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Go to February Updates >
January, 2008
Thursday, January 31st
Update:
Tonight, Collin responded very well to his brother Shelby's visit. He was very responsive and actually lifted the right leg very high when
Shelby was congratulating him for getting the Bronze Star Medal!
Yesterday, Collin’s sugar dropped dramatically before the surgery, and it was difficult to maintain it leveled the rest of the day. Doctors said that
they really didn’t know why Collin’s sugar dropped so much. There was no explanation for that, but that they’re trying to figure it out. When
we asked him about the possibility of brain damage he said that it would only happen if the sugar goes low for a long period of time. We
told him that when Ursula came into the room she asked Collin to move his foot if 1+1 was 2, and even though she had to repeat the question
twice, he wiggled his toes. Collin's head doctor thought that little "test" was great, but now wants Ursula to ask him some more complex
questions such as his birthday or some math equation. He also said that the biopsy of his foot blisters came negative. The only thing that
it showed was inflammation, nothing else. The doctor said that even though Collin is still very ill, everything seems to show his condition is going towards the positive side. The
next step for him would be to finally cover the back of his left leg.
Dr Manni – head anesthesiologist – came in later and seemed more concerned about Collin’s condition. He said that they don’t know why Collin’s sugar goes up and down (not just
down) and that they have trouble maintaining it leveled. He is also very concerned with the lack of Collin’s responsiveness. Due to yesterday’s problem with the sugar, they’re trying to see if a mistake
was made with the amount of insulin provided, or if he has an infection that is spreading, or if his liver and pancreas are getting worse (we didn’t know they were that bad), or if he’s not accepting the CRRT
machine anymore (dialysis)…
He repeated again that Collin hadn’t been responding to him or the nurses. So we told him about the 1+1 “test” and he asked Ursula to talk to Collin, and make him move his
toes. She asked twice, and then he wiggled his toes. After that, the anesthesiologist was pleased, or at least he didn’t look as concerned.
Finally, Collin tried to talk at least twice today. The first time, after Ursula told him she loved him, he started to move his lips and sounds came out
of his mouth. Then the nurse with eyes wide open said “he’s talking! What a present for you” . Then, he was coughing kind of bad, and the
respiratory therapist was suctioning him. After his air ways were clean Collin kept coughing and the nurse and Ursula kept telling him
“relax”. Then, stronger sounds came out of his mouth and he clearly showed his frustration… It seemed like he was saying “how the hell do
you want me to relax." Then the nurse replied “Collin it’s ok, you’re not ready to talk yet”. Actually, it was great to see he had the
energy to get frustrated or mad! Hopefully that means improvement!
Wednesday, January 30th
Collin
had a scheduled surgery today to touch up the grafts in his face that didn't take very well, and to release his eye lids to provide complete
coverage and protection to his eyes. The surgery went well and Collin is stable and recovering well. The plastic surgeon, said that Collin
will have to have several surgeries over the next years. He will definitely need a nose reconstruction and prosthetic ears. It's
possible that his current grafts will have to be removed later in the future to replace them with full-thickness skin, to give him a better
cosmetic outcome. This is a step that would have been avoided if the Integra (shark cartilage) had taken.
Monday, January 28th
 | 8:00pm Update: MAJ Donahue informed Ursula that Collin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in
early December due to his outstanding performance in Afghanistan. MAJ
Donahue emphasized that The Bronze Star was awarded before the attack
and, therefore, was only based in his accomplishments during his tour.
This medal is generally awarded only to higher ranks than E-6 (Collin's
rank). The award will be officially presented in a few weeks.
The
Bronze Star Medal " is a United States Armed Forces individual military
decoration which may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or
meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, it is the fourth-highest
combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the 9th highest military
award (including both combat and non -combat awards) in the order of
precedence of U.S. military decorations." Click here to read more about this award.
