Updates on DaniRella's family

Edited.. Thank you!

Post any links to LIF or newsday stories here.. It'll be easier than searching LIF & other posts.. More prayers


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Maybe post links to updates or something on here so that we aren't fishing through the 'Prayers' post?

just an idea.. I can't access LIF or else I'd do it

Re: Can we have an update thread for DaniRella's family?

This is the latest update from Newsday


Update on DaniRella's brother

Re: Can we have an update thread for DaniRella's family?

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Posted by Mich0621

This is the latest update from Newsday


Update on DaniRella's brother

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Thanks for posting Michelle.

Re: Can we have an update thread for DaniRella's family?

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Posted by dgirl0114

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Posted by Mich0621

This is the latest update from Newsday


Update on DaniRella's brother

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Thanks for posting Michelle.

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My pleasure! Keep prayers coming for Dani!

Re: Can we have an update thread for DaniRella's family?

she just updated on LIF but they moved the thread I think over to the family thread, let me see if I can cut and paste.....

Re: Can we have an update thread for DaniRella's family?

okay heres what she posted on LIF


I don't know what else to say at this point... all I can say is thank you from the very bottom of my heart. Thank you so much for every prayer, well wish, positive/caring thought, etc. My family and I appreciate it SO much at this time which is, for all of us, the most difficult time of our lives. I don't have much of an update - just that he has come out of his surgeries very well - and although he is unconscious still and has remained that way so far they are very optimistic b/c he is stable. He squeezed my Mother's hand right before we left - so, that made us all feel a little bit of comfort and apparently, he CAN hear us when we are talking to him - I talked to him so much today so that made me feel better to know he can hear some of the things we are saying.

I just got home from the hospital to TRY and rest, shower, change and then we will be going back up early tomorrow AM. My parents are sleeping at the hospital. God, I just think about his son (my 6 year old nephew) and my mother - more than anything else. I am positive that he WILL be alright - I need that because I have nothing else to hold on to - just pure HOPE that he will be OK... somehow.

I truly appreciate and will answer each FM I rec'd - just give me some time once things, hopefully, get more settled. Thank you to everyone - all my friends who called, left messages, reached out - anything and everything helps and all we ask for now is just to pray for him - we will take ANY prayer we can get. He is such a wonderful person and such a dedicated Father as well as an extremely dedicated and proud Police Officer. I can't even describe or talk about what we went through today - with the media, everyone being up there, seeing him - everything was just horrible... beyond words. But, more than anything, the Nassau County Police Department has been AMAZING and I can't even thank them enough for their support - especially for my mother and father.

I keep listening to this song from Les Mis over and over. It makes me feel better - I keep asking God - I keep singing this song or saying the words to God. I told Kenneth tonight that he needs to tell God that it is NOT his time right now - that he has so much more good to do here on earth first - that he has a son to raise - to tell God NO, not right now... I just told him to fight and he is a fighter - the strongest person I know. He is my hero, he is everything to me. Here are the lyrics to Bring Him Home - what I've been listening to and what I'm hoping for...

God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there

He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home.

He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.

Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy

You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home.


...I'll update this post as soon as I can and when I know more. I've seen all the other posts and read each of them - thank you so very much.



*First Update: Tuesday May 20th*

Yesterday, early on was better for me - I was positive and upbeat b/c of the signs of movement he was showing. Then, as the day went on and I heard the press conference and it was just so hard. I wanted to hear it to know everything and see everything - that helps BUT I didn't want the media swarming us again like they have been doing every time I just try to step outside to get cell service or something like that. Luckily, there was a little outside room I was able to stand in and look/hear everything but no one could see me so that was good. But as the day went on I just got more and more upset - I guess in this situation we are going to have good days and bad days - upsetting days and ones where we are feeling much better and that's alright - I'll take as many bad days as I need to take for Kenneth - as long as he is OK in the end I don't care how long that road is for us.

The outpouring of response from people has been amazing - we had strangers come up who have had head injuries and are now OK and living a great life - they came up JUST to show themselves as a sign of hope and to lift our spirits. We had people make cards, writing letters, etc and sending them up - we have gotten phone calls from other STATES - it was on CNN and a distant family relative saw it in Georgia. My friend saw it on the news in Philly - it is amazing b/c the more people they reach, the more people will pray and that's all we want.

