Just called Dan's Dad to see how surgery went and he still isn't in. He is expected to go into surgery around 6:15 pm. I would guess this had to do with scheduling to get both surgeons there at the same time. At this point they are going to do surgery on his face and his left wrist. As I mentioned earlier his left wrist was found to be more in need of repair right now than his right. I will expect to hear from his Dad sometime after surgery is over. Also his sister had surgery today and is home resting doing well to my understanding. Please pray for these two surgeries, and look for an update later on how things went.
K
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Dan's Latest
Ahh a nice big keyboard, this typing will go much faster.
Basically not too much has changed regarding Dan since I last posted and that is probably how things are going to go for a while now. There may not be much big news to pass along but I will still use facebook, twitter and text to pass the word on Dan. I plan on checking in with ICU or Dan's dad twice a day, and they know to call me if anything significant happens. I will then post once or maybe twice what I know even if it is brief. Right now things seem to be progressing well, but he is still a critical patient. He has come a ways, but he probably has a much longer way to go at this point.
As far as visiting goes - Dan is sedated which does not mean he is asleep. The Dr. called it the 4th dimension. He said while it looks like he is sleeping he is not necessarily asleep and right now he needs 20 hrs of sleep a day. So when visitors come in talking and such will wake him up. He needs some of that type of interaction that is positive and upbeat, but it is more important for him to get some sleep for the most part. I know this is hard because there are literally a hundred people who would like to see him, but we need to be sensitive to the needs of his family and let them have most of the time in the room. This is going to be a bit of a haul so there will be opportunity to visit after he is out of ICU. I say all of this not to say don't go up, but just be very cognitive of family and Dan and don't be disappointed if you don't get in to see Dan. Right now he and his family need our prayers more than anything.
The latest:
They are planning facial reconstruction surgery for tomorrow afternoon. If possible they will also operate on the right wrist. That will depend upon the schedule of the ortho surgeon. My understanding with the right wrist at this point is that there is a short section of bone that is broken and free floating. While it is not out of where it should be, it is not getting blood flow through it and they want to fix it so he doesn't lose that bone and functionality of his hand. His lower jaw is broken in two places and the left eye socket is going to need some reconstruction which is what they will be working on tomorrow afternoon.
Dan is a fighter and he is fighting hard and doing well for what he has been through and the injuries he has sustained. There has been no change in his brain injury which at this point is good news - not getting worse is a really good thing. It is going to take time now for it to heal. His lungs seem strong, even the left lung is doing well and he takes extra breaths in spite of the ventilator, this is great. I would guess being in good shape really helped with this injury. As long as the antibiotics hold off any potential infection every other injury he has will heal. I think it is important for us to remain positive and upbeat for him and his family. If you do get to see him (which may be unlikely until he is out of ICU) be positive.
Kris
Basically not too much has changed regarding Dan since I last posted and that is probably how things are going to go for a while now. There may not be much big news to pass along but I will still use facebook, twitter and text to pass the word on Dan. I plan on checking in with ICU or Dan's dad twice a day, and they know to call me if anything significant happens. I will then post once or maybe twice what I know even if it is brief. Right now things seem to be progressing well, but he is still a critical patient. He has come a ways, but he probably has a much longer way to go at this point.
As far as visiting goes - Dan is sedated which does not mean he is asleep. The Dr. called it the 4th dimension. He said while it looks like he is sleeping he is not necessarily asleep and right now he needs 20 hrs of sleep a day. So when visitors come in talking and such will wake him up. He needs some of that type of interaction that is positive and upbeat, but it is more important for him to get some sleep for the most part. I know this is hard because there are literally a hundred people who would like to see him, but we need to be sensitive to the needs of his family and let them have most of the time in the room. This is going to be a bit of a haul so there will be opportunity to visit after he is out of ICU. I say all of this not to say don't go up, but just be very cognitive of family and Dan and don't be disappointed if you don't get in to see Dan. Right now he and his family need our prayers more than anything.
The latest:
They are planning facial reconstruction surgery for tomorrow afternoon. If possible they will also operate on the right wrist. That will depend upon the schedule of the ortho surgeon. My understanding with the right wrist at this point is that there is a short section of bone that is broken and free floating. While it is not out of where it should be, it is not getting blood flow through it and they want to fix it so he doesn't lose that bone and functionality of his hand. His lower jaw is broken in two places and the left eye socket is going to need some reconstruction which is what they will be working on tomorrow afternoon.
Dan is a fighter and he is fighting hard and doing well for what he has been through and the injuries he has sustained. There has been no change in his brain injury which at this point is good news - not getting worse is a really good thing. It is going to take time now for it to heal. His lungs seem strong, even the left lung is doing well and he takes extra breaths in spite of the ventilator, this is great. I would guess being in good shape really helped with this injury. As long as the antibiotics hold off any potential infection every other injury he has will heal. I think it is important for us to remain positive and upbeat for him and his family. If you do get to see him (which may be unlikely until he is out of ICU) be positive.
Kris
Some Positives
We saw Dan after his CT scan and there are some real postives:
brain didn't show any increase in swelling or damage so it was stable
lungs seem strong they are leaving him on the vent due to upcoming surgery on his right wrist and face.
His vitals have been steady since surgery which is really good.
