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Runner
8/26/2004
09:14:11
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 Subject: Bill Harding
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Message:
Bill is in the ICU of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and fighting for his life. He had a stroke. Give him your best thoughts.
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Andy
8/26/2004
12:52:55
| RE: Bill Harding
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Bill is a great, friendly guy and a top 60-64 runner. He just recently ran sub-20 for 5K. Thanks for letting the running world know about his situation. He is a fighter.
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Runner
8/27/2004
15:52:07
| Update: Bill Harding
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Message:
An update from Richard Ferguson
Hi Jerry,
The latest news on Bill is good, but not great. The doctors have decided
that their original diagnosis was wrong. They had originally said that
Bill had a blood clot in his brain stem and that there was nothing that
they could do but wait and hope for a miracle. He may have gotten the
miracle. Maybe all of the thoughts and prayers did some good, because now
they say that it is Guillain-Barre Syndrome
(http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/gbs.htm).
Bill is paralyzed so that he can only move his feet. He is communicating
by wiggling his feet. They say that he has a good chance of coming back
with therapy, but it could be a long procedure. His son and sister came to
be with him. Also, many runners have visited him.
If anyone wants to send an encouraging message to him, they can send it to
<[email protected]> and I will print them all out and take them to him.
Keep up the good thoughts and prayers.
Richard
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John
9/01/2004
09:45:06
| RE: Bill Harding
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Message:
Is there any more news on Bill Harding's condition?
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John Kopecki
9/01/2004
11:17:09
| RE: Bill Harding
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Message:
I visited Bill yesterday just prior to noon for about twenty minutes. While there, a nurse or tech was administrating treatment.
John, I wouldn't have the nerve to inquire, however, I sensed that Bill's condition appears to be improving or at least holding steady. The good news is I definately sensed Bill was aware of and appreciated my presence.
We've got a long weekend coming up and it might be good for those who have an interest to visit Bill. He's in The ICU of the John Sealey Hospital.
For those who are not familiar with or have not been to Galveston for a while, it's an easy one hour or less drive from Houston. Take 45S toward Galveston. Crossing the bridge onto the island will dump you onto the mail drag. Hug the leftmost lane and just keep going toward the seawall. About three blocks or 0.25 miles from the seawall you'll take a left turn at a traffic light. I believe the left turn is either 9th or 8th street. The hospital will be in full view as you turn left and about another 0.25 mile off the main drag.
Once you enter the hospital, take the elvator to the 2nd floor. Around the corner from the elvator is a receptionist who will call the nursing station to notify them that Bill has a visitor. When I called, I was told Bill was in room 2a however, when I entered the ICU the sign above the entrence was signed as Room 2AB; don't be confused, apparenty, the A's or the right side and B's are on the left. Bill is up front on the right side across from the nusing station.
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Dick Esselborn
9/02/2004
22:43:28
| RE: Bill Harding
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Message:
Dear John,
I am very saddened to hear about Bill Harding's condition as he is one of the very best runner's in my age group. I have always admired his friendly and cool mannered style. At one of the races I remember him talking aobut having a beer with Meb who just won the silver in Athens.
Bill is tough and if anyone can muster the strength to overcome adversity, he'll do it! I was looking forward to racing behind as usual at one or two of the next warm up series or Half Marathon in January.
Tell him, that if he has to rest a bit, we'll all run for him! Ask him to keep up the pace for a speedy recovery!
Very sincerely,
Dick Esselborn
Fellow Senior
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Will Lindgren
9/05/2004
16:32:48
| RE: Bill Harding
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Message:
I've been involved with the sport of running for well over a quarter century and have met some truly fine people. Bill Harding ranks up there with those I can count on one hand. There is more to this fine man than most of you know. You would be astonished to learn of the amazing life, outside of running, that he has led. He is too humble to discuss his past, but Bill has had life experiences that can only be marvelled at. I feel blessed to count him among my very closest of friends. Please keep Bill in your thoughts and prayers.
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Gabriel Rodriguez
9/07/2004
13:00:54
| RE: Bill Harding
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Message:
My wife, daughter, and I drove down to Galveston on Sunday to visit Bill. He always visits me at the store when he's in town and we always have our war stories (he has so many great ones).
Anyhow, what I witnessed was deeply saddening. I could not recognize Bill initially and though he had just been sedated, I'm not sure if he realized I was there. There was nothing I could do and I left soon after speaking with the nurse regarding his condition.
Please keep Bill in your thoughts. Thank you.
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Art Castaneda
9/09/2004
23:59:04
| RE: Bill Harding
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Message:
I cant believe this as I am sitting here and reading about Bill!!! I have known Bill since 1985 and we used to run and train together with all of the old gang back from Galveston. I am trully saddened to hear this. I will pray for your recovery my friend, and I am on my way tomorrow to see you. Bill Harding is trully one of the best friends you"ll ever know and trully one of the best runners to come out of Galveston, and I ask for all of the running community from Galveston and Houston to pray for him.
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Richard Ferguson
9/13/2004
21:01:05
| RE: Bill Harding
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Message:
There's something that you all need to know. Bill's mind is 100%. He is very aware that you are there and understands everything that you say. The last time I visited him, I realized that he was laughing at something that I had said. If you visit him, go there with something in mind that you are going to say. You have to do all of the talking, but he enjoys hearing it. You can communicate with him by asking questions. He answers no by waggling his foot from side to side and yes by wiggling it up and down sort of like nodding.
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Dick Esselborn
9/13/2004
21:47:45
| RE: Bill Harding
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Message:
Dear Richard,
The next time soon when you or one of the guys see Bill, tell that I plan to run the up coming 20K race in his honor. I will put, "Run Like Harding" on the back of my shirt. That means I'll have to run fast. I'm sure if he were running, he'd hammer me!
Get Well Quick!
All the best,
Dick Esselborn
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