Friends and family can make donations to help Erwin Muller on PayPal using the new email account: Erwin2CanDive@gmail.com



Donations are made using the "send money" option and the email address above. Expenses for out-of-pocket hospital room and travel are certain to run in the neighborhood of 15,000-20,000 Nfl and that's just the beginning.

This email is linked to a new account set up for the Muller's at my credit union. I will be able to transfer money directly into their MCB account from this account. In addition, Ellen will get an ATM card that will allow direct withdrawal from the account. Ellen will also have visibility to all deposits thru the email account and online banking for the savings account.

Thanks to everyone for all of the concern and support. Let's help to ease Ellen's worry over money and get Erwin back on his feet again!!!

Thanks You Dara. Good job. I'll be there tonight.

Thank you, Dara. I'll get something off this week for Ellen & Erwin.

Please keep us posted as to how Erwin is doing, OK? Hugs. Carole & Joe

Thank you so very much Dara. I now have that info. on the blog. You are an angel.

Thank you so very much for setting this up and a special thanks for posting the pic of Erwin and Mokka. It warms my heart. I will be sending something, not sure how much, but will send all I can.

Great Job!
I'll get something over there ASAP!

Is someone from Toucan Dive linked into this conversation or to the blog? I just want to be sure that they have the info for their customers who might want to help out.

In a private e-mail to a friend last week, Norin at Toucan had said that she had spoken with Erwin. Not sure if they follow/participate in BT, but they are very much following Erwin and his recovery.

Donations have begun streaming in - thanks to the many of you I know and those I have still yet to meet....

I spoke to Ellen last night and the Muller's are so very thankful for the love, concern, prayers and contributions from so many! It's a rough road ahead, but we've made one little step forward!

Please see the blog for updates on Erwin.

For anyone having difficulty making a donation via PayPal, I can accept a check/money order via snail-mail and deposit it directly.

Just ping me at dara@darawalter.com and I will send you address info.

Dara, thanks for your efforts to help such good people. I had no problems with the PayPal donation.

Hi Dara! I just sent through paypal as well. Absolutely no problems! Thanks again for doing all of this.

hi dara
no problems with paypal
elaine

Dara, I posted about 5 days ago and it cleared yesterday..piece of cake

Are any of our good friends travelling to BON in the first week of Feb...and willing to deliver an envelope for Ellen to either Benny (BTH), Linda Baker or Jason Muller?

Dara, Alan is leaving Rochester 1/31 to come here, if that's not too soon!!

I'm on BON now with Benny and Ester
Josie

Josie,

Thanks for the quick response. That may just work! Can you send a phone number to my personal email so I can give Alan a call?

Say hey to the fishes for me while you're there!

Dara

Dara thanks for letting me know about the blog and the donations on paypal. I don't read CC often and I missed that. Erwin continues to be in my prayers!

See update posted under "Local Items"

To everyone who has sent a monetary donation or prayers and healing energy...

MASHA DANKI

We have collected about $2300 from 24 donations via PayPal and locally $315 and 400 Nfl have been donated. In addition, all of the calls, messages and good wishes are more meaningful than you can imagine.

Ellen was so touched and totally overcome with emotion last night when I spoke to her on the phone that she could hardly articulate her appreciation. She wanted to make sure I told everyone "thank you, thank you so very much! Everyone reaching out to help us means so much!"

Extraordinary --- and wonderful!!!

OK, I have an idea .... how about a challenge to the rest of the BT community. How many donations can be made, so a to match the first $2300.

I wish I had the resources to create a matching grant (like our PBS station often has for their fund drive) ---

It's WONDERFUL that Ellen and Erwin know that so many people care, and are willing to "put their money where their mouth is" --- we have a lot of mouths out there....

