[SIERA] Matt-N7TOD

[Dick Flanagan]

---- Begin forwarded message ----
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:36:19 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time)
From: "J. Parker" <jparker at tranquility.sparks.nv.us>
To: <dick at twohams.com>
Subject: Matt-N7TOD

Hi Dick,

     For Matt N7TOD and his family the past two and one half weeks have 
been extremely harrowing. Matt lies in Room 331 in Washoe Medical Center in 
Reno.

     On October 17, 2005 Matt became a licensed train driver 
(Engineer).  He made his first trip as a full fledged Engineer on October 
17 from Portola to Lathrop. He returned a train to Portola on the 18th. He 
began his second trip from Portola to Lathrop on the 19th. He began the 
return trip from Oakland to Portola during the early afternoon of the 20th. 
His 12 hour clock ran out somewhere in the Feather River Canyon at 
approximately 1:00 am of the 21st. The railroad was supposed to send a van 
to pick the crew up and bring them to Portola.

     Unfortunately, while in Lathrop on the 19th he began to develop a 
streptococcus infection in his left leg. The infection spread rapidly 
during his trip from Oakland to Portola so that by the time he reached the 
Eastern Plumas General Hospital in Portola at about 4:30 am he was in 
extremely critical condition and within two hours he was air-lift to Washoe 
Medical Center where he now recovering nicely.

     He is going to have a long recovery because the infection has done a 
significant amount of damage to the skin on his left leg and he may require 
skin grafts from his right leg.

     Matt's situation at this point is that he is mostly confined to his 
hospital bed with very little to do except to visit with his family: his 
Wife Stephanie, KD7VON, his Mom, Bernice, His Sister, Gail, and me, his 
Dad, J. The occasional visitor he has had outside of his family buoys his 
spirit so very much.

     I am writing to you because you have the capability of reaching Hams 
every where, including Elko,  who know Matt. Anyone who can send a card to 
Matt at Washoe Medical Center, 77 Pringle Way, Reno, NV 89502. The 
telephone number is 775-982-4100 Room 331. Limited visits would be very 
healing to Matt in Room 331. I say limited visits and phone calls because 
he is still in a very weakened condition.

     Thanks for your consideration.

Respectfully,

JEdwardParker,N7TOC

---- End forwarded message ----
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Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
E-mail: k7vc at arrl.org