Wednesday, March 28, 2007

He talked ...

say “WHAT?” -- that was his first word.

It was with a flurry of attention paid to Dan upon his arrival at the RIC or Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. New place, new doctors, specialists, nurses and new evaluations. Someone was checking his trach, and didn’t quite like the way it was fitting on him, [because of his halo rigging] when suddenly it all came apart. Well within a few seconds, nurses come through the door, and see that this is a real “ventilator alarm” and whoa, do they work fast.

Watching all of this activity was a bit undoing for Deb and me, who left the room to sit in the hallway, and wait. A nurse came out for more supplies and stated, “He said, 'WHAT'” ! We jumped up and went in to see a beaming Dan saying “I can hear my voice!”, “I can hear my voice!”

We cried, I got out my cell phone and started to video him talking. Deb was still crying. We called Mike, Jen and Matt and let each of them hear their brother's quiet, but new-found voice.

You see, the trach is not adjusted much in an ICU setting and the air only flows down to the lungs. When a therapist loosened up the tracheotomy baloon cuff, air was allowed to flow both down to the lungs AND up through the vocal cords. She said to Dan, "say something" and he said "say what?!?" and on the "WHAT", air came back over his cords and he talked. Do you know what it's like to hear your voice after 19 days of nothing? See the story and response of Zechariah and yeah, it was sort of like that.

Of course Dan is not ready to have this dual airflow 24/7, as it makes him feel like he is loosing air more rapidly, and rightly so. There are technics that will improve this ability for speak. Thanks again for your prayers of strength and patience in this process. God IS Good!

More RIC "firsts" in the updates tomorrow. Time for bed, dad's tired.



28 comments:

Alan & Beth McManus said...

Seeing as I'm up way past my bedtime I get to be the first to say "Praise God!" for this late night post. This is really great news! I can't say I know Dan but from all I read about him through this blog, there are a lot of family and friends who are anxious for the day when they can talk with Dan again. Looks like they'll have their chance soon! Still praying for you, Dan, down here in Tacolandia (a.k.a. Mexico). ¡Buenos Nachos! Hee-hee!

Alan McManus
CAM International
San Juan del Río, Querétaro

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord!! There is NOTHING our God can not do. I cried when I read this...You all are constantly in my thoughts and prayers :)

Anonymous said...

Tears of joy from Northern Ohio...

Anonymous said...

Oh Dan, I just give praise to God for your voice. Emotion is so high, I can only say Thank You Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him, and praise Him with your mouth! I can not even begin to imagine the thrill God is giving you. It reminds me of the hymn, "It Took A Miracle" - Yes, God is doing all kinds of miracles. I get on this Blog about 1/2 hour when I am home and many times in the night to see how God is working and right now I am praising God for your progress. Deb, Bill, Mike, Jen and Jeff, Matt and Em, you too are our continued prayers. Love to you. I just read the account of Zechariah again praise the Lord for His wonder working power. I just want to shout and dance!!!!! Looking forward to your continued progress. Rest in Jesus, Dan, He loves you so much. Gramma

Your big sister said...

It's true, it's true! I called Dad to do a check in and he goes, "hold on...let me put you on speaker phone". All of a sudden I faintly hear "Hey they got me talking" I couldn't believe it! I asked how and Dan goes, "They're really good here!" Needless to say I was not as quiet as I should have been in the office after that!

Anonymous said...

Yea!!! I'm so happy for you Dan! It's been so great to be able to read what has been going on. I'm praying for your continued recovery, and for a continued joyful and praising spirit.
Thinking of you and praying,
Kati Brase

Andrew said...

How Great and Awesome is Our GOD!! I am rejoicing with you and your family. God continues to be faithful!!

-Dart-

Unknown said...

Praise the Lord!! Each step of the way... Praise the Lord!! You and your family are continually in our prayers...

Anonymous said...

praise God!! that is so awesome! we'll all keep prayin for all of yall, and for the quick, safe, and full recovery of Captain Scratch. we love you!

Anonymous said...

Awesome is the word that comes to mind... we are praying for continuing Grace for you and your family Dan.

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord!!! We continue to rejoice with you in your "firsts". We look forward to hearing of many more "firsts." Keep the faith, The Basile family in Puebla

Anonymous said...

That is so exciting!!! Thanks so much for keeping the blog up-to-date. I check it every day.

Anonymous said...

Our God is so good and faithful! This is wonderful news and I am so excited for you, Dan! What a blessing it must be to talk again. Thanks for reminding all of us to never take anything for granted - even our voice. I'm singing praises to Him today for His goodness to you and your family; prayers are continually going up in your behalf!

Papá to the best 2 said...

Dan,
It was awesome to hear your voice on the phone. Surprised me so much I also said "what!?!?". Can't wait to hear more about all your new adventures and progress. Keep it up!

"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you." (Ps 33:22)

ps "Mama to the best 2" misses you a lot and can't wait to see ya.

Anonymous said...

We are praying for you everyday!! Keep up the good work. God will continue to bless you

Corey said...

