Angie Is Finally Back Home

After 16 days in the hospital, Angie is finally back home.  It's is still a long road for recovery but this is an important step.  I can only imagine how much nicer it is for Angie to be able to recover in a familiar atmosphere and not be awoken every hour by nurses taking blood, vital readings, etc...  I know they were just trying to take care of Angie...but there were a couple nights when I wanted to shout "Really? I just spent 45 minutes trying to get her to relax and sleep!"

Angie in hospital...Day 9, the first day
she got to wear clothes (well, scrubs)
instead of the hospital gown.

Angie has the bandages off her legs, the staples removed from the incisions, and is healing slowing but steadily.  Still lots of bruising and swelling in her legs and hips.  Still must be very careful, but can at least have her legs bent to sit (almost) normally in a wheelchair.  Her pain is mostly controlled with Extra-Strength Tylenol, and only has bouts here and there and during transfers when there seems to be a lot of pain, although there often seems to be a lot of discomfort and some dysreflexia throughout the day.  All and all, I think she is doing wonderfully.

Angie, her family, and myself would like to sincerely thank everyone who came to visit, who donated money, sent cards, flowers, well-wishes, thoughts, prayers, and who helped out in any way.  Your kindness and thoughtfulness have been amazing and have really helped everyone keep in high spirits.  The family feels very blessed to have such incredibly kind people in their lives.  We would also like to thank all (ok, only MOST) of the doctors, nurses, therapists, techs, and staff at Methodist hospital for taking care of Angie the past couple weeks.  Most of you were incredible, caring, and gentle people who would help in any way possible (except hooking visitors up with morphine. Come on, I was hurting too...some of those chairs were uncomfortable after being there all day with a bruised buttocks) and also listen to Angie's ideas and thoughts about treatment.

We are still in limbo (and could be for a while) in regards to insurance payments and what they will cover as far as Angie's van and wheelchair.  With 9 cars involved, and almost as many insurance companies it sounds like it is going to be a big screaming match between them.  All of your donations are especially beneficial to the family during this time of waiting and uncertainty.  It has allowed the family to rent a ramp van for the next month for Angie's doctor appointments and just to have in case there is an emergency.  It was a pretty unsettling feeling knowing that if something went wrong, there would be no easy way to get her to help, so although renting a van is pretty expensive, we felt it had to be done while the insurance fight continues.

Donations are still very welcome and appreciated. Every little bit has helped.

or mail to:

Angie Plager Recovery Fund
32541 585^th Ave
Cambridge, IA 50046-8568


We would also appreciate you keeping a look out for a late model, ramp van in good condition and reasonably priced (unless someone wants to cut Angie a really good deal on a MV-1).  It would just be used for transportation at the moment, but the hope would be to eventually have it modified for Angie to be able to drive.  If you happen to run across anything, please let me or Angie know.  We will look into and consider all leads and offers.

Thanks again, everyone...we really appreciate all the support everyone has given.

THANK YOU!

Diabolical Deeds

On Saturday, one of Des Moines' newest rock bands, No Good Deed,  made their live debut.

This show was a little special for me...my brother, Kelly, just happens to be one of the guitarists in No Good Deed (and I had previously met several other members over the years).  Kelly has been messing around on guitar for over 20 years now.  I say messing around because I don't think he really had much drive to be in a band, he just liked playing guitar.  And despite having to listen the intro of Sweet Child O' Mine being mangled time after time in 1990-1991, you could tell that he had a good ear and picked up the guitar relatively quickly (we are not talking prodigy here, but given the same amount of practice he would be better than the average person).  It was a hobby that came and went.  He would play a lot for a couple years and then the guitar would virtually disappear for a couple...but it never went completely away.  Kelly's talent increased over the years and although told by many, many people he never joined a band.  I always imagined this response:

 I understand.  I am lazy too and doubt my talents for all things.  Its good, if you are happy you can do what you want, but I always felt that it was a shame.  Not necessarily that he wasn't in a band, but more because guitar was mainly a solitary activity for him...I don't know a lot about music (I have no talent myself) but I have seen the joy that group of people playing together and creating something larger than themselves can bring.  I was glad when he started playing with a couple of the guys from NGD a few years ago.  I really didn't think anything would come of it, but I was hoping he was getting that feeling of melding musically.  The band was off and on again a few times over the past couple years (depending on how hectic everyone's lives were).

About a month ago, Kelly sent me a message to save the date...March 3rd, the band was playing their first show.  I had heard talk of "the band" many times over the years, but had never actually heard them play.  I wasn't even sure what type of music they would play...Kelly and I both enjoy a pretty wide gambit of musical tastes.  Of course, I was going.  Kelly and I have gone to hundreds of shows together, the least I could do would be to show up for his gig.  Plus, the concert poster they made was awesome.  Even if I had never heard of the bands, I would have gone to this show based on the poster alone.  Good advertising pays off.

Love this poster

The location wasn't the best for live music - The Fremont.  I didn't know The Fremont had live music, they actually do have a smaller side room where bands and other performances take place.  I had no idea...and once I got there I knew why.  It was small.  But still good for a beginning band.  I guess the sound system wasn't great either and No Good Deed ended up setting up their own PA.  There were many obstacles to overcome to play a decent set...but the die was cast and a show there would be.

