Kevin’s all drugged up and writhing in pain. I’ve been instructed to give a quick update so that people don’t get too worried.
First of all, and most importantly, the mass has been successfully removed from Kevin’s chest. Everybody (Kevin included) can now breathe a big sigh of relief. He’s cleared the biggest hurdle and things are looking up.
The surgery went well, although the doctors are still stumped about what exactly the mass in his chest was (my money’s still on chestbursters). There was a little drama after surgery because Kev was alternately dehydrated and freaked out. After about 8 hours in post-op — endured stoically by Kevin’s mom and sister — the doctors settled on the right mix of fluids and sedatives and he was assigned a room.
Not long thereafter, fluid was discovered in his chest cavity. To tap the pressure building up inside, his doctors cut a hole (quite graphically, I’m told) in his side and snaked a drain tube in. This new addition brings his catheter and tube total to 4: one for each lung, one for his chest, and one for his doodle. He’s also being encouraged by the nursing staff to belch and fart as much as possible.
The dude is more bagpipe than human right now.
As one might imagine, the potent combination of excitement, trauma, drugs and pain have rendered Kevin less than lively company. People are encouraged not to barrage him with email or phone his hospital room (he hasn’t had any rest in days). Instead, please direct your calls to Carissa or me, and/or leave encouraging words here on the blog. The next few days are going to suck, so I’m sure he’d appreciate all the support you can give him.
Kisses,
Brian
k$,
what an ordeal! they say what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. you’re one tough buggah, holy molies!
we’re all thinking of you and sending our mana your way. take care and mahalo for giving us the scoopage.
mele kalikimaka!
j$
Kev-
You will be in our thoughts. Hold strong! and watch for those little alein buggers!
Lara
Thanks for posting this Brian.
I’m sending you positive vibes from Montréal.
Big hug to the McHugh fam.
joyeuses fêtes…
xx
Kevin,
So so so much love to you. I’ve been thinking about you, and you keep showing up in my dreams. We’re usually snowboarding. I’ll fill you in on the funny bits really soon.
I’m at home in Toronto, with my family for the holidays. My neice and nephs are just so cute, we’ve been playing in the snow and drinking cider, watching movies.
I told them my friend Kevin just had surgery, and how you love snowboarding and surfing, and playing outside. They are making ‘Get Well Soon’ pictures for you, they wanted to get work on them right away. So, three little munchkins (Jordan, Noah, Caleb) are sending you love from Toronto. And me too.
I know you’re surrounded by friends and family who love and adore you, take it all in and I know you’ll be better soon.
So much love,
Danna.
boy!
glad the surgery is over. i hope you have a speedy recovery & less painful at that! i also hope you are a little more alert tomorrow to enjoy your xmas! love to you – sending reiki!
jenna
Thinking of you lots and wishing you well Kevin. The worst is past. Hang in bro. CCC
Kevin… It makes me cringe thinking about what you’re having to deal with this holiday season. I feel your pain, man!
But the worst is indeed over & good times are just ahead. Get well soon. Best wishes for you and your loved ones this season and in the coming year.
Cheers,
J
My wish for Christmas is for Kevin to get the tubes out and get some sleep on his way to healing. It is a good thing he is such a strong guy, thank you Brian for the update . .his whole adventure makes Indiana Jones look like a whimp!
Gnarly! Best wishes, James Clapp
Glad they finally got your potion dialed in. Hope you get to feeling more better soon. I’m sending positive vibes your way.
Melissa
Merry Christmas Kev, Hang in there and make 2009 the year of the comeback – like lance.
Kevin:
I prayed for your swift recovery on the North Shore right @ Sunset. Its 82 degrees today and the waves are calling.
Soon you will be cruising in the Vanagon. If you want to recuperate in my place in Bucerias, Mexico 12 miles north of PV just tell me. first 1/2 of Feb, all of Jan and March are open. NO charge for you, el Gringo.
-s.
(Thanks Brian for the update)
Dear Kevin,
We’ve all been thinking about you and anxious to hear about your post-op condition. Glad the mass has been removed and you can now breath “Even without the sex Uncle Rick recommended” you’ve managed to endure the worst. Hang in there.
We love you and wish you a smooth recovery.
Love always,
Uncle Rick, Aunt Colleen, Gibsey, Josh, Sydney, Ava, Chelsea, Jared and Mike.
Stay strong Kev. This’ll be one for the record books. I have no doubt you will recover quickly.
Merry Christmas my good man.
Bobby
Wishing you all the best for a fast recovery Kev! We will keep you in our prayers today.
all our love,
Uncle Jim, Aunt Ger, Allison, Tyler and Garett
Glad you are breathing easier this Christmas. Hang in there, sending good vibes for a speedy recovery. Hugs to you and all your cheerleaders. Yahoo for moms and sisters. Love you,
Kevin,
The hard part is over, now just rest, renew and recover. Our prayers are with you.
Bob & Yvonne Goodman
wow – you’ve really been tested with this one kev. we are all so happy the surgery is behind you, and that they were able to remove the whole thing. hope you are feeling back to yourself in short time. love from the quashacrowe clan.
Dear Kevin,
I felt like I was living this with you and your family and although we have not met, I think we would really like each other, so I am looking forward to coming to Seattle and giving you a big smooch! You are very courageous. You had so many friends, family and even strangers pulling for you.
Remember, you have a book to write in that creatvie brain of yours that can very well be used to help others and it looks like you are able to find humor even in the most difficult of situations. Everyone’s prayers for you have been answered and when I lit my Chanukah lights, I said a prayer for you. My marriage is like David’s. Freddie is Episcopalian, his kids Catholic and because he makes great chopped chicken livers and “Jewish Penicillin” ( chicken soup), he thinks he is Jewish! LOL
A HEALTHY HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family. You know 2009 will be a better year.
Love,
Davie’s Mom Sallie
I am not known for a person of a few words!LOL
Thinking of you on this after Christmas Sunday.
Hope you are feeling better today. Love you
Guess it would be the last Sunday of 2008. Wow this year has gone by quickly. Hugs to all the family too!
Hey Kevy,
)
Oh dearest boy, can you ask the doctors if it’s possible to transfer a little bit of your pain and discomfort to me so I can bear a bit of it for you? Breaks my heart to know you’ve got tubes in lots of tender spots (or maybe they are out now hopefully…) Each day your body will heal bit by bit and in a few weeks you will be amazed at how much better you feel. I assume you will have some limited activity for a bit…so Wes and I can come over and play some xbox or Rummikub with you to keep you distracted!! Have fun with the burps and the farts…they are good for your soul
Much Love,
Lexy, Wes, & Liam (and my dad, Steve)
Hi Kevin!
I do hope you’re feeling better and better each day.
I’m heading to Squamish on the 31st for a few days, a new years party with friends, and maybe some boarding on New Years Day depending on conditions.
I have not been back to BC since June, so if nothing else I’ll enjoy sleeping in my bed, if only for a few nights!
Can’t wait to have you up to the house again. Bri, Teri, you and I have a date with a certain Whistler mountain.
Love to you. xoox. danna.