Daniel and I talked and felt that it is prudent to now inform all those who love and care for Daniel of the extent of some of his wounds he suffered. He hopes to give people enough information to allow for more informed prayers and to help people understand the nature of his condition and begin to understand the very long journey ahead of him. He also hopes people will have time to absorb the information while he is somewhat isolated in the ICU. He believes this will afford those who know and support him time to process the information. He is very concerned that he will be the cause of others' worry, sadness, and anxiety. In fact, he has spent as much time, or more, comforting others as being comforted (those who know Daniel will understand how much that is part of who he is).
To the best of Daniel's recollection and from information we have been able to glean so far .... On December 16, 2010, Daniel was with his platoon doing a routine sweep of an area near Marjah, in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. They had "tagged" two IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and they were heading out when at 11:25am a third IED, that escaped discovery, went off right beside/under him. "Doc", who was close behind Daniel, immediately attended to him. Within seconds a radio call went out for a med-evac chopper. Daniel was picked up (we are told he was cracking jokes while being loaded on) and was being operated on at Camp Dwyer by 11:45am. His was life was saved by the quick response of "Doc", the support of his fellow Marines, the fast removal of him to the hospital, the immediate and excellent attention of the medical staff, and the merciful hand and grace of God. We praise the Lord that key individuals were in the right place and at the right place at his side and at hospitals throughout the ordeal.
Daniel sustained major injuries to his legs and left hand. He also had a few "less significant" wounds. From the official Casualty Report (and what was read to his father when he got "the call") .....
"LCpl Riley, male, 0311, sustained the amputation of his left leg below the knee, amputation of his right leg above the knee, amputation of three fingers from his left hand and an injury to his left lung, while conducting combat operations against enemy forces."
Since then he has had extensive and lengthy surgery at least nine separate times and will likely have many more in the weeks and months to come. Due to infection and other complications he has since had his left leg amputated above the knee. On his left hand his pinky, ring, and middle fingers were amputated. The thumb and index finger are looking good. He has suffered no discernable brain injury and his left lung has healed very well. No other major internal organs received injury. He may have some minor hearing damage - that may clear up in time.
We will do our best to keep people informed about his recovery. It will be a considerable and lengthy journey that will require your prayers and support. He is already speaking of the future and what he wants to do and accomplish; while at the same time he says he is trying to focus on "taking it day-by-day".
He passes on his thanks for all the support and prayers he has already received. He also says that he hopes people will not "worry about him." He again said, "I'll be fine; it's all good."
On Daniel's behalf,
Dad and family
Daniel, you are a brave and amazing young man with a great future. Although you will have a long and sometimes harrowing journey ahead of you, we hope and pray your positive outlook and faith will keep you going during the tough times. We can already imagine you being a huge source of encouragement to so many others. All our best wishes to you and all the family.
ReplyDeleteLove, Ang & Jared
Daniel & Family,
ReplyDeleteI don't know you, but through the wonderful connectivity of the internet, I am blessed to find your blog. You are all living out an amazing story on so many levels that I'm left almost speechless.
These are the only words I can find to say after reading your story:
-Thank you for your service for our country. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
-Godspeed in your recovery. As Christopher Robin said to Pooh, "Always remember: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." God is with you.
-Families and love are two of the most important ingredients in a recovery and while the situations are very, very different, I speak these words from experience. God bless you, Daniel and your family.
I've typed things over many many times not knowing what to say. My brother I'm not. Your family is amazing. You have been put into something know one should be but you have each other and the people you have all touched in your lives who will give you strength when you are weak and arms to help when you are down. Let them help you as you have helped them. Daniel is as you know and feel more than you had ever known. Enjoy each other and the road back to health, you will be grow together.
ReplyDeleteDaniel, thank you for filling us in regarding the extent of your injuries. My admiration for you has not changed.Your name means "God is my judge," a double meaning. God alone can judge you and your heart and God alone is the one to whom you appeal. Paul said, "Let no one judge me for I bear on my body the marks of Christ." 2 Cor 6:17 You were, are and will be marked as Christ's own forever. I don't know what the road ahead is going to be, but I believe that you are Christ's own and His plans for you have not changed - God alone will be the judge in your life and all will see and give glory to Him. "My strength and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26. All my love in Christ, Colin
ReplyDeleteDaniel - I wish you the speediest and healthiest of recoveries! I appreciate your strength in sharing the extent of your injuries. I am thinking of you constantly and cannot wait until you come back to good ol' Colorado! Maybe you and my husband will meet by chance at the VA :)
ReplyDeleteI will continue to keep all of you in my prayers. Dan is such a bright guy, and I remember you all as a strong and loving family, so I know he'll have tons of support in the healing ahead. Just know that you are all thought of with much love and care.
ReplyDeleteHey Daniel! I am grieved to hear of your injuries, but overjoyed to read of you spirit and sustained faith in our God who loves you and has written your name on His hand. You are in our prayers and in our hearts. Colorado misses you and while we are all scattere at differen churches now, you will always be part of our family!
ReplyDeleteOh my dear Dan. Thank you for sharing your injuries. I know my mind has been all over the world of best and worst case scenarios and as hard as it was to read it's helpful to know because now we can plan better. I've got a stack of letters I've been writing since I found out so I can't wait to send them to you. Thank you Rileys for sharing the news with all of Daniel's many friends and family and loves. I know it's a long ways away but I can't wait until you are back in Colorado and/or to a place where we can visit you. Until then though you are constantly in mine, Nick's, our families and of course Grover's thoughts and hearts. And my aunt put you on a worldwide prayer chain so you've got the whole world thinking about you.
ReplyDeleteRiley's- do you need anything done back at home while you are away? I can't remember if you have pets or anything but please let me know if there is anything we can do at home.
