# Santo Rugger (RIP Santo Rugger) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 6, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579 "2009-05-06T19:54:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 40
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2010, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/781 "2010-12-12T04:26:41Z")
Awesome news! ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/782 "2010-12-19T17:04:02Z")
I’m still watching this thread, and still cheering you and Pat on. The two words of encouragement I offer include “Kick” and “Ass!” 😃 You’re the best Mom in explosives history. Please, please keep it up. Tripler You’re the Bomb Mom. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2010, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/783 "2010-12-20T03:16:24Z")
Big hugs to the Santo Rugger family. I am looking forward to the day Santo can return to the board. I know that’s a long way off, but he has made a ton of progress and I have no doubt that he’ll be able to do it again one day. We appreciate your updates so much! I hope you all can have a nice holiday this year! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2010, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/784 "2010-12-20T04:27:07Z")
Glad to hear the latest news. Looking forward to the day when **Santo** can return to the board–all the best of the season to **Santo** and his family! ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2010, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/785 "2010-12-20T09:42:25Z")
What **Tripler** said. Except it’s _arse_, not _ass_, because I’m British. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SantoRuggersMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@SantoRuggersMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SantoRuggersMom)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/786 "2010-12-21T03:36:39Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Was he able to eat turkey? No eating yet, except for ice chips. We will celebrate that day loudly!! ---
**Author:** ![SantoRuggersMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@SantoRuggersMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SantoRuggersMom)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/787 "2010-12-21T03:51:08Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > I’m still watching this thread, and still cheering you and Pat on. > > The two words of encouragement I offer include “Kick” and “Ass!” 😃 > > You’re the best Mom in explosives history. Please, please keep it up. > > Tripler > You’re the Bomb Mom. Wow thanks. I needed that. How funny that I pulled out your bombing DVD for Pat to watch yesterday - must have felt the good vibes. I miss everything about the old Santo. With Christmas so close, it’s much harder than I thought it would be. ---
**Author:** ![Total\_Lost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e56c9b/32.png) [@Total\_Lost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Total_Lost)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/788 "2010-12-21T08:31:39Z")
I second that. You’re not only a great Mother to Pat. You’re also the best for keeping us all updated on what’s going on. He is missed by so many - but it’s good to know that he is surrounded by people that love him and keep telling him that 🙂 I hope both you and the rest of his family has a great Christmas and I’ll wish for a better 2011 for you all 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/789 "2010-12-22T02:15:33Z")
I’ll third that! You’re a kick-ass Mom to a kick-ass guy! Yes, times are hard and some days will be better than others. When you can, take comfort in how far you all have come, and how much farther along Pat is with you than he would have been without you. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/790 "2011-01-05T18:15:17Z")
I was thinking of Santo today, and hoping he’s still making progress. Hope 2011 is good to our Rugger! ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/791 "2011-01-05T23:22:23Z")
[unashamed me-too post]Me too[/um-tp] ---
**Author:** ![oboelady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8491ac/32.png) [@oboelady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oboelady)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/792 "2011-02-21T18:33:24Z")
We haven’t heard anything for a bit now, and I am just checking in to see if there is any new news??? Hope all is going well. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/793 "2011-02-21T19:18:07Z")
I’d also been wondering lately how he’s doing. Sending more good vibes y’all’s way. ---
**Author:** ![SantoRuggersMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@SantoRuggersMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SantoRuggersMom)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/794 "2011-02-26T00:11:46Z")
Thanks to everyone for continuing to send good thoughts. Typo Knig - we are loving the postcards - even the close-up. I think that Santo especially likes the close-up! Santo had a swallow study this week and did very well. We are continuing ice chips and are now adding small sips of liquid administered with a straw. We can also start trying to stimulate his tongue using different types of sour candy and “bubbly” water. He’s initiating movement on his right side and more consistently following commands. We are celebrating the small victories as we approach the two-year anniversary of the accident in April. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/795 "2011-02-26T02:23:47Z")
By initiating movement on his right side, what exactly do you mean? How much can he move - his hand, arm, fingers, etc? When you say he’s following commands, what kind of commands exactly? Like “blink your eyes” or “move your index finger,” etc? Could you set up some way of him to communicate, like asking him a series of simple questions and telling him to blink his eyes once for twice and yes for no? Or are you not quite at that point yet? Sorry if I am asking too many questions, I am just really hopeful for him. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2011, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/796 "2011-02-26T03:02:49Z")
> [@SantoRuggersMom](#): > > He’s initiating movement on his right side and more consistently following commands. This sounds incredibly exciting! I hope his improvement continues. Sending prayers y’all’s way. ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/797 "2011-02-26T03:31:55Z")
Thanks again for keeping us posted. Pat continues to be in my thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/798 "2011-02-26T03:34:04Z")
Thank you so much for the update. Pat, and you, and your family, remain in my thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2011, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/799 "2011-02-26T03:41:54Z")
Thanks, Mom! Progress may be slow at times but it’s progress nonetheless. Still sending healing mojo your way! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2011, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/800 "2011-02-26T03:43:20Z")
> [@SantoRuggersMom](#): > > Thanks to everyone for continuing to send good thoughts. > > Typo Knig - we are loving the postcards - even the close-up. I think that Santo especially likes the close-up! I’m glad the “cheescake” postcard didn’t bother you. I saw that card and thought he’d like it. I have more postcards to send, but of places not gals in bikinis. > [@SantoRuggersMom](#): > > Santo had a swallow study this week and did very well. We are continuing ice chips and are now adding small sips of liquid administered with a straw. We can also start trying to stimulate his tongue using different types of sour candy and “bubbly” water. > > He’s initiating movement on his right side and more consistently following commands. > > We are celebrating the small victories as we approach the two-year anniversary of the accident in April. Sometimes what looks like a small victory is a big victory. Go Santo and family! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579.md?page=39) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579.md?page=41)