The World Newser

GREAT NEWS! I can't wait! Congratulations Bob for your great recovery, we're looking forward to your return. Lee

Mr.and Mrs Woodruff

Thank you for the update,can't wait for Bob to return. My family has certainly thought about you often enough.
My joy is not only in your recovery , but the time to spend with your family is incredible.
Please take care and we will see you soon.

Dear Woodruff family --

It sounds like you've had an idyllic summer - the kind of time we all need more of but somehow find ourselves 'too busy' to make happen.

I'm so very glad to hear the good news about your family and Bob's recovery and continued progress.

Wishing you all well,

Donna

So very glad that your family has had time to spend together in the wake of a tragic situation. Every cloud has a silver lining. Praying for your return to ABC Nightly News. (not that I don't love Charlie) God Bless

Thanks so for the update. I think the whole country has been worried about Bob. He has been in our prayers as has your entire family. May God bless you for the work he does for all of us.

This is a blessing and a miracle! Good luck,Rick

Hi from Mississippi! Glad you are doing so well! my family looks forward to seeing you back on tv. Hope God will continue to bless you!

I am a big fan of Bobs as well!!! So glad to hear you are coming along. Take your time, don't push yourself too hard. We love ya and look forward to your return. From Richmond VA

I am glad that Bob is coming back. Can't wait to see him again. I am also very happy for your family.

Dharti

lee and bob thank you for your generousity in sharing your family and health progress. i am a big bob fan. especially as a nurse i have some understanding of your recovery and courage and perhaps strength you didn't even know about. way to go. welcome back---this is what life is all about. mcdavault

Bob, I look forward to having you back @ ABC, let alone having you back at all! My prayers have been with you all along and I know there is a reason for your remarkable recovery, and I look forward to see what you make of it.

How wonderful to hear how well you are all doing after such a horrendous event. Hold each other close and Godspeed.

why bother? you're a bush stooge.

LOL... hardly idyllic, anyone who's been through TBI knows how painful and emotional the recovery is. And recovery is never complete :( that's the super-frustrating part. Not only does Bob have so much to relearn and hone, but Bob's an entirely new man, and he has a lot to learn about who this new guy is, how his brain "ticks" now and understanding a whole new set of strengths and weaknesses. And Lee and kids -- you have a new husband and a new Dad. Yes, he is still the same guy, but he is different, and he won't ever be 100% the same, because his wiring's different. That's just how the brain works. You (and we) all both mourn the loss of the parts of Bob which are gone, but you also now are charged with discovering and embracing these new parts.

It's not easy. It's damn hard. It's incredibly frustrating and emotional for Bob AND for his family. It is as much a journey for Lee & the kids as it is for Bob himself. And it is something that you all live with, every minute of every day, and something that Bob lives with even in the "restfulness" of night. Hopefully nights HAVE been restful and recuperative. They aren't always, for TBI patients, which is another frustration to carry. It sucks when you've got nowhere safe and recuperative to retreat at some point in the day. Healthy people take a night's sleep for granted. It is a precious, precious gift.

So what's my point? LOL ... Lee and Bob, YOU'VE GOT FRIENDS. You've got folks out here who DO very much understand, who embrace you in empathy, who've been there & done that, who continue to do that, and we love ya' to pieces. :) It is genuine and wholehearted support. Life has thrown us this crazy curve ball, "WAY TO GO" for dealing with it as well as you have (you HAVE done a great job!!! - no matter how clumsy it seems sometimes) and keep your chin up. I recognize what a HUGE leap Bob's progress is for him and all of you. I am deeply proud and happy for you. And I'll keep praying.

Thank you for the update. I check the ABC website every day specifically for updates about Bob!

From Your Wisconsin Head Injury Warrior,

Bailey :)

Now that's great news !

Dentry

Congrats to all with Bob's recovery. Don't be in a hurry to chase that career. It will always be there but spending quality time with your family will not. I have never met Bob but he has to have one of the most postive attitudes going in order to over come so much in such a short time. We will all be cheering for him from the Life is good company. Wishing and your family the very best!

