Morro Paez latest word: Recovering from stroke

[POVPOOL]

To all that know and love Ismaei 'Morro' Paez,

I just had a wonderful conversation with Ismael 'Morro' Paez's wife Ana, who has given me her full update as to Morro's current condition and progress.
---------------------------

After suffering from a massive stroke on November 2nd, 2015, Morro Paez was admitted to Loma Linda University Hospital where he was unable to walk, talk or eat. He was fed through and I.V., received a couple of cranial surgeries in order to provide blood flow to his brain and to assist him to recover and heal.

After around 4-5 weeks, he was transported to The Upland Rehabilitation Center, where he is still bed-ridden but showing good signs of recovery. He recognizes everyone that he comes in contact with, which means he is quite aware and cognizant of what's going on around him. Ana has also told me that, Morro will actually eat solid food today (March 30th, 2016), which is great news. Morro has a surgery scheduled in one week for April 7th at Loma Linda University Hospital to have a bone replaced in his head which was removed in the first series of surgeries. This is also very good news so let's hope the surgery comes off without a hitch. She cheerfully described to me that the bone they removed from his head has been in a refrigerator since it was removed and waiting to be put back in. Ana has a strong spirit and she's very receptive to the support that has been given her. She actually reminds me very much of Morro himself, always cheerful and full of life.

As far as support, I just received a text from Geno Hill at The Rum Runner Lounge that during the Andy Mercer Event and beyond, they raised almost $1,200 to assist the Paez family financially during this difficult ordeal. I'm not aware of any other fundraisers or benefits for the Paez Family, but if you care to personally send a check or money order directly to Ana, even a card, letter, or simply to send you well-wishes, here is her address:

Ana Paez
PO Box 21
Colton, CA 92324

Remember: Support comes in all shapes and sizes. Any gesture to the Paez Family will serve well for Morro and to those who care about him.

 

[9 ball]

My thoughts go out to Ishmael Paez, I still remember his 2000 World Pool Championship Final against Chao Fong Pang.

God speed, here's hoping for a speedy recovery.

 

[Andy Hughes]

Thanks for the update, Daniel!

 

[AtLarge]

My thoughts go out to Ishmael Paez, I still remember his 2000 World Pool Championship Final against Chao Fong Pang. ...

Yes, indeed. As a reminder, here are the top 16 from that event (thanks to AzB database):

1. TPE.....Chao, Fong-Pang -- $60,000
2. MEX.....Paez, Ismael -- $30,000
T3. USA.....Deuel, Corey -- $15,000
T3. USA.....Strickland, Earl
T5. GBR.....Davis, Steve -- $7,500
T5. USA.....Luat, Rodolfo
T5. DEN.....Nielsen, Peter F
T5. AUS.....Younger, Johl
T9. JPN.....Takahashi, Kunihiko -- $3,500
T9. USA.....Kuchero, Jon
T9. FIN.....Immonen, Mika
T9. CAN.....Pagulayan, Alex
T9. JPN.....Toshikawa, Akikumo
T9. USA.....Hopkins, Allen
T9. GER.....Ortmann, Oliver
T9. TPE.....Yang, Chin-Shung

 

[PoolBum]

Thanks for the update! Let's hope all goes well and he's on the road to recovery.

 

[JAM]

Thank you for sharing this great update.

 

[GaryB]

Thanks for the update!! Loma Linda is a top notch facility. Great to have an address and be able to chip in.

Any chance of organizing a Benefit Tournament? I know how well liked he was at Hard Times. Just wondering.

 

[POVPOOL]

We went to see Morro

On Saturday, I visited Morro at the Upland Rehabilitation Center in SoCal; Geraldine and I with Kenny Hoshide and his better half, Beverly. Morro instantly recognized Kenny and me and became quite excited to see us. Let's not forget that he had this stroke 6 months ago now. He receives daily visits from his wife, Ana of 26 years but I'm guessing that the more outside stimulation he receives from friends and loved ones, the better it is for him and the monotony of being in bed every day. So far, I've heard that Tang Hoa and Frank Da Barber have gone to see him as well.

Morro had a portable DVD player in his lap that he's using to watch movies, so I promised him that, after his surgery on April 7th, I will return to the rehab clinic with some pool DVD's for him to watch. I have several matches with him on my channel, but I'd like to ask you guys out there, if you have any other classic DVD's or matches that you'd like to donate to us, to give to Morro, we will gladly pass them along.

Please contact me at povpool@gmail.com if you want to send me a DVD or any photos/letters etc. You can also send your support and prayers directly to Ana Paez at the address posted on this thread earlier.

 

[JAM]

On Saturday, I visited Morro at the Upland Rehabilitation Center in SoCal; Geraldine and I with Kenny Hoshide and his better half, Beverly. Morro instantly recognized Kenny and me and became quite excited to see us. Let's not forget that he had this stroke 6 months ago now. He receives daily visits from his wife, Ana of 26 years but I'm guessing that the more outside stimulation he receives from friends and loved ones, the better it is for him and the monotony of being in bed every day. So far, I've heard that Tang Hoa and Frank Da Barber have gone to see him as well.

