Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Surgery Done

Hi all, We just wanted you to know that Dan came out of surgery at about 5pm cst.

He now has a titanium screw in his c2 vertebrae, and the trach was also inserted. His vitals are good and both doctors were happy with the results.

When we asked how he felt, he moved his tongue around his mouth, signaling that the breathing tube was gone. He seemed glad.

More tomorrow. Thanks for continued prayer.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is awesome news! Dan, I have been so blessed by reading the comments of everyone who is praying for you...You have a remarkable testimony that is impacting people across the world. This is the best thing that could happen because God allowed it to happen, that's been hard for me to accept but I can see how God is glorifying Himself throughout this difficult trial and your faith and confidence in God has challenged me to reexamine my own trust in God, its not always as strong as it should be. Well, the word is spreading around school here and lots of people are praying for you and your family! Continue to persevere! Love ya man,
Chris Stern

Anonymous said...

Dan, it's so great to hear that the surgery went well. We at Cedarville love you and we're praying hard for you! God bless you and continue to give you awesome strength and peace!

Anonymous said...

Dear Dan and Family

We are so pleased to hear the surgery went well. The power of prayer is so amazing!

We will continue to pray for all of you. My granddaughters Abigail & Emma are putting you on the prayer list at AWANA. They were shocked to hear that Grandma went to AWANA with the Knudsen's when she was younger!

God Bless You.

Love,
Ellyn Brown-Feltes and Family

Anonymous said...

Hey Dan, I'm messing up again. Now, Don't say it is because I am old. You know better, 'cause I'm young at heart. So, if this goes through, then I will rewrite what I wrote just a minute ago and lost!! Love Gramma

Anonymous said...

Hey Day, so happy your surgery went well. God is so good! I'm glad you have your throat back! Dan, In I John it says "greater is he that is in you than he that is of the world." And you are a testimony of that greatness. I'm awed by the many testimonies that are being written. God bless you Dan, and remember that God is using you now for the greater things to come in your life. God bless you so much honey, Gramma will continue to pray for your healing and walk with Him. Love Gramma PS,Uncle Steve and Uncle Jimmy says Hi and they too are praying.

Anonymous said...

Dear Dan and family,

Praise God the surgery went well. Continue to rest physically and in God. We will continue to pray for your recovery. Your faith is amazing!

Love the Morzaks

Anonymous said...

Hi Dan,
You don't know me, but I'm a friend of Ruth's church down there in Puebla, and I've been getting e-mail updates on how you're doing, and lots of people are praying for you out here in California! I know God is with you through everything, and that He will continue to glorify himself through what's happening in your life now.
I hope you're not bored! Now's the time to catch up on all those sciences that you always wanted to study but never had the time to. Entropy? Physics? Astronomy? Microbiology? Ancient Egyptian? Souffle cooking? Study up! If you need any book recommendations, I'm here for you.
God bless and keep you and your family, as you trust God to move forward in the unknown.
Much love in Christ,
Julia Ciupek-Reed
Juliacr82@aol.com

Aunt Sue said...

Whats up Dan

Really glad to hear you are doing better, but honestly I know you're probably tired of hearing the same old thing over and over again from people who haven't talked to you in like the last six months. So let me just tell you this, in no time you're gonna be back doin' backflips and enjoying life even if it doesn't seem like it now. Best of luck to you man.
Don

Anonymous said...

Dan,

I am so thankful for God's continued work in your life. I loved reading the comments from someone about your reflection on James. I am praying that you see God in each step of this process. I have sent out LOTS of emails to my friends around the world, asking for prayer for you and your family. I have gotten quite a few responses that say they are praying! They are even coming from those that I rarely hear from which was a real surprise to me, but I praise God for banding us all together to pray!

Lots of Love, charlene, scott & family

Unknown said...

Dan! I finally found the blog, thank goodness. It is great news to hear that the surgery went well and to read the previous posts to see how far you have come along. Reading your response to this injury has lifted my spirit's incredibly. I can truly see your utter devotion for the Lord and your complete reliance on His will. I am constantly praying for you and I know whatever happens it will be for the Glory of God

Isaac

Soli Deo Gloria

Anonymous said...

yo. dan. i wish i knew what you were thinking.
prayin for you today man.
can't wait to see you!
stay strong!

-hann-

Unknown said...

PTL the surgery went well! You are in my thoughts and prayers, Dan. Hang in there! I know you're tough. :) Keep focusing on Him. He is going to use you through all of this. Keep your chin up!
Praying like crazy,
Sarah Johnson

TruthSeeker said...

