I’m sure a lot of you can appreciate how lucky I’ve been to have had Dave Dedrick as a friend for 35 plus years.
After all, I grew up with him on television too..both as a Kelo personality and, of course, as Captain 11.
Because of that, many people, who know that Dave has been in the hospital for several weeks now, have been asking me how he’s doing and what the heck is wrong.
Well, to the best of my knowledge, he went in to deal with back pain that has been excruciating for some time. In the course of treating that, other old health issues have cropped up to the point that he has been confined to bed.
My pal, Lyle Bamsey and I decided to defy the ban on visitors because of swine flu concerns and stopped by Avera Select to see the Captain this morning.
Laying flat on his back, he noticed us come in and, with a big smile and handshake, said “Doogle and Bammer..good to see you.”
The old fart is still sharp as they come and still able to intimidate me with his intellect and wit. For example, during a lull in the conversation, I said..”So, Dave, are you in much pain?”
Here’s a guy with a spine like a dry twig laying there with instructions posted all around his bedside for staff to be especially careful in moving him..and I ask a dumb question like that.
He just looked at Bammer and rolled his eyes, then laughed.
God, I love that man and hate it that his body can’t keep up with his brain any longer.
I frankly don’t know what his prognosis is but am sure of one thing..he needs your continued prayers or positive thoughts or whatever cosmic energy you call upon to make things better.
He loves the fact that so many of you have sent greetings over the Facebook web site called “Friends of Captain 11” He gets regular updates from his wife, Marjean..son, Dana and daughter, Sunshine..so keep ‘em coming. There were over 5 thousand of you at last count.
Oh, one other thing that is so typical of my friend. He wanted to do something nice for the hospital staff so ..sick as he is..he ordered pizzas for everybody and was surprised when the appreciative crew said that’s the first time a patient had ever done anything like that.
Oh, Lord..the world needs this guy around awhile longer…a LOT longer.Please?