Fellow local band Hath No Fury opened and played a short but decent set.  Finally, No Good Deed took the (very small) stage.  Unfortunately, I know that several people didn't realize this and missed the show because they were in the bar's main room.  Its too bad, because for a debut show No Good Deed did a pretty good job.  They were a little loud for the size of room they were in and I felt a little bad for all the people that didn't have ear plugs (I always have mine).  You could somewhat tell that they were new to performing - lots of sweat, and sometimes looking a little scared to move too much.  They encountered and overcame small technical glitches and kept the show going at a good pace.  Communication between band members needs to be worked on and they need to get a little more comfortable on stage.  But for a first show...it was good.

Kelly, Rob, and Doug - rocking

No Good Deed sounded decent and tight (for the most part) and played a wide variety of music - half original, half covers.  How to categorize?  Well the best category is just general Rock.  Their original songs reminded me of a little heavier Jimmy Eats World...that isn't quite right, but it was the first thing that popped into my mind. Being a relatively new band (only 5 practices with the bass player before Saturday's show), NGD don't quite have their own cohesive sound developed...but they do have talent and I was impressed by their original songs.  I am really looking forward to seeing them progress as they perform more.  I don't think they are going to huge rockstars or anything like that (since so few do) but I think they can have a pretty good past-time/side career playing local gigs.  This is the type of band that I would enjoy going to see often (even if I wasn't related).  Check out original song "Feeling Better" below...and check out more on their Reverb Nation page.  I think you will enjoy.

Congratulations Hawks!

Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks for winning the 2010 Stanley Cup.  It has been a long time coming.  I can't wait for people to start calling me a fair-weather fan when I wear one of my collection of jerseys, sweaters, and t-shirts...because that is always SO awesome.  I wear them for 15 years and you don't notice...but now I am a fair-weather fan.

Chicago, I am proud of the way that you have turned around the organization.  It was almost painful going to games with crowds of under 10K because the United Center is huge.  Then the fans that did come just booed the opposing team instead of cheering for their own team.  It was not a happy or healthy atmosphere, thats for sure.  But look at you now, full houses of happy, cheering fans the past couple years.  It is great to see a team gives it's all and not give up when they are down a goal or two.  That is awesome.  I just wish the stand where the one guy made the footlong Chicago dogs was still there.  The Chi-dogs from the regular concession stands are not even close to his artistry.

This year's finals and even playoffs in general were some of the best that I can remember.  All the teams seemed so well matched for each other.  Sure, I wish there were some differences - I wish Phoenix and San Jose would have done better...but overall the quality of game play and the match-ups were top notch.  Seriously every game in the finals was great...2 overtime games, several 1 point games - it felt like no one was safe and either team could win any game.  Great hockey.  Plus the first year that many people probably have been able to watch hockey in HD - it makes a difference and it is wonderful.  HD makes the games so much easier to follow - unlike the FoxTrax glow puck system used in the late 90's (although I do have to say it was a nice try to help get new people into the sport).
Congrats guys...you've earned it.

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Congratulations Angie

I met Angie almost 10 years ago when I was dating Amanda The First (of two...so far). Angie and Amanda were good friends, went to the same church, etc... Angie is one of those people whose personality was just so warm and compassionate, she would make you feel comfortable and welcome no matter who you were (even a total dork like me). Angie is a person who has always amazed and surprised me. She always has a sparkle in her eyes that brightens your day every time you see it. She is beautiful and yet the nicest, humblest person that you could ever meet.

I never got to know Angie well enough to be friends with her on my own standing, so when Amanda (the first) and I ended, I didn't really see Angie much any more either. It totally sucks how that happens, but that is the way life goes. A few years later, Angie was in an automobile accident where she was paralyzed. She now spends much of her life in her wheelchair. I have seen her a few times since the accident (though probably not as much as I should). The first time I was very scared that she would be a different person, bitter, angry, and depressed...and there was a tiny bit of that, which I definitely could understand. Mostly though, she was exactly the same. Warm, friendly, loving...with that beautiful sparkle in her eyes. This is just part of her amazing spirit, she can overcome anything.

I was happy when I heard about Angie becoming Ms Wheelchair Iowa. This was in March...so I am very late getting to this (what can I say, I suck). She deserves this and so much more...but more than that, I think she will do a great job of bringing awareness and understanding for those in wheelchairs. They could not ask for a better spokesperson, representative, advocate, and inspiration. Angie is also the current president of the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Iowa, and has Associate Degrees in Science, Art, and Business. Angie is incredible.

Congratulations Angie!

Ms Wheelchair Iowa 2009

Picture Borrowed from: http://www.judyhoit.com/pageant/index.htm

Angie, you are an amazing person and an inspiration to us all. You make me feel proud to know you. As always, I wish you nothing but the best and I know you will succeed in whatever you set out to try.

Please click here to read an article from the Des Moines Register to learn a little more about Angie and here for a Radio Iowa story on one goal she is trying to accomplish.

Please click here to learn more about the Ms Wheelchair Iowa organization.