Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

****July 3rd****

Kenneth has been doing better but the same thing that has been plaguing him since the first moment they said "he is ready for Kessler -- buuuutttt we just want to see if we can fix this small amount of fluid collecting in the front of his head" so... they tried putting in a separate drain outside the head that he did NOT tolerate - then, they tried just turning his regular perm drain up to see if it would drain that part which didn't happen so FINALLY, his neuro doc said we just need to put a perm drain in from the front connecting to his already in there shunt in the back and THAT will solve all his problems

so, today at 2pm he is going in to have that done. then, he will "recover" from that for two days and he should be "much better" and be able to finally get that PUSH to go to Kessler by next week :::KNOCK WOOD!!::: we are becoming very supersticious. The infection is much better ::::knock wood:::: and they just want him settled to go BEFORE anything else comes back or he gets sick again because aside from this little collection of fluid - he has been VERY aware and moving a lot, etc. I just hope this doesn't set him back - I mean, I can understand being sedated for a day or two to recover but more than that I want this procedure to HELP so he can get the HELLLL out of there.

He has been moving his arm (the good side) A LOT -- all the way up and he'll put his arm on his head. If we turn the light on too fast, too bright he will cover his eyes lol! He just touches our heads, my mom's head and mine, a lot and kind of takes our hair and puts it behind our ears. It is like he is trying to console us. Then, he'll give me a high-five if I ask him for it! Last night, he did it over and over again - it was great. I guess this is why I'm worried that this procedure will make him very "out of it" again for a while because he was so aware --- we even asked him some questions with a "YES" card and a "NO" card (one of the cop's ideas) and he was answering them for us by taking the appropriate sign.

PLEASE let this be the thing he needs to get OUT of there, PLEASE let this make him even more clearer than he has been and make all his "fluid" problems go away because those problems have A LOT to do with his equilibrium and his sense of balance and everything else -- God, get him to KESSLER.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

I am keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

continued for you all

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Continuing to keep your brother in my thoughts & prayers

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Good Luck Dani!!! I really hope you guys can get him to that rehab center!!! Even for just morale it'll be great!!! I'm still praying for you guys!!!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Dani, that is so great.

You should see about making him a communication board.

You'd basically use a bunch of symbols/pictures/words (whatever works best for him) and he can point to what he wants.

I'm sure the SLP will do this... but even if it's something you want to try for now. Starting off with yes/no is great! If he is using those consistently then that is a fantastic sign!!!

I have worked with some clients where we have made these kinds of boards, and many times they work wonderfully! You can make different boards for different things (like emotions or whatever). Have him start off by choosing from a small set (2 pictures) and then you can increase that little by little....

I'm still praying for him!!!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Sending tons of prayers to your brother that this works and you can get him off to kessler

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

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Posted by MrsDaniRella


****July 3rd****

Kenneth has been doing better but the same thing that has been plaguing him since the first moment they said "he is ready for Kessler -- buuuutttt we just want to see if we can fix this small amount of fluid collecting in the front of his head" so... they tried putting in a separate drain outside the head that he did NOT tolerate - then, they tried just turning his regular perm drain up to see if it would drain that part which didn't happen so FINALLY, his neuro doc said we just need to put a perm drain in from the front connecting to his already in there shunt in the back and THAT will solve all his problems

so, today at 2pm he is going in to have that done. then, he will "recover" from that for two days and he should be "much better" and be able to finally get that PUSH to go to Kessler by next week :::KNOCK WOOD!!::: we are becoming very supersticious. The infection is much better ::::knock wood:::: and they just want him settled to go BEFORE anything else comes back or he gets sick again because aside from this little collection of fluid - he has been VERY aware and moving a lot, etc. I just hope this doesn't set him back - I mean, I can understand being sedated for a day or two to recover but more than that I want this procedure to HELP so he can get the HELLLL out of there.

He has been moving his arm (the good side) A LOT -- all the way up and he'll put his arm on his head. If we turn the light on too fast, too bright he will cover his eyes lol! He just touches our heads, my mom's head and mine, a lot and kind of takes our hair and puts it behind our ears. It is like he is trying to console us. Then, he'll give me a high-five if I ask him for it! Last night, he did it over and over again - it was great. I guess this is why I'm worried that this procedure will make him very "out of it" again for a while because he was so aware --- we even asked him some questions with a "YES" card and a "NO" card (one of the cop's ideas) and he was answering them for us by taking the appropriate sign.

PLEASE let this be the thing he needs to get OUT of there, PLEASE let this make him even more clearer than he has been and make all his "fluid" problems go away because those problems have A LOT to do with his equilibrium and his sense of balance and everything else -- God, get him to KESSLER.

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Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Continued prayers for Kenneth and your family.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

**** July 4th - Happy Birthday America ****

My brother is probably the proudest American I know along with my Grandaddy and FIL (who immigrated to this country when he was young). So, I guess it is fitting that Kenneth would have probably the BEST day he has had so far in his recovery TODAY.

