January 15th, 2011 by Conor

It’s 4:18 AM. Danny’s been moving around a lot tonight. His legs are bending and his right arm is moving from his stomach up to his trache and back to his waist. He’s goes through periods of movement and resting. I can’t imagine being restrained at the wrist and not knowing what is happening. The nurse often reminds him that he is in the hospital and he had surgery. From what I’ve gathered, it is scary when you start to come off the sedation and you have no idea where you are or what is going on. He coughs every once in a while. The respiratory nurse was cleaning his mouth out and Danny let out a huge yawn. It’s good to see Danny coming to life a bit.

It was fun to have Josh here. He lightened up the mood and gave us something else to talk about. I secretly took a photo of Conor and him sharing the bed together, but I won’t post it because I think Conor would get me back way worse. I still owe you four dollars too Josh. I won’t let that slide!

-Michelle

January 15th, 2011 by Conor

Michelle has been slaving away making hats to help raise money for Danny. This is the 4th one she has made. They average about 5 hours on the site before they sell. These hats have been made with lots of love while she watches over Danny. They are one of a kind and we love Michelle for making them! Michelle is also the Bomb!

This hat is a light lime green and deep purple. If it doesn’t sell I am going to take better pictures with a much nicer camera because this hat is the BOMB!

!!!!SOLD!!!!

January 15th, 2011 by Conor

I would like to make some banners up for people that might want to link to this website IF people would want them. So, if you would be interested in a Danny Is The Bomb banner somewhere on your site, please send me an email and let me know what size you would like and I will make it for you. If you want go go ahead and make it yourself Below are a couple of tools that might help your design process…

Hex for Blue is: 296FCF

If you have any other questions or any ideas that you would like to talk about email me at donations@dannyisthebomb.com

~Conor

January 15th, 2011 by Conor

Here’s Magic with his sign..Hard to tell from the pic, but one of the magnets holding it up is a picture of Danny with Magic as a pup. Thinking of you guys & sending out good vibes!

~Megan Moulton

For those of you that don’t know Magic is our dads dog. We grew up with Magic. He is a 16.5 year old Shetland Sheepdog (Shelty), who is healthy as can be. Magic can’t wait for Danny to get home!

January 15th, 2011 by Conor

Around nine o’clock tonight, Paul gave Danny his nuero test. Tonight he mixed it up a bit and asked Danny to hold up two fingers. Danny showed us the peace sign and later when we were talking about it he gave the peace sign again. The right side of his body is moving well. His left side is less responsive, but he can still give a little hand squeeze. Paul then asked Danny to shake his head yes. Danny slowly moved his head up and down. It was really really faint, but it was noticeable. Next test…the smile. After Paul’s prompt, Danny moved his cheeks in an effort to smile. The right side of his face had more action than the left and I wouldn’t consider it to be a big grin or even really much of a smile at all, but he showed effort. He hears us. We keep telling him about all of the support you guys are showing him. Keep it up…this journey for Danny is a long one.

-Michelle

January 15th, 2011 by Conor

i moved in across the street from Danny when I was eight. That winter Danny Conor and I were jumping off of his tree house into a giant pile of snow. Well Danny and Conor were. I wouldn’t do it because I didn’t want to hurt my vagina (I was a real pussy as a kid). Danny kept saying “You’ll be fine. The snows too soft to damage your vagina”. It wasn’t until the next day that I worked up the courage to jump and by then the snow pile at the bottom had frozen. The landing hurt real bad and it knocked the wind out me but Danny was right. My vagina was unharmed.

I’s been a couple years since I’ve talked to Danny but I wish him well and hope that he remembers this story (it may not have happened exactly the way I remember it) and that it isn’t deemed too inappropriate for the site but the other story I was considering involved a video clip of a German shepherd he found on the internet.

I had been growing my hair out for the past 4 months but this seemed like as good a reason as any to shave it again. The rest of the McCuskers send their best wishes to Danny and the family.

