"Catastrophe, Rocky Russo" Topic

I don't where else to put this. Rocky is one of TMP's regulars of many years.

Last week he was rushed to the hospital with advanced blood poisoning in his right hand and arm (he got in between fighting cats and sustained what looked to be minor injuries to his right wrist). He assured us that he was fine, that it would heal up. It did not. Now he's had his right arm amputated above the elbow. This is so horrible I cannot express my feelings. I don't even know what I am feeling from moment to moment. Mostly, I am angry. It's complicated.

Many years ago, my friend lost his right leg below the knee to a rapidly spreading infection. Now his right hand and arm are gone. He's still in intensive care. His family informed me that he's being moved to the burn unit today; the surgeon who did the amputation is assigned there. I guess they treat severe tissue loss to infection similarly to tissue lost to burns, I don't know.

The leg was bad enough. I can't imagine my friend enjoying life without his right hand. Maybe he won't even survive this. His family told me, "Dad's not out of the woods yet." When they got him to emergency, his kidneys had shut down and his heart was threatening to go. They had to stabilize him for a couple of days before they could even operate. As of yesterday (when I finally found out why Rocky was not answering his phone anymore – I had talked with him briefly last Tuesday, the very night that he was rushed in to emergency), his kidneys were functioning again, and the docs were not particularly concerned over his heart anymore.

More to follow. I will keep any concerned TMPers updated.

I was going to go in to visit him today. But I'm just too angry right now. I would not be helpful….

That is absolutely horrible! I can't even come up with words to express how tragic that is.

Prayers for Rocky and you.

Wyatt

My mother went from fine to dead in 2 days of very similar conditions. Hers was an ant bite. You heard that right, a measly ant. My prayers to you both.

My prayers to you both too.

Please pass on my best wishes to Rocky

Best of wishes for you, Rocky and his family.

Having lost a best friend to septecemia, I sincerely hope that your friend Rocky recovers. Best wishes to him.

My deepest sympathies to Rocky, and condolences to you.

Wow, that's stunning! I'll say a prayer for him. My sincere best wishes for him to get through this.

John

That's an awful story – best wishes for a swift recovery.

Sorry to hear this, I hope Rocky can pull though..

Terrible news Doug. Please pass my best wishes onto Rocky and his family. And take care yourself.

Pete

Doug, when you get the time, could you contact me please at: sam@sammustafa.com.

Catastrophe is certainly the appropriate word for this! While I don't always agree with Rocky's interpretations with regard to effective range of black powder small arms, I deeply respect his personal knowledge of them. I wish him and his family the best and that he has an trouble free recovery.

Prayers for all involved, shocking news.

Wow, that is horrible news.

I hope he recovers soon.

Best wishes to him and his family.

I never met him in person, but have conversed with him occasionally via e-mail, and he is a wonderful person who is always willing to share ideas and assistance.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Thanks for posting this Doug. All of my best thoughts to Rocky, and to you too.

Our thoughts are with Rocky and his family.

Thanks for posting, Daffy and please do pass on our best wishes to Rocky and his family when you can….

Doug, prayers to both of you and go see him as soon as you can

Likewise, our wishes are with him.

Sad news indeed. Best wishes to Rocky and his family.

This is upsetting news. Hope he recovers and all my best wishes to him and his family.

Awful news. Best wishes to Rocky and family.

Holy cow, prayers and thoughts for him and his family

Please tell him our prayers are with him.
VR
James Mattes

Indeed awful news. Rocky probably doesn't know me from anyone, but please reassure him he is in my thoughts…

Damon.

Damn. God be with you Rocky.

Bad disease

Thoughts and prayers to Rocky and family

Terrible news! My best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I can't imagine my friend enjoying life without his right hand.

I'm sure it will be a difficult adjustment, but remember that there are people with no hands who still enjoy life. Give him my best regards.

My best wishes to Rocky, also. He has provided a lot of knowledgeable and intelligent comments both here on TMP and on other fora. I am surprised to hear about his leg: he always sounded like a get out, hike and camp sort of guy! That does make me think that, while this is in no way a good thing, he is the sort who will bounce back and soon be back to whupping you all over the gaming table! I'm sorry I have never met him.
Grelber

I'm sure it will be a difficult adjustment, but remember that there are people with no hands who still enjoy life. Give him my best regards.

If I recall correctly, one of the Perry Brothers lost a hand many years ago in an accident, but not only did he recover, he overcame the loss and returned to produce some beautifully-sculpted miniatures. His example, and others who overcame similar circumstances, should be an inspiration to Rocky.

First, though, my deepest and most fervent prayers to him and his family for a uneventful and complete recovery. In light of recent events here at TMP, we should put all differences aside and join forces to help our fellow TMPer "get back in the game". Amen.

Best wishes to Rocky. Please keep us informed.

This is shocking beyond words. Rocky: my thoughts and prayers are with you.

There's a number of posts of Rocky's I've disagreed with (I get the feeling politically we are opposites), but he puts his view without much of the bombast that many TMPers think is the way to argue, and always appears to want to be helpful (even when wrong )

As with everyone else I hope he gets better soon.

Rocky is a fine gentleman who has been around for a while, it is going to be a long hard haul, but if he gets past the crisis, he will learn to live and enjoy life with one hand, just not quite so much.

I am not big on prayer, but he, you, and his family have my best wishes, tell him he is much missed here.

By the way, a week ago I got out of hospital within a whisker of losing my foot – it aint easy, but it can be beat.

I can only echo what everyone else has said. Hoping for a speedy recovery Rocky!

Doug,

This is shocking news. Rocky and his family are at the top of our prayer list as are you. He'll need your support as he recovers.

That is bad news. Best of luck Rocky.

Sorry to hear this news, hope he makes it through it.

Just got back online and read this. This is horrible. My prayers and well wishes are for him and his family. Keep us informed…

My Best wishes and prays to Rocky and family.

All the best to Rocky and his family.

What awful news! Add my well wishes to all the others! I hope it helps Rocky and his family to know that a lot of people are pulling for them!

Shawn.

His son Joseph told me last night that the docs are talking of putting Rocky on dialysis; his kidneys are "working", but they are also not filtering like they need to. This morning he was scheduled for an operation to clean the surgery some more. I haven't seen or talked to Rocky yet….

Definitely not good. Please tell him that I always enjoy his Old West posts on weapons and look forward to reading more of them soon.

My very best wishes to Rocky. I've enjoyed his posts.

Damn. Here's hoping for the fullest possible recovery.

All the best,

John.