Life is good,
Donnie Bowlin

BOB AND LEE....YOU ALL ROCK! WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE BOB BACK ON ABC...NEVER GIVE UP! PEACE BE WITH YOU BOTH, BECKY

Hello Lee and Bob,

I am so happy to read the good news! Our family looks forward to your updates. Bob and the family have been in our prayers. Take care! I am glad you had the summer to enjoy the fun.

Diana

I am so glad to hear that your family is healing from people that want to kill us. May be Americans will understand that.

Dear Bob and Lee,

God is faithful! In the big things and small things too. It is great to hear of Bob's continue improvement and eagerness to return to ABC. I am sure that you have been "stretched" farther than you ever thought you could be during these last few months. My husband was seriously injured and went through months of therapy also, so I have walked in similar shoes. But again God is faithful and He never gives us more than we can handle. Through circumstances like these we learn a lot about ourselves as individuals and as a couple and family. Be encouraged that there are many who stand behind you, silently in prayer for your family.

Many blessings to all of you!

Caroline & Steve

LEE: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE GOOD NEWS. WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING TO HEAR SOMETHING NEW. BOB: BEST WISHES TO YOU ALWAYS. I AM SO GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE DOING WELL AND ARE HAPPY. THAT IS ALL THAT COUNTS. TAKE EXTRA GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF. BE SAFE, MARIKAY

To the Woodruff Family, you have been blessed by Bob's recovery, with all the love and support he could possibly need, from his family and his public family. All the best to you and I look forward to his return. God Bless,
Sandy

It was so good to hear the news that Bob will be back at ABC News in the fall. Can't wait to see him on air again, and that he is back and healthy and has spent a wonderful summer with Lee and the kids, something he hasn't done in a long time.

Good Luck and the best to you.

Ellen Griswald

Bob and Lee, I'm so very happy to hear about Bob's continuing recovery and that he will be back at ABC in the fall. Just hearing his brother say months ago that he still had the face to be a news anchor was very encouraging. I had held him up as an example to my students at CMU only days before his injuries. Why, because he speaks several languages and has been a wonderful ambassador at large for our country and is so knowldgeable about the countries he was reporting from.
Best regards, Sarah Brooks

Dear Mr.B

Welcome back to ABC News! You have been missed by many. I'm sure Peter is doing the Irish Jig
for you ;-) See you soon!!!

Best wishes,
Carolyn

Lee and Bob,
I am happy you will come to work again, and welcome back to work, I can't wait see you on tv, I am so exciting for you. good luck! Megan

thank you for the positive update...such good news...one day at a time...I am so looking forward to seeing Bob on ABC...whenever that happens...God bless you and your family

Hey Paco:

I am no lover of George Bush, but would you like to have happen to you what happened to Woodruff?

What's your problem with the Golden Rule? You must be real sick to want to wish *anyone* to die.

And what's with the improper capitalization and spelling? Is it "progressive" to be illiterate?

Best wishes to the Woodruff Family! Congratulations on your recovery, Bob!
Unfortunately, sometimes it takes something awful to happen to help us rediscover the joy in our lives. I am so happy for all of you to have rediscovered your joy and happiness. Good luck on your future!

Thanks, Lee, for the update. We all rejoice with you at the good news of Bob's continuing recovery.

Bob, as much as we miss seeing you on the evening news, our wishes (and prayers, for some of us) are really for your recovery. We hope to see you back on the TV, but most of all, it's so great to hear that you're back being a vital part of your family.

WONDERFULL NEWS!!! My hope for Bob is that the only restrictions he has are those he puts on himself,and that whatever he choose to do he does with the blessings of his wife and children. Keep believing. Stay safe. Carole

DEAR WOODWARD FAMILY-
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE GOOD NEWS WITH US...WE MISS SEEING YOU ON TELEVISION AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RETURN...ENJOY YOUR TIME TOGETHER FOR NOW...
FONDLY, CYNTHIA AND HER MOM LUCILLE (80 YEARS YOUNG, AND SO- ENJOYS WATCHING YOU ON THE TELE)

Dear Lee & Bob,

What a great update with awesome news! We have been praying daily for your recovery.

