My Next Step (17 page)

When I look at my life, I realize that despite the challenges, Gail and I have been pretty damn fortunate. I’m not ready to write my obituary yet, and I don’t know exactly what’s coming next. What I do know, though, is that many dear friends and family members love me—and they made it possible for me to get through the past year. Despite all of the things I have, that love and support is what truly makes me a wealthy and very lucky man.

FROM THE DESK OF DAVE LINIGER

7/25/12

Hello everyone,

As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with significant health issues since late January, when I went to the emergency room with a terrible pain in my back. It turned out to be a serious staph infection that had invaded my spine, and I’ve had several surgeries to address the problem. As a result, I’ve spent the past six months in several hospitals; the first eight weeks in Intensive Care. To say the least, it was a very close call.

What I wanted you to know today is this: I’m out of the hospital now, and have returned to work.

In other words, despite any rumors you may have heard, I’m very much alive.

I’ve stayed current with what’s happening at RE/MAX and in the industry, but there’s nothing like being back in my own office, at my own desk. It’s great.

My plan is to work most mornings. In the afternoons, I’ll be doing physical therapy five days a week, on an outpatient basis.

The PT is focused on helping me regain full movement in my legs and arms. I’m using a wheelchair for now, but the doctors are optimistic about my chances for a full recovery. I certainly expect that to happen, but it will take time.

I want to thank and compliment our CEO Margaret Kelly, her staff, and the Region Owners for doing such an outstanding job in leading our organization this year. In fact, the entire team at HQ has been terrific. Everyone has been extremely supportive of Gail at a time when she and my children were under a great deal of stress.

I also want to thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and kind gestures. I’ve never once felt like I was in this thing alone, and for that I’m truly grateful.

My PT schedule will keep me in Denver for the time being, but you can count on me being in Las Vegas for R4 next February. I can’t wait to see you all there.

And, once again, thank you for everything.

Regards,

Dave Liniger
Chairman and Co-Founder
RE/MAX, LLC

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Hundreds of amazing people contributed to my care and recovery during my time at Sky Ridge Medical Center, Craig Hospital, and Swedish Medical Center, and in the months afterward. As much as I’d like to recognize each of them by name, I know I’d leave someone out, and I simply can’t run that risk; their roles in this story are much too important.

So to all of the doctors, anesthesiologists, assistants and operating-room personnel, thank you for saving my life.

To all of the nurses, technicians and hospital staff members involved in my care, I’m eternally grateful for your kindness, warmth and compassion.

To all of the therapists and aides who retaught me to talk, walk, move and take care of myself, thank you for pushing me, encouraging me, and helping me virtually every step of the way.

To Gail, my family and my friends, thank you for everything. You were truly there when I needed you, and I will never forget it.

To the officers and staff at RE/MAX Headquarters in Denver, thank you for all your support, for taking care of business while I was away, and for confirming what a remarkable team Gail and I have behind us.

To everyone in the RE/MAX organization, thank you for your concern, your thoughts, your prayers and your many contributions to the world’s most successful real estate company.

And finally, this book wouldn’t exist if not for my extraordinary co-author, Laura Morton, who traveled to Colorado and instantly became my friend and ally. Without your talents, hard work and guidance, this book would still be a dream. Thank you so much for making it a reality.

To all of you, thank you for being part of my life. It’s been a wild ride so far.

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