Monday was a quiet day for Kevin. He was up in his chair for a good part of the day, which is great because it gets him out of the routine of just being in bed and helps him avoid pressure sores.
Kevin also underwent two procedures yesterday. The first was to help his stomach adjust to the feeding tube. The second was to check out his lungs to make sure there are no problems with his airways. These procedures will help Kevin stay comfortable and help to prevent infection and pneumonia, which is really important to keeping Kevin healthy.
Kevin will continue to be on the ventilator until he is able to breathe on his own. He continues to work at it, but it may take some time before he is able to speak.
We continue to encourage visitors, but understand that it might be tougher to come in now that the holidays are over. We also appreciate your understanding when visiting — we don’t have a set schedule of when the doctors and nurses will need to work with Kevin privately, so he may be unavailable. We will continue to do our best to give everyone advanced notice in case they plan on visiting. Please feel free to reach out to us in advance if we haven’t updated the site yet and are planning to come down, especially from a distance. We want to make sure Kevin gets a chance to see you. Visitors always seem to get him smiling.
News coverage of the Kevin’s fight has also continued. The Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn’s student newspaper, ran an article today and will run another on Wednesday. We appreciate all of the help the media have given to get the word out and connect us with great resources and support.
That’s all for now. We’ll have another update soon.
Kevin looked remarkably good when I stopped in this past wknd! Please let him know I think of him every day and wish him the best!!!
Thanks so much for these updates on Kevin. It helps us to know what is happening and where to focus our prayers. I also greatly admire how well all the Neary men are coping with the situation. My love to all of you!
Nick Tortorello
I can’t tell you (well, I guess I am telling you) how much these updates mean to me.
Thank you for this, and all you are doing for Kevin.
Thanks for the updates. We’re keeping Kevin and all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Beautiful. Not a day goes by that im not thinking of my buddy. Be there again Thursday or Friday Kev ❤
Kevin there is not a day that goes by that we don’t think of you and your family..Know that when Prayers go up Blessing come down…As a family, remain strong and optimistic..your love and faith will get you throught this…
I said a prayer for you today
And I know God must have heard –
I felt the answer in my heart
Although He spoke no word.
I didn’t ask for wealth or fame –
(I knew you wouldn’t mind)-
I asked him to send treasures
Of a far more lasting kind!
I asked that He’d be near you
At the start of each new day
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way.
I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small,
But it was for His loving care
I prayed the most of all.
© Author Unknown
We send our LOVE…and ask God to surround you all….
Ruth and Rob Norbeck
We love hearing about your wonderful progress, Kevin. Keep up the good work. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless all of you.
Mary and Charlie Kelly
Thank you for the updates. Kevin and the Neary family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Barbara Stobart
Just want you to know that not a day goes by without me checking in to see Kevin’s progress. You are such a hero, Kevin, and when I hear stories about you making jokes with visitors, I am just amazed. What a trouper you are! I seriously pray for you many, many times a day. I am praying especially that you will be able to breathe on your own soon!
Kevin… You have been a close friend to my son, Steven Kestel, for many years. I wanted to thank you for being his friend because I know and have always known what a blessing your friendship has been for Steven. I haven’t prayed in many years, but I am praying now every day for your healing and comfort. You obviously are loved by many and truly have many, many friends which to me defines a man’s true character!
I’m sorry this missed Thanksgiving, but really it’s never too late to say, Thank You for fighting the fight and staying with us here in this realm. Your family and friends obviously love you very much and you them!
Warmly,
Donna Kestel (Steve’s mom… a blessing for me)