The only hard part is trying to reach everyone you know will be seeing this - trying to think of everyone and not getting service in the hospital is hard - but the reporters are getting better about approaching us -- and SOME of them don't know who i am which is great -- but they are getting better about coming up to us when I'm just trying to make calls and update people or thank people who have called. I felt awful that our best man, Vinny's first cousin, heard about this as he was riding on the train to work - he read it in the newspaper and called all upset from his office in Manhattan yesterday - but you can't reach everyone and that is what is hard.

OK - rambling as I'm waiting for my sister to get ready so we can go back up to the hospital - she is just taking a quick shower and we'll be off. I have this little angel I put by Kenneth with a rosary - we have holy water and oil from Lourdes and the Vatican to put on his face - so, everything is working and the prayers ARE working - I JUST KNOW IT - God is hearing how much everyone loves him and how much people feel he needs to be HERE b/c he still has so much good to do - and he has his son to be here for! So, God knows that and will get him better for us. I picked through all my proofs to get the pictures of him with us - His whole FACE is the front of Newsday today - I saw that last night when they early released the cover and it gave me CHILLS and then I got really upset - BUT it is good to know everyone cares - they wouldn't cover a story people didn't care about and the more people care - the better for him!

...I just wish it wasn't that awful police ID picture where you can't smile and he just doesn't look like himself. I did give one reporter a picture - the only one I had on me of him and myself from my wedding just so hopefully they print a picture of the real him - smiling.

OK - she's ready - thank you for letting me ramble - it really helps to just VENT and just get it out - helps a lot.

More updates as soon as I can - I promise -- and the best medical update you can get is from the press conf. which is on this link - you can click on the video - the man with the goatee (one of his docs) has been SO NICE - thank god for him!!

Click Here - video of press conf on how he is doing and the latest-

...This is better than anything I can say b/c it is so hard to even get into everything - the docs know best.

BTW - real quick - Kathleen Rice (Nassau DA) came up yesterday to meet us - she has been a HERO of mine since the Katie Flynn trial where she got the guy a REAL sentence - 20 years! Thank God for people like her who are crusaders! She personally asked the person who worked with her on that case to work on my brother's case!!! This is wonderful - I was SO honored and happy to meet her - just wanted to say that - she was so good to my family yesterday!

'Hope is a key word in the vocabulary of men and women like myself and so many others who discovered in America the strength to overcome cynicism and despair. Remember the legendary Pandora's box? It is filled with implacable, terrifying curses. But underneath, at the very bottom, there is hope. Now as before, now more than ever, it is waiting for us.'

- from Elie Weisel, a fave quote of mine.

*Second Update - 5/21/08*
Just got home - exhaustion is setting in and I find myself forgetting things, starting sentences and not being able to finish them - totally losing my train of thought, etc. Since I got 2 hours sleep last night and an hour the night before it is amazing what it is doing to me physically - but, tonight I took a simply sleep so that will help, I'm sure.

On to Kenneth!! He didn't have a bad day but it wasn't a day where he moved in a positive direction either - but that's ok! There are going to be days where he is just consistent and the same - and other days where he is doing better - we just want to avoid the days where he gets worse and so far, we have!

He looks a little worse only because the swelling has increased BUT that is par for the course - that is totally expected and now that it has peaked, it will, start to decrease slowly.

I have every article, picture, blurb, EVERYTHING about him - from the web, the papers and I'm going to be making a scrapbook so he can see what he overcame when he is all better! He will be, and should be, so impressed!

Again - so many people, visitors, well wishes, prayers, support - everything means so much. My heart dropped when I saw the cover of newsday today - I can't even believe this is my reality right now - this is our world. My parents are hanging in there - I'm trying to be strong for my sister, my mother, father and husband - they are all really fragile and I can be their rock right now b/c Kenneth, who usually is, cannot at the moment.

Heading to bed - just wanted to say that there will be good days and - I don't want to say bad b/c it wasn't a bad day - just consistent days! Thank you for all the FM's, voicemails (Shorty - thank you!), texts (Jules, Penny) and visits - Melissa, especially - you are my rock!