-Joe McCusker

January 15th, 2011 by Conor

Keep them coming 603-496-6621 or donations@dannyisthebomb.com

January 15th, 2011 by Conor

It was a short sleep but I am packed up and have said bye to Conor and Michelle who are still sleeping at the hotel. I did not want them to see me off. They need every minute of sleep they can get. I grabbed my bag full of clean clothes, that I never wore, since I lived in a pair of sweatpants and a hoody the whole time and walked over to the hospital. It’s about a 2 or 3 block walk which isn’t bad but the single digit temperatures are numbing even with a down jacket on. When I walked up to the ICU, Ellen was on the phone and David had gone to the gas station. I walked in to see Danny and the two of us just chilled for a minute while I talked to him. He looked peaceful today, as if he was taking a nap. Shortly after, David returned and we both talked with Danny for a few minutes. It has been about 15 hours since the last time they paralyzed him and it seems that he is able to hear us even though comprehension might be a bit scrambled. His mouth moves, his eyes are slightly open and he is squeezing my hand. Only one last thing could make this better so I asked “Danny, will you give me a thumbs up?”……there it was! While drugged out on the same medicine that killed Michael Jackson, Danny fought through the fog and gave me a thumbs up that implied “Thanks for coming to see me bro. I’ll keep fighting. Soon enough we will all be back together laughing.”

Overall I think this trip was successful on many levels. First, was to show support to my best friend Conor and his parents whom have been a huge part of my entire life. Second, to give Danny another familiar voice to hopefully respond to, even if he wont ever remember I was there. However, the third is completely selfish intent. When I first heard of the accident I was miserable and could barely sleep. I wanted answers and I wanted to see if I thought he was going to be ok. The only way I could satisfy this inquisition was to go see for myself. With some help from a great friend, Kelley McRee, and her families travel agency they were able to get me on a flight with short notice from Knoxville, TN to Great Falls, MT….UNBELIEVABLY HUGE! Now it’s Friday and I’m on my flight back. I was able to ask all the questions I wanted. I was able to see his condition and in my non-credible medical opinion I am under the impression that Danny is doing great and through time he is going to be fine.

In the brief 48 hours I was really excited to see the progress he was making. Of course all this needs to be placed in perspective, which Conor is quick to remind me of. The doctors have estimated that it will be a month before Danny would even have the ability to leave this Hospital. It’s easy for me to come in for a couple days and be satisfied with the progress he has made. The tough part is that when Danny comes out of the coma, the struggles will begin for him. I hope we all realize that the most support will be needed when the impact of this accident no longer affects us. It’s easy to be supportive when the feelings of grief are affecting us individually, but when those feelings disappear it will be a true test of friendship to offer the support he will need during the recovery process.

~Josh Belcher

January 15th, 2011 by Conor

I recently joined Shreddy Times by invitation. Soon after, I began reading several posts regarding an injured friend. Turns out, I have mutual friends with Danny, however, I live and work a few thousand miles away in Virginia. I was immediately moved to write in, but wasn’t quite sure where to start because I don’t think anything I have to say is of great significance. Ultimately, please know that although I’ve never met Danny, I have been impacted & inspired by him, his family, & by the enormous number of people who have reached out.

I work at an inpatient clinic in a physical rehabilitation hospital. Everyday I see people with new physical challenges; from a simple fall, to strokes, replacements, and traumatic brain injuries. While I typically see more speedy recoveries due to more minor injuries than what y’all are experiencing, I have witnessed some pretty amazing moments in the journeys of a few patients recovering from major strokes & TBIs. People don’t realize their own potential in those moments, but they are capable of overcoming their situations.

While these days of waiting seem to go on forever & y’all feel as though your souls can’t take it anymore, remember to take one day at a time; as much as you want things to happen, you have to be patient. Know that you all are not alone; it is okay to get upset, it is okay to ask for help & it is okay to take time for yourself – that’s not selfish. It is not good to feel pity & it is not good to ask “why Danny?” While it is natural to run the “what ifs” through your mind, you will drive yourself crazy. You’ve gotta have faith. At this point, all you can do is look forward & focus on what you’re going to do. It’s obvious that things are going to be much different, but you are only given what you can handle; it may seem like way more, but you’re doing it! Everyone on y’alls end is already VERY strong. From my point of view, things can only get better from here… slowly, but surely. There will still be hard times, but things will be moving forward.

The power of prayer & of positive thinking makes a tremendous impact. There is no doubt in my mind that with such amazing continual support from Danny’s family & friends, he will get through this; as well as the rest of your family. I am so excited for the coming weeks & months to read about Danny’s progression. The time will fly right on by! It is really hard to wrap your head around what it would be like to learn how to sit up again, or even how to grip something again (to name just a few), but those little things are HUGE…. they are are going to be so momentous. It is going to be amazing 🙂

With Love,

Emily

January 14th, 2011 by Conor

We send wishes for healing to you Danny, as well as strength to your family and friends surrounding you with daily encouragement and love. Nancy and Chris Martin