[Ponte Alto] Sir Michael "What a Cut-Up" Saint-Sever

[Max Nelson]

Barbara has been busy with Michael (with the help of great people who  
live nearby) so has little time or energy to send updates in the past  
few days.

On Friday when they did a CT scan, they found an aneurysm in/near  
Michael's left leg.  They believed it was caused when his aorta  
dissected and said it needed to be dealt with in the next eight weeks,  
but could be done in Virginia.  Michael was released from the hospital  
that Saturday but was told to stay close to the hospital for 48 hours  
-- sage and wise advise, as it turned out.

On Sunday Night/Monday Morning Barbara took him back to the ER where  
he is back to the ICU.  Michael is doing well, but they have  
determined that the extreme pain he has been experiencing in his back  
and below is being caused by the size of the aneurysm which is  
apparently putting pressure on his nerves.

They've doped him back up so he's now a complete dope again and he is  
doing well.  He is going to have surgery on Thursday to repair this  
aneurysm and will be released when he heals.  This surgery is much  
more routine than the two that Michael has already undergone, and the  
Plotts' just ain't all that worried (so you should'nt be, neither).

Mike's Brother, Jim, just had a conference call with Mike and Barbara  
where we were informed that they've switched the new surgery from  
endoscopic to old-fashioned abdominal wall-entry.  The repairs are all  
the same, but the operation will take a couple of hours longer and the  
recuperation time in ICU will be six or seven days instead of two days.

All of the parties are happy that the operation is going to be  
performed down in Jacksonville, as they all have developed alot of  
faith in the Doctors and Medical staff and don't want to switch to new  
Virginia Doctors in mid-stream, as it were.

Barbara has regularly updated him on the emails, etc. and it makes him  
happy to hear of everyone's concern.

If you wish to send a card because we really should be home soon.  Our  
home address is:

41 Nugent Drive
Stafford, VA 22554

When asked if he wanted to pass on any thoughts, Michael wanted us to  
let everyone know that he has determined Jacksonville must be Stalag  
17  -- every time he thinks he has gotten away (escaped) something  
happens to keep him here...

Keep up the good thoughts, people!!!

In service,

Max Von Halstern
Max Nelson
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