We attended the funeral on Saturday and in spite of the sad occasion had a good visit with Jim and Scottie. It has been five weeks since we saw him last and he had made some good improvement. He can stand up and walk with a cane but of course, must use the wheelchair most of the time. He can bend his right knee and lift his foot. He struggles to talk but is making progress there as well.

It was heartening as we had dinner with Jim and Scottie at a restaurant last night and he was able to eat very lightly -- rice, some yogurt, cottage cheese and ice cream -- just a few bites but he is swallowing slowly and carefully. Scottie said he has had a few sips of coke too.

We also had breakfast with them this morning before we left and once again, he was able to eat a few bites.

Here are the details from Mrs. Wiest's obituary which appeared in the Charleston Daily Mail. She was a remarkable woman.

Miranda E. Wiest, 79, of Cross Lanes died Tuesday, Sept. 15, 1998, at the home of her daughter in Reading, Pa., after a long illness.

She was a retired registered nurse from Charleston Area Medical Center,attended Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charleston, and was an Army veteran of World War II. (Note: I believe she served in Africa. rh)

Surviving: son, James Howard Wiest of Elkins; daughter, Karen Sue Thacker of Reading;grandchildren, Jason and Mary Thacker of Reading.

Service will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, Cross Lanes, with the Rev.William D. Layne Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.

Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Jim has a sinus infection with no sign of cancer. In October, the doctors will repair the ear.

I have a few details on Jim's mother's funeral but the most important details, such as location, are missing. I looked at the Charleston Daily Mail and the Gazette on-line and her obituary is not in either paper yet. I'll look again tomorrow.

Scottie said that visitation would be at 2:00 on Saturday with the funeral at 3:00. I don't know where yet. Will keep you posted.

I will not be able update until late tomorrow night.

Jim has an ear infection. He and Scottie went to Baltimore today so Jim's doctors can take a look at it. The ear canal is partially obstructed because of the surgery in June and there are some minor repairs the doctors can make to avoid this problem in the future.

Some sad news. Jim's mother passed away this morning. She has been in poor heath for some time. I have no other details but as soon as I hear what the funeral arrangements are from Scottie, I will post them.

My friends, it has been awhile. Jim and Scottie moved in on the weekend of August 22. With the wheelchair, Jim is able to go to events and visit on a limited basis and for short periods of time.

Today, Jim walked over 50 feet at therapy which is another benchmark. It means he will be able to walk around the house without having to rely on the wheelchair in time.

He is getting some swallow reflex back. He's had several tests and has been able to slowly swallow thin liquids and heavier substances during the tests. So eventually the stomach tube will come out and he will be able to eat again which I feel is great news.

I will update this page on at least a weekly instead of daily basis. I had planned to dismantle it since Jim and Scottie were at home but after some thought, decided to continue it.

If anyone has anything to add, please let me know.

best regards, Rebecca

We had a good visit with Jim and Scottie. Jim is very happy to be home in Elkins although they must stay at the Elkins Day's Inn until the house is finished.

Frank Santmeyer and his crew are doing a wonderful job on the house. The ramp is in place and the remodeling of the downstairs bath is moving quickly. I am so impressed with how much they have gotten done in a short space of time. Frank says Jim and Scottie will be able to move in by the end of this week.

Jim struggles to talk and can say a few words but communicates well with gestures and the few words he can say. He is anxious to get started on rehab in Elkins so he can continue his progress in walking and learning to talk and swallow again.

The garden Scottie planted the day before they left is beautiful. We took pictures and plan to add them to the site.

My scanner quit working two weeks ago just after I made wild promises about adding pictures to the site. I have a new one on-order and I expect it to arrive this week so I'll try to get some updated photos on the web site.

We saw Mac Pritt and he is continuing to recover and his sister, Jane, is staying with him until he is a little stronger.

Scottie talked to Bob last night. She said to tell you that they are in Elkins and Jim has already urinated in the woods. They are staying at the Days Inn for about a week until the house is ready.