Dear Dan,
My name is Allison Crino, oldest sister of Michael Crino, who you ministered to in Mexico during the retreat last week. I want you to know that your life and your heart of complete surrender has deeply ministered to me this week as I have faced some of my own personal "battles" with God about His future for me. At 22 years old, you think I would be content with the nonchalant, "no worries" attitude many of our college friends possess, but dude, that is just impossible for me. Ever since the Lord grabbed hold of my heart in highschool, I have been guided forward with a keen sense of urgency...that the Lord always has something huge looming right around the corner, and if we are lazy in our personal lives and spirits, we will miss it...oh Lord. I thank You that my brother Dan has not missed it. I thank You for his heart of Trust and surrender. My church is praying for you...
Allison

Anonymous said...

Dan - Here's a quote God used to encourage/challenge me during a difficult time in my life. Although it sounds like you are already learning this lesson, God laid it on my heart to share, so here it is!

"You and I were created for joy, and if we miss it, we miss the reason for our existence...If our joy is honest joy, it must somehow be congrous with human tragedy. This is the test of joy's integrity; is it compatible with pain? Only the heart that hurts has a right to joy.
Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional. We cannot avoid pain, but we can avoid joy. Joy has so much to do with how we see and hear and experience the world. It is not to be grasped, but given away. It is not to be contained, but shared.
Joy has more to do with who we are than what we have, more to do with the healthiness of our attitude than with the health of our body. Joy, above all else, is a selfless quality which is magnified when it is shared and minimized when it is selfishly grasped."
-Tim Hansel "You Gotta Keep Dancin"

Janni said...

Hi, Dan. We have been praying ever since your accident and put your name on the prayer sheet at an English-speaking church in Mexico City. The Navigator group is praying, too, so there are a lot of people covering you in prayer.

What wonderful news that your surgery went well!

My two brothers and sister-in-law were part of the five person team who worked to keep you alive immediately after your accident. We're thankful you are doing so well and continue to pray you will be strengthened and encouraged. We'll keep watching for updates on the blessings God has prepared for you. You are an inspiration! God is faithful.

Anonymous said...

our church (Midview Baptist Grafton Ohio) has been praying for you each day that the Lord will do great and mighty things for you and yours..Rest our Brother in the knowledge of His Goodness.

Anonymous said...

I was praying for you around 4pm cst, and am praying often as you come to mind.

Anonymous said...

Grandma & Grandpa Knudsen, are so thankful that your surgery is successful. We both are praying for continued progress. You are his lamb, Dan, and the Lord is your Shepherd. Psalm 23 comes to our mind for your blessing. Lots of love, Gram & Grampa (and Koko too).

Anonymous said...

We are praying for you Dan. We trust that your health will continue to improve daily. You don't know us, but we are missionaries with CAM International in Mexico, currently in PA on home assignment. Last year our daughter went to the same camp that you were serving at this year. Jonathan Smith from Camp Valsequillo is a dear friend of ours, and a girl from our church here in PA, Crystal Hoffman, goes to Cedarville, and had also sent our church your prayer request. So, you have many people praying for you - both in PA and in Mexico, and I'm sure around the world!

Anonymous said...

Hey Dan!

We are keeping up with your progress! So glad that your mouth is now tube free! Praying for success from the surgery! We were reading in Romans 8 about how God works all things together for our good, and it reminded me of something our pastor once said. God takes the things we think are good and the things we think are bad and he mixes them together into a big giant pile and as they are worked they become a type of "Compost". He then uses this compost to produce the fruit in our life. It so looks like much fruit is being produced through this experience. We will continue to petition Heaven on your behalf. All our love to you and the whole Family.

Love,
Dan and Erin Jonathan

Amanda Martin said...

Oh, Dan. God is so faithful to protect His saints and to work for their good. I praise Him for His protection of you during your surgery. I also have been extremely encouraged by your Godly attitude throughout this traumatic event. The prayers of the saints are upholding you for sure. He is worthy of praise even when we don't understand why He allows something to happen. "For the Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save, He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love. And He will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph. 3:17

~Amanda

Anonymous said...

Faith Baptist Church (Streetsboro)
is praying for all of you.

Anonymous said...

Praise God the surgery went well. We're praying for all of you. Love, Dave, Suzy and Adam Francis

Anonymous said...

Dan-

So glad the surgery went well yesterday. We OPE fellas were praying hard for you. You've been an incredible testimony. Keep it up. Looking forward to you coming back. God is good. Praise the Lord.

Love ya Dan

Ploeg

Anonymous said...

