21-06-2006 15:01

nehalita

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Arefin and I are so sorry to hear this, please have a fast recovery and we hope you feel better.
We are glad to know that you are still lively and active and hope the best for you.

21-06-2006 16:22

Eugenia Gabrielov

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

I wish you a speedy recovery, and good health. I'm sorry this happened to you, but it's very inspirational to hear such optimism.

21-06-2006 16:47

Graham Donaldson

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Can anyone say "OUCH!"?

I've broken my humerus (upper arm) twice before, so I have a fraction of an idea of what you're feeling. At least you can still move your arm itself around, mine was either in a sling or in a brace that confined movement to the elbow and below.

The Canuck

21-06-2006 17:22

Morgan Gillespie

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

I snowboard and used to skate and fell a lot but I never broke a bone. My sister broke both wrists once, then the next season she broke one, during that same season my brother broke his. Sorry I don't know exactly what your going through but that doesn't mean I am unworthy of feeling compassion. Morgan gives Belt of Quick Healing.

21-06-2006 17:44

Pat Arnold

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

All the best with your recovery and rehab. This comes from a Registered Occupational Therapist (some have called me an "Occupational Terrorist"): make sure you follow all the passive and active ROM exercises you'll be given once things heal a bit; it really makes a huge impact on regaining your fine motor (keyboarding!) skills.

21-06-2006 17:45

Graham Donaldson

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Hey, I broke my arm the first time by getting plowed into by a snowboarder! My dad stopped him, and as soon as my dad took his eyes off him, he left! Ugh! I've never liked snowboarders in general (there are a few ones who are good friends of mine, though). Always thought of it as too dangerous. Being a skier, I can't imagine having my legs strapped to a board and I can't move them at all speeding down a hill. Not for me. But, if you can do it and control the board, power to you! I love watching the pros.

Again, feel better! (How long did they say it would take to heal? How did it happen?)

The Canuck

21-06-2006 17:49

Morgan Gillespie

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

I have never liked skiers in general (there are a few ones who are good friends of mine, and my dads a skier) Always thought of it as too dangerous. Being a snowboarder, I can't imagine having my legs strapped to two planks of wood and I can't move with them making massive Ss down the hill blocking the whole trail. Not for me. But, if you can control your snaking to a min, power to you!

Woah... its like we are opposites... But seriously I agree to disagree.

21-06-2006 17:57

Chris Hibner

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Ouch!

Good luck with the recovery. Can I sign your cast at the IRI?

21-06-2006 20:41

DB_UPS

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

There is no way your steping back. From what i hear you could not stop talking about robots. I hope you get well soon. Cause were going to need you next year.

21-06-2006 20:53

Al Skierkiewicz

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Kev,
That is really tragic. I hope that everything will turn out for you. Arm comes before FIRST. I know that the WI regional might (WILL) suffer without you there, but we need you healthy. I guess we should be thinking, "it could have been much worse". Everything else looks like it is working, I hope that is the case. Do what the doc says and heal fast buddy.

21-06-2006 23:05

Kevin Kolodziej

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone. I actually do have a sling, but I only wear it when I'm not near my stack of pillows. Chris, I actually don't have a cast. I have a custom molded plastic splint (good material for quick robot prototypes!) though, and you certainly can sign that if I'm still wearing it at IRI. While I certainly will take it easy and put my recovery first, I must confess that I just got done hosting a game design meeting for the upcoming Milwaukee WIRED Vex challenge in December.

Thanks again everyone, it means a lot!

Kev

22-06-2006 21:00

Katie Reynolds

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Aww, Kev! I'm so sorry to hear this!

We are broken arm twins right now, though! Except mine is just three broken tendons, with a very fashionable splint.

Heal quickly!!!

23-06-2006 11:41

Spiffizzle

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Although, in your agreeing to disagree... I agree to agree with you, despite your opposition being my teammate.

And Kevin, feel better! I was in a car accident once, and nothing happened to my arm, but my face got burnt really badly. Plus, I have a shoulder injury. They're not any fun, but I wish you a speedy recovery! Hope to see you at a competition if you're up to it!

23-06-2006 13:32

KelliV

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Kev,
I hope your recovery goes well! Get well soon so you can get back to robots!
-Kelli

23-06-2006 16:30

Graham Donaldson

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

But if you guys like snowboarding, you guys must be ok, b/c you're on my team or on 25! S'all good.

And Kevin, we'd love to hear updates on how you're doing.

The Canuck

23-06-2006 23:01

Kevin Kolodziej

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Update!!!!

Tonight is my last night in Milwaukee (been staying in a hotel since I got discharged) and I am headed home to Hammond tomorrow. I will continue therapy at a local hospital there and continue my excercises. Currently I still have little to no sensation in 3 fingertips, but that won't change until. the nerve heals...which will take time. My movement is getting better each day though!. My passive bending (bending the fingers with my left hand) is at a near normal range and my active bending (bending with the right arm only) is good. Swelling is going down, but there is still a long way to go though...but patience and doing what I'm told, and all the support from you CD-ers , will get me better in no time.

A part of the story I neglected to tell before was when exactly this happened. I fished school May 27th and then came home for a week. On June 4th I moved back up to my friends house, where I would be staying for the summer. I landed an awesome internship in Menomonee Falls that I was very excited about. I was supposed to start on the 5th, but they weren't quite ready so I would be starting on the 7th instead. On the afternoon of the 6th, I was invited out to a movie. Of course I accepted and all was well...until the ride home that night. The rest is history, and so is my internship Fortunately, though, the company is awesome and said that when I recover and can work, they'd still love to have me - so yet another reason to recover fully as quick as I can!

Kev

24-06-2006 11:06

Graham Donaldson

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Be happy you can move it! When I broke my arm the first time (darn snowboarders...lol), I had a half-cast on it for six weeks, so it was immobilized. When they took it off, I couldn't move it for like 2 minutes, which sucked (& was kinda scary- I was 9). To tell you the truth, I can't imagine what it must be like to poke yourself in the finger, see it, and not feel it. That must be wierd.

Ok, I'm assuming you broke it in a car accident. That SUCKS! Now I really feel for you, because it wasn't like you were doing anything odd, just driving along a road and BOOM- you're out for like 6 weeks. That sucks. The nice thing is you'll still have your internship. That's something to look forward to.

Good luck & get better from all of us at CD, and we're waiting for more updates!

The Canuck

24-06-2006 22:56

dubious elise

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Kevin - I'm really sorry to hear about this, I just found out today. Best of luck to you on your recovery and be sure to do all of the physical therapy stuff - it's all for your benefit. Hopefully it won't interfere with school and Vex too much!

05-07-2006 23:24

Kevin Kolodziej

Re: pic: Kevin's Broken Arm

Update!!!

Today a new splint was finally made that keeps my wrist in a straight position instead of bent. It shouldn't be too much longer before I'm able to start extending it back again!. My fist is getting tighter, but the pinky is still the only one that actually touches the palm. I'm also now working on rotating my wrist again - which is actually the most painful of all my excercises. Feeling has not begun to return to my fingers though, so Friday I may be having another surgery to open the carpal tunnel and release my nerve. I'll know tomorrow whether we're going to do it or not.

On the plus side, my therapist said he sees no reason why I shouldn't be able referee IRI, so as long as the doctor says okay tomorrow, I'm back in the game...kinda

Kev