Morro had a portable DVD player in his lap that he's using to watch movies, so I promised him that, after his surgery on April 7th, I will return to the rehab clinic with some pool DVD's for him to watch. I have several matches with him on my channel, but I'd like to ask you guys out there, if you have any other classic DVD's or matches that you'd like to donate to us, to give to Morro, we will gladly pass them along.

Please contact me at povpool@gmail.com if you want to send me a DVD or any photos/letters etc. You can also send your support and prayers directly to Ana Paez at the address posted on this thread earlier.

Thanks for the update. Good to know he recognized you all and enjoyed your company.

 

[spktur]

Has there been a more recent update on Morro's recovery? He is one of the nicest players out there, I hope things are coming right along.

 

[POVPOOL]

I plan to visit him this week. His wife, Ana tells me that his recovery is slow but still undergoing daily, physical and speech therapy. Sadly though, I think it's safe to assume that Morro will probably not play pool again. He is showing some signs of movement on his right side but not very dramatic. Several months ago, he was dealing with a bout of depression which I think comes with the territory. I'm sure he's had to go through a long process of acceptance of his situation.

I will know more about the situation when I see him again. I will try to bring Little Al and possibly Catfish which, I'm sure will bring a smile to his face.

 

[dabarbr]

I plan to visit him this week. His wife, Ana tells me that his recovery is slow but still undergoing daily, physical and speech therapy. Sadly though, I think it's safe to assume that Morro will probably not play pool again. He is showing some signs of movement on his right side but not very dramatic. Several months ago, he was dealing with a bout of depression which I think comes with the territory. I'm sure he's had to go through a long process of acceptance of his situation.

I will know more about the situation when I see him again. I will try to bring Little Al and possibly Catfish which, I'm sure will bring a smile to his face.

Daniel, call me if hou decide to go visit him. Maybe we can coordinate a visit togdther.

 

[Sam at TAP]

Moro

Sad to hear this....I met Moro in Vegas across from the Riv at the Slots of Fun casino bar back in 96. We were both waiting to get a beer and I told him I admired how he played the game. The talk got to tequila and he told me to try Herradura tequila. I never heard of it so he wrote it down on a napkin. A few months later at the US Open in Chesapeake I ran into him again and we starting talking and I told him I tried his tequila and how much I liked it. I still drink it to this day all because of a chance meeting with Morro 21 years ago. I just read this post and my heart sank. I hated to hear what happened to him since my mother had a stroke last August. I know first hand from this how bad these can be. I have got to know many of the pros over the years and Morro was one of the nicest guys I met...I wish my amigo all the best. Buena suerte y mi dios te bendiga Morro.

 

[Island Drive]

The Jumping Bean

:clapping::clapping::clapping: Welcome back!

 

[POVPOOL]

I'm so sorry to everyone for not posting an update about this sooner but I've been extremely busy with events we are doing in July.

Little Al Romero and I went to Upland Rehab Clinic in February to see Morro again and it took a little while for us to find him. We also arranged to meet Frank 'da barber' Almanza. Everyone there was so helpful in helping us locate him and of all places, Morro was breaking a sweat in the exercise room on the life cycle. I can't tell you how happy we were to see this considering that our expectations were a little different. The last to times I went to visit Morro, he was bedridden, not moving and seemingly helpless; to say the least it was not very hopeful. But to see Morro in motion again pretty much brought tears of joy to my eyes; his hair grown back, color in his face and smiling the whole time we were there.

To me, Morro is nothing short of a miracle, where during past encounters at this place, things looked pretty grim and on this visit, he had a resigned look on his face to get well and move on.

Morro is fighting the good fight, but I know that there are still issues; Ana Paez is the most amazing woman who, is by his side as much as possible, taking many days from work to commute to Upland and help him along. I can tell you that I'm afraid to ask about the financial hardship that this has had on the Paez family who I know may be too proud to ask for help. That said, I will take a collection along our West Coast Swing events in California in July. I won't do a lot of promoting, but if you'd like to help and you see me at the venues, you can either give me a contribution to pass along or you can mail it directly to her to:

Ana Paez
PO Box 21
Colton, CA 92324


Attached, are some photos we took with Morro after his workout.

daniel@povpool.com

 

[garczar]

Major props to everything you're doing DB. Morro always showed MAJOR heart at the table. I'm sure he's doing the same in his current situation.

 

[Cuebuddy]

Thanks for the update Daniel, This really good news. You guys are very kind to make a road trip to visit Morro.

 

[jay helfert]

Love seeing these pics! Thanks Daniel. All my old buddies - Frank, Morro and Al! :thumbup:

 

[Island Drive]

Morro....a good recovery and the best to you and family. LBB

 

[pt109]

This doesn't look like the face of a man who isn't going to play pool again.