Welcome to Chad Kunis' update page. The purpose of this page is to keep family, friends, and the community up to date on Chad's progress since his devastating injury more than a year ago on January 4, 2004. We have all come to understand that the road to recovery will remain long and arduous, but with patience, drive, time and hope, he will prevail.
What Happened?
On the afternoon of January 3, 2004, Chad visited a doctor, unable to swallow and having difficulty breathing due to a severely swollen sore throat. The Kaiser Clinic took a throat culture and sent him on his way. On January 4, at 3:30am, his throat constricted, blocking off his airway. He was rushed to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center for the fight of his life. He was without oxygen for a substantial amount of time and now suffers from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (brain damage from a lack of oxygen). He spent over a month in intensive care. From there he was transferred to Santa Clara Kaiser until he was ready to come out of their ICU, and was transferred to Santa Teresa Kaiser where he stayed until June 16, when he was sent to a Kaiser-contracted skilled nursing facility. On July 21, 2004, Chad was rushed from the nursing facility to Good Samaritan Hospital, on death's doorstep again, because of severe infections. He was severely dehydrated and in septic shock when he arrived at Good Samaritan. An awesome team of ER doctors saved his life and he was transferred again, back to Santa Teresa Kaiser on July 23, 2004. Chad will not need acute hospitalization for much longer as the Kaiser team continues to achieve 'medical stability'. Unfortunately, Kaiser's long term goals for Chad do not inlcude any forms of therapy (physical, speech, etc) that may lead to any possibility of a meaningful recovery. Their goal is 'medical stability' and discharge to a nursing facility.
We must try something, or we will never know to what level Chad may be capable of recovering.
A Friend In A Similar Situation
Me, Ryan and Ashley...better days ahead
Anoxic Brain Injury Resources
Brother To Brother: From Ryan To Chad
Chad's Blog!!!
A Friend In A Similar Situation
Chad's MySpace Page!!!
Global Ischemia Foundation
Guestbook entries 8/26 to 11/11
Guestbook entries 11/12/04 to 8/25/05
August 2004
Carter Avenue Christian Preschool Benefit Concert
September 2004
Happy 24th Birthday Chad, Monday September 6, 2004
October 2004
November 2004
December 2004
January 2005
February 2005
March 2005
April 2005
May 2005