Great news. I don't know you but have been reading your blog. I have a friend in Puebla that told us of your accident literally hours after it happened.

I have checked in here from time to time.

Now Dan...even YOU can SAY PRAISE GOD!

AMEN!

Corey

Anonymous said...

PRAISE GOD! PRAISE HIM! This is the mighty Father that we serve. One that will not leave us nor foresake us. He has not forgotten about Dan, or the entire Knudsen Family. This is a major step in the right direction, and his many brothers and sisters are PRAISING the Father for this miracle. Dan is in the middle of God's hands, which is the best place to be. We share in your joy, and push on with our prayers and hopes that Dan will come through this, with the touch of the Father's Hand!

Anonymous said...

Hey Dan!

you might not remember me but im Grace the girl that had blonde hair and brown eyes and you took a picture with at camp? that doesn´t matter anyways! I am really praying for you! right now in english I have to write a book and I included you in it! I hope to get it published even though there is not much hope of that cause im just 11 years old! but hey! I can still hope! Oh and if you want I can send the story to you Mom then you can read it from there or your Mom can read it to you! I really wish I could visit you but oh well It would be kinda hard to go all the way up to the USA since I live in Mexico! anyways keep up the good work! I´ll be praying for you!

Love,

Grace

Anonymous said...

I stand AMAZED!! Praise Him!! :)

Anonymous said...

yeah, Scratch! that is great news, man...praise the Lord!

many thanks to the family for these daily updates & letting us join you in a small way through this journey.

wammer

Anonymous said...

This is awesome! Still praying for you here in Virginia. This week and next are some of the busiest in the semester for me, and as i remember to pray for you, i remember to take nothing for granted, to thank God even (or especially?) for difficult times and see the way He works in them. I saw that yesterday and today as i prepared for a huge midterm and as i took it. Keep pressing on. You're reminding us in a dramatic way that life is a struggle, in a way even moreso for the committed follower of Jesus Christ, but with Him the struggle is completely worth it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Cousins!
Thank you for the updates on our Dan. I cannot tell you how excited I am to hear the progress he is making.

Love,
Jeanne Mackay

Anonymous said...

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow"...He is working in your life in tremendous ways and drawing us all unto him through your testimony. Keep up the good fight and work that He has begun in you, and we will continue to our part in lifting you up to our Heavenly Father and his throne of mercy and goodness.Congratulations on being able to make your voice known in an audible way.
With Love and Blessings to you and your family,
AGH's Mom from CU

Anonymous said...

What a blessing! I am excited for you Dan. Thinking about our gracious God who perists in encouraging us, thank you Lord. I am contintuing to pray for you as many are and I m thankful to Bill, Deb, Jen and the rest of the family for keeping us posted and aware of your needs and praises. Eagerly watching God's work on your behalf. Beth Bolander

Anonymous said...

Rejoicing with you at God's amazing work on your behalf!! Thanks for keeping us up to date!

Anonymous said...

Dan,
You didn't know me, and I didn't know you. I was at camp, and thought you were pretty cool, but never talked to you. I really regret that now. You have no idea what it was like in that room the evening you fell. I was finally able to cry. I mean really, really cry. I try to be the strong one in my family, but I have never been so scared in my life. Both my grandfathers have passed away, and I was with one of them when he did, but I have never cried as much as I cried that Friday night. It was a life-changing experience. I am so glad you are feeling better, and I am keeping everyone at school updated. I hope you continue to improve. Just remember, even in the hardest times, God will keep you with him. Casting Crowns has a song called "Praise You In This Storm". That song always reminds me of you. It goes, "I will praise you in this storm/ and I will lift my voice/ for You are who You are/ no matter where I am/ and every tear I cry/ You hold in Your hand/ You never left my side/ and though my heart is torn/ I will praise you in this storm." Those words have helped me remember, that even through hard times, and I know that God will always be with me. Another line in that song says "but as the thunder rolls/ I barely hear/ You whisper through the rain/ I'M WITH YOU." I hope these words will give you hope, because they are so true. We go through life, and take so many things for granted, and almost everytime something happens, we forget to hear the Lord. He works miracles, and he has the power to get you through this "storm". Jesus loves you. Thank you for being strong, even if you don't feel like this. You have been an inspiration to my life, and other people who where at camp with me. Be strong and remember God is with you.

Get better,
Nicole C.

Anonymous said...

All I can say is HALLELUYA!!!

Aunt Sue said...

Hey, Dan
Good to hear your voice news. Don arrived in a certain middle-eastern country and said he does not know when he will get to the other living quarters and reminded me that he will always say he doesn't know, even if he does, b/c he doesn't want me giving out his location over the web, or he will shoot me himself. He is very serious, except for the shooting me part, I think. Anyway, I am now in the Land of the Waiting for the Next Phone Call on the corner of Patience Avenue and Perseverence Street, just down from the Theatre of War (and I've seen the movie and don't recommend it). I identify with your waiting, patience, and willing the mind to keep the attitude strong. Love you! Aunt Sue