Also,
for the first time today, Ursula was able to hug Collin. Not only did
his nurse say it was ok to do it without fear to hurt him or interfere
with the equipment, but also that it would help Collin. The nurse
asked Collin "Do you want your wife to hug you?" and he replied by
vigorously moving his toes!!!! So Ursula didn't wait a second more and
hugged him... And she hasn't stopped ever since :)
Finally, the
doctors evaluated the condition of Collin's left eye after a couple of
hours of him wearing The Boston Lens® . They were ecstatic to see how
his epithelium had already started to show signs of improvement not
accomplished before even after several days with other treatments.
They will continue to constantly evaluate his eye and hope the progress
will continue.
Finally, Collin's face was evaluated this
morning as well, and most of the grafts seemed to be taken. Only a few
small parts will need additional work. The doctors were pleased with
the results.
We are immensely
grateful with Dr. Rosenthal, the Brooke Army Medical Center doctors and
personnel and the Army! It's been such an uplifting day! Thank you all
for going the extra mile for Collin and our families. |
The
cornea transplant went ok. and lasted about 3 1/2- 4 hours. He is back
in the ICU right now and the doctors will provide further details later
today.
Update: The doctors said it will take about
two weeks for them to know what the condition of Collin's eye is after
the surgery. His left eye is also susceptible to have the same type of
injure, but hopefully this won’t happen as this eye is in better shape
than the right one was.
We met Dr. Roshental (http://www.bostonsight.org/history.htm), and he will be developing or adjusting his Boston Lens® to be used in Collin and other critical patients.
The
response of all medical personnel has been amazing. We feel so
fortunate to know that the Collin is receiving the best care anyone
could receive in the world. The Brooke Army Medical Center has not
spared any efforts to help Collin. Now we just need God and his
helping hand to continue guiding them and allowing the technology to
work on Collin’s best interest.
The team Collin went with to Afghanistan is now back in the US. They will be having a homecoming ceremony at Ft. Riley, Kansas today at 4:30pm. Many of them have expressed their desire to come visit Collin, and we are looking forward to see them.
Sunday, January 27th
Collin
will be going to the OR tonight again. After an episode of cough the
right eye globe ruptured and his cornea got lacerated. Doctors will be
doing a cornea transplant to try to save his eye.
Fortunately, a cornea was available and it's being flown to TX right
now. Renowned cornea specialist Dr. Rosenthal has also arrived to Texas
tonight and will be evaluating Collin's eyes tomorrow.
Saturday, January 26th
Collin's
kidney function is deteriorating, so he will be back in the dialysis
machine today. We are also expecting the visit of wounded Vietnam
veteran Dave Roever."
Eight months into his tour of duty in Vietnam, Dave was burned
beyond recognition when a phosphorous grenade he was poised to throw
exploded in his hand. The ordeal left him hospitalized for fourteen
months, where he underwent numerous major surgeries. His survival and
life are miraculous.Today, with his humorous style, Dave Roever is enthusiastically
received both nationally and internationally as a public speaker." You can read more about Dave Roever on his website"http://www.daveroever.org"
Friday, January 25th
Collin was responsive all day. He's still off the dialysis machine, but
his lab results show that he may need to go back on it. Tonight his
feet were very swollen and red. The PA said he had developed
cellulitis, and they put him back on one of the antibiotics they had
previously stopped administering. This may affect more his currently
poor renal condition. Even though his vital signs seem stable, his
overall condition tonight seems poor.
In the morning, upon
hearing my voice he turn his head and eyes towards where I was. When I
asked him if he could see me he shook his head "no". Tonight, I was
going to leave at 9:00pm, so I told him, "mi amor, I'm going to go
ni-nights". Very forcefully he shook his head "no". Immediately I
asked "do you want me to stay?" And he shook his head "yes". So I
stayed.
Later the
nurse came and asked him, Collin wiggle your toes if you're in pain. So
he did. Then jokingly I said "well mi amor, if you love me wiggle your
toes". He turn his face towards where I was, and started to move his
lips... to mouth "I love you"... This brought tears to my eyes. The
last time I heard those words was on January 1st during the last phone
call we had before the attack.
