Author Topic: Shifty, how's your son?  (Read 802 times)

Offline texasmom

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Shifty, how's your son?
« on: August 06, 2007, 01:16:55 PM »
How's your son doing Shifty?
Post another recent picture. :)
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Offline Shifty

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2007, 01:38:24 PM »
Hi,

Thanks for asking. We just spent this past weekend with him down at Ft Sam Houston. My wife and I took him for a drive through the Hill Country, down to Fredrickberg, plus we all went to downtown San Antonio Saturday night.

He took his first steps early last month on what they call stubbies. Very short prosthetics. He'll be working rehab on these for a while before he moves up to the full size legs. These are only for the rehab excersises, so for now all his traveling is done by wheelchair.

His spirits remain very high, he amazes us with his positive attitude. He just never complains. Quite a few of his Army friends have taken the time to visit him while they are on their mid tour leaves. He really enjoys thier visits, he worries about them quite a bit. I know he's very happy whenever one gets home safe on leave. One of his platoon mates has been killed by a sniper since Thomas was wounded. Another was also sent to Brooke Army Medical Center with two broken legs from an IED. Thomas spent a lot of time with him, but fortunatly his stay in the hospital wasn't long.

Thomas was home in June for a 30 day convelescent leave. I have some pictures from his birthday party on June 11th, I'll try and post. He's not giving me anymore pictures from his rehab until he has his new legs on. :)

One thing that is still kind of freaky. He has phantom pains quite a bit. We'll be talking and he'll wince. I'll ask him are you okay, he'll say yeah but my foot hurts like hell. That part just doesn't seem fair.
« Last Edit: August 06, 2007, 01:40:50 PM by Shifty »

JG-11"Black Hearts"...nur die Stolzen, nur die Starken

"Haji may have blown my legs off but I'm still a stud"~ SPC Thomas Vandeventer Delta1/5 1st CAV

Offline Phaser11

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2007, 01:43:31 PM »
:aok
Phaser11,

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Offline Eagler

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2007, 01:52:47 PM »
Tell him we all said Howdy next time you hear from him
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Offline 68ROX

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2007, 05:00:38 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Eagler
Tell him we all said Howdy next time you hear from him




YES!!!  

Let him know we are thinking about him!!!


:aok

68ROX

Offline Angus

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2007, 05:07:07 PM »
What happened to him?
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Offline Shifty

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2007, 05:21:59 PM »
Angus, Thomas lost both legs above the knee when his patrol came under IED attack just outside Baghdad on February 5th 2007.

Thanks guys I'll send him your well wishes.:aok

JG-11"Black Hearts"...nur die Stolzen, nur die Starken

"Haji may have blown my legs off but I'm still a stud"~ SPC Thomas Vandeventer Delta1/5 1st CAV

Offline moneyguy

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2007, 05:38:55 PM »
send a from me shifty!

Offline Shifty

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2007, 07:45:55 PM »
Thanks Money, I will. :)

JG-11"Black Hearts"...nur die Stolzen, nur die Starken

"Haji may have blown my legs off but I'm still a stud"~ SPC Thomas Vandeventer Delta1/5 1st CAV

Offline 68slayr

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #9 on: August 06, 2007, 07:55:42 PM »
give him a for me :D



btw where did you go in SA?

Offline Shifty

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #10 on: August 06, 2007, 08:09:38 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by 68slayr
give him a for me :D



btw where did you go in SA?


You had to ask didn't you?:D  One of his friends that was home on leave took him to an Irish Pub down by the river a few weeks ago. I can't keep him out of it now. I can't for the life of me remember the name. It will come to me and I'll post it.  I kind of liked the place myself too you see. Good thing Mrs Shifty was there to baby sit us and drive us home. Actually we didn't stay in that long, we got a buzz and decided to catch one of the haunted San Antonio tours that night. What a rip off! It's a good thing both of us are happy drunks, or we would have demanded our money back. We were laughing so hard and playing with the laser pointers they gave us, hell I wouldn't have recognized a ghost if Jim Bowie had walked up and stuck me with his knife. :aok

JG-11"Black Hearts"...nur die Stolzen, nur die Starken

"Haji may have blown my legs off but I'm still a stud"~ SPC Thomas Vandeventer Delta1/5 1st CAV

Offline Dichotomy

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #11 on: August 06, 2007, 10:17:21 PM »
hmmmmm

You and Thomas inebriated.. this is something I must see in person :D
JG11 - Dicho37Only The Proud Only The Strong AH Players who've passed on :salute

Offline Masherbrum

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #12 on: August 06, 2007, 10:46:48 PM »
<> to the both of you.    Is there an address I can mail a letter to Shifty?   Tell Thomas I said "Hi, and keep on improving."
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Offline RedTop

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #13 on: August 06, 2007, 10:53:57 PM »
Shifty...yall ever get to Austin.....I MUST buy you and your son a Margaritta. PM me if yall see your coming here.

and Best wishes to your Boy. Tell him my wife and I wish all the best as we do to you and yours as well.
Original Member and Former C.O. 71 sqd. RAF Eagles

Offline Dago

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Shifty, how's your son?
« Reply #14 on: August 06, 2007, 10:54:35 PM »
Shifty,

I must admit I missed the info on your son being injured, and I am very sad to hear of it, but I am glad to hear it sounds as if he is doing well and his spirits are up.  He must be one outstanding young man!

Please tell him how much we appreciate his service and sacrifice.

If he needs anything, please let us know.  I would certainly be happy to chip in some beer money.  :aok

dago
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"