From a praying Cedarville mom:

As I've read your family's accounts and the many comments from people who know you, I have thought to myself, "This Dan is one amazing young man!!!" And then I realized that what you are is a clear reflection of our amazing God, and THAT is what people are seeing in you.

Keep glorifying Him, Dan.

Anonymous said...

Dan,
We are praying for you and praising the Lord for his mighty hand of mercy and provision. The Lord hears the prayers of His children and knows your voice! Keep the faith being assured of knowing that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6 Your life is touching us all for Christ!
In his love,
CU agh's Mom

Anonymous said...

Your 'you you'. I know that sounds very strange but I have worked with young children for many years and when talking with them about their inside man; spirit man; their very self, I refer to it as their "you you"; their heart.

When I experienced an extremely painful physical condition several years ago I also for the first time learned to almost tangibly touch my own 'you you'. Our spirit man feels no pain and is in complete relationship with our heavenly Father. Abba Father. Painful times helped me to find my spirit more than any other time in my life.

Make use of your healing time to center on your inner man. Abba Father is closer than any of us really know.

My prayers are with you daily. And with your family.

Your sis In Christ.

Judy

Anonymous said...

Dan, as I was driving to rehab this morning, I was listening to a beautiful song. It made me think of Job and how God asked satan "Hast thou considered my servant Job?" satan said Job praised the Lord because he had it all. So, God allowed satan to run wild with Job - but he endured. I could almost hear God say, "Have you considered my servant Dan?" how Dan has turned his life over to me and how he walks with me?" ah, but that's because Dan has no problems - and so God let satan attack Dan. Your faith continues to be a blessing to all who hear your story and you will be blessed beyong measure Dan. Rest in the precious love of God.

"The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell; it goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell; The guilty pair bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; his erring child he reconciled and pardoned from his sin.

Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade - to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky. Oh, love of God how rich and pure how marvelous and strong, It shall forever more endure, the saints and angels song.

Rest in God's love for Dan. He has great things in store. Love Gramma

Anonymous said...

This morning i read from Romans, and i thought of you Dan as i read vs. 1-5:

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

I’m still praying for you, for all of you, and there are others here at Patrick Henry College (VA) who are praying for you. I have been blown away reading through the comments, the Christian response to an injured brother. People are praying for you all across this country and all across Mexico, as well as in Ecuador and Africa and i'm sure other places as well! Occasionally i come across a comment of someone i know, a friend from Mexico, an mk from camp, all of whom i care deeply for, desiring for them to see and love and follow God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. I know that is also the desire of the Cedarville team that goes down every Spring Break, and for that i am very grateful to you all, not just for touching their lives this year, but for touching my life and hundreds of others over the last seven years. Seeing these friends’ God focused comments and prayers for you is something that goes beyond words for me. Thank you for your God focused attitude and for letting God use you as He will. Many are seeing God in you and glorifying Him through this.

Anonymous said...

Hey Dan,

We're thankful to God for your faithful testimony and that of your family. You have been in our thoughts and prayers continually since we heard about the valley God has chosen for you to walk through for His glory. Please know that we are praying for your continued strength and perseverance as you strive to bring Him glory through this trial. We serve an awesome God Who knows you intimately and can meet all your needs. He is the Great Physician who knit you together from the beginning of time and can most certainly mend you now.....to that end we are praying! We love your family and are confident you all are choosing to bless the name of the Lord in the midst of these circumstances.

Love and Prayers,
Gary, Martha, Ryan and Tyler

Anonymous said...

Dan,

I recently learned about your accident through Jessica Busch and wanted you to know that I will be praying for you and your family. I will add you to our prayer list tonight at my "Promise Keepers" weekly meeting as well as the list at my Church here in Deposit, NY. The power of prayer is awesome Dan and I know that through your trust in GOD he will take care of you. It is amazing how many other hearts he has already touched through you and your family. I pray that you continue to trust in the lord throughout the healing process and that your health is restored real soon.
God bless you & your family!

John L. from upstate NY

Anonymous said...

Dan -
You may not remember, but I think we were on the chapel prayer team together one day.
I'm really glad to hear that your surgery went well - I have been and will be praying for you. The way God is working through you and your family is amazing.

Jonathan (Walburg)

Anonymous said...

Hello, None of you know my wife and I Chris. We are Christians who support the Glessners in Puebla.We just wanted to let you know that Dan has been in our prayers and our thoughts are with Dan and his family...Brad and Chris Frederickson..a brother and sister in Christ..Phil 1:6..