Love you.
Daniel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for defending our freedom. You don't know me, but i am a fellow pastor of your friend Benjer McVeigh. I just want you to know that we are praying for you at our church.
May God speak to you clearly as your Good Shepherd in all this.
Chad
Will Daniel be doing rehab in Texas or at bethesda and will he be able to get a prosthetic leg for the amputation above the kneecap or is it too early to tell?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this difficult news. While the journey will be hard and long, I am confident that your spirit and the Spirit of the Almighty will continue to sustain you to health and continued greatness. We continue to pray for you all. Peace, The Max Family
ReplyDeleteDaniel:
ReplyDeleteWe are proud to know such a courageous friend! Thanks for your service and your example. We pray the God of peace would continue to comfort your heart. When you're allowed to have goodies, Jennifer says, "If it can be shipped, I'll make it and send it!"
We love you, and I (Benjer) look forward to the day we get to enjoy Chipotle burritos together.
Jennifer and Benjer
Dear Anon, we are a very long way from knowing when he will go, where he will go, or what kind of prothestics he will be fitted for. But, yes, they have many prosthetics for above the knee amputations. We have already seen double-amputees with full prosthestics and walking just fine. We will keep you posted. For right now we are just concentrating on getting him fully stable and out of ICU.
ReplyDeleteA great thanks to you Daniel -- and family -- for service and bravery and sacrifice. God will carry you all forward to good things; this is His promise, and we have seen it fulfilled over and over. Blessings in Christ and strength in His love.
ReplyDeleteEphraim and Annette
Daniel (CTOP),
ReplyDeleteI was very saddened to hear about your injuries through the internet, however, it is by the grace of god that there are so many people out there willing to share the word with others that you have a massive group of people praying for your well being and speedy recovery. Thanks for serving our country and our lord! My prayers are with you and your family, and I hope that you will continue to be a beacon of happiness and joy to everybody as you always were. Thank you for your witness and your willingness to serve in the face of adversity and danger.
Nathan Ubowski
Dear Daniel, You would probably not remember us as it has been a long time since we have seen you. We are Cindy's parent's.
ReplyDeleteWe are so thankful that you are now home in America and with your family. Our hearts have been deeply touched by what has been shared on this site, and we are in awe of your courage and loving thoughts for your family and friends. Your faith is indeed an inspiration to all of us, and only time will tell how the Lord will use all of this to bring others to Himself. Be assured Daniel, that you never will be alone as you go through the healing and regaining strength. We pray the Lord's continuing grace upon you and that He will give you peace within that can only come from Him.
Our thoughts and prayers will continue as will those of the church we attend and many of our friends.
Love to you and all your family,
Ken and Joan
Hey Buddy,
ReplyDeleteI have been humbled in the past days thinking about your sacrifice. You are an incredible guy and it seems like yesterday that you were willing to drive 4 hours out to Chapel Hill to see the band play. It truly meant a great deal to me and proved how much of a stand up guy you are. Thank you so much for your service and attitude in this situation. My entire family and church has you and yours in our prayers. I look forward to seeing you again out here in Colorado and wish you a speedy recovery. I know the future will bring very difficult times for you but if you ever need anything don't hesitate to give me a shout! One thing I know for sure is the Lord Jesus Christ is an amazing God, and if He is for us, who can be against us? I wanted to share a verse with you that has kept me going this year, and after hearing about your situation my problems don't seem to be very big but either way the verse helped me.
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Stay strong my friend, your courage is insurmountable!
Tyler Reschke (OG Friend)
Hi Daniel,
ReplyDeleteI know you will be fine- as you said... because you are such a compassionate and strong young man.
Thank you for sharing this information with all of us. I am glad that your father is taking the time to communicate through this site and allowing us a means to send our thoughts and prayers to you.
There are many rough spots ahead for you, but there will also be so many more bright spots because your spirit will shine through and you will be supported and loved by family and friends.
Thank you for being on the debate team so I could have the opportunity to meet you. Thank you for your service and dedication to our country. Thank you for being you!
Here are two of my all time favorites bible verses...
Philippians 4:13 NIV
I can do everything through him who gives me strength
Corinthians 10:13 NIV
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
My thoughts and prayers remain with you and your family.
Best wishes and much love,
Marti Benham
Dear Dan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story with all of us. I am in awe of your perseverance and strength during this difficult time.
I want you to know that you have always had, and always will have, a very special place in my heart. I am so grateful for the time we spent together on the debate team. My high school years would not have been the same without you. I will continue to follow your blog and will be praying for you and your family.
With much love,
Erin Flynn (Hernandez)
Dear Dan and family,
ReplyDeleteI am so amazed at the amount of grace you all live by. Dan, you are so amazing. Someone earlier used the word "humbled" to describe how they were feeling. I feel the same. The personal sacrifice you have made fighting for goodness in a fallen world... I can only begin to imagine what lies ahead for your recovery. But I believe you will continue to get through this amazingly! As you've said, thank God for having the right people there at the right time through those crucial moments!! He did not leave you nor forsake you! God bless all of you!
Psalms 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me.
Psalms 140:1 Unto the end, a psalm for David. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.
Psalms 145:18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: to all that call upon him in truth.
You have been and will always be in my prayers. Love you, Dan!! See you soon, friend.
Your friend,
Tiesha von Kaenel
Daniel,
ReplyDeleteThe words "thank you" are a tiny consolation for the service you have given, especially in light of your sacrifice. They do not begin to cover it. I have kept you in my prayers throughout your career, and continue. I am rejoicing that you are alive and stand with you and your family as you continue to heal. I hope to when you get back here. Thank you, warrior.
Don Seils
Love and prayers to you in this New Year of healing and challenges. YOu are our HERO! love the clines
ReplyDelete