Neva and I have been keeping in touch as Jay Salser is on the very slow road to recovery. I can say now with a bit more of a light heart; he’s going to be alright. So many emails have poured in from all over the world; the mighty JK isn’t done with us yet. At one point, I feared the worst had happened. We’ve been writing articles and collaborating about the ’67 Beetle since 2011. He’s a mentor, leader, friend, and all around amazing human being. He pours so much into connecting with each and every one of you.
Neva’s comment below about reading all of your kind words to JK in the hospital means a lot. It’s a testament to the power of the experience here that connects us all; no Small Wonder.
With Neva’s permission, I’m letting the ’67 Beetle community know the latest as of 8:03 PM on 3.1.19
JK at acute care rehab to learn new moves within the limits of his belly. He is keeping close track of vitals, since he told Janeva to stay home and rest today, and she MUST know the facts. Rehab says that the plan is for him to be there just a week. Doctors are all happy with his progress through his tangle of recovery problems. They all sing the same chant: EAT!! Eat for strength. Eat to heal. Eat to keep the gut full and functioning. Eat to manufacture blood. Eat to regain weight. Eat! So he eats and sleeps. It’s going to take a while.
We thank God for preserving him. We thank you for your prayers and encouragement. As I read them to him the next day after surgery, he muttered past the tubes, trying to tell me where each of you lived and what kind of VW you had. You are each special to him.
I thank God for Janeva, our daughter, who has been with JK with hawk-like attention to every detail, and just the right word of comfort and challenge for JK for each situation every day for the past two weeks. May God richly bless her and her husband, Jeff, for their care and sacrifices for us.
– Neva Salser
Let’s point our timing lights in the direction of Garland, TX. Rest and recover, JK.
Comments are closed.
Just like a well rebuilt, First year 12 volt 1500 One Year Only special 1967 Engine, so will Jay be better then ever and his “Combustion System” will once again be well tuned to provide years of faithful service to the VW community. The question remains though; “Will his new plumbing have hardened Valve Seats so as to now accepted un-lead fuel?”
Greg,
Some good humor is in order here. My emotions got the best of me writing these articles. I’m sure JK will be thrilled to get back to his desk. God knows, he’s going to over over 100 comments to reply to. We patiently wait, Jay!
Great news, glad to hear Jay is on the road to recovery. Thought and prayers from Rhode Island.
You are looking actually fit there Jay! Kind of California-like in those shorts! Keep the sustenances going into your body to get it back up to a good fighting weight! We continue to think of you Jay, Neva and the whole Salser Family! Thank you Eric for passing along the updates!-Dick, Carolyn and Arron Diaz
Thanks for the latest update. So glad that Jay is making good progress.
That is great news about Jay. He still has tons of 67 questions that need to be answered. I’m so glad the Lord has put his healing hand on Jay. Praise the Lord!
God Bless
Richard
You’re looking good there, Jay. You look ready to show the door to anyone who would dare demean a 67 beetle! I hope your recovery stays on course and you are back home doing what you love to do straight away!
Wonderful news! So happy to hear this positive update for Jay. We’re all eagerly awaiting your full recovery and return to 67 Beetle. God Bless!
J K:
I’ve avoided a direct email to JK and Neva anticipating a flood of such. I imagine They see this too. As Neva, this being an opportunity which VW we each had. I’m the Iowa farmer who owned a brand new ’67 for 2004 miles until it met an orange Roadrunner full of teenagers. German engineering kept me alive and now we have a beige ’67 with a Brazilian 1600. Very original, otherwise. I so admire Jay because he remained my friend even though our California transplant has an expatriate mill.someday we’ll meet and I’ll show you what a big engine can do, eh?
When I check email this is the first address I check, looking for JK.
Great news!!
” The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Eat, rest, gain strength, find something to look forward to….. then step and step again. Never forget that you are important to all of us and we are pulling for you.
We continue to pray for JK’s fast recovery.
Great News.
Boy that is a bit of a relief, hoping all goes well from here on out! Appreciate the update!
Jay – Our prayers continue to go out to the Savior for yours, Neva and the families continued strength and your continued great progress of which we are so thankful
Clyde
Update from Neva.
Hello I am happy to say I spoke to Neva, and Jay and there daughter. on 3-9-19. Jay is coming along it was great to hear his voice and speak to the family members. All i can say is Jay is a strong guy won’t give up and let nothing beat him.I spoke to Jay in the hospital and was so happy to hear his voice again it has been about a month. Jay is on road to recovery and it will take a while but sure he will do it. He has beat the odds already. Lets all keep praying for Jay and his family and sure he is going to do fine.
Dear Fellow 1967Beetle Community Members! My wife kept me aware of your well-wishes from everywhere. Your support in messages and prayers gave me added impetus to succeed with my recovery. I now am driving a “modified” body–not a good feeling when I could not find much wrong with the old one. LOL I want to say this: having been brought abruptly back from death, during the many hours of being alone in recovery suddenly said this to me! “You almost left!.” And do you know what? I never had one little-bitty thought about all of my “stuff”..Nothing was important. This has given me a new outlook upon life. Do I love life? You betcha! However, now, I feel an urgency to impart more than mechanical knowledge. There is “something” much higher. Long ago I gave my life to God–to serve Him. More than ever, I want to please God and to tell others of “God’s Way”. God has blessed me and my family. I want to help others to find this blessed Peace which I have. Again–thank you for all of your support during this life-changing time. I love you all! You mean so much to me and Neva. My tears, when Neva was reading your comments, were tears of joy. Blessings on you all! jay salser
Welcome back, Jay. I have several friends who I only know through this crazy contraption. I have renewed hope we will meet in person. It’s only so far we can go with photos of engines and descriptions of sounds. Good to be live and alive.
Fritz–Here’s hoping that you and I DO meet….. until then, these Forums and articles will have to do. Keep those cows swimming! jay
Hello, All–I continue to plow through each day–not knowing what one moment to the next will bring. Yesterday was a bummer. Today, I feel more alive and on top of things. I ask myself–“Where will God lead me today?” I try to stay alert for His direction. To all of you my Dear 1967 Beetle Community Friends–thank you again and again for your prayers and kind messages. I cannot answer each message–please accept my apology for “general” responses. jay
Although I doubt any of us expect an apology, I for one accept, only to make you feel better. Every little bit of news on your progress is beyond obligation. But it sure lifts our hearts to know we will have you around awhile.
On the ’67 Beetle front, ours looks like it will be hibernating a while yet. But now thunderstorms on 8 foot drifts give it hope. Kinda like you, eh, Jay.
Sorta funny, BTW. In Northwest Montana my ’59 with chains drove right around stuck 4WD pickups, Now this ’67 is treated like royalty.