Jim spoke a few words to Bob on the phone. Bob said Jim's voice was hoarse but he could understand what he said. I was asleep and missed the call.

I have heard an impressive amount of work has been done in a short time on that house.

Also got a report from TR Ross about their visit earlier in the week:

TR and Vidia Ross and Richard McCune visited with Jim and ScottieFriday and Saturday evenings and Sunday PM. Doug and Pam Hill visitedSat. evening also.

TR reports that Jim's cognitive skills are good and his sense of humoras keen as ever. When Richard suggested that Jim's "Large Gentleman"credentials might be questioned, Jim made a gesture which demonstratedexcellent southpaw digital dexterity!

He and Scottie are looking forward to returning home on August 12. Garyand Margaret Perdue will accompany them.

TR Ross II
trross@neumedia.net

The test went okay and Jim's colon is just fine.

Jim and Scottie are looking forward to coming home on the 12th. Scottie said that both she and Jim thank you all for the kind support and prayers.

Jim's mother is doing just about the same.

Bob talked to Mac Pritt today. He is at home recuperating and taking lots of medicine. Bob said he sounded in good spirits and Mac voiced some concerns about rumors of certain photos posted on the web.

Just got a call from Scottie. Jim has to have another test -- it's one of those horrible rear-end tests to put it elegantly. Jim has had trouble with hemorrhoids and the doctors are being ultra-cautious about making sure everything is okay before releasing him.

Scottie is asking for your prayers, incantations, bright light, good thoughts, etc., for tomorrow. The test is scheduled for 1:00 pm. Scottie is driving back to Maryland in the morning to be with Jim. Some of Scottie's family are with Jim while Scottie has been in Elkins.

The work on the house is progressing well.

Also, Mac is out of the hospital, taking fifteen kinds of medicine and is getting out a little.

Scottie is in Elkins making arrangements to get the house ready for Jim as he will be coming home on August 12th.

Scottie has asked for your prayers, good thoughts, wishes, etc., that the house will be ready in time. She said to thank you again for all the support. It means a lot to both Jim and her.

Jim's mother is still very ill but has been doing a little better the last few days.

Have not heard anything new about Mac Pritt.

I promised new photos. Will try for the weekend with those.

We spoke to Scottie on Saturday. Jim will be coming home sometime near the end of August. No firm date has been set.

Scottie's birthday was August 3rd. Her family visited Jim and Scottie over the weekend.

Jim's mother is very ill.

We also have a report from Neil Young:

Hi, I am one of Jim and Scotties neighbors. Work began today on theentrance ramp, shower, etc. on Main St. and seems to be going well. Weare looking forward to Jim and Scottie returning home.

And a report from Dan Lynn about Mac Pritt

Mac was admitted back to the hospital in Elkins on Friday, July 31; seems hehad gained a great deal of weight because of fluid retention. I was able todrive to Elkins this weekend to visit, and found him sounding and feeling muchbetter than earlier in the week. Medical staff had worked their magic so wellthat by the time I left to return home Sunday afternoon, Mac had voided 20pounds of fluid - doctors want another 10 and are setting Tuesday as theproposed release date. His sister Jane remains with him. The weekend was aminor setback, but now Mac has a better idea of what to look for as warningsigns before trouble starts.

Sorry for the delay on these reports. Stratos, my web site host, had some major problems with servers over the weekend. I could not ftp to the site. We have some more Jim photos that I will be uploading later today. They were taken the weekend before Jim went to Johns Hopkins.

Scottie reported that Jim said today, "I see I am advancing." It was said with great difficulty and he could not repeat it but Jim, as he said, is making progress.

Jim and Scottie go outside as much as they can during the day when they can fit it in with the therapy schedule which is arduous.

Gary Perdue sent me this note about Jim and he has kindly allowed me to include it on this page.

A note from Gary