Rick Jakel supplies this endearing camera-phone photograph of you-know-who, and writes: Dear Rotary friends: The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” has never been more true. Brett is truly the come-back kid . . . he continues to make good progress....

Brett Grant/Patient, ICU c/o City of Hope Hospital, 1500 E Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010

Kathy Grant posts: Nurses surprised us this morning and switched out Brett's trach so he could talk to us, which made the kids sooooo happy to hear his voice. I told her this morning that the boys were coming in and she wanted to surprise us. He is still on dialysis...

Kathy Grant reports on Brett I thought I had posted last night, but I guess it did not go through.Today was a busy day. Started w/ surgeon pulling 1.5 liters of fluid from Brett's lungs. He was taken off the vent for two hours but then put back on, which is a step in...

Rick Jakel reports: Hung up a few minutes ago with Don Grant, Brett’s father, who was calling from Brett’s bedside. Again, the news continues to be positive. Brett’s BIG continuous dialysis machine will be replaced with a smaller, portable one, which will not operate...

Kidneys are starting to kick in slowly but they are getting there.They are changing the dialysis from continual to three hours a day starting Saturday. Brett has some fluid buildup on his lungs. May be pneumonia ... don't know yet. They will be draining it tomorrow...

Some people might choose the Caribbean. Others might head for Hawaii or escape to Europe. But not our Duncan Lee. True Rotarian that he is, Duncan took the lovely Irene on a romantic retreat to Rotary International headquarters in exciting Evanston, Ill. Here -- fresh...

Duncan Lee reports: I just visited Brett at the hospital,and dropped off their mail. Even though he couldn't speak, he was touched with emotion when I presented our signed stuff animal. He was conscious and had some facial expressions. I didn't see Kathy who was...

Chris Springer, our newest member, signs a big baseball for our ailing member Brett Grant. President-elect Bill Pierce brought it to our joint meeting with the Las Vegas Fremont club. Many members signed the toy and it'll be given to Brett. Knock it out of the park,...

Brett's vent settings were lowered again today. He's breathing on his own with little support. He is aware of his surroundings, but frustrated because he can't talk. Surgeons are trying to close up abdomen tomorrow, but they may not be able to. Doctors are pleased...