Update and visits

Hey everyone,

I’d like to start by sharing a bit of what I’m going through with you all. I’m back home from the hospital, but still far from recovered; my arms are very limited and I’m still on a fluid diet due to my jaw not being ready for solid foods. While at the hospital, progress was very rapid, changes are now measured in weeks and triumphs are not as frequent as they used to be. However, things are definitely on an upwards trajectory so my loving and never-resting wife and I are ever grateful for that.

One of the things that I greatly enjoy is visits from friends. I've been hearing from quite a few people that it's hard to schedule a visit with us. Well, I have to tell you that we did that on purpose. Jerry had heard of the challenges I had a few weeks back, I got tired very fast and was rather limited in my ability to communicate. Jerry and company had set up a system that would make sure I don't get overwhelmed, thanks Jerry!

Thankfully, I'm doing better now and would like to make life a little easier for prospective visitors. If you'd like to visit, please let us know in advance: if you know you're coming two days or more in advance, send me an email at guy.rom@gmail.com. If you're planning on coming the next day or same day, give us a call at home 408.830.9704.

At any rate, please plan on visiting between the hours of 4pm to 7:30pm including weekends. Our address is: 552 La Conner Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94087.

To our friends in Israel, you're welcome to fly over. Otherwise, we'll have to catch up over the phone. I'm afraid that the morning time is not so good for us because of doctor's appointments and physical therapy, but you can try around 10:30am pacific time which is 8:30pm Israel time.

Well, I think that concludes my time online today, I'm allotted about 30 min a day.

Best to you all,
-Guy

I'm in (Guy)

Hello everyone,

It is with great satisfaction that I'm posting my first entry in this blog. I want to start by telling all of you how wonderful I think this blog is. It has evolved from a notification mechanism to a vibrant and supportive community. During each day at the hospital, I had an hour of joy as my family members read me the notes posted by you from around the world.

As for myself, you all know that a lot has happened in the last 4 weeks. I've gone through surgeries and the way my day to day looks like is a lot different. There have been some great improvements compared to where I was a few weeks back. However, the road ahead is still long; I still need to recover from the surgeries I've had and will most likely need to go through more surgeries. I still don't know when I'll be back to work, it remains to be seen how things go, so I'll keep you posted.

In the meanwhile, please keep posting! I will be posting as well and will try to share some of my experiences with you all.

Again, thank you for being there for me, it means so much to me.

-Guy

Visiting Guy

Guy is making good progress recovering at home and would like some visitors. The guidelines his family has provided are for no more than 2-3 visitors at a time between the hours of 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

For current PayPal and eBay employees please use the twiki page set-up for visiting (http://dev.paypal.com/cgi-bin/twiki/bin/view/General/MPSupportsGuy ).

For friends outside of the eBay family, please leave a message at 408-410-0405 and a member of the family will get back to you with times for visiting.

Thanks,
Ethan

Guy Back Home

This is from Loyal, and I worked with Guy at PayPal.

I have ventured from Austin to retrieve my cat. I was lucky to visit Guy, who has returned home. He can be around family and friends. There is much to do. He is not talking because he wants his throat to heal. It's Guy, but he is tired. The pain is exhausting and from someone who once took pain killers after surgery I empathize. It takes away the sharp and dull throbbing pain, but it is tough to concentrate. I told him what I am doing. I asked how he is doing. The din of kids comforted us as we spoke.

Guy would like visitors, but Adi "The keeper-of-the-door" asks for you to remember that they are working on establishing a routine with the family. Please call Jerry to schedule a time or the Rom house. Also, please be sure that you are healthy prior to coming.

Shira is happy to have Daddy home. She missed Adi while Adi was tending to Guy. Adi is so busy with everything that she seldom has the time to update the blog. Luckily I was able to offer a little help.

~Loyal

Update

Guy was released from the hospital yesterday (Wednesday the 14th) and allowed to return home.

In preparation for his continued recovery some domestic modifications have been necessary to ensure that he remains comfortable there. Ron Markey, Eddy Gorsuch and Norm Lee have been very helpful over the last couple of days moving furniture, installing air conditioners, and configuring a new flat screen television. Hopefully these new home improvements will lead to a more pleasant recovery for Guy.

While this comes as very welcome news, Thursday has been a bit rocky. This afternoon while at home Guy fainted unexpectedly and was taken to the emergency room. Jerry and I spoke with Adi by phone while she was at the hospital and she indicated that Guy was being well attended to and that she expected him to be released this evening. While it was very unsettling to learn of this incident, it appears that Guy is okay.

Many people continue to ask about scheduling visits. During the next few days Adi has requested that we throttle visits to ensure that Guy settles in well at home first. As soon as he is up for company again we will let everyone know.

- Ethan

A Sunny Day at Stanford........

Guy's mother called with some memorable highlights for Guy today. The doctor said that if Guy could swallow on his own then they would be able to remove the tracheotomy. So yesterday, Adi and his mom were squirting water into his mouth to help him practice swallowing. He mastered the technique and the doctor kept his promise and removed the trach tube today! What a relief and major step forward.

Other notable events:

• His IV was moved from his foot to his hand so he is mobile again
• Doctors are gradually lowering his dosage of pain killers
• He was able to take a walk in the Stanford Hospital garden and sit in the sun
• Physical Therapist gave him excercises to rehabilitate his elbow and arms

He will be able to eat anything that Adi can fit through a straw. Adi's mom made a good old fashioned batch of Chicken Soup and he also had some of a Jamba Juice today. Guy said he was open to just about anything in his Jamba Juice except for Bananas or Strawberries. Ethan and Tim - better bring the juicer quick! The hospital room was quite lively today as the GuyPod was connected to some external speakers so everyone could enjoy the music.

Adi is planning on bringing Shira to the hospital for her first visit with Daddy. Guy should be able to have visitors again after 6:00 pm this evening.

A much needed day of rest and recovery

Following Guy's 3rd major surgery yesterday, he needed a day to rest and gather strength. He was in a lot of pain last night and his family requested a light day of visits. If you are planning on stopping by the hospital tomorrow (Sunday) please check the blog first or contact Jerry Smith (408) 768-6804 to make sure Guy is up for having visitors.

From all accounts from his doctors, the surgery yesterday was successful in repairing his shoulder.

Guy, we all hope you can get a good night's sleep....