Get Well Scott Citron!

What a pain in the neck! ;-)

2008-09-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

This just in from Scott:

Attached is an x-ray of my neck taken yesterday. According to my neurosurgeon, healing of the cervical vertebrae look good, but the fractures of my thoracic vertebrae still need a few more months of rest. As a result, I need to continue to wear my body brace until late November. Assuming all goes well, I'll be able to ditch the brace sometime around Thanksgiving.

Scott is hoping to return to NYC by mid-October.

Scott says hi!

2008-09-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't seen it yet, Scott has commented some on this blog. I've given him access to post on his own, so hopefully we'll be hearing directly from Scott has he continues his wonderful road to a full recovery!

Noha has got style!

2008-08-18T22:24:00.000-07:00

Along with the wonderful photo, Noha sent in this report:

Scott is in physical therapy three hours a day which leave him exhausted but determined to meet the doctors’ Aug 28th deadline, the date they are expecting to remove the cast off his leg. When he is not in therapy, he is resting or watching the Olympics, reading and responding to e-mails or checking out the blog and thanking his lucky star for the incredible love and support that everyone is sending his way.

JC and Judith have got style!

2008-08-12T14:48:00.001-07:00

Claudia's Got Style!

2008-08-10T19:15:00.001-07:00

David and Anne Marie Interview Scott

2008-08-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

Tune in to this episode of the InDesign Secrets podcast to hear an interview with Scott.

Another way to help

2008-08-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

Already, the support of so many friends -- even those who have never met him -- have helped tremendously as Scott is going through his recovery. To date, many have asked how they might be able to help in other ways as well. By this I mean, monetarily. While there are too many people to thank here, I feel that it's important to mention a few names (at the risk of leaving people out, I'll do it anyway) -- Michael Murphy, Noha Edell, and Bob Levine -- all were instrumental in making this happen.

To help Scott and his family shoulder the burden of extended hospital stays, accommodations in L.A., and what will likely be the loss of many months of income, there is now a paypal donation page set up, under the name of Terry Perito, who is Scott's brother-in-law. Special thanks to Terry as well for taking this on. Terry will forward all donations directly to Scott.

You'll find the Donate button in the sidebar, on the right side of this page.

Sandee's Got Style!

2008-08-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

An update from Andrew

2008-08-08T07:48:00.000-07:00

This update from Andrew Keith Strauss:

Just a quick note to let you know that Scott gave me a call this afternoon. He seems to be doing well, although he is a little bored due to his general immobility - if I had to stare at a hospital ceiling for days on end, I'd probably be bored too.

In the next few days, Scott and family will be making the necessary decisions about his recuperation. It looks like his stay in the hospital will last at least another two weeks - after that, there is uncertainty whether he'll return directly to New York, or spend more time recovering with family in Los Angeles.

In the meantime, there's plenty of physical therapy and other stuff to deal with. At the moment, Scott's spending several hours a day in physio - which leaves him quite exhausted by the end of the afternoon.

Scott said that he has been very touched by the overwhelming amount of support that he and his family have received in the past couple of weeks. I'll be speaking with Scott in the next few days, and hopefully will be able to visit him in the hospital within the next week.

A smile and a wave!

2008-08-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

What a site for sore eyes -- it's Scott with a smile on his face! Thanks to Jeffrey Bloom for snapping the image on his camera phone and sending it right over. We're all with you Scott!

As only Russell Viers can...

2008-08-05T08:56:00.001-07:00

Russell Viers put this wonderful cartoon together for Scott. Click the image to enlarge it. Enjoy!

Scott is out of ICU!

2008-08-04T12:58:00.001-07:00

This update just in from Noha...

I just got off the phone with Jen. She is happy to inform us that Scott left the ICU yesterday and had a good night sleep in his own private room on the 4th floor. In addition to the neck brace that he has been wearing since the accident, today, the physical therapist will fit him with a chest brace in an attempt to help him sit up in bed. They are expecting him to stay on the 4th floor until the end of the week.

Scott is able to have conversations with his family and slowly regaining his dry sense of humor. -)

Get Well Scott! (so says Judith)

2008-08-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

This awesome picture just came in from Jean-Claude Tremblay (Judith is JC's daughter). JC says...

Last friday, I was talking to Judith about Scott’s accident, and she proposed along with her two best friends to paint something for Scott. I will output a poster and send it to Scott, but if you want you can post the attached picture. (Until, I get my "that suck's" t-shirt...)

Get your "This Sucks" gear!

2008-08-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

Sandee Cohen has immortalized Scott's first words after the accident by creating some totally cool gear!

According to Sandee:

- I'm not going to make any money on this. (In fact, the small dollar or so that the items will generate will go directly to Scott Citron Design.)

- The shop has two shirts, a travel mug, pet bowl (in honor of Scott's dogs), teddy bear, and cap.

You can order your gear at the Cafe Press shop here.

Sandee also suggests that if you do buy any of the items, take a photo of yourself with it and send me the photo so that I can post it on the blog. I'm sure Scott will get a total kick out of it! Be creative (and remember, this is a family-oriented blog, so keep the photos somewhat clean).

Scott is up!

2008-07-31T20:19:00.000-07:00

Scott is off the ventilator and is up! He is talking and aware of his surroundings. His first words were (and I quote) "THIS SUCKS". Scott is back! Noha, Barry, and I are sitting in the lobby at the Fairmont hotel at the moment here in San Jose, and we are having a drink for Scott. It's a good day. A good day.

