50 days pacing

... and the energizer Dan keeps going, and going, and going.

It really is amazing that for the last 50 days, Dan has not used his ventilator. Although he is still classified as "vent dependent", he'd like to keep that breathing lung in the closet forever. We change 1 'c' cell lithium battery about every 21 days, but his pacer from Synapse Biomedical just keeps breathing 12 times a minute, 24/7/365.

He still requires suctioning and a "cough assist" machine from time to time, as he does not have the ability to cough out Flem or clear his throat. The humidity or lack of it seems to play some part in this.

Dan keeps his trach cap on 95% of the time during the day, and is taking the next steps [mind over fear], to keep it on at night also. He is pushing his sitting upright tolerance, to a greater degree. Those of you whom have visited may remember how far down he was lying. That is improving daily.

His spasms continue to be at a high level. We are considering intense therapy at the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger - John Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. Needed is the center to accept Dan, and for the insurance to support this cutting edge program.

Thankful for Cedarville Family

We loved Cedarville University before Dan's accident, but since March 9, 2007, we have a deeper appreciation for this place. From Dan's friends to the administration and staff to parents of students we've never met, we continue to be blessed by those associated with CU. We still receive cards, gifts, even valentines from people we don't know, but who assure us of their prayer commitment -- usually signed "a praying mom from --" or "still praying in --". The staff have an attitude of wanting to accommodate us in every possible way. I was musing the other day of how many new and dear friends we have, yet we don't really even know them. Does that make sense?! I know that we will get to meet many at Mike's graduation in May, but we even get correspondence from friends who graduated from CU years ago. How awesome heaven will be!! Thank you to our CU family.

The Parents Return :-)

Hello All !!!

Yes, we are back, and were shocked back into reality with Sunday's mid west weather.

Costa Rica was sunny, warm and sported 88* temps with cool Pacific Ocean breezes. Five hours later we walked out the door at O'Hare Airport to -3* take-your-breath-away deep freeze, and a wind chill of -25*.

Welcome back to the windy city of Chicago!!!

We would like to thank all of our family, friends, and nurses who kept Dan company with daily care, meals, feedings, therapies, visits, and even the Super Bowl Game, during the past 9 days, all in an orchestrated effort of love.

They included Addy & Gabri, Adam, Cheryl, Dave & Kim, G-pa & G-ma Johnson, G-pa & G-ma Knudsen, Gary & Jen, Jordan, Jacquie, Kelly, Kathy, Kirsten, Malisa, Mary Kay, Matt & Emily, Mylene, Nancy, Rhonda, Sue & Stan, Suzanne, Suzie, Terry, Trish, [who am i missing?]

Big thanks to nurses, Trish & Kathy, who put in extra hours and days to help out during our absence, and to Sue for quickly learning "Dan's care routine" and for wanting to stay overnight at our house to care for Dan.

Special thanks to Aunt Mary Kay who also covered all the schedule "gaps", stayed over night also, lent moral support to the nurses, and was the "keeper of the schedule", AND kept my business running and customers happy.

This was a great testing of Dan's daily schedule and the logistics for his return to CU in this fall.

Although we were countries away, experiencing new sights & sounds, tropical rain forests, the bluest of oceans and stunning sunsets, it was difficult not to think about Dan, his past 11 months, and all the many changes that are now part of his and our daily lives. Laughter & tears, ups & downs, progress & set backs,
"it is life and it's all good!!!"

Thanks to my business partners who paid for most of the trip, gave us special upgrades, listened and showed us their love.

We are grateful to God for his love on all of our families' lives,
while not fully understanding His plan,
but desiring to continue down this path He has laid out for us.

They're Off!

Well, I figured I'd take this time to jump in and inform you that Dad and Mom left today for Costa Rica! Due to this much-anticipated trip, there will most likely be a week's silence on the blog, but please, please keep praying!
Please pray that Dad and Mom will have an absolutely wonderful, relaxing time (oh yeah, I guess Dad does have to do SOME work seeing as it's a business conference!)
Please also pray that Dan will have a fantastic week with no extra "hiccups" in his day-to-day life. And that it will be a re-freshing week for him as well.
We are all so grateful to those who have stepped up to stay with Dan and help with his care. I'm sure each one of you will be a great blessing and encouragement to him.
Keep checking in next week for updates and hopefully pictures from the great week!

not so fast

Dan got home Tuesday noon, but because of elevated blood pressure issues, spasms, hot & cold temps and slight heart rate drops, he went [by ambulance] back to the hospital Tuesday evening.

Too many things to figure out, to post about right now. Keep Dan and Bill [fighting a cold/lack of sleep in the hospital] in your prayers. Wisdom for the doctors to know how to stabilize Dan.

