Forum: Oklahomatidbits.com General Forum (go)
Moderators:  /  David Smith Jr

I saw this on Elbowsup.com and just thought I'd pass it along. Some of you may know who Kellen Chadwick is, some may even know him... but if you don't your thoughts and prayers will be appreciated anyway as I'm sure him and his family can use all they can get during this difficult time.

"Kellen was involved in a fiery crash (at Central Arizona Raceway) when his car rolled over and was hit by 2 other cars. The crash ignited the fuel when it came to rest. Kellen was cut out of the car and airlifted to a area hospital. No info is available of the extent of his injuries at this time. Track workers were quick to respond but it still took a while to put out the flames. Once again please extend your prayers to him and his family during this time of trial.

Update on Kellen Chadwick - 9:00 am

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From fellow modified racer Ryan McDaniel:

As of 9:00am, Kellen is having a halo put on his head to imobilize movement. The doctors said that an artery going to his head is cut from the broken vertabrae. They are starting on the artery now. They said that kellen will never be able to move his head up or down nor left to right. They gave him a slim chance to walk and never again will he drive a racecar. The bones are broken from his neck all the way to his shoulder blades. They are going to have to fuse them all together is the reason for no head movement. The doctors have also said that he's not a vegetable. They have never seen anything like it. Surgery won't start on his spine until swelling goes down later in the week."

I like dirt!

o my god. short of fatality - I don't see how that could be any worse. don't even know what else to think or say about that - just completely blown away by that. except to pray for him and his family in this toughest of times.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

Damn he's just a kid to .... with an extreamly bright future.

www.genesisshocks.com www.hypercoils.com If you need 
it I can get it!

Here are the latest updates on Kellen's condition.

Tuesday, Feb. 26th update - Doctors are holding off on any surgery on the damaged artery. The blood has seemed to clot itself, so they do not think there is a need to close it off surgically. The plan is still to perform the first neck surgery on Thursday. The did move some his breathing tube from his nose to his mouth and a feed tube still remains in place. He continues to remain sedated and unconscious. They wake him us every few hours to monitor the movement in his arms and legs, which are still doing very well.

Updates on Kellen - Monday, Feb. 25th - today they gave Kellen a feeding tube to put some nutrition into him. He didn't like it as first but he was calm after about an hour of it being in. The doctors continue to remove fluid from his lungs to help prevent possible pneumonia. Tina says he hates that process as well. He has shown great signs of moving his arms, hands and legs today. They remain confident that he will continue to have full use of all extremities.

The surgeons are still waiting to start repair work on the neck vertebrae. They are hoping to perform the first surgery Thursday or Friday. The first one will concentrate on repairing the back side of the damaged vertebrae. The doctors will wait approx. 7 days before a more intensive surgery on the front part of the damaged vertebrae. In all, they will fuse together the top seven vertebrae. Doctors said that the damage was too extensive to consider a bone graph. The family has also learned that after healing from the surgeries, they plan to keep Kellen at least one additional week to begin his physical therapy before he will be released to come back home.

So it looks like things are looking a little better than first thought with the doctors now saying that they are confident that Kellen will continue to have full use of his extremities, which is great news! However, he is not out of the woods yet. For more information and ways you can help Kellen and his family you can go to www.KellenChadwick.com

I like dirt!