We are hoping to meet our angel firefighter tomorrow!

Phew Again, thank you for being my outlet.

****May 22, 2008****

Today was a good day!

I knew it would be after yesterday was just a 'steady' day -- as long as we are moving forward or staying the same I'm fine! But today was great - the swelling went down SO much in his head b/c they sedated him a lot yesterday in order to allow the pressure to go down - and it worked! He has his features back - he looks fabulous!

Then, they did a very special procedure where they put a mechanism inside his leg that looks like a little umbrella with wires -- it keeps the blood from clotting! Just as a precaution - they are staying one step ahead of EVERYTHING! It went well - they did it bedside for him and then they put pins in his pelvis and around him just to secure it until he can have the surgery (scheduled now for next wednesday!) So, that went well also. One funny moment - I walked in to see him and they were just finishing up and well, they didn't have him as covered as he should be - Dear God this is my brother! It was my first laugh (and in a while!). LOL! The nurse got a kick out of it - definitely MORE than I should have seen

We have had visitors upon visitors - I put together a scrap book today - took me like three hours but I was determined to get all the stuff I had (pics and articles and cards -- so far) in there so then whenever I get more I just keep adding it -- it looks great and I'm SO EXCITED for him to wake up and see all that happened - he will be amazed - floored!!!

Again - a thank you to the PBA and the ENTIRE Nassau County Police Department, Kathleen Rice (the amazing DA who is going to be taking care of our case!!!), Tom Suozzi and the 'Commish'. Then, the doctors (especially his neurosurgeon Dr. Mehta) who actually TOLD me that his craniotomy was 'simple' what an amazingly humble man!!!!

OK - looking forward to the next couple of days to continue this great improvement as they start to take him slowly off of the heavy meds so he can, hopefully , wake up for us! I would give ANYTHING to hear his voice - can't wait for that!

Looking forward to the walk on June 1st - I'm going to speak with a rep from MADD tomorrow about it - hoping to see everyone there so I can just say thank you and give a hug!

Our hero ANGEL lifesaving fireman is coming either Friday, Saturday or Sunday - depending on his schedule... we'll be there! I spoke with him myself on the phone today and he is actually a living angel walking among us.

OK - thank you again for allowing me to ramble - it is one of the highlights of my days to do this and it is my 'therapy' during this time.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

I was just crying reading that .. its so sad - but Im happy to hear that hes doing better!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

i'm in tears!!! i pray that he recovers and is able to see what amazing and supportive family he has!!!

eta - thanks heather for posting this!! i too kept on wondering if there were any updates...

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

This bought tears to my eyes!! Continued prayers for her family- he's going to come through this!!!!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

i actually just now spoke with Danielle on the phone...shes on her way back to the hospital again after showering and getting some rest. things are slowly moving...but there are good signs. the docs are hoping that within the next few days--kenneth might be able to be taken slowly off sedation and hopefully be able to open his eyes!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

So glad to hear that he was able to have his pelvic surgery and that it went well. Even the slight fever might be a good sign if his body is fighting off an infection. Mel, that's great news too!! Continued prayers for his full recovery!!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Everytime I read her updates I tear up. I have been praying for her whole family every night.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

i'm so glad that he's doing better.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

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Posted by MJDoc12

i actually just now spoke with Danielle on the phone...shes on her way back to the hospital again after showering and getting some rest. things are slowly moving...but there are good signs. the docs are hoping that within the next few days--kenneth might be able to be taken slowly off sedation and hopefully be able to open his eyes!

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thank you for the update Melissa, tell her that if she needs anything we are all here for her! My FIL is a retired NCPD cop so it hits close to home for me and DH...many many more prayers for her brother and her family to keep up the good spirits and faith that he will pull thru

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

So great to hear of his improvement

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

reading her updates gets me emotional everytime. I'm so glad he's doing better today and I'll continue to pray for his recovery

He's so lucky to have such wonderful, supportive family and friends.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

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Posted by AeroJenn

reading her updates gets me emotional everytime. I'm so glad he's doing better today and I'll continue to pray for his recovery

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Same here !!