We, Bill & Deb are a bit perplexed on why this is going on at this particular time. We are suppose to leave this weekend for a business conference, with time for much needed R & R. About 15 people, nurses, family & friends are lined up to provide care and food during our week long absence.

Not sure how to pray about that one Lord. [Please make it happen.]

Thanks for the checkinondan.

UPDATE !!!

Well we are back home AGAIN, on Wednesday afternoon. Dan had a good stable day for the most part. There are a few high blood pressure readings going on late Wednesday night. Pray for consistency with his blood pressure forThursday & on. Thanks.

Change of Scenery :o(

Following is the email we sent out last night to family:

Hi all, Dan is at St. Joseph hospital in Elgin for a few days. His calcium level is high and has not dropped, but he also has a UTI and trach infection [the dr. said 3 "things" were growing -- new to him] all which have caused severe spasms in the past few weeks. There is a new medication that his spinal cord Dr. wants to try out. Don't all come visit at once. We do hope to be home by Wednesday the latest.

Thanks for your prayers.

Bill & Deb

We have wanted Dan to have a hospital visit to monitor some things, but we didn't want him to go because of these severe infections. He was given medications via IV last night.

We'll keep you posted.

UPDATE !!!

Dan has gone through the weekend with many doctors and specialists poking at him. We have seen a pulmonologist [3rd time is a charm] and was given a "very healthy heart" thumbs up.

He has had 4 days of antibiotics for the 4 or 5 infections that put him in the hospital. Blood work this morning showed that they were all negative.

A new anti spasm drug was started last night. Immediate results cause a drop in blood pressure to the low 80's, which was expected for the initial run, but he was still given an IV flush to bring the BP up to 110-120 range. He was monitored every half hour but all was okay. [Bill only heard half of the overnight interruptions].

Dan hopes to be home Tuesday ... nothing like your own bed.

Thanks for your prayers.

PS Hey how about 21 days of Dan's pacing WITH his cap being on 60% of the time!! He is also trying to sit up and is at a 30 to 40 degree angle.

CU Senior Class of 2008 - Class Gift

Please click on the letter below,
and read this special announcement.



<< Cedarville U. email to the Class of 2008 1/19/2008 2:46 PM >>

"For those of you who missed class chapel,
we announced our Senior Class Gift yesterday!
Our project is inspired by fellow classmate Dan Knudsen.

For those of you who don't know who Dan is, check out his blog at:
http://checkinondan.blogspot.com/"

Cedarville University 2008 Senior Class Project:

We're raising $25,000 to renovate a men's dorm room so that Dan, and students like Dan, can have the opportunity to attend Cedarville and live on our campus! So you might be thinking, "Wow, that's a lot of money!!?" and yes, you're right! It is! But, this is definitely an achievable goal and here's how we're going to do it!

How You Can Help:
1. $100!!!!! Every on campus senior is reimbursed their deposit,
($100) for their dorm room a few months after graduation. Over the next few months you will have the opportunity to donate your deposit to the Senior Class Gift. If only 250 seniors choose to give up their room deposit, we'll have earned the $25,000 needed! Please prayerfully consider opting to give your deposit towards the room!

2. T-Shirt Sales! The senior class will be selling t-shirts in the upcoming months! If you are creative and would like to help out with a design, we are having a contest! So email us your designs to this email account and your design could be the design that earns $$$ for the room!

3. Other Fund Raisers. When we begin selling shirts and other items, we'll need folks to volunteer to man the selling stations throughout the week! So please respond to this email if you're willing to help out in any way!

4. PRAY! Pray for the project. Pray for Dan. And pray for other future students that will be using the room!

We're extremely excited about this project and are very appreciative of
the support that you've already shown!

If you have any questions or creative ideas, feel free to let us know! Your '08 Class Officers

_____________________________________________________

This is one of those "How long do I have to keep this quiet?" surprises. We received the letter above in December. WOW!!! We were speechless, overwhelmed, excited, thrilled, humbled, and yes, left in tears.

Brittany, Senior Class President, paid us a visit during the holidays to confirm and discuss this gift from the class of 2008, to honor one of their own classmates Dan Knudsen. Mike, Dan's twin, is also in the class of 2008.

Dan has every intention of returning to CU , hopefully fall '08, to finish his last year of college, and get his degree in Pre- Law.
This project is the first step towards accomplishing that goal.

"Thanks Class of 2008".

Bill, Deb, Brittany, Mike, Dan [pacing - no tubes]

Feel free to help directly-- Your gift is tax deductible if you ask.
Cedarville University
2008 Senior Class Project
251 N. Main St.
Cedarville, OH 45314