Monday, April 15, 2013

Good news!  Dan is through surgery and it went very well.  The surgeons began at about 8:00 AM and finished at just about 4:00 PM.  Both the head and neck surgeon and the plastic surgeon came out to talk to me afterward and they gave me two pieces of good news.  First off, they did not need to split his lower lip and chin.  Secondly, they were able to use blood vessels directly below his jaw on the right side.  There was the possibility of them needing to go to the other side of his neck.  So there are two places where they drew in pen but did not have to cut.  Hallelujah!  They did install a trach tube due to the swelling of his throat.  He woke up and immediately tried to start talking!  No, not Dan!  The other good thing is they did not need to use a skin graft on his leg.  He has more pain there than anywhere else, but they are doing their best to manage it.  The ICU nurse is wonderful, competent and sweet.  Her name is Ping.  Dan's already buttering up the nurses even though he can't talk!  We're both incredibly grateful to each of you and all of you for your prayers and good wishes.  We know we are never alone.

42 comments:

  1. Hallelujah, indeed! Sending love and prayers from Pebble Hill friends to both of you.

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  2. Oh, Peggy, I am so happy to hear this wonderful news!! And thank you for taking the time to update the blog after this long, long day. Take good care of yourself, and please let us know if there is anything you need that we can do to make your life easier. Big hugs and all my love to you and Dan.

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  3. So glad for the good news, and not surprised to learn of the resilience. Thanks, Peggy and more power to you, Danny Boy. Love to you both.

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  4. Prayers for a fast recovery for the Eddi Van Halen of the hammered dulcimer!

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  5. Great news!!, Modern medicine is amazing, so glad you have the very best surgeons and nurses. Peace and blessings to you both.

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  6. Dan, just heard. You're an amazing man. I still remember when you and Tom came over and visited Nadine when she was on chemo -- you're a light, and I look forward to hearing more about your wellness. Much caring to you.

    Barbara Dyskant (Nadine's mom)

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  7. Never alone is right! Much love and many warm thoughts from Brooklyn for your recovery and beyond!
    Love,
    Jim, Jenny and Annea

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  8. Such wonderfully positive news! Thank goodness. Peg take care of yourself and thanks for keeping us all updated. Best wishes for a manageable night for you both.

    Love, Nancy

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  9. This is so great to hear!!! We only recently found out about the surgery while visiting Carol and Jerry R, and we've been thinking about you! Much love! Sending speedy healing vibes your way!

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  10. Keeping you guys in our thoughts and prayers. What hospital are you at? Visitors anytime soon? Let me know please. Mike & Celeste Thorp. Buffalo NY

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  11. Wonderful news! Thanks for sharing! You are in our thoughts and prayers.

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  12. Wonderful news!! We've been thinking of you over at First!

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  13. So happy for this good news. May the recovery be as quick and comfortable as possible.

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  14. Peggy & Dan,

    So glad to hear the good news! Trust that Dan will be back at the dulcimer and the keyboard soonest... love to you both.

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  15. Hi Dan & Peggy:
    You may not remember me, but I administered the SPAF grant program at the Saratoga Co. Arts Council (now Saratoga Arts) some years ago, and worked with you and Dan Berggren to fund a few of your concerts. My family and I have enjoyed your music ever since, including the Sagamore benefit concert last weekend - it was great to see you all performing together. Jamcrackers & Quickstep are a great combo :-) I just recently heard of your battle with cancer, Dan, and was relieved to read in your blog that all seemed to be well now. I just found out about this new surgery a few minutes ago via Dan B, and was so happy to read the good news in Peggy's post! I wish you a peaceful and speedy recovery, and will send lots of healing thoughts your way. Take care, both of you. Lauren Zoppa

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  16. Peggy, I am so relieved. Dan has certainly paid his dues and so have you! Many thoughts and prayers from the gang at First UU with hopes he'll be back on track soon!
    Holly Baylies

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  17. Blessings, blessings, blessings to both of you. I'll hold you in my heart.

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  18. ((HUGS)) <3 to you both Judy Phillips

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  19. Great great great. Answered prayer.
    Patrick, Caitlin & Alison Russell
    Ps. Peggy. The girls were singing your songs tonight.

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  20. Great news....thank you Peggy for the update after your incredibly long day. Thoughts have been with you & Dan all day. You are both amazing.....can't wait to see Dan dancing around his dulcimer again. Healing, positive thoughts are being sent your way!

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  21. Blessings to you both! My prayers are with you. Love...
    Shirley Stevens

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  22. Peggy,
    Thank you for letting us all know the good news. Dan and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Let us know if there anything you need!
    Love and best wishes,
    Dudley and Debbie

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  23. So glad it went well. Thinking of you both.

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  24. Best wishes to you both from France, where we are thinking of you and all the joy you have given us for so many years.

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  25. What great news....glad everything went so well! Hoping for a speedy and complete recovery. Thinking of you both.

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  26. Doing a happy dance! Reiki flowing for both of you, and all doctors and nurses involved.
    The Diamonds,
    Nancy, Holly & Caiti

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  27. Jerry and I are thinking of you both and wishing you a smooth recovery,Dan.We hope you will soon be able to get back to doing what you do so well, making music!

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  28. Dan, you are an inspiration to us all. I'm sending incredibly positive thoughts your way for a speedy and strong recovery. And "You Are What You Dream" deserves to be heard by the world.

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  29. So glad that the surgery went so well. Sending you thoughts ,prayers and blessings for a good and speedy recovery.

    You are an inspiration to all Dan!!!!!

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  30. Hi Danny,

    Henry filled me in last night. I was happy to hear you were spared more invasive surgery, and hope you are managing these first post-operative days as comfortably as possible. I share the other sentiments expressed in this blog about you serving as a source of inspiration...you certainly have been that for me! Thank you...thank you very much! :) Tommy

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  31. Wonderful news about your successful surgery! Will keep you on the Pres. prayer chain for as long as you need us. You are both in our thoughts and prayers. Paula Gifford

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  32. Dan's spirit shines through everything - immediately wanting to talk and buttering up the nurses. That makes me laugh, thinking of him. Now on to healing! Love to you both. Margo

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  33. Much love and positive energy is rippling through the magnetosphere to you! Hope that your recovery is speedy and complete.

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  34. this is wonderful news, much love to you both! xo

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  35. Peggy, you would not know me, but I feel I know you and Dan, as I listen to your beautiful, meaningful music all the time, have seen/heard you play many times in Fredonia...please know I am sending healing thoughts from Ontario...wishing the best...
    Beryl Smith

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  36. Peggy and Dan, Wow, it's good to hear that the operation went well; very promising news. I was thinking of you both all day yesterday and sending healing wishes. There's a long bit of recovery, as you well know. Please call on John and I if we can help in any way. We are grateful for good medical care and the power of love. Chin up (unless it hurts, then you have an excuse).

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  37. Dan and Peggy,
    Glad to hear everything went well. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with you. Hope to see you in the fall at our yearly Sagamore gathering.

    Peg and Dave Karl from Cooperstown NY

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  38. Thank you for the news Peg. So glad to hear all is going well so far! Lisa and Klaus

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  39. Peggy & Dan,
    Continuing to hold our sweet Dan in the light and in my prayers!
    Sending gentle ((hugs)), and may the "good news" blessings continue to roll in!
    Much love to you both <3
    Marcia xxoo

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  40. Peggy and Dan,
    So glad that things are going well! I've been praying and thinking of you both all week, here's to a speedy recovery
    Claudia

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