UPDATE ON VAN

I am enclosing some comments from Marion and Gerard who have been in to visit Van during his first week at Royal North Shore Hospital. No doubt he'll be there for a bit longer yet.

Marion: Van was taken for a scan today (Friday) and it appears that he has done some damage to his kidneys, no details. He is likely to be in hospital for a "matter of weeks", however long that is.

The doctors are concerned that Van is not getting enough quality rest - and so Van's mum has suggested that friends postpone their visit to the hospital for a week or so. Apparently there is a steady stream of people thru his room. (I think he is really surprised and quite moved by this.)

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Gerard: A young haemotologist was visiting Van when I arrived so I quietly waited outside. I was delighted to hear a very strong voice questioning the doctor about his treatment. She assured him that the decision not to have him undergo any surgery was right and that the eight breakages in amongst his spinal vertebrae and the four broken ribs and all the torn and bruised tissues would heal in good time, given the right medication, diet, exercise and tender loving care. A close scrutiny of his kidneys today did not reveal any problems.

We had a good chat. Van's looking much better and was quite alert. The self-medicating painkilling gadget is gone.

The brace brought to help him has so far been too uncomfortable.

In his profound grieving for Jennifer, he's also thrilled that they had the chance to speak to each other over the phone on the Friday night to comfort each other and were not totally isolated in the two hospitals.

As usual with Van and me, the conversation soon turned to our contrasting philosophies of life. His questioning was as sharp as ever. The soon-to-be Dr Vanlyn Davy is still in very good cognitive form despite all his current predicaments!

Re Jennifer's funeral: Family & friends are warmly invited to attend JENNIFER-ANNE'S funeral service to be held in the West Chapel at Northern Suburbs' Crematorium, Delhi Rd, North Ryde on TUESDAY, 2nd December, 2008 at 12:45PM - from SMH.

Anne Wilson Funerals
[02] 9971 4224

VAN DAVY

News has just come in that Van and Jennifer were involved in an accident on Friday21 November. Here's the gist of the information I have at this stage:


Van and Jennifer were in a trike accident on Friday. Van is in Royal North Shore Hospital with multiple fractures to his back and chest. His spine is broken in eight places. Jennifer was taken to Gosford Hospital -- her injuries were even more severe and she passed away this morning (Monday morning.)


This information came from Jenny Gore from Newcastle Uni via Kevin Farrell.


I'll post any further info here on this site. If you have other information feel free to send it to me at keasty446@gmail.com Ta.

WARRUMBUNGLES

The Warrumbungles! Wow!

Yes, Jim and Jan Smart and the Keasts visited the Warrumbungle National Park just out of Coonabarabran, some 165 km north from Dubbo. We had a great time and walked heaps! Did a 6 hr hike on day 1 and then a 3 hr hike on day 2. Day 3 all Jan and I wanted to do was walk as far as the toilet block! The breadknife is an awesome ... bit of rock..... huge bit of rock stickin' up in the air. It is wow stuff!

Of course we took our avans and set up camp together.

We also managed to get to the Crooked Mountain Concert - like a concert on the grass. James Reyne from Australian Crawl, Felicity Urquhart and others. Great night of music.

This makes me think (that's a worry, says Marion), is anybody interested in doing an adventure trip next year? Smarts and Keasts are thinking of doing a THREE WEEK TRIP.... suitable for caravans, motor homes, camoing units AND AVANS!

14 Sept - 2 October 2009. (Dates not confirmed as yet.)

Possible venues (still in melting point at this stage) Gerringong, Merry or Pretty Beach, Tathra, Lakes Entrance (Vic), Beechworth (or thereabouts), Tumut and finally Wombeyan Caves or Kangaroo Valley. Seven venues.... about 3 nights at each place.

Interested?