Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Continuing to keep your brother in my thoughts & prayers

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

I forgot to update the last time so here is June 8th AND June 10th in one shot!

****June 8, 2008****

Kenneth is chugging along - doing very well and staying consistent. The pelvis doc came in this AM and checked him out - said everything looks the same and that is great.

He has a slight infection which is totally normal for being in a hospital (infection meaning like a cold or a virus)... It happens a lot in hospitals but it is causing him to have a fever and they are treating it with antibiotics.

We had Belmont which was really a great day even though Big Brown didn't win which was sad for me - I feel like, for some reason, that would give us a little wind in our sails for Kenneth recovering - in reality, one has nothing to do with the other but the people who own BB are such nice people and they have been so good to us - I wanted their horse to win b/c they deserve it. He still did the best he could - just wasn't his day.

I know Kenneth doesn't know the difference and when he is all better I'll explain to him how nice those owners were to us at a time where we can use every shoulder we can get to lean on --- and I'll tell Kenneth all about how we felt like celebs for the day - the owners had us treated like gold and that was just so nice of them - they didn't have to do any of that but it helped to distract us, even just for a few hours, from all that is waiting for us back at the hospital -- it's like no matter what happens, no matter what goes on in our life at the end of the day or in the back of your mind - in a split second - there's Kenneth.

On Monday I have to testify in the Grand Jury hearing. They are looking to indict the guy that hit Kenneth and I have to basically answer questions about Kenneth's health and well being before the accident and then they are going to show pictures of him now and I have to explain how he is now and state that the pics are true to his condition at this time.

I'm *NOT* looking forward to it but my sister and I went on Thursday - we didn't see the guy (he won't be produced in court until after indictment) but we did see his scumbag lawyer who tried to argue down some of the charges and get them 'lowered'... The judge denied all requests for any of that.

I'm sure most of you have read my rant on the other page - I'm pretty emotional and I just thank all of you guys for understanding that -- and, most of all, for defending me/sticking up for my brother and what is 'right'.




***** June 10th *****

Kenneth had surgery yesterday on his head to put the skull back where it belongs. This is great b/c it means the brain swelling has gone back to 'normal'... enough to put the skull back on!! Basically, they took the piece that they removed from his belly where it has been for safe keeping and put it back in his head and attached it to the skull with metal clips. Over time, his skull will fuse together and join but the clips will always remain in there. He did very well - the surgeon who originally did his amazing life-saving surgery did this one also. He was very pleased. They also moved, FINALLY, the tube from his mouth to the throat. They, again, only have that in so it is easier for him (less work) and so he gets the most amount of oxygen. He really doesn't 'need' it b/c he is breathing on his own and before he leaves for rehab they will remove it.

The only hard part about this surgery was that it is, somewhat, very similar to the original surgery so we feel like we are back at square one when we look at him because he looks like he did on the very first day and second day. He is back to having the gauze wrapped around his head, back to having four drains (two out of his head, one out of his stomach and another for the pelvis), the staples are back in after just recently being removed and most of all the swelling has returned... meaning, swelling when you look at his face -- the brain swelling is fine. It is really all 'cosmetic' so it LOOKS worse than it really is -- inside, he is doing great but it looks not so nice for now. Today his eye was swollen shut and overall - he is very puffy. It is totally expected -- the doc said he did the SAME surgery only reversed (putting back vs. taking out) and this time he didn't have to remove a blood clot like he did the first time - that was the only difference. So, he expected all of this - but we didn't. So, we feel like it is deja-vu all over again haha but all in all, he is DONE with all of his surgeries!!! So, we are thrilled about that and in a few days the swelling will go away, the drains will be removed and he'll lose the 'turban' look. Then, the staples will be taken out and he'll start to heal.

I am happy, though, because I can SEE his mouth now that the tube is GONE -- they shaved him, he looks GREAT because I can see HIM -- yesterday was better because it was before all the swelling from the surgery set in -- but I was like 'wow I feel like he is himself again' so that is really nice but then it got puffy--- that will go away though real soon. I'm so happy for him with the tube in the throat because it is SO much more comfortable - you can tell he is a happy camper.

The only thing is-- he threw up from the anesthesia and just in general - the meds, the FEEDING tube being moved (along w/ the breathing) from his mouth to his stomach causes that. I was with him today and all of a sudden he just threw up - I almost DIED it was so sudden and then scary but his wonderful nurse was right there, assured me it is normal and cleaned up right up. That should be over with real soon, the nurse said.

I feel as though he is half-way there -- I think this marks the half-way point in his recovery. I know that rehab will be a long time - it is not that - I just feel that this is the half-way point to where he will be able to function somewhat normally... and I'm excited to be able to communicate with him and everything else -- so, that is what I'm looking forward to.

We are going to check out some rehab places and make our decision of where he will go this week and next week. The docs are very eager to get him in to a place.

I did the grand dury thing and testified -- that went really well and it wasn't TOO bad although people were crying as I gave my accounts of his injuries and answered the questions -- and that overwhelmed me a bit. Next week the person who hit Kenneth will be presented in court for the first time (aside from initial arraingment) and he will be formally indicted on the charges -- I will be there for that as the family spokesperson along with his fellow Police brothers.

I think that is pretty much it for now - I know it is a lot of information. I look forward to him being able to come to us a little -- be on less meds more and more as things heal now that his surgeries are over (god willing we have no problems with infection - i don't want to jinx myself)... but all in all, he is on his way and I can't wait for him to really start to come around now that he has the opportunity.

I have to say thank you again to everyone -- the support has been amazing -- I think I am at the point where I can start to answer emails and FM's now!! Stay tuned

Take care

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

I am so glad to hear that is he is coming along and making great strides in his recovery! He lucky to have a strong supportive family!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Kenneth will continue to be in my prayers and I'm so happy to hear he is doing well! It must have been such an amazing relief to finally have the breathing tube taken out of his mouth -- I know you have been waiting for that for some time now and it kind of marks a milestone/goal Keep hanging in there sweetie -- you're so incredibly strong!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Danielle, still keeping your brother in my thoughts and prayers, sounds like he is slowly but surely doing better

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Dani I am so glad to hear that he's making such progress! I'm still praying for you guys!!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

I am happy to hear about your brothers progress and will continue to keep him in my prayers

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

You're still in our prayers!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

thanks for the update kyle was asking me since he hasn't been there in a few days. Keeping you guys in our prayers still!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

thanks for the updates! Best of luck at testifying! Its gotta be nervewrecking! Hang in there!! I have a feeling that guy will be thrown in jail for awhile!!! NY is tough on drinking and driving and your brother was a cop- Im confidant the trial will go well for your family.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

danielle - glad to see things are slowly but surely progressing always thinking of u & keep you & ur family in my prayers!!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

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Posted by GinaZ

thanks for the updates! Best of luck at testifying! Its gotta be nervewrecking! Hang in there!! I have a feeling that guy will be thrown in jail for awhile!!! NY is tough on drinking and driving and your brother was a cop- Im confidant the trial will go well for your family. [/QUOTE


its so sad the most this guy is looking to do is 7 years! somehow the laws aren't tough enough