Sunday, the hospital will be flying from Boston Dr. Perry Rosenthal.
"Dr. Perry Rosenthal had developed a type of contact lens, called the
Boston scleral lens, that rests on the tough white portion of the eye
(the sclera) instead of on the sensitive cornea. The lens creates a
cavity where a coating of artificial tears can continuously bathe the
cornea. The continuous lubrication eliminates the severe eye irritation
felt by many patients and, in some cases, even restores their sight."
He will be evaluating Collin's eye condition on Monday. Click here to read more about Dr. Rosenthal.
Thursday, January 24th
Another great update from my brother-in-law Justin:
As
Collin continues to rest and recover a bit, I thought I would take a
minute to share a little of an email that Collin, Shelby, and I
exchanged with each other in the previous month or two before he was
wounded. I thought you might like to see for yourself our brother
Collin’s competitive, fighting spirit! He has always been, and will
forever be, the grittiest, scrappiest, do-anything-to-get-it-done
competitor and fighter I have ever known.
I
had written Collar-Bone suggesting that the three of us get together
and “max out” on a “vacay.” Sort of blow off some steam and help Collin
decompress and re-adjust after being at war in Afghanistan. Shelby then
decided that rather than max and relax, we could turn it in to a Bowen
Brothers Triathlon challenge – and Shelby announced that he would win
of course, with Collin second with me withdrawing because I couldn’t
finish. Below is Collin’s response. Sorry it’s kind of long – but I
thought you might like to hear from Collin in his own words.
November 9, 2007
To: Justin and Shelby
From: Collin
"Ok,
let me jump in on this, you nerds are killin' me. First, I've been
hearing about this little brotherly challenge for a couple of years
now. Every time I throw one out there, you boys go and hide under a
rock like Grandma V's little Chihuahua. As Gabriela now says; "be for
real"!
So,
here's the deal, I walk these mountains of Afghanistan with over 50
pounds of gear on like I've lived here all my life. Why even Osama
would be impressed. Now, I admit in the beginning I sucked big
cornbread biscuits trying to get up there but, never mind that, that's
all in the past now. Believe it when I tell you boys, I'm so hard right
now, that just like my buddy Chuck (that's Chuck Norris for you fellas
that can't keep up) I'm currently suing NBC because Law and Order are
trademark names for my right and left biceps!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA! (LOL
is so overused these days don't you think) Hey, don't hate the playa'
hate the game boys, hate the game.
You
boys aren't wearing mullets and driving Trans Ams, so get out of the
80's man. Those days are gone, wake up and realize that your oldest
brother will take you in any challenge you want to throw out there. So,
you want to do a Triathlon, I will play your little game and I will
master it just like I have always mastered you two little punks. Name
the place and the time, I'll be there, and I will show you boys how
it’s done.
Now,
a "vacay" as you two metro-sexuals put it. I can get the place and it
won't cost anything. You just need to get there. We can go to Myrtle
Beach, Orlando or any place you want. I think it would be kind of cool
if we all went and I kicked your butts around the golf course for a few
days.
As
far as me, I'm doing fine. I've started counting down the days. I
should start moving to get out of here shortly after Christmas and I
hope to be home by the end of January. I have one more big one to go
on. I'll be leaving to go to a remote location in the mountains in a
couple of weeks and I'll be there until sometime in December. I'll have
to spend Thanksgiving up there but the bright side is, that should be
my last hurrah. I don't really need anything. I've already started
mailing stuff home. Plus, the holiday mail schedule will kick in soon
and who knows when or if I'll get mail.
Anyway
punks, let me know when and where you want to have all your dreams
wiped away for this brotherly challenge. JB, it's on man, so drop the
cinnamon rolls and get back to it. And let me know where you want to do
this "vacay."
