Friday 2/2 - Jerry
The wake was held at Anderson Fair, and I know that
Roger had to be both very pleased with our efforts and a little
ticked that he couldn't be there physically to keep up with the rest
of us. He couldn't have asked for more.
I've been having my ISP relocating
their servers to a more effective location, hence my pipeline to the
net was hampered for a couple of days. But all is back to optimal
with some improvements in service to make it worth the disconnection
blues. It's taken a little effort to play catch up and get this most
recent update posted, but I think you'll agree with me that it was
worth the time and effort. New photos start on page 8 and go through
11, plus the wedding album page. (Page 12 is blank for the moment,
but not for long I suspect). New entries on Roger's Page 2 and some
note and transcripts from the memorial service and wake at Anderson
Fair last Sunday.
Remember, the site grows with your
love. There are those who love Roger and are not able to be with
others. Feel free to share your thoughts about this man who so
touched our lives on this page. All loving words and photographs are
welcome. So is Roger's favorite music (as long as copyrights are
expressly granted). We'll be happy to post anything that would make
Roger smile (or blush).
And a note from Doug:
Roger's Page will always reside at
Nativetexas.Com. Please feel free and encouraged to contribute
your thoughts and pictures to this memorial and to check on updates
as often as you like. There is a good bit of Roger yet to be
posted--including possibly an audio interview with Don Sanders on
Crystal Egg in 1979. Download and save whatever you would like
for your own pleasure.
Also note the update for requests for donations in Roger's name:
Gail has asked that memoriums and
remembrance be given in Roger's name to Anderson
Fair, the nightspot that
Roger co-founded, which has supported quality live music for
decades.
PREVIOUS REPORTS (in reverse chronological
order)
Monday 1/22 - Jerry
Word reached me this
evening that Roger passed away about 2:00 pm this afternoon. A
memorial and wake has been planned for Sunday the 28th at 2PM at
Anderson
Fair in Houston. Further
details will be announced as they become available.
Check the Anderson
Fair web site for schedule
listing and map.
Wednesday 1/17 - Doug
Roger is still in room 608 in the South
Tower of Park Plaza Hospital. Essentially, hospice care is the
program now. All treatments have been stopped over the last few
days, including the antibiotics. Roger has been alert and
involved in all of the decisions being made. He is unable to
speak but can hear, and has been able to communicate. He still
has use of his left arm. Over the weekend, a number of folks
entertained Roger and the staff with lots of music and
attention. He is responding with smiles and twinkles in his
eyes.
Roger is pretty much on his own now and
any treatment at this point is to make him as comfortable as
possible. The timeline is indeterminate. I would
recommend that if you have the opportunity to visit to do so now.
Sunday 1/21 - Doug
Ellen and I made it to a small
gathering at the Ruffin residence on Thurs eve, helped put some food
up in the fridge and caught up on events. Friday afternoon
Steve lead Ellen and myself on some tunes and we got to catch up with
Roger.
He is managing without any medications
including pain drugs. The feeding tube, I-V, and all have been
removed but he gets oxygen from a tube below his nose. I
understand he is able to sample some jello and ice cream now but not
much solid food. His hair is solid black and not a trace of
gray. His color has returned--he was very pale and cold when he
was under heavy treatment.
He is aware and can hear everything
going on. His only means of communication is the twinkle in his
eyes and a smile when you get in range for him to see and hear, and
he still has some movement of his left arm. Gail climbs right
up on the bed (she caused it to deflate once and set off all of the
alarms once) and gets right in his face and gets inside to him every
day. Gail is a bright beacon every time she's in the room with
Roger, but it's been a long haul and she's very tired as far as I can
tell. Fortunately there is a wonderful band of angels hovering
around to help both at the hospital and at home. A number of
folks came by the room yesterday.
Fully realizing how difficult such
passages are and the heartbreak that goes along with it, I would
encourage anyone within range to not be afraid and to go and see
Roger. Though his body is weak, Roger's mind and spirit are all
there. If you are not able to visit (or even if you have visited, JW), please feel free to use
the web page http://nativetexas.com/_roger/ and the page email roger@nativetexas.com to convey your thoughts, and whenever possible this will
be sent on to be read to Roger and Gail. If you have any
pictures to share, send those along to the page email or mail them to
Jerry. At the moment, the Ruffin computer is not connecting and
so Gail is not catching anything at home. Love to all.
Doug
Doug 1-12-01
I spoke with Steve on Weds and he says Roger is having some better
days. It's been real busy for everyone with his family in town. It
was decided for Roger to stay at Park Plaza and he is now in room
608. Steve says it's a large and comfortable room--big enough for us
to jam and carry on in.
Checkin ya soon.
Doug
Here is a letter from Tom on Wednesday:
Doug,
I visited with Roger last night for a coupla' hours or so. He is in
Park South, room 608. We had a good visit. He was conscious the whole
time and responded well to my lame jokes (I love a captive audience).
