We have detected that JavaScript is currently disabled. CaringBridge is best viewed with JavaScript enabled.

Dave’s Story

Site created on February 25, 2019

On Saturday Dave and his son went snowmobiling. While snowmobiling, the boys spotting a coyote and Dave retrieved a shot gun from the house to take off after the coyote. While crossing over a cattle gaurd, one of the sled skis went in the cattle gaurd and both Dave and the shot gun went up in the air causing an accidental discharged into his right leg. Dave told his son, on a separate snowmobile behind him, to get help, which he did. After 911 calls and getting Dave back to the house, the St. Vincent flight team came to his rescue. While in surgery they discovered the injuries were to his right inner thigh and went up into his groin, bladder and small bowel. During this exploratory surgery they removed 100cm of his small bowel and stitched up his bladder puncture. After surgery number 1 they kept him intubated in the ICU until the following Monday for his next surgery. On Monday his second surgery took place to recheck any potential missed injures now that inflammation has gone down. During this surgery they discovered his pancreas was injured. Unfortunately, the location of the pancreatic injury is difficult to dictate. The pellet punctured through the pancreatic tissue and missed his aorta by millimeters (lucky) however, on the way it also punctured the bile duct and potentially the pancreatic duct (less lucky). Trusted surgeons are weighing out what route to take next to repair the pancreatic damage. If the pancreatic duct has been injured they will need to perform a rather rare procedure, commonly performed on patients with pancreatic cancer, called a whipple. If the pancreatic duct has not been injured and the bile duct is the only puncture then a stent will be placed without the need for removal of pancreatic tissue. Imaging is inconclusive based on the location of the puncture as well as the inflammation still present making this a difficult choice for Dave’s surgeons. They have decided not to take Dave to the operating room until Wednesday, regardless of what procedure they decide and were able to extubate (wake him