Rock Star

Here's Neil snowboarding down a very low-grade slope in our backyard.  His doctor said he had to wait until next year to enjoy his favorite sport, but we figured this wouldn't hurt.  His balance was pretty good!  I'm sure it will be like riding a bicycle next year when he goes back to the big slopes.

So who is the rock star, you may ask?  This man right here.  And this is the same guy.  So I'm not kidding when I say rock star.  But seriously, we became fans back when he saved Neil's life by cutting his head open and removing part of his skull last January.  

We got to meet with him again last week and I think he was just about as excited to see Neil as we were to see him.  Dr. Danish told us that at the time, Neil's procedure was not commonly done at a lot of hospitals in New Jersey.  (I guess maybe it still isn't.)  I don't believe it would have been done at RWJ Hospital if Dr. Danish hadn't been there to do it that particular day.  All evidence seems to indicate that Neil would not have survived without the surgery, but I guess most doctors felt that any injury severe enough to require it would be one to leave the patient in a permanent vegetative state if they did live.  Dr. Danish felt otherwise, and we're so glad he did.  He asked Neil if he'd like to be an advocate for other trauma patients when he's ready, and Neil was glad to oblige.  

Disclaimer:  To other medical staff at RWJ who may have a different perspective of what transpired that day, or may disagree with my interpretation of what Dr. Danish told us, I'm sorry.  This post is just that:  my interpretation.  Neil was given wonderful care by multiple doctors.  We never felt that he wasn't getting the best help possible.  It's just that that surgery was a turning point in Neil's recuperation and we attribute it to the man that made the call that day.

I probably should have gotten his autograph.