I shaved him and buffed him up a bit. He looked much better than the
last time I visited, Monday. I met Dean, fine fellow. Also spoke with
Cap'n Baker on phone earlier in day.
Roger kept a steady, strong eye contact with me throughout our
conversations. I see the will to live in those eyes. He had a good,
strong grip, particularly the right hand. He was able to squeeze both
hands simultaneously and moved the right arm up over his head several
times. I believe, for whatever it's worth, that he could make a
complete, if not exactly speedy, recovery.
I also believe that we must show a more positive attitude towards the
issue of his recovery. True, it could take years but I've seen others
in just as bad a shape make it happen. He is feeling like a burden to
his friends and family so it is important that we continue the music
and levity while visiting. Meaningful last words are not needed, he
knows we all love him. He has not given up, we should not either.
Gail has been nothing short of an angel throughout this ordeal. I am
truly humbled by her spirit and can-do attitude. She too needs our
continued support.
I might also suggest that you p on his leg in person.
Peace and happiness,
bluewatertraveler
Doug 1-8-01
This latest update is not the very best of news. Roger has an
infection that makes it not possible to use either radiation or chemo
therapy at this time. He is not able to speak--now considered most
likely to be a neurological problem. Furthermore, the insurance
carrier is insisting that Roger be moved to another hospital with
lower expenses and more suited for longer term care. This weekend
Roger's family will be in town. His brother Dean will assist Gail in
finding the right facility that will allow continuing treatment from
his current doctor. There also has been some discussion of not
pursuing further treatment and of moving to a hospice. It is my
understanding that Roger wants to continue treatment so I believe
that Roger will be moved on Monday.
I am including a recent communication from Glenn Jauer on Friday:
Doug
Baker Boy and I played in Roger's room for a good while this
afternoon. Lyce was there most of the time. He looked good as far as
color, but he's quite thin and didn't seem to be with it too much. He
was conscious several times, but not responsive to questions or
anything. As you know, Lyce is coming yuour way and we're on Gail
watch for the weekend. Roger's brother is due at the crack of dawn
tomorrow and then his folks are due in.
Lots of balls for Gail to keep in the air. Bro' and gail are looking
at another hospital tomorrow that's an option for Roger to go to.
somewhere in the Med Center. Just thought I'd fill ya in. Keep in
touch.
Glenn
And now this on Sunday:
We met Steve and Sherry over at the house around 1 or so and set up a
little practice session. Dean (Roger's Bro') was favorably impressed.
Roger gets evaluated tomorrow, and then, depending on the outcome of
that, will likely be moved to a "sub-critical" facility in the Med
Center somewhere. Gail and Bro went ot look at it today and said it
looks very nice. In fact they said it was better thatn the hospital
he's in now. Roger squeezed Gail's hand yesterday, but other than
that, I haven't heard anything good about his condition. At least
he'll be able to keep his cancer Dr. at this new place, I hear. we'll
keep ya'll informed as we get info.
Glenn and Deborah
Doug 12-12-00
Roger is still in ICU at Park Plaza in Houston. Ellen and I went with
Gail on Sunday and were able to stay only a few minutes. I spoke with
Lyse this morning. His condition is still serious and guarded and he
is very weak--mainly due to continuing respiratory complications. He
is not able to talk much at all but he is hanging in there. Radiation
therapy on the tumors is to begin today. Lyse and Steve have been
close by and are assisting every day. All things considered, Gail is
hanging in there tough too--a certain bright light.
Visitation is still restricted.
Doug 12-9-00
Roger has been in ICU all week after surgery on Monday. He has
pnumonia and is being treated for that now. Some tumors were
found and radiation therapy initiated. I understand that the
tumor causing the others has been found. Visitors are resticted
at the moment. We will be in Houston today and I'll give a more
accurate account when I return.
Doug 12-6-00
Roger had broken his arm in a fall a few months ago but had largely
recovered though he had lost some strength because of his inactivity.
In recent weeks he has only been able to speak in a soft voice and
was having difficulty standing and getting his right leg to support
himself.
Sunday he was readmitted to the hospital and Monday underwent
exploratory surgery where it was determined that two more masses had
developed. As I understand it, one is by his neck and is likely to be
the cause of the speaking and standing difficulties. Another is in
his lung and up against his aorta. Both are considered inoperable and
they will be resuming radiation and/or chemo therapy this week.
At this moment, I do not know what hospital, room, or what the phone
number is, but I will send that along as soon as I have the info. I
will update again as soon as I know more clearly what is going on.
Steve Baker has been our champion and is there every day helping out
and indicates that Roger is doing OK and is positive that these
problems will be overcome. Our good thoughts and prayers will provide
a good boost. Be checkin ya soon.
Love Doug