It's so nice nice to read about time spent with your family. We miss you on the news, but time with your family and recovering is more important!

Thanks for sharing,
Bobbie & John

to lee woodruff and family & friends of bob woodruff:
i am delighted, of course, to hear that bob is
making excellent progress.
i noted a blogger saying how while brain injured patients recover, they often come back as different people.
along these lines, i recommend one of my favorite movies: "regarding henry" with harrison ford.
best wishes for a successful return to health, even if it's a new "normal."

Dearest Woodruff family,
What wonderful news to hear. Having just come through our 1st anniversary of Katrina in New Olreans ,I can relate to the anguish of just surviving day to day and each small sign of positive change is a blessing, May they keep coming for you and yours. Hope to see Bob down here reporting on the good things that are happening here when he has recovered.

Dear Bob, Lee & Family,

We are delighted to hear of Bob's amazing progress. So many nights, as we watched the News, we hoped there would be some update on Bob's condition. We miss him, but are so glad to hear of what you all have been doing, that he actually went into the office, and that he will be back very soon.

-Mike & Jean Nevard

Woodruff Family,
From my family to yours, we are all happy to hear of your recovery. Most importantly, that you have found the gifts hidden within the adversities. That is where the meaning of life lie. We must learn to listen closely, because most of the time it whispers.

I check in now and again on Bob and on Kimberly Dozier. So good to know that both of you are making more and more progress, soon to return to, at least parttime, to the old stomping ground.

The wisdom and life experience you have gained will add to your profession.

The appreciation of your family, will add to your life forever.

Thank you, Lee, for sharing your family with all
of us. God bless you!

Dear Bob and Family,
I am so glad I have the opportunity to tell you that I have been praying for you all and am so happy to hear of your recovery progress. Continue to heal and enjoy being a family. God Bless All of you, Sincerely, Mary Jo Martin

Dear Woodruff family:

I am so pleased to have read the update. You have all been in our prayers. Sometimes we don't know why things happen the way that they do, but if treasure or gift is found in it we can grow and it can make the pain easier to bear. The gift of time with each other was truly your blessing/gift/treasure.
Looking forward to see Bob on ABC soon.

Denise

Lee & Bob,

Bob, I am thrilled that you are doing well after your TBI & Lee, my heart and thoughts go out to you also for being patient, loving & persistant throughout this ordeal. I am the mother of a TBI survivor (age 16, MVA) so I know firsthand the anger, frustrations, joy & numerous other emotions that come with this experience. Thru this experience I am now the coordinator for the NC Brain Injury Assoc Family & Community Support Center in Asheville, NC. Asheville also has a VA Medical Center and I would love the opportunity to talk with you and see how we help to raise awareness for TBI survivors in our communities. Continue to take one day at a time, celebrate the small stuff & look to the future. I love forward to hearing from you, Karen

Bob, Lee and Family:
We are thrilled you are doing so well. We look forward to seeing you once again on the News. You are such a gifted person and your contributions to your viewers have been missed. Iowa sends to you its best wishes for good health. Take care and God Bless.

Respectfully,
Bob and Jolene

Dear Bob & Lee, It is very nice to get some news about Bob's physical recovery and for all of you your family recovery. I pray for you Bob, your family, and the medical teams that guide you back to strong health. I hope to see you soon on the news. May God bless you and keep you safe in his healing arms, Stephanie

you 2 have a great life that not many have my husband and I have prayed so many times for you all we are so happy to see Bob back on his feet we feel our prayers were answered my god be with for many years to come.I was so happy that Bob is still goodlooking.If you ever come to Ga we would love to meet you all Lee we are happy you have your love back and the kids their dad we have spare rooms if ever you were to come here we are 34 miles north of Atlanta in Acworth Ga.the best is yet to come.God bless

Dear Bob & Lee. Saw the great show last night (esp. the radiology pics). Can't say enough about how happy I am to see your tremendous recovery. Congrats on the book. Bummed I can't make it to B'ham next week for the signing. Marshall (C'79)

Good luck and the best wished to you!

