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February 8th, 2011 by Conor
About a week into our time spent at the hospital a lady approached me while I was, you guessed, working on my computer. I don’t remember her name or her story but I recognized her as a regular- people on the ICU floor become familiar quickly. Our conversation wasn’t all that long or memorable about anything in particular, but one part of it stuck out. I had just gotten through an explaining our situation with Danny and that we had already been there a whole week- a week that felt a lot more like a year or two. When I asked her how long she had been there she said a month. I couldn’t even fathom how someone could possibly be mentally stable and still coming up to the ICU floor for a month! The conversation fizzled out and she headed off somewhere. I struggled to get back to work as I tried to wrap my head around two main feelings.
1) How could Danny and all of our friends and family last a month feeling the roller coaster of emotions that we had felt that week?
2) I was about to find out, because this process wasn’t going to be quick and there was no way Danny was going to give up his fight.
Sure enough, Danny made it. I made it. Our family made it. All of our friends made it. People from all over the world-many of which we have never met, they all made it too. And what a journey it was. I can hardly believe that I am about to leave Great Falls, Montana. By tomorrow evening my Mom, Dad and Danny will all be back in New Hampshire, and Michelle and I will be far away from Montana but not quite close enough to California. We will all be very very happy to be out of here.
As I sit here typing my final post from Montana I can’t believe that time passed so quickly. The minutes turned to hours, the hours to days, the days to weeks and sure enough, the weeks into a month. Looking back on my conversation with the lady I find it hard to believe that I actually made it one month.
As of today 22,294 different people were touched at some point or another by Danny’s story just on this website alone. When I first created the site I did so because of the overwhelming support that I was getting on the phone. So much in fact that I really couldn’t deal with it all. As much as I wanted to speak to each and every one of you it just wasn’t really physically possible. When I first posted about the event online my voicemail filled to capacity in an hour. Everyone that I did talk to wanted to be updated. I had to kindly tell them that I would do my best but that it was going to be nearly impossible. How could I keep everyone in the loop? One that was fair to everyone and exclusive to no one. There it was, Danny Is The Bomb. I sure am happy that I did it too because looking at the numbers It wouldn’t have been possible to continue on my phone attempt. If I had spent as much time on the phone as people have spent on this website I would literally have to have been on my phone for 211 days around the clock. It blows my mind how many people came to this website. It truly does.
This website has been wonderfully therapeutic to me throughout the whole process. Although I rarely, if ever, responded to comments people posted or the submissions to the website, I can assure people that I read every single word that is on this site. Every word on here helped me get through this process and without you all this nightmare would have been way worse. So, Thank You, to each and every single one of you that stepped up and contributed to making this site work.
Don’t worry, the site is being shut down, or discontinued but for me, a large chapter in this book will close when I hit the road tomorrow. I won’t see Danny and my Mom or Dad for a few weeks and it sure is going to be hard to write about Danny the way that we have been simply based on phone calls. That’s not to say I wont chime in with some thoughts here or there, but my involvement in the day to day knowings of Danny is going to change significantly tomorrow.
I will be there for Danny in a few short weeks and in the meantime my parents will be by his side. I certainly encourage everyone around North Conway, New Hampshire, to visit Danny whenever he is up for the company. It is your turn to finally get to spend some time with him. You have all been there through this whole process step by step and Danny needs you all now more than ever. If you don’t feel it’s appropriate to visit then bring him by some nice meal or some candy (he had been feening candy lately).
Thank you EVERYONE. We all worked together to support each other through this process. It was the longest month of my life but looking back it still somehow passed pretty quickly. I look forward to giving each and everyone of you an EPIC hug at some point whenever I see you in person. It sure is going to be nice to start to see you all in person again. Until then, I am off on the next journey. I have to imagine that there are some good ones coming up because after making it through this just about anything else is going to feel like a total blast.
I love you all for stepping up and making this happen. People sure can be awesome. You all just proved that. Danny just proved that.
Good night from Great Falls. Good luck on your adventure Danny. You got this.