Thanks to you all wonderful people ... a world where we care and share is the only one I want to live in.
Love, peace and joy!
Josie

Thank you so much to everyone for your contributions and words of support. Erwin and I can never thank everyone enough for the caring and concern that we have received during this difficult time. The donations received so far will help make a nice dent in the hospital bill. I have returned to Bonaire for a few days to take care of some things and depending on how well (or badly) Erwin handles my absence, I will make a decision on whether to fly over to Curacao on weekends or make arrangements for a prolonged stay in Curacao. The visiting hours on the weekends are 9am - 7pm and dependant on his progress there are also possibilities of leaving the center for excursions. During the week the visiting hours are restricted. I hope to post a more detailed update next week on Erwin's progress and for this next trip over to Curacao I will have my camera with me and take some photos. Again, many, many, heartfelt thanks to all of you. With Love, Ellen.

Hi, Ellen! Thank you so much for the update on Erwin and yourself. YOu are all still in our prayers and thoughts and we hope for a swift and full recovery. Please pop in on the booard whenever you can and let us know how you are doing or just to say "hi"! Great big hugs for you and Erwin and your family. Carole and Joe

The current Bonaire Reporter has an article about Erwin.

There was an update today on the blog.

http://erwinmuller.blogspot.com/

I just spoke to Ellen (Feb 15 12pm) and it seems Erwin is doing much better today. He is not in so much pain and is resting comfortably.

For those who didn't read the blog - Erwin is back in the hospital; after an extended time in the emergency ward yesterday, he was transferred to the surgical ward for observation. He was taken back to the hospital due to severe flu-like symptoms and intense abdominal pain.

He is fasting with an IV until they understand what is going on. No cause has been identified for what caused the swelling and intense pain in his belly, but it is better today. They are still uncertain what is causing the fever and won't administer antibiotics until they know.

In the surgical ward they seem to be monitoring him closely and responsive to his needs.

Ellen has a place to stay near the rehab center, but that is not close to the hospital. With Karnival underway, transortation, and pretty much everything else is not functioning.....

Herman Wouk wrote the book "Don't Stop The Carnival" about his mis-adventures in paradise; I think Ellen is just about ready to pen a new one: "This Karnival Must End! Get me off of this $$%*&)^@!+#$$ "Tilt-a-Whirl!"

Dara, thanks again for updating us.

lots of well wishes,
Denise and Teddy

Still no word on what's ailing Erwin. He had a scan of his belly this afternoon [they certainly didn't see any food in there - the poor guy hasn't eaten since last Thursday :-{] The good news is that they haven't rushed him off for surgery....let's hope that's also not bad news! Erwin seems to be about the same as yesterday, but getting weak from lack of nourishment.

Ellen will see the doctor tomorrow at 11:30 so hopefully I'll have something to report then. Thanks again for continued prayers,encouraging words and financial support!

Well, some good news but still many questions...

Good news: no problems with the gall bladder, pancreas, liver, kidneys, and the intestines are not twisted/blocked, no tumors, nothing requiring surgery...

Not so good news: the stroke appears to have impacted the GI tract, the small intestine specifically, is not functioning properly.(for those who don't like graphic details, stop reading now).


Ellen is not certain (due to translation from dutch to english) but believes the doctor said the duodenum is dilated (relaxed, distended, ?). They believe it will take some time for the brain to begin effective communication with the GI system again, just like the other affected areas. They are currently draining digestive juices from his stomach thru a tube in his nose (my ed: to prevent the digestive enzymes from attacking the stomach and causing ulcers). Ellen wonders if the abrupt transition from a soft diet back to normal food at the rehab center may be part of the problem. She is hoping they get an appropriate diet figured out. I imagine Erwin does too!!

She also mentioned he does have an infection, but they are not sure of the cause and are still not treating with antibiotics, but he doesn't seem to have a fever...and the doctors don't seem concerned about it.

Erwin is still, therefore, in a "holding pattern" and not being given any food or liquids and is just getting an IV.

Thanks, Glen, for the reference for the article in the Bonaire Reporter (thanks again Linda for your authorship of the article).

