~~ "She has so many aliases, you'd think she was a spy!" ~~

Friday, July 01, 2011

Ken's going to be okay


First of all, Ken’s going to be fine. That’s the most important thing.

He was in an accident outside of Reno at about 6:30 pm last night (Thursday night). He was life-flighted to Renown Trauma Center in Reno. He was coherent enough to give the ER my name and phone number, and two different people said he was polite.  :-)  Neurologically he’s fine, and he also has no spinal injuries. The helmet, of course, saved his life.

However, they did have to remove his spleen; he has three broken ribs and some broken fingers on his right hand, a broken shoulder (which they haven’t been able to X-ray yet, but they don’t seem to think it’s bad), and one of his lungs did collapse. As of right now (2 pm Friday) he’s on a respirator but mostly breathing on his own, and they hope to take the tube out sometime this afternoon. In fact, the nurse just told me they might move him out of ICU as early as tomorrow morning.

He’s on really good pain meds so he’s a little loopy, but he smiles and squeezes my hand and indicates that he’s doing fine. That’s pretty much all I care about right now.  :-)

The ER person who called me last night has to get credit for being so damn calm, I didn’t freak out at all. In fact, I’ve been freakishly calm about everything; the only time I got a little weepy was when I thought about him being at the side of the road before someone found him. (He was on a not-well-traveled road, and we don’t know how long it was until someone came upon him, or if someone saw it happen, or whatever. We also may never know what exactly happened; most people don’t remember. The state troopers who were first on the scene may be able to shed some light…but it’s really not important, all things considered.)

I also have to credit our friends Ernie and Pauline, who’d come down for the IBR finish and in fact arrived just as I was getting the call—they sat with me and Ernie made lots of phone calls. Ken’s mom was there, too, and another friend. Lisa with the Rally booked my flight to Reno this morning and was also just calm and amazing. Here in Reno, bikers Brian and John have been at the hospital since last night, Brian picked me up at the airport, and they both got me situated here at the hospital (which turned one floor of one wing into a hotel, so I even have a place to sleep, shower, etc., for a reasonable rate).

Please feel free to leave comments and well wishes here or on Facebook, and when Ken’s more coherent I’ll read them all to him. For right now, though, please don’t call or text—I’m busy enough keeping family apprised and I can’t always answer the phone. I know you’re out there, and you care.

Right now I don’t think there’s anything anyone can do except send positive energy and well wishes. When we get home, I will probably have to ask for some help during his recovery.

He’s gonna be okay. That’s all that matters.

xoxo to you all

31 comments:

cavalaxis said...

Oh I'm so glad he's going to be okay. Sending all kinds of love and healing energy your way. Sounds like it'll be an epic tale to tell. <3

Lynn & Bill

Mayra/Madelena said...

I am sending every possible positive thought and ounce of energy I have to both you and Humberrrrrrrrto (only I can roll the R right!!! =P) Been there, done that...not on a motorcycle but in a car. I am glad he is still with us and from the sounds of it he'll heal up before you know it. I'm thinking of you guys and know I am sending both of you a Mad Spaniard HUG! From what it appears you are in good hands and in good company of people who care about the both of you, and of course you are!!! Why wouldn't you be?!!! I'll keep an eye on FB for updates and I won't bother you any more. Just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of both of you as much as this ADD....Oh look a chcken!!!...ahem, can! Love and hugs to both of you!

Madelena

Anonymous said...

I love you and Ken, and I'm glad he's going to be okay (and so are you...) And he'll do just fine without a spleen (remember Bobby Bombard in High School??? He got tackled in gym playing football and had to have his spleen removed...and he's *mostly* okay now...)All positive thoughts for you guys...I'll call you tomorrow because I'm sure you're inundated with information...Teri

Anonymous said...

OMG! I'm so sorry to hear about the accident. I'm relieved to hear that Ken's OK though! That, as you said, is the most important thing.

As soon as he's up to it you be sure to give him a good stern talking to from me about making sure he's Heaux Security at Styx concerts for many years to come!

Hugs and positive vibes to you both!!

~Vicki

Anonymous said...

Holy cow! Dayle, I'm so glad Ken's going to be OK. Please let me know if you need anything done (I'm guessing you're in Reno by now, yes? Are your critters covered? Do you or Ken need anything else?)

Get better soon Ken.