I love you both,
Your brother, Collin "Chuck Norris" Bowen
SSG Bowen, Collin J.
1/1/203rd Corps
Camp Clark
APO, AE 09314
MAJ Sulzner Update, AF: After Collin's incident we all have received Nomex fire retardant suits that we wear now.
January 23rd
Collin was pretty much stable all night Tuesday. His left leg had some
bleeding, but it was quickly controlled, and he received some more
blood products. This morning he
followed commands; he stuck his thonge out when the nursesasked him to
do so :) He is still struggling with the kidney function.
January 22nd
As of 8:00am, Collin is in surgery. The procedure will take 6 to 8
hours. Doctors will first graft the back of his left leg, and the
back of his head. Then, they will turn him over and do the
tracheostomy. Finally they'll work on his face.
Update: The doctor called at 10:11am (central time) to inform that
Collin was only now heading to the OR. They needed to give him some
blood before the surgery.
Update:
As of 4:00pm (c) Collin is out of surgery. Doctors were able to do all
the work they planned and said he did ok throughout the
procedure! However, he's still battling with the function of his
kidneys and several infections. Therefore, his condition continuous to
be critical.
January 18th
Happy Birthday Collin!
Last night, between 10 and 12 Collin declined even more. Fortunately,
by 12:30 he started to show signs of improvement. Another CT scan was
performed at midnight to look for infection into his abdomen, and the
results were negative. However, his kidneys started to struggle, and
the doctors started dialysis.
Today, Collin had
a better day. The first people to see him this morning were his aunt
Trish and Ursula. As they came into the room Collin followed them with
the eyes and blinked twice to them! This is the first time we see
any movement and response with his eyes!!!! They sang Happy Birthday
and then he moved his legs in response. Later during the day, Collin
moved his legs and feet several times after Justin and the nurse
requested him to do so. Dialysis will continue for at least
24-48hours. He is also in the ventilator. The last nurse
said, "he is stable right now... but with a lot of help".
January 17th
The
surgery was canceled. The first case in the OR would take longer than
expected, and due to the nature of Collin's surgery, the doctors will
not operate unless they could start by 11am. New date TBD.
Update:
It was a very difficult afternoon. Collin was becoming really
ill, and the surgeons determined having a surgery would endanger him
more than help him. This was actually the reason for canceling the
surgery in the first place. However, as he became more ill they decided
to take him to the OR anyway and check his abdomen for sources of
infection. They would also check the skin expanders implanted a
few days ago. If they were infected, they would have to be removed.
We
were told that if infection was found in the abdomen with a preliminary
exam, they would have to perform a very delicate surgery. Several doctors and anesthesiologists were called to be present in the OR. We were seriously warned about the dangers of this last procedure and his condition. At this point we put Collin in Gods hands.
The
preliminary abdomen exam came back negative, so there was no need for
the big surgery. The expanders on the other hand were extracted, as one
of them was severely infected. Even though he continues to be
very ill, the doctors hope that the infection found under the expander
was the cause of his decline. A surgery to cover his head and face
wounds is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday. We hope tomorrow is a
better day.
January 16th
Collin had another stable day. SGM
Endsley, who served in AF with Collin for about 8 months, and his wife
visited Collin today and presented Ursula the Texas Commander Coin. SGM Thompson and SFC Craig Coker visited again today. Collin
will have a 6-8 hour surgery tomorrow in his face. The plastic surgeon
will take skin from Collin's shoulders and lower abdomen and replace
the lost skin in Collin's face and head.
January 15th
Collin had very stable vitals all day.
BG
Marshall, father of two soldiers, one serving in Afghanistan and
another in Iraq, called Collin's family to provide his support.
Collin was BG Marshall's son (Brandon) team leader during a prior
deployment at Andrews Air Force Base. SGM
Thompson and SFC Craig Coker from USSOCOM visited us and offered us
their help as well. SFC Locklear, who served with Collin in AF for a
few months also visited him.