He does have a broken lower jaw both sides all the way through. His left eye socket has a lot of damage below his eye and fractures above his eyes and left temple plate.
They are going to try to do surgery on his rt wrist and face. Once surgeries are done maybe later this week or the beginning of next week, they will consider removing the vent. He is progressing but not out of the woods yet.
Kris
brain didn't show any increase in swelling or damage so it was stable
lungs seem strong they are leaving him on the vent due to upcoming surgery on his right wrist and face.
His vitals have been steady since surgery which is really good.
He does have a broken lower jaw both sides all the way through. His left eye socket has a lot of damage below his eye and fractures above his eyes and left temple plate.
They are going to try to do surgery on his rt wrist and face. Once surgeries are done maybe later this week or the beginning of next week, they will consider removing the vent. He is progressing but not out of the woods yet.
Kris
Dan
I am getting tired of this little keyboad and long updates, but here we go. Spent last night at a hotle in flag and got some good sleep.
Dan's parents made it in last night. His mom stayed last night with him and his dad is staying here today. I will come home today and his dad will continue to give me updates and I will spread any news.
Dan is doing okay. Still sedated and progressing. Amazingly he has broken vertebrae in his neck but it is the "spines" of bone that come off the vertebrae so there is no spine damage and they will heal. He went in for a CT scan this morning at 8:30 and will be out around 10 am. There is a lot of waiting at this point. Head injury is still an unknown but he seems to be doing okay. His lung is a big concern but he has been taking breaths on his own. He vent is set for 14 breaths per min, he has been taking 16 breaths. Infection from surgery is a big concern as well, but he is on some strong antibiotics. They are looking at his face/head to see how to reconstruct the bones that are broken. Flagstaff has a great trauma center and they will keep him here for a few weeks in ICU.
Continue to pray for him and his family. Let me kow if you have questions.
Kris
Dan's parents made it in last night. His mom stayed last night with him and his dad is staying here today. I will come home today and his dad will continue to give me updates and I will spread any news.
Dan is doing okay. Still sedated and progressing. Amazingly he has broken vertebrae in his neck but it is the "spines" of bone that come off the vertebrae so there is no spine damage and they will heal. He went in for a CT scan this morning at 8:30 and will be out around 10 am. There is a lot of waiting at this point. Head injury is still an unknown but he seems to be doing okay. His lung is a big concern but he has been taking breaths on his own. He vent is set for 14 breaths per min, he has been taking 16 breaths. Infection from surgery is a big concern as well, but he is on some strong antibiotics. They are looking at his face/head to see how to reconstruct the bones that are broken. Flagstaff has a great trauma center and they will keep him here for a few weeks in ICU.
Continue to pray for him and his family. Let me kow if you have questions.
Kris
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Dan is out of surgery
Dan is out of surgery and the surgeon stopped by and gave us the update. He did find two holes in his small intestine and was able to repair them. They also removed 72 ounces of fluid. He now needs rest and prayer. Dr. said he is doing okay. Dan's parents are on their way up from Phoenix pray for their emoional strength and safe travel. Thanks and we will keep you updated.
Kris
Kris
Dan Update
Jim Smith and I just talked to the Dr. Dan is responding to pain when touched in his lower abdomen. This leads the Dr. to believe he may have an intestinal injury. They are doing exploratory surgery if they find nothing they will sew him up and he will just have a scar. If they find somethig they will fix it. Keep praying for the Dr. to have wisdom and for Dan in surgery.
Thanks,
Kris
Thanks,
Kris
Dan Update
I know many of you are praying for Dan. I will try to keep my blog updated and post the link to my blog in facebook.
The trauma Dr. is most concerned about the trauma to his brain and they don't want the swelling in his brain to increase so they are watching that closely. The second most critical injury is the deep bruise to his left lung. After that the other injuries will heal but it is a long road ahead. The other injuries are a fractured pelvis, laceration to his head, facial fractures, broken jaw, fractured right wrist and other internal injuries may show up later. The next 48 to 72 hours are critical as far as the head injury is concerned. He will likely get worse before he gets better, the ICU nurse said that will be difficult for his family and friends to see. It is a miracle that he is alive and that EMS could find him. Please continue to pray. I will try to keep this up to date and accurate. His parents are on their way and should be here around 10 pm tonight. I think his sister is also coming later this week. Pray for their safe travel and strength through this time. Thanks for your prayers and concern. Let's stay as positive and upbeat as we can and keep praying. Thanks again for your support.
In His Grace,
Kris
The trauma Dr. is most concerned about the trauma to his brain and they don't want the swelling in his brain to increase so they are watching that closely. The second most critical injury is the deep bruise to his left lung. After that the other injuries will heal but it is a long road ahead. The other injuries are a fractured pelvis, laceration to his head, facial fractures, broken jaw, fractured right wrist and other internal injuries may show up later. The next 48 to 72 hours are critical as far as the head injury is concerned. He will likely get worse before he gets better, the ICU nurse said that will be difficult for his family and friends to see. It is a miracle that he is alive and that EMS could find him. Please continue to pray. I will try to keep this up to date and accurate. His parents are on their way and should be here around 10 pm tonight. I think his sister is also coming later this week. Pray for their safe travel and strength through this time. Thanks for your prayers and concern. Let's stay as positive and upbeat as we can and keep praying. Thanks again for your support.
In His Grace,
Kris
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