

If you have an idea for an article you want to write someday, Don is already plotting his next magazine.

His mind is quite sharp and his memory is great. His body is still weak but improving; he seems to be most concerned about getting his eyesight corrected so he can use his computer again.

So don't worry about "not using big words" or anything like that; he can certainly handle them! Just please write or type very clearly and in large font if possible, as again, the stroke affected his vision. But he's been working at reading the newspaper & magazines, so his eyesight does seem to be improving.

Don called me last night and said he received the Conference packet from Adam, and is very pleased to be a delegate. He asked me to write to Adam and thank him, which I'll do in a moment. Don also wanted to know if I received my delegate confirmation, because he is so determined he's going to the next conference and so am I!

He offered again to "treat" me to the London trip. I was out in the dark stomping around in a frozen horse paddock when he called. (Low of 8 degrees F, -13.33C!) So I told him that sounds great, but my horses want window seats on the plane too!

Thanks and take care everybody,
Archaic

PS: I hope people will write to my friend Paul Begg too. It looks like Paul will still be in hospital through Christmas. Paul and Don have done so much for Ripperology; we owe them both our sincerest thanks.

Here is Paul's address:

St Joseph's Ward
Stoke Mandeville Hospital
ATTN: Paul Begg
Mandeville Road
Aylesbury, Bucks
HP21 8AL
UK

[Robert]

Absolutely Dave, there is a longish list of Ripperologists I will be sending cards to.

[Cogidubnus]

Don Souden

Can I please put in a plea here (and ask to have this "bumped" by admin or whoever else where/when necessary)

Could we all please consider an all-out effort to send Christmas Cards to Don Souden, (alias "Supe"), an all-round great guy, who's recovering from serious illness in a Connecticut nursing home...it might well make all that much difference to his morale to receive loads of cards from "xxxx from Casebook", even if he can't recall quite who it is you are (and to be fair he does remember most folk quite strongly)....and I'm sure he'd even love a humorous card from a total stranger if it came to it...

The address is:-

Fairview of Fairfield
930 Mill Hill Terrace
ATTN: Donald Souden
Southport, CT
06890
USA

The most it's ever cost me in postage from the UK is £2.40 - it's not a lot to help out a fellow Casebooker is it? Please, please do remember Don!

All the best

Dave

[Carol]

I'm so relieved that Don is making such excellent progress. Thanks for keeping us informed, Bunny. Tell him I often think of him and wonder how he's getting on.

Carol

[Cogidubnus]

I hope he doesn't email me...he's always been a boring ******...

All the best

Dave

[Archaic]

Hi everybody. You're very welcome; I am so glad to have good news to share!

More good news: Don has gained back some of the weight he lost. I think he said he is 181 lbs, whereas he had gotten down to 160-something which was terrible for someone of his height. He's been trying to make himself eat despite being on a very bland diet. I explained to him that having some body fat actually cushions your nerves & helps to alleviate chronic nerve pain. One of the best tips I ever got from my doctor; it makes me eat even when I'm not hungry. Glad Don is trying to do the same.

He told me he "is in the best shape of his life" (well, maybe he took a little poetic license there), and keeps saying he wishes he could go buy some of the stylish "2-for-1" suits he sees advertised on tv. He wants to look like a toff in London.

I don't know the current status of his blood clots but will check with his sister.

Oh, something else- Don said he is supposed to be getting a vision exam, and is hoping to get new glasses that will help correct the vision problems caused by the stroke. He's very eager to be able to read a computer screen and hopefully use his email again.

He asked me to tell you all that as soon as he is able he will write or email each one of you who have so kindly written to him.

When I talk to Don next I will read him your posts & pass along your good wishes.

Thanks & take care,
Archaic

[Limehouse]

Thanks for your updates Bunny. My very best wishes to Don.

[lynn cates]

good

Hello Bunny. Thanks for posting that. It is good news indeed.

Please convey our regards to Don.

Cheers.
LC

[belinda]

That's wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bridewell]

Hi Bunny

Please wish Don a happy holiday for me and tell him well done. He is gradually getting there.

The same goes for me.

[Robert]

Hi Bunny

Please wish Don a happy holiday for me and tell him well done. He is gradually getting there.

[Cogidubnus]

Excellent news!

All the best

Dave

[Archaic]

Good news

Bump!

[Archaic]

Good news for Thanksgiving!

I just talked to Don and he had wonderful news for us-

today he was able to stand for about a minute without holding on to anything!

It was a lot of exertion and he's tired, but elated. He asked me to thank everybody for all their love & encouragement. Don said it makes him try to give it his best effort, knowing that his friends are cheering him on.

I told him that was a wonderful Thanksgiving & Hanukkah gift for his friends, and he's happy to know that others will be happy.

Hope everyone has a safe & peaceful holiday.
Archaic