Monday, April 9, 2007

1st Month Recap

It has been 1 month since we got "THAT" phone call, and here is a brief history.

While on a missions trip with Cedarville University, Dan, our youngest son, attempted a back flip and severely injured his C2 vertebrae . This severe contusion to his spinal cord caused a paralyses from his neck down, and requires a ventilator for his breathing.

He spent 2 weeks in Neurological ICU at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He received a halo to support his fractured vertebrae, and a screw to prevent slippage when he sat up. He has a tracheotomy and a feeding tube in his stomach.

He is now at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago just down the street from NMH, and is preparing to learn how to live life with out the use of his arms and legs. He will be here 3 to 5 months.

His daily therapies are in the following areas.

  • Physical - He is out on the mats daily to keep his joints flexible.
  • Speech - They are challenging him to swallow more liquids and shake-consistency food, talk with his trach collar down, and to sit up in his wheelchair each day.
  • Occupational - We are addressing issues of him adapting to his different life in the real world.
  • Technology - He has started to operate electronic devices with a "puff tube" and use a computer with a "mouth mouse".
  • Psychology / Counseling - knowing God better, dealing with anxiety, relaxing techniques, discussing his "new life" and God's purpose or better yet, Dan's schema*.
His daily health issues, but common for spinal injuries, for the present are:

  • Constant temperature spikes - was only under 100* 1 day last week.
  • Loss of blood pressure - drops down to 70 + 80 when he get in his chair.
  • Headaches - they seem to come on a more frequent basis.
  • Weight loss of 30# - Lack of appetite and difficulty swallowing any milk or fat shakes.

Thank you for your prayers.

*The word schema comes from the Greek word "σχήμα" (skhēma), which means shape or more generally plan.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

We continue to checkinondan and continue to pray for miracles. We look back at all the miracles that have already taken place.... the rescue team the day of your accident, getting you
out of Mexico in record time,the availabilty of your doctors in Chicago, your transfer to RIC, your voice, your humor, your attitude, your perseverance, your strength,etc. Praying for more miracles, The Basiles in Puebla

Anonymous said...

Dan, I am praying for you and everyone back in our house is as well. It is rare that a day goes by and I dont think of you most of the day. I am looking forward to seeing you when the time is right. Travis Hermann CEDARVILLE

Anonymous said...

Dear Dan, Debbie, and Bill,
Matthew so appreciated talking to you yesterday Bill. You are so in our thoughts and prayers daily. We spent time last night at small group praying for you, Dan and Debbie as she transistions back to work. God always gives us the strength for what he allows. None of us have enough strength for what you are going through but now that you are at this place He will faithfully provide it as you go to Him. We continue to ask him daily for strength and courage for you. We love you.
Laura and Matthew

Anonymous said...

Still praying in Northern Ohio...So many emotions that come to me when I "Check in On Dan". I smile, I cry, my heart hurts, yet I feel joy that you have your son still with you. Then I question God, why, yet I praise him for his eternal promises of love and protection for his children and that nothing is out of his control.
I am hours away from you and if I feel all of this up/downs I can only imagine what your days are like. And that is my prayer for you today..for you to ride the roller coast of your life right now with your hands lift up high! Because you have faith that the "operator" of the coaster has complete knoweldge on how to get you to the end of the ride.
Please continue to share your story with the world. Because most of us who are just on the pony ride are hanging on with both hands afraid...to trust! Thank you again for let us share in your life.

Anonymous said...

I continue to pray for you Dan. I pray for your family also. I am praying for a miracle. I don't really know what that means to God. I do know you are being use by God in an incredible way. All of this sounds so hollow as I type it. I guess I just want you to know how much I care. Love,a fellow believer.

Anonymous said...

Jeremiah 29:11 - God's plan for our life is always perfect. Perhaps not the choice we would have first ask for, but finally get to realize the grace that is felt far beyond our wildest dreams. I say this because of testimony of those who have endured. Dan, Bill, Deb, Matt,Jen,Mike - your continued faith in God and His "Plans" are encouraging and inspiratinal to us all. Jeremiah 33:3 "call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and might things which thou knowest not." Jesus, this is our prayer that you will answer for we are completely dependant upon You.

Anonymous said...

Praying for you faithfully everyday. Thanks for the specific request so we know how to ask. We care so very much. Warmly from our hearts to you...here at CU.

Anonymous said...

We are praying for Dan here at matsuri. We will pray that he can stay emotionally strong and get a little better day by day. Hope the whole family will be strong as well.

Anonymous said...

hope u get better mr counseler sir danny canoer



Your camper(God bless you),
Stephen Basile

Anonymous said...

hope u get better mr counseler sir danny canoer



Your camper(God bless you),
Stephen Basile

Anonymous said...

hope u get better mr counseler sir danny canoer



Your camper(God bless you),
Stephen Basile

Anonymous said...

Hey Dan (and family)

Just letting you know that I miss you man and am praying for you!

Papá to the best 2 said...

Hey buddy, can't believe its been a month already. There have been more emotional, physical and spiritual up and downs than any of those monitors in the ICU ever showed. But you've hung in there and taught so many people what faith and hope in a difficult situation looks like. Keep up the progress dan! Love you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the testimony you and your familiy give. You all have to be exhausted - but still you are leaning on and into our Lord. I am the one who wrote a while ago about how reading your story caused me to start a 31 days of Praise journey. I am still at it and can honestly say I am excited to start it all over again next month. Your testimony did that for me - thank you. I will keep you in my prayers, and your family. Lean into the Saviour on those hard days.
In His Grace - Bev, Salem, OR

Anonymous said...

I don't know you, but my brother is at Cedarville. Just wanted to say that I'm praying for you, and my God Bless you all!

Anonymous said...

praying for you right now...

a sister in the kingdom

Anonymous said...

Hey Scratch,

I love you bro and pray for you daily.

Parkay

Anonymous said...

Bill, Debbie, and all--
Just want you to know we are praying regularly for you--for God's grace and sufficiency in the midst of your trials--along with all the requests you leave here.

In Christ,
John and Janey Richmann

Anonymous said...

Hi Dan!! We are The Contreras' Family in Puebla, Mexico, your accident and your life have us really impacted because you are a huge example!! we are praying for your health and we love you!! Keep your faith because God is using you to touch many lifes around the world!!

Amanda Martin said...

Thank you so much for keeping us updated. Your positive attitude is very Christ-edifying. HE is able. Praying, 2:56 pm.

~Amanda