I'm almost afraid to even type it because you worry that tomorrow will be a "bad day" but today was GREAT. Everyone that we came in contact with today said "oh you are spending 4th of July here??" like we'd be someplace else! What kind of a sister would I be hanging out by the pool eating a hot dog at this time?! But I understood they were just looking out for us -- honestly, after today I was not bummed about being there all day AT ALL - NOT ONE BIT because he had such a great day!

First of all, the docs did a CT scan to discover that the procedure they did yesterday (they opened up his head to put a drain in the front of his head that connects to his already existing drain in the back of his head). Well, they discovered that the drain they put in not only was placed perfectly but ALREADY drained ALL of the excess fluid that was collecting in the front and making him rather "woozy" and not as clear/aware as he's been! The neuro docs were SO psyched they wanted to call us at 2am when they did the scan and discovered this!!! LOL!

They held off and told us today. Also, the infection is pretty much gone, his temp has remained down, his blood pressure is great, he is tolerating his food and not throwing up, his liver enzymes which were high due to lots-o-meds are now DOWN and he is CLEAR and VERY AWARE. He put BOTH hands on his head - even moved the RIGHT hand which is harder for him! He was pretty tired all day as he is still recovering from the surgery but you can just see it in his eyes -- it is Kenneth! He's back! And there is nothing that makes me feel better in this world than to see HIM looking back at me. The downside is that he is aware of where he is and he looks VERY peeved... but we keep telling him to hang in there just a few more days -- hopefully!

They are hoping that if things stay well he will go to Kessler :::knock wood::: this coming week sometime. A doc from there is coming tomorrow to evaluate him - one of many evaluations!

The biggest thing that helps me at this time is watching the Bob Woodruff DVD "To Iraq and Back"... Bob (ABC news anchor) had a very similar injury to Kenneth and recovered AMAZINGLY!!!! I love watching his road to recovery - I cry and cry when his family describes what it was like b/c it is everything that we are going through. It gives me such great hope!

OK - the prayers, they have been heard and they are working - I only ask that they are kept up until he is OUT of NUMC! Thank you, thank you, thank you X's 100!!!!! I know in my heart that we are waiting b/c it is what is BEST for Kenneth -- I know now that God would not have him go until he is READY and until the best possible time for him, medically.

Yay 4th of July!!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

happy 4th to your whole fam. im so happy to read what a good day it was for kenneth and all of you. our prayers will continue for him throughout the whole recovery process!!!! the bob woodruff reports on TBI are very touching. there is always reason to hope and to pray. I have seen so many of these type of videos recently bc of a class I am taking on cognitive and affective processes and it always brings you guys and Kenneth to mind. thx for continually updating us so that we can be praying for him in his needs.

God bless!!

Message edited 7/5/2008 12:53:44 AM.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

***** 7/7/08 ******

Last year, at this time, I was flying home from a vaca with Vinny -- we went to Washington DC. My brother had told me alllll about it because he had lived in Virginia for four years when he was younger (he was a police officer down there before coming back up here). He told us where to go, what to see, how to get around, etc. I often find myself thinking "what was I doing this time, last year?" because WOW I had NO idea what things would be like and how much things would change just one year later.

Anywho, Kenneth's condition pretty much remains the same - his fever remains controlled, he is tolerating his food very well, he is moving a lot, very spunky lol, he is being "taken off" his vent little by little and has been breathing on his own 90% of the time, etc. So, he is doing well -- the only little bump in the road before we are OK for Kessler is this: his neuro doc, after saying he was all set to go and we were making arrangements for this Wednesday said that he just wants his second shunt (the drain that was JUST put in) to be a little deeper.

That it is draining and doing a good job but not draining ENOUGH -- that they need to re-position it just a bit. So, that means another FREAKING procedure --- BUT they insist it is "minor" (lol) and that it will NOT set him back more than one day -- SO, he will still go on THURSDAY... so they say... knock wood... God willing...

As you can see I've become a bit supersticious.

Thanks again for all of the prayers - I just need them kept up, if possible, throughout this final (knock wood) procedure and his route to Kessler. They will be taking him by police chopper so a little prayer for him regarding that won't hurt either as I *HATE* those helicopters - they make me very nervous.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Continuing to keep your brother and your family in my prayers

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

more prayers for a safe transition and speedy recovery.. If anyone can do it, Kenneth has proven he can.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

many continued prayers for you & ur family!!!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Continued prayers for Kenneth and your family.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

I hope gets there safely and comfortably on Thursday!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Dani, continued prayers for Kenny and for Christopher.

It is great that he will be transported by copter. It would be a long bumpy trip by ambulance all the way to Kessler. Copter should be relatively smooth and quick.