~Conor
- 15 Comments »
- Posted in Adventures with Danny
February 8th, 2011 at 4:30 AM
Conor – We should be thanking you as well for keeping us all up to date on Danny’s progress and sharing this experience with us all. You are a remarkable young man and Danny is very lucky to have you as a brother. Iam sure that this has brought you both even closer then you were. Safe travels to you all – – –
February 8th, 2011 at 5:41 AM
Conor,
Your posts make us laugh, and sometime bring tears to our eyes…You all are a inspiration. Your mom and dad should be very proud of the man you are, we will be skiing Wild cat in Feb and although I have never tried the junction restaurant in all the years this will be one place I will make a point of eating!! Maybe if Im lucky, Danny will be there and we can meet this extraordinary young man! Thank you for a wonderful story, I look forward to the next chapter~ Safe travels to all!
prayers from Foxboro
February 8th, 2011 at 6:30 AM
Conor,
Take your time in these next weeks.
You will experience a sense of “really?” a lot. Did that really happen, am I really here and is Danny really OK. The more it happens the more you will realize that you’re “really” ok, too.
Thank you for your ability to include the world during this month. It would have been perfectly understandable to become private and overwhelmed. Your work with words gave us time to adjust to each change. Thank you for letting us learn, hope and rejoice with your family.
Take your time, but be happy. You did great things in Great Falls, Montana. 🙂
February 8th, 2011 at 6:49 AM
It has been an honor to be so intimately included in Danny’s incredible journey. Thanks for the updates, perspective, insight and allowing us in room 5109 when we were all so worried. Thanks also for sharing all the celebrations and anecdotes. As much as we wanted to support Danny,your family and Michelle, we needed to hear that Danny had moved his fingers and smiled (for starters) We clung to every word and teared and cheered throughout the process. Congratulations to all of you. It was a team effort and no one dropped the ball. I wish you all the best life has, life changing experiences are just that…What now?? Exciting new adventures I’m sure. Have fun, stay safe!
February 8th, 2011 at 7:30 AM
Conor and Michele,
I have faithfully read your posts this last month and said many silent prayers that your brother and friend would make it through this medical crisis. I know from personal experience, it can be a nightmare. My son Steven was paralyzed in a ski accident in 2008. I can still remember the anxiety and fearfulness that I felt. God bless you all on this continued journey. Things will get better in time, and they work out in unexpected ways.
February 8th, 2011 at 7:40 AM
thank YOU Conor 🙂 You’ve inspired hope in all of us and shown us what love is, what family means, what life is about. good luck and your cyber family is here when you need us 🙂
February 8th, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Great updates – always. Tears, laughter, smiles, Danny’s dictations and passing all of the tests. Did he beat the neurosurgeon? Next step – returning to Tahoe. Looking forward to seeing you and Michelle. Drive safe!!
February 8th, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Thanks,Conor, for the very poignant, heartfelt sign-off. Thank you for letting us all be a part of this very personal experience. What I really want to do is dissolve in relief right but need to get through the day first. Safe travels, all of you….
Love,
Carol
February 8th, 2011 at 4:23 PM
thank you Conor for keeping us all informed and for being such an inspiration. all you have said and done is an example of who you are and from that i know that you will have huge and positive impact on the world around you. enjoy your adventure and may the force continue to be with you.
February 8th, 2011 at 6:17 PM
Only the best as you arrive at what lies ahead… You, Michelle and Danny and your families are such an inspiration. Completely amazing. Reminded of how important family and friends are and the strength that we gather from that. Take care.
February 8th, 2011 at 6:54 PM
I can’t really add much to what has already been said. You are a loving and fortunate family.
February 8th, 2011 at 7:04 PM
I’m lucky to be headed for Conway, New Hampshire tomorrow to drop off a boat load of food…and pick up Danny’s Grandmother so she can finally make her journey to Florida for the winter. This certainly has taken a toll on the 85 year old matriach of our family….as well of all of us. Conor….thank you. For everything. I love you.
Auntie Polly
February 8th, 2011 at 7:16 PM
“Thank you” Conor. Thank you for keeping everyone in the loop- you have done so much and everyone appreciates the time you have shared. Be good.
February 8th, 2011 at 8:46 PM
Bravo to Dano! And thanks to Conor and all who participated in this journey–its ups and downs–over the past month plus. (Is it wrong to say that we will miss checking in for the daily updates?!) On to brighter adventures! With love, relief, pride and so many thanks~
Auntie Julie & Uncle David
February 10th, 2011 at 2:53 PM
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