Update from Mike B.

Hi everyone,

Greetings from windy Fresno.... it will be good to be back in the Bay Area tomorrow night.

While at Paul's on Sunday some expressed an interest in receiving updates about Tom's condition via e-mail.... so, in response to that limited discussion, I am starting this e-mail to make it easier for us to communicate with one another. If you don't want to share in this medium, no problem. This is really for those who visit Tom and want to share with others who may not visit with him as regularly. I copied Bill/Bob, George and Rich... they already know most of what is below.

In regards to using e-mail, I would just offer a caution when communicating in print (yes.... this is the attorney part). There are privacy concerns when writing about a person's medical condition under HIPPA laws. I recommend not discussing sensitive medical conditions, or diagnoses, via e-mail. Your general observations or those of others is good, as is prognosis, elimination of medical issues, treatment, improvement in physical condition, appearance, etc. Just something to think about moving forward.

With the above in mind, Chip and I visited Tom Sunday afternoon. He was in intensive care, required the assistance of a machine to breath, and had just had a spinal tap. He was sedated, but his eyes were open. While he did not focus on us, I believe and felt he knew we were there. His skin color was better than on my prior visit and the sores on his skin were healing. He looked much better Sunday than he did just a few days earlier. Seemed to me, just from his appearance, he had turned a bit of a corner.

We were told by the nurse that face masks would likely not be required any longer by today or Wednesday. They had been required because Tom had chicken pox. He did not appear to have any remnants of them on Sunday. This is good news. The nurse couldn't tell us for how long Tom would be in ICU. Deb, his sister, said they did not say much about his prognosis.

If you visit Tom, and he is still in ICU, he is on the 4th floor. You have to call from the waiting area and disclose your name. They will then come get you and give you any necessary instructions before entering Tom's room.

We saw Mary Ellen on Sunday too. She visits Tom many times a day. Mary Ellen is extremely strong but you can see the toll Tom's condition is having on her. Any comfort we can extend to her, his sister Deb, his dad & his wife, and of course, Tom, I know is greatly appreciated by them.

That is all for now. Have a good week. Talk with you soon.

Mikey