Cathy/Alia

Aran Darkhelm said...

Glad he is doing as well as can be expected. The bike is replaceable but he is not. Give him a hug from a fellow m/c rider (even though I do not have one right now) when he is better. Aran Darkhelm

Anonymous said...

Oh man. Honey, I'm here and my phone is on if you need ANYTHING. Thank the powers that be he had on his helmet. Details don't matter now, I just want him to get better and give you one of those incredible hugs of his.

Phaedra

Marcelle Dubé said...

Dayle, I'm so glad he's going to be okay, and that you're able to be there with him. I'm too far away to help physically, but I am sending positive energy down your way. Remember to look after yourself, too.

Christine Ashworth said...

Sending love, hugs and healing energy to Ken and you too, Dayle honey. So glad he'll be okay. If there's anything I can do, let me know.

Rose Prescott said...

Thank the powers that be that Ken is going to be okay. So glad someone invented motorcycle helmets. We will keep you two in our thoughts. I wish we lived closer so we could help when you need it.

Rose

Songs from the Woods said...

Sending love and hugs to both of you and lots of healing energy. Let us know if you need anything.

Kim, Fred, and Katie

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear Ken will be alright hugs and much love to you both and lots of healing energy.

Heather

Unknown said...

Let me guess, when he finally ends up healthy and running around again, he might want to try to win IBR again? Regardless, all my LOVE and AFFECTION and hugs and snuggles to you both. **SO** glad to hear he's alive and improving. Love you both so much!

Anonymous said...

I'm just up the road, Dayle. Let me know if you need anything. Annie's close by. Don't hesitate to call on us. Big hugs and lots of healing thoughts!

Louisa

Adrian Phoenix said...

Dayle,

I'm so glad that Ken is going to be okay and I'll be keeping both of you in my thoughts. Keep hanging in there!

HUGS!
Adrian

Batchik said...

We are so relieved that he is doing better. Strength and stubbornness abound in the two of you, use it wisely and it will pull you through. We are all here wishing a speedy recovery and looking forward to the two of you coming home. Let us know if there's anything we can do to help in the days and weeks ahead.

Gentle hugs...
Tina, Brian, Bran & Killian

Doug Smith said...

Oh god, Dayle. I'm so sorry this happened but so glad that he's going to be okay. Everybody on the OWN list is thinking of you.

Doug

Rebecca M. Senese said...

So sorry to hear about Ken's accident but I'm glad to hear he'll be okay. That is the most important thing. Sending lots of positive, healing thoughts your way.

thumbwave said...

Ken: print a copy of my remark to redeem for a full recovery. Get well soon! Craig Chaddock

Anonymous said...

Dayle, so glad to hear Ken's going to be OK. We're hoping for a speedy recovery here in Colorado!

Steven Mohan

Laura Ware said...

Dayle, I'm so glad he's going to be okay! You're both in my prayers.

extemporanea said...

Oh, lordy - so sorry to hear about the accident, so glad he's going to be OK. Lots of love and strength and positive thoughts to both of you.

nancireal said...

Ken...Sending our love. The most important part is full recovery and thank goodness you will be doing that. Monk wants to remind you that he has no spleen and does just fine. BTW a note to Dayle. It took me 5 minutes to figure out how too roll your windows down! OK shouldn't have been that hard right.
Love you guys Lenny and Nanci

jc andrijeski said...

I'm glad he's going to be okay, too...and wishing you both the best. Hope his recovery is fast and (relatively) painless.

Michele Lang said...

Keeping you and Ken in my prayers!

Michael Bellomo said...

You're in our thoughts, both of you!

- Michael B.

Julie Wysocki said...

What a shock to read about Ken! I'm so glad that he's going to be okay. I'm sending tons of get well quickly and painlessly as possible vibes his way. Thank goodness he was wearing his helmet!

Julie

Jill Zeller said...

Dayle; Sending good thoughts and lots of love to you and Ken. Good to hear he is on the mend. Sounds like you have a score of friends to help you both!!
Jill

Anonymous said...

Dayle, so relieved to hear Ken will be fine. Sending all kinds of good thoughts and best wishes to both of you and your family!

Deborah

Russ & Rita said...

We're praying for you guys. Stay strong!
Love to you both,

Russ & Rita

Anonymous said...

So glad he's going to be all right. Prayers andall kinds of good vibes coming your way!! Jane H