Kevin featured on the CBS Early Show for Trampoline Safety
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Kevin's Story
Monday, April 17, 2006 just before dinner, Ryne comes running in to the house
for Mommy to come out to Daddy who is hurt. Once Robin reaches Kevin, Kevin explains call 911.
Kevin cannot move or feel anything. The ambulance arrives and the men and woman who are there at
the house to take care of Kevin work very carefully not to move him too quickly or in the wrong
way. Kevin is taken to Danbury hospital ER, once there they begin the tests and determine that
Kevin has a mushroom break at C4, C5. This is not good. The doctor consults Robin first then the
doctor and Robin go in to Kevin where the doctor explains to him that he is in very bad shape with
little to no chance to recover. This is a shock but the doctor was great and just wanted us to know
the truth from the start. One more test to confirm the break and to determine the extent of
the nerve damage. Still no promising signs.
Kevin is brought up to CCU where they insert a breathing tube in his throat before he swells to the
point that this would be difficult. He was placed in traction with weights. The weights are there to
help straighten his neck to the best possible position for the surgery the next day.
Tuesday, April 18 The doctors perform
the surgery to stabilize Kevin's neck. They start in the back and fuse
C3, C4, C5, and C6 together, and then they turn him over and fuse the
same from the front. In the front they place a plate over the fused area
and then use a bone graph from his hip to hold the plate in place. All
this is done to stabilize his neck from the inside; basically he is
wearing an internal neck brace. He is now being kept sedated and on pain
meds to keep him sleeping and comfortable.
Wednesday, April 19 Kevin undergoes one more surgery to insert a
balloon in his abdomen to prevent blood clots from getting to his lungs and heart.
Thursday, April 20 The pneumonia begins
to settle in. This is a common side effect to the injury and the trauma
his system has just gone through. The respiratory therapy begins.
Tuesday, April 27 8:45am The head doctor of the CCU
calls Robin and they speak about pulling the breathing tube. His chances to make it
without the tube are 50/50. Robin says pull it, the doctor assembles a team ready to
do an emergency tracheotomy if necessary. One hour later the doctor calls Robin again
and says the team is ready; do you still want the tube pulled? Yes, the Doctor pulls
the tube around 10:00am. When Robin arrives at the hospital and speaks with the doctor
the tube is out but Kevin's breathing is weak. The doctor advises to help
keep his odds on not needing breathing assistance other than oxygen keep visitors to
immediate family only for the first few days. This works, Kevin escapes having to have
a tracheotomy but was still on oxygen.
Tuesday, May 2 Kevin is transferred to Hospital
for Special Care in New Britain CT. Where he astonishes the doctors at the new
hospital. In reviewing his case he never should have come off the breathing tube,
at least not yet.
Sunday, May 7 The doctors give Kevin a
test during the sleeping hours to see if he can come off the oxygen. His
levels dip but not to a dangerous level. He is now oxygen free, not even
at night. This is huge for his condition.
Kevin continues to deal with his new life and the new challenges ahead of him. His days start early and he is tired at the end of the day. The doctors and therapists are working with him on becoming as independent as he can. This will be achieved mainly through a special wheel chair that is operated through head controls. He will continue to need around the clock care for the rest of his life. He will need help to get in and out of bed through a lift and all of his daily needs, eating drinking bathing and hygiene will be done for him. Kevin has movement in his head, neck and shoulder area. He is a quadriplegic with the most severe degree of nerve damage. Asia A is the medical term for his condition: “Complete and incomplete Spinal Cord Injury- when there is no voluntary movement (spasms don’t count – they are involuntary) or feeling below the spinal cord injury level, you have a complete injury” (noted directly from Yes, You Can! A guide to self-care for Persons with Spinal Cord Injury)
Each day is a new day with a new path in front of Kevin. His spirits and attitude will continue to push him in the right direction. Kevin and his entire family are grateful to have the friends and support around them that they do. All the emails, cards and well wishes do make a difference
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