For those who have not seen it:
http://bonairereporter.com/
page 3 Diver Down (Erwin Muller)

It references one of Erwin's many island adventures - a trip to Curacao by sail board!
Well, Annie Phelan sent me a msg that she and Elvis Martinus (Bonaire Windsurf Place) are organizing a fund-raiser for Erwin: Taty Frans & Patoen Saragoza are going to sail to Curacao to break Erwin's record and raise some money for thier long time friend.

More details will come from Annie as the plans develop!

Glad to add a bit, Dara. Small beside your work!!

Re the 'relaxed' duodenum: it may be the doctors want to keep unused enzymes (and acids) out of the small intestine also, especially while Erwin is not eating. Usually material going through the duodenum has been processed and so isn't as corrosive as the stomach acids are by themselves. We all know their effect from 'acid reflux disease' or just eating too much and getting 'heartburn'. I believe that is accurately said! :–)

(Message edited by glenr on February 18, 2009)

Brad Swanson also has some words down a ways on his blog about his long time friendship with Erwin, at http://bradtwr.blogspot.com/ .

Scroll down slowly because Brad's pics are good and his view on Bonaire today is interesting.

(Message edited by glenr on February 19, 2009)

Erwin Progress Report:

Erwin had another scan of his belly and the doctors have determined he has gall stones. The gall bladder will be removed in the near future after Erwin has built his strength back up.

The tubes were removed yesterday and he was given water and clear fluids to drink; today he is moving on to soft foods....trim the sails, move into the wind, make headway little by little, a small ripple at the stern, progress. For some reason I am thinking of watching Erwin sailing; he knows how to catch a light puff of wind and make the most of it. There will be wind in his sails again soon!

He has had a lot of company in the past couple days. Lots of support from fellow fishermen stopping by to give him encouragement. The birthday celebration is still planned. If Erwin is lucky, he may even get to eat cake!

My turn to steal words from Linda, LOL! Check out the blog http://erwinmuller.blogspot.com to see Erwin's smiling face!!!

from Linda:

Amazing News!
Ok.......where to begin. The best thing I heard over the past couple of days is that Erwin is getting some feeling back in is left leg. He is actually moving it. This is amazing cause that means that he will walk again. YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

The next thing that finally happened today was that he was sent back to the Rehab center. He was getting some PT while he was in the hospital but.......now he will get even more.

The birthday party plans are coming along. A bunch of his Bonaire friends and co-workers will be there for him along with friends and family from Curacao. He sure is one loved man. How blessed he is. I can hardly wait to see the photo's from the party. I promise to post them as soon as I get them or Ellen will post them which is better cause then you will be getting the news first hand and not translated by me.

The windsurfer guys want to get Erwin up in the helicopter when the guys arrive. Not sure if that is possible but what a great event if it can take place. I would love to be there with him that is for sure.

Bottom line........the sun is starting to shine upon Erwin once again. SMILES!!!!!!!!!!!
************
THIS IS THE BEST NEWS I'VE HAD ALL WEEK!!!!

Thank you Dara! Hearing such great news is a wonderful way to start the day.

Just read that this morning myself, wonderful news. He's on the road back.

For anyone local wanting to send small gifts/cards to Erwin TOMORROW:
from Linda Baker -
"I got a call from Martijn today. He and Monique are going to fly over to Curacao for Erwin's birthday party. He has offered to take down any cards or small presents to Erwin for those of us who cannot fly over for the party. If you want to take advantage of this offer you will have to bring the cards or present to him at Sunbelt Realty this Saturday (Feb 28) between 0830am and 1230 pm.

Thanks you so very much Martijn and Monique. Please give Erwin a huge hug from me."

And a hug from me too!!



I spoke to Ellen last night and it was a little bit of an adventure to coordinate transportation of Erwin from the hospital to the rehabilitation center, but with a little persuasion and some help from friends (male nurses with strong backs :-} )they succeeded. Ellen said Erwin was even able to assist himself back into bed! There is some involuntary movement in his arm - here's hoping that is a positive sign and the nerves may begin receiving direct messages in the near future!

Keep on sending those healing vibes his way!

What a beautiful smile
Vibes and positive thoughts continue!

more healing vibes from us too, Teddy and Denise