I've been a fan of all the ABC news anchors and loved Bob the minute he started out in Dec 2005. I enjoyed watching him on the nightly news and continued to watch any media that showed his progression toward a normal, healthy life. Then yesterday, on GMA, there was a photo of the family during their summer "retreat" and I recognized the background as the Silver Bay Inn - as a person who has spent many August weeks at this beautiful spot I knew that these people were more than special - because anyone who finds this lovely escape from the real world as a place to be is so fortunate. I can't think of a better place for Bob to recover!

I have been a fan of Bob Woodruff's for a long time - great show on Tuesday. When watching one of your appearances on Good Morning America the other day - I recognized the Silver Bay Inn in the background. I am a long time Silver Bay member - enjoying SBA with my family when I was growing up and then taking my children with me to enjoy it as well. I think that your summer home had to be the best place on earth to recouperate last summer! The location is healing for everyone in so many ways! Glad you are doing so well.

Dear Lee:

Great to hear your husband is doing well. I used to live in the house behind you in East Aurora and next to Riley Tripp. My name is jeff Daggett. I was not aware Bob is your husband. God bless you and if you have time drop me an email.

Sincerely,

Jeff Daggett

Dear Lee: Thank you for your wonderfully entertaining book. (I know Bob is a coauthor, but this is for you) I have never read a book where I cried & laughed while I read. As a nurse I appreciate the emotional & psychological trauma this kind of tragedy inflicts on a family & friends while the pt. gets the most attention.
You are an inspiration. The book is so well written & interesting I hope you write more. And I hope you get the attention you deserve-- if you want it! Thank you for entertaining me!!

To: Lee & Bob : Your book was so special, I cried, laughed, thank you for telling it all in such open grief & honesty..I am a spiritual person not a religious one & yet Bob' is a miracle..say no more, Funny when I do recall him on TV, I can not remember what he was saying ,I was just smiling back at that handsome man, now know he has a brain not just a pretty face LOL..Always on our minds

Dear Lee,

I have read an excerpt from your book, and plan to purchase it shortly. I knew of Bob's injury of course, but I was stunned to read of the date you got the terrible phone call--January 28, 2006. (You will never forget that date, needless to say.) Exactly one year before, January 28, 2005, I got a phone call. My 19-year-old son Zell(my only child) had been in a car accident (nothing like being in Iraq, but that phone call produces a universal dread). He suffered a closed head injury, and had been airlifted to Tampa General Hospital.

For over two weeks, he lay in a coma in the neuro-ICU with a tube monitoring pressures and draining cerebrospinal fluid from his brain, a ventilator, and various other support measures. No one knew how it would turn out--but I (a physician) was in total denial that he could possibly die from his injury, even when a policeman mentioned the accident investigation being more extensive if...

Zell stabilized, and was transferred out of ICU still unable to speak or follow commands except to raise a finger or two. Just as you suddenly went into Bob's room one day and he was talking to you, one day about a week later, Zell suddenly said "I want to sit up on the side of the bed" and then, "Can I have a sandwich?" Lee, it was the most grateful moment of my life.

Soon after, he went into rehab for 3 more weeks. His progress was so fast he got out a week early.

That was 2 years ago. Zell is now suffering no serious deficits and is a college student with a part-time job. We couldn't be more proud of him, and more thankful that we were given our son back.

I just wanted you to know, I felt a surge of very personal empathy with you and your ordeal, because I know where you've been. It is wonderful that Bob is making such a great recovery. He will likely continue to improve remarkably over the next year, too.

My best and heartfelt good wishes for you and your whole family.