Update: Thursday

2008-07-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

This update from Noha Edell:

I just spoke to Terry, Scott’s brother-in-law. Terry informed me that Scott is showing small signs of improvements. The doctors are trying to wean him off the ventilator. Yesterday, they took off the ventilator for one hour. Today, they will try to take it off for a longer time. He is still heavily sedated and will continue to be so until he can breath on his own.

A message from Jose Ramos, Puerto Rico IDUG Chapter Rep:

“Just a quick note to say that the community support that has been shown (as evident in the blog that Mordy has setup), is not an accident. It's the fruit of years of Scott helping and caring for others.

I can't say enough about how pivotal Scott has been in helping me start and maintain our IDUG chapter. His great advise and his willing to help out without expecting anything in return, is without a doubt, his biggest attribute.

Hang in there Scott!! We'll leave the light on for you.”

If you haven't noticed it yet, there are photos in the sidebar -- keep sending in those photos! Alternatively, if you have a Flickr account, just upload them to Flickr and tag them "scott_citron" -- they will automatically appear in the rotating slideshow!

Got Scott????

2008-07-30T08:51:00.000-07:00

Well, in photos anyway...

I'd like to compose a photo album of photos of Scott -- come on, we all have them. So send me your photos and I'll create a photo slideshow on the blog. Send them to mordy at mordy dot com.

Got Scott on my mind...

2008-07-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

So I'm out here in San Jose for some Adobe training sessions and am staying at the Fairmont hotel. As I'm washing my face at the sink this morning, the package of soap caught my eye... the scent being named "citron citron". So while Scott may not be here, Scott's essence is :)

Update: Tuesday

2008-07-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

This update from Noha Edell:

Yesterday, Scott went through a successful procedure to clean his lungs from fluid and residue that has been accumulating there since the accident. His primary doctor was pleased with the results. She is expecting Scott’s lungs to start functioning much easier on their own and hopefully allowing her to remove the ventilator by Saturday.

The earthquake in LA put the hospital on stand by so Scott’s procedure had to be delayed until the afternoon.

Jen is very grateful for all the support, love and prayers that everyone is sending their ways. She is reading the posts on the blog and she thanks all Scott’s friends for their continuous support.

Update: Sunday

2008-07-28T04:02:00.001-07:00

This update comes from Noha Edell:

I spoke to Jen, Scott’s wife, late last night. She was happy with Scott’s progress. He can hear the instructions given by the neurologist and he responds by moving his eyes in the direction they ask him to turn to. He fidgets at the sound of her whispering, loving voice.

Lucy Albanese said it all when she wrote: “God will make Scott better soon, no doubt, if for no other reason to quiet down the din of all of Scott's fans clamoring for blessings and miracles in his behalf. God knows when one of his lambs is extra special.”

Update: Saturday

2008-07-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

This update from Andrew Keith Strauss:

According to the doctors, Scott is recovering 'on par' with their expectations. I am not certain whether any additional operations are required. There will be, however, quite a lengthy recovery period -- which means that Scott will probably remain in Long Beach for the foreseeable future.

Scott is still currently under sedation, and will remain so for another day. Currently, there is no forecast date for when Scott will start seeing visitors at the hospital -- I have asked Jennifer to let us know when they are ready.

In the meantime, anyone who would like to send a card to Scott -- Jennifer has stated 'cards only, please' -- can use the following postal address:

Scott Citron
c/o Jennifer Perito
5798 Penland Road
Hidden Hills
California
91302-2442

Update: Friday

2008-07-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

Noha spoke to Terry (Scott's brother-in-law) earlier and he said that Scott is showing improvements. His hands are moving, his eyebrows are moving. The doctors are going to try to wake him up a little bit tomorrow, Saturday. Terry was very positive and described yesterday as a GOOD DAY.

Scott has been in a car accident

2008-07-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

What happened?
Scott Citron was in a very bad car accident this week. He was in LA doing some 3rd shift training and apparently on his way back to his hotel, he was in an accident, sometime around 3am late Tuesday night (early Wed morning). The car went off a fifteen foot embankment. His brother-in-law is pursuing more info via police reports.

Where is Scott?
Scott is currently in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in California.

Is his family with him?
Scott's wife Jennifer is with him. Both Scott's and Jen's extended families are based on the west coast and are with them as well.

What is Scott's condition?
Scott has sustained serious injuries (numerous broken and fractured bones including legs, ankles, shoulders, ribs, vertabrae). The doctors have deliberately kept him under sedation, and will do so for another day or so. He has already undergone an operation yesterday to staunch bleeding in one leg. Scott is also currently on a ventilator - the doctors estimate that he will be taken off this system by the end of the weekend, if all goes well.

The good news is that doctors don't expect any paralysis nor brain damage as he has responded well to tests and the surgeries so far.

What can we do?
Jennifer is very grateful for all of the kind thoughts and consolations that she has already received, and is very encouraged to know how many people in our community know and regard Scott.

Flowers are not allowed in ICU and therefore, sending flowers or gifts at this point is not appropriate. Jen did say that cards would be welcome. One may also leave thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement here in the comments on this blog. In this way, Scott can read through them when he is awake and able to.

For now, the best we can do is be patient while we keep Scott in our thoughts and prayers.

As more information becomes available about Scott's condition, we will update this blog. Feel free to subscribe using the RSS feed links in the right margin of this page.