[Ponte Alto] The incredible Sir Michael "Wolverine" Saint-Sever

[Max Nelson]

Talk about super-hero-like powers of healing and recovery...  It seems  
that God, may indeed, favor the Bold (or perhaps the stubborn... or  
maybe just some folks named Michael).

On Wednesday, Barbara called the hospital before visiting hours  
expecting to talk to the nurse.  Instead, she passed on the phone and  
it was Michael talking, apologizing for not being able to "articulate"  
well....

As the day progressed Michael improved more and more.  He was able to  
stand up and walk around with the assistance of a physical therapist  
and walker.  He also continued to demonstrate that his witty self  
(i.e., smart-assitude) was present and accounted for.   Jim, Allison  
and Barbara were betting under the table as to which swear word would  
be his first post-trauma.  We leave it to the those who know him to  
imagine which it might be.

At 8am on Thursday, "Marshall Stubborn" decided how great it would be  
to take a morning constitutional walk all by his lonesome.   
Surprisingly, this did not work out so sell, and he landed on his butt  
(that being a buttheaded thing to do, and all).  They did a few McCoy- 
like scans of everything to check to make sure he didn't screw himself  
up, and besides a clear lack of good judgement and wisdom, they found  
nothing was wrong or broken as a result.  The nurses learned from this  
experience with Michael (my, how quickly some can learn... took most  
of us years), and have turned on the warning alarm on the bed so  
Michael is now unable to make a move without their knowing about it.   
Trapped in bed with a bunch of women in nurses outfits knowing about  
your every move.  Ah, well.

Looks like the plan is to check out of the hospital this Saturday  
afternoon, with a request for Michael to remain in vicinity of the  
hospital for 48 hours (just in case).  Consequently, Michael and  
Barbara and all should be back home by Monday evening!

The outpouring of emails, calls, etc. have been a tremendous spirit  
booster for him.  Today, Rich Dwyer and Steve Graves dropped off a  
placard signed by the U.S. Marshall class he was attending when he was  
aneursymed (new word, invented it meself) along with some cards and  
they also helped lift his spirits.

Barb apologizes for not being able to return most phone calls, but she  
is not allowed to use cell phones in the ICU and is there from 9:00  
a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Michael has not been up to visitors either but I  
will let people know when he will be.

However... Barb is *seriously* asking everyone to hold-off with the  
calls et al until after a few days after they get home so they can  
resettle, spend some time with the kids, Morgan, and Maddie, take time  
to readjust to the new situation, and make sure Michael is doing  
alright.

She is also asking folks to stop calling Michael at the hospital, as  
the calls are sent right to the ICU nurses which takes them away from  
critical care patients as they deal with phone calls.

She is saving all the emails and messages for Michael and passing  
along all the thoughts and love... so everyone's kindness and caring  
is having a real impact on their spirits.  Again, if you want to send  
a card, you can mail one to their home address at:

Barbara and Michael Plotts
41 Nugent Drive
Stafford, VA  22554

Thanks, and keep the good thoughts and prayers coming!  They're working!

Max Von Halstern