January 14th
Collin
had an emergency surgery after doctors found that a severe infection
developed in his face. On January 9th, the first part of Collin's
face reconstruction consisted of contouring his face with the material
called "Integra". Due to the infection, this had to be removed. Doctors
will take a new approach once the infection is completely under
control. He is currently heavily sedated, and his vitals are
stable. Doctors said this was a step back, but not a surprise, as
this some times happens.
January 13th
Condition: Critical but stable
Developments:
Collin continuous to respond to voices and questions by moving his
legs. The doctors determined that he is well neurologically and
put him back in pain medication and sedatives to keep him pain free.
New
Information: Collin has 3 different infections. One of them is a
resistant string of an infection that is found in the Afghanistan
sand. He will be receiving a very strong cocktail dose to try to
control it. This may cause problems with the kidneys.
January 12th.
Today
MAJ Sulzner came to visit from Ohio. He took 3 precious days of
his leave before going back to Afghanistan to visit Collin.
Collin
had been unresponsive so far, but when he heard that MAJ Sulzner was
there his legs moved. Then, Ursula, his wife, started to ask him
to move his legs again, MAJ Sulzner replied “Sergeant Bowen, move the
legs for your wife” and Collin moved them once again. They asked him to
do it a total of 5 times, 3 of which the nurse was looking at him, and
he agreed this time seemed to be a conscious effort and not a reflex.
Thank you MAJ Sulzner! Please stay safe for the rest of your tour. We’ll be looking forward to seeing you when you come back.
We
were sadden to know that LCT Berretini, who was riding the Humvee next
to Collin, and was at the same hospital, past away. Our
thought are with his family and friends.
January 11th.
Condition: critical but stable.
Developments: The
infection found is a common germ found everywhere and for which he was
already receiving antibiotics. Other cultures have been made to make
sure there's no other infections affecting him.
New information: The
doctors have stopped providing all sedation and most of the pain
medication. They need him to wake up to evaluate his mental state. A
4th CAT scan will be performed tomorrow.
January 10th.
Condition: critical but stable.
Developments: Collin
has had a fever for two days now. In 2 to 3 days several test results
will let us know what type of infection he has. Collin has
responded to stimuli in his feet. However, no conscious movements have
been seen.
New information: The
plastic surgeon will be taking a very aggressive approach towards the
reconstruction of his face. The sooner all surgeries take place,
the better the outcome will be. An average number of surgeries
for this type of injury is 10-15.
January
9th, 2008. Collin is currently in the first surgery towards the
reconstruction of his face. He is in critical, but stable condition. Update:
Collin's surgery lasted about 7 hours. This was the first of many
surgeries to reconstruct his face. He's been stable. No more
sedation will be provided to him with the hope he wakes up and they can
evaluate his current mental condition.
Monday,
January 7th, 2008: Collin remained in critical but stable condition
today. The doctors met with the family, including Collin's wife, mom,
dad and brothers. The Brooke Army Medical Center where Collin is being
treated is considered one of the top burn center treatment facilities
in the country, if not the world. The doctors were very informative, if
not blunt. All of his burns are considered "full thickness" - which we
are told is the new term for "3rd degree." In other words, they are
very deep.
Sunday,
January 6th, 2008, Collin's parents and brothers are on their way to
San Antonio to be with him. Collin underwent skin grafting procedures
today.
Saturday,
January 5th, 2008, Collin was flown to the Military Hospital in San
Antonio, Texas where he will receive continued treatment for his
injuries. Collin's wife, Ursula, arrived the same day to Texas
By Friday, January 4th, 2008, Collin was still critical, but stable enough to be flown to Germany.
Wednesday,
January 2, 2008, Collin was injured by a road-side bomb in Afghanistan.
Two were killed in the incident and one other was injured. Collin
underwent several surgeries immediately while still in Afghanistan. The
full extent of his injuries were not known, except that he suffered
burns to approximately 50% of his body. Go to February Updates >
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