Welcome

The family and friends of Cpl. Daniel C. W. Riley, USMC, welcome you to join in as we celebrate and support the life of an incredible young man, friend, son, and brother. It is with great love and with many prayers we know that Daniel will move on to great and wonderful things. God has big plans for him! Daniel was born in Victoria, BC, Canada. In 1999 his family (Dad, Mum, brothers Tristan and Aaron, & sister Elizabeth, & cat) moved to Denver, Colorado, where his dad began working for the Episcopal Church in Colorado overseeing work with children, youth, and young adults. Daniel started high school in 1999 at Columbine High School. After three years at CHS he finished his high school at Brentwood College in Canada in 2004. After which he did some college and worked in the US and Canada. Daniel enlisted (still a Canadian citizen) in US Marine Corps in 2008 to serve his new country and to help pay for a future college education. On July 4, 2009 Daniel swore in as a US citizen before the Vice-President in Sadam Hussein's old palace in Bagdad, Iraq. In September 2010 he was sent as a combat replacement for the 2/6 Marines in Marjah, Afghanistan. On December 16, 2010, Daniel was severely wounded by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). He primarily suffered severe wounds to his legs, left arm, and left lung. There were many times he was close to not making it. He has since had both legs amputated above the knee and three fingers amputated on his left hand. His lung and other injuries are healing well. Before this event and for many years to come, we know Daniel to be a loving, caring, intellegent, humourous, giving, adventurous, and deep thinking person. Keep praying! And use this blog to share your thoughts and encouragement.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Surgery #20 - Tympanoplasty

Daniel's surgery yesterday went well - better than expected.  His ear surgery (Tympanoplasty) was to repair the left ear drum that had a hole in it that was caused by the IED blast.  He had lost about half his hearing on the left side.  The surgeons removed some tissue from just behind the outside of his ear and used it to "patch" the ear drum.  To gain access to the ear canal there was a chance that they would have to make an incision behind his ear and fold forward his ear.  Fortunately, they were able to do the procedure through the ear canal.  We should know in a couple weeks to what extent the surgery was successful.  The surgery took a couple hours and then a few hours recovering from being put under.  He has some pain - he said it was like someone had stuck a pencil in his ear), but it is being managed.

Today - main thing on the schedule is a procedure at radiology to look things over inside before they set a date for the colostomy reversal.  He is not up to doing PT today (don't blame him).

He was cheered up a bit by getting a letter from Tristan.  He smiles as he thinks about the fact that Tristan is just down the road at bootcamp - feeling just as miserable!  Brotherly love???!!???

Dad
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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 8, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    Thanks Neil for keeping us so well informed. Even though sometimes the comments are few I do know that many people are following Daniel and you and prayers are being said daily.
    Keep up the good work.........both of you.
    Diane

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  2. jami amoApril 9, 2011 at 5:16 AM

    Neil, thanks for all the updates. You comfort a lot of Daniel's friends by filling us in when Daniel doesn't feel up to it.

    Oh and Daniel, once that ear is better, watch the volume on the music, eh? Wouldn't want another pencil going in there. . .

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  3. ColinApril 9, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Dear Daniel and Neil,

    I have been following your blog faithfully and holding you in the the presence of the Lord. Daniel, I think of your namesake, and he certainly went through a long period of trial, but was greatly used of God.

    I am looking forward to you embracing the future that is about to come toward you. I believe you will WALK into it with a bold confidence.

    Grace and peace

    dear brothers

    Colin

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