UPDATE 2/24 My nephew was beat up.

[heytootsy]

UPDATED: He woke up today!! He finally woke up. He was even able to say hello. They took the breathing tube out, and he is now able to breath on his own. Now that he is awake, they can determine how much of his facial bones are broken. He still looks like a wreck, but is doing much better. The bad thing is now he is able to feel the pain. He can only open one eye because the other is still swollen shut. He hasn't said much, so we still cannot determine how his memory is (I sure hope he has no memory of the beating!) So, good news so far. I will post when I hear more. Thanks for all of your kind words and prayers. They meant so much to me. I was just beside myself with what happened. I am still very angry, but so relieved that he is doing better. We almost lost him that first night, it was really close. The doctors painted a grim picture that night, but it looks like he is going to pull through after all. I am so glad I don't listen to doctors!



He is in ICU now. A couple gang bangers beat him up. They used a pipe on his head and chest, then smashed his head into the concrete. He broke a lot of bones in his face. They are waiting to determine what is broken. His eyes are completely swollen shut, and it looks like he has another head growing out the side from the swelling. He cannot breath on his own, he has been on a breathing tube all day. His lungs are bruised and a few of his ribs are broken. I am so worried about him. Please pray for him.

They caught the guys who did this. They were 16 years old.

[bluej]

Heytootsy, I'm so sorry. My prayers are w/ your nephew and his family.

[cuca_]

That is absolutely horrible. I am so sorry for you and your family. I hope he recovers quickly. I'll keep him and your family in my prayers.

[wendmatt]

that's so awful, I'll say prayers for him and your family.

[aliceinwonderland]

that is sickening. My thoughts are with your family...

[kristine_elen]

That is so horrible. I'll be thinking of him. Where did this happen?

[heytootsy]

It was in a suburb of Chicago, Romeoville.

[sntm]

Oh, honey, how awful! My prayers will be with him. If it is any consolation, I've taken care of at least a hundred trauma victims just like him, and the overwhelming majority do absolutely fine. He looks and sounds a lot worse than he really is and once the swelling goes down he will look much more like himself. Also, for patients with a lot of facial fractures and swelling, they will frequently intubate just to protect his airway (since the swelling can get worse before it gets better) so it doesn't always mean he was not breathing. I don't know the specifics, obviously, but keep that in mind.
Jeez, what awful things humans are capable of.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
shannon
not-even-pregnant-yet-overachiever
trying-to-conceive :)
PREGNANT! EDD 6/9/03
mama to Jack 6/6/03

[jd11365]

Oh my goodness that is just horrible! I will certainly pray for a fast recovery.

Jamie
Mommy to Kayla
5-1-03

[Kimberly H]

Praying for you and yours - what a horrible thing!

[etwahl]

oh my gosh, i'm so sorry. that's horrible. reading that just made my stomach drop. that's sad, frightening, and terrible. breaks my heart that there are people out there like this, doing this stuff to our children. REALLY breaks my heart. i'm so sorry for your nephew, and i'm so glad they caught the jerks who did this. i'll be praying for him.

Tammy,
Mom to Lauren Genevieve
03/12/2003
www.evantammy.com

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

OMG honey we are hoping for a safe recovery!!!!
Our thought are with you all!!!!
Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[boys2enough]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. To think people so young could do such violent things... My thoughts are with you and your family. Please keep us updated. {{{HUGS}}} Lin

[elvisfan]

I'll pray for your nephew-and that the kids who did this to him face justice

[jojo2324]

I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry. What a horrible thing. You and your family are in my thoughts. I am so happy they caught the people who did this. I hope they get what they deserve.

[toomanystrollers]

My thoughts are with your family - how frightening and sad :(

[trumansmom]

Your family will be in my prayers. Please keep us posted on how he is doing. This breaks my heart.

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/29/01 and EDD 4/23/04!

[doubleL]

I'm so sad to hear this. AT LEAST, and I do mean the very least, the guys were caught. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time.

Lou
~David 5.01
~Elisabeth 6.03

[DDowning]

Oh dearie - that is awful. I am glad they caught the guys responsible for this and that I hope he fully recovers. Please keep us posted.

[lukkykatt]

I will be praying for a total and speedy recovery for your nephew. What awful news. I am glad they got the people who did it, and am glad that your nephew has a caring family around him right now. Let us know how he is doing.

[khakismom]

Many, many prayers for you, your family, and especially your nephew.

[nathansmom]

I'll add your nephew to my prayers. I hope he recovers soon.

[beckyr88]

Chrissy, I'm so sorry. What an awful, scary thing. Your nephew and your family are in my thoughts. Hope he has a very speedy recovery.

[jec2]

I echo everyone else's wonderful thoughts. I am thinking of your family.

[redhookmom]

My family's thoughts and prayers will be with you.

[Roleysmom]

Chrissy, I'm so sorry. That's horrible. Your nephew and your entire family will be in my thoughts. Take care --

Paula -- mom to Roley Julia 01-04-02

[brigmaman]

Your nephew is in our thoughts and prayers! What an awful thing to happen!

[McQ]

I am just sick to my stomach and am so sorry this happened to your nephew. Many good thoughts for a speedy recovery.

Allison
~ mommy to Declan 3.24.03

[papal]

That is just awful.. poor kid. I hope he is doing better today. I am thinking of him and here is wishing him a quick recovery. I certainly hope they give adequate and appropriate punishment to the boys who did this to him.

[jamsmu]

That is so terrible to hear! Please know we're thinking of you...

[cinrein]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please keep us posted on how he is doing. (((hugs)))

Cindy and Anna 2/11/03

[SASM]

My thoughts and prayers are with your nephew and family. :(

[amp]

So terrible! Saying a prayer for your family and your dear little nephew! Hope he is on his way to healing soon!

[lizajane]

i am so sad for you and your family. what a tragedy. i hope a judge finds a way to TRULY teach those kids the gravity of what they have done. i am so sorry.

[kathsmom]

I just wanted to let you know that our thought and prayers with your nephew and your family. I hope that he recovers quickly. I am just glad that they were able to catch the guys who did it. Please let us know how he is doing.

[jubilee]

Oh how awful! He is in my prayers,

[cvharris]

Oh my gosh...how horrible! I hope he is improving nicely. Many thoughts to you and your family.

Carolee and Ben (6/14/03)

[sweetbasil]

Chrissy,
I'll continue thinking of and praying for you, your nephew, and all those who love him...thanks for the update!

[cuca_]

I'm glad things are looking better, and wish him a speedy recovery!


Carmen

[amp]

That is wonderful news! So glad he is awake. I hope he is on the mend soon and that you and your family can breath a sigh of relief! Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!

[McQ]

Excellent progress report. Glad to hear things are getting better and warm wishes for a speedy recovery.

Allison
~ mommy to Declan 3.24.03

[mharling]

I am so glad you have good news to report. I'll continue to think about and pray for your nephew and those close to him.

Mary & Lane 4/6/03

[lrucci]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We hope things continue to improve.


Lisa
Mom to Kyleigh Elizabeth 7/19/03

[beckyr88]

Great news! Hope his recovery continues to be speedy!

Please keep us updated on his progress.

[brigmaman]

That's great news! Glad he is doing better today!

[barbarhow]

I am so sorry for your nephew and his family. What a relief that he is improving. I second Shannon's post. It is truly amazing how well people do after head injuries. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Barbara-mom to Jack 3/27/03

[boys2enough]

So happy to hear the good news! Thank goodness. Wishing him and your family a speedy healing, both physically and emotionally. Lin