Teresa Brandt

Bob and lee , we met in phila at the library
i was the guy in the wheelchair, if you could ever
get the time after your book tour which i must say is great so far.i have to say bob you look great i am a former law enforcemet officer that got shot in the head if you can i would like to hear a little more of ur story. it was really great to meet you . both of you are so down to earth, i now voluteer for the narcotics unit i go to schools and teach the kids to say no, and im on the board of the brain injury association, and im on the mayors commision on disabilities, and i give some time back to the rehab that got me this good thanks alot for the time you gave me on sunday, god bless you both it is trully a new life im living it 17 years now

bob and lee it was great to meet you, im the guy in the wheelchair .we met at the phila library,
you guys are really down to earth, ive been in this new body for 17 years its hard. my tbi came from a gunshot to the head, bob and i share the same disability (hemi plegia)TBI . it was a good feeling that you took the time to talk to me before you went on stage, and you had my attendent in tears. you are a great pair. really
if you ever get time maybe we can become pen pals.
thanks for inspiring me again to maybe get out of this wheelchair,godbless you both and your family

I just finished your book and was completely inspired. I just suffered a stroke 60 days back at the age of 28 and this book helped me see things a little differently, thank you.
Lisa Coelho

Dear Lee and Bob - I just read your book and it was compelling. I also read your commencement address at Colgate - it was awesome. Our daughter is a Colgate grad 2005 and is in the Peace Corps in West Africa - I am sending her the book as she is quite interested in your story - Thankyou, Diane

Lee Woodruff is a woman who I listened to.

I feel sorry for Bob.

But then again I feel sorry for everyone who listened to the 5/20/07 commencement speech.

It's a sorry state of us, who are graduating into this new world.

Please, don't let women like Lee, or weakness like Bob, become what we strive to become.

We are better than this political couple that is obviously not in love with eachother.

I've seen old people who love their marriage, and it is obvious that Lee and Bob do not love eachother.

Let us get past these lies, and let us find true love in humanity!!!!

Ali

Bob and Lee,
What an inspriation your book was to my husband and I. He suffered a stroke at age 62 this past March and is still recovering.After hearing that he has 100% carotid left artery and it cannot be cleaned out we were on our way for a second opinion at one of the leading hospitals in the country only to get the same report. We are not giving up hope because he has had tremedous progress. It is a long slow process and each day brings a renewed hope. It has taken much courage from myself and our daughters and their families.We have all been supportive and face each day with courage and hope. Thanks for the gift of your book and the inspiration. My husband has been self employed his entire life in Real Estate investments and building. It has been very difficult for him to find that after his stroke our lives changed, In An Instant. Facing a negetive housing market, the worst in 30 years. We were forced to face some financial stress we never imagined. We have pulled together as a family and we are so proud of our beautiful daughters and their families who have interrupted their lives as well as good friends who have really stuck by and we will be eternally grateful.

Hello Bob and family!

Bob it was nice to talk briefly with you during our plane trip from N.Y.to Brasil on January 28, 2008.
The photo we took with you, my twin sister, my daughter,and I came out nice. I will attempt to send it to you at ABC news.
At the time I felt it inapproprate to acknowledge the fact that it was the second year anniversary of your accident.
Like so many of your supporters, I too am extremely thankful that you are on the road to recovery.
You look good! Just don't over do it!!!

It lifts my spirits to see you back at work and doing a spatacular job enlightening the millions of sheltered Americans about the world around us.
It's an honor that you have been given the opportunate to make a possitive difference in the world.You are a humble individual...it shows in your eyes!
I can't tell you how proud the world is of you, even if you don't feel much like a hero. Truely understandable!

Millions of American's have no idea how fortunate they are to live in such a wounderful country such as the United States of America. To be given the opportunaty to live in such a safe place is like winning a lottery.

Only those who have the ability to travel and experience the struggle others incounter daily realize how blessed we truly are to live in the land of the free.

Please extend my admiration to your super corrageous wife and family. Their efforts and patients in overcomming, their own emotional & phychological struggle is inspiational.
I ammend all of you for overcomming the fear, anger and frustration unfortunatelly thrusted upon you at such an unexpected time in your lives. I know that your battle is not yet over yet I pray that it becoming easier with each passing day.
Always remember that every cloud has a silver lineing, and God has great plans for you.

Each time your children laught, or Lee gentally takes hold of your hand, your internal frustractions will weaken... ever so gentelly.
Keep your chin up, keep your faith, and remember that God will always hold you near.

Stay strong and Good luck with your future indeveors.
By the way your book is good food for the soul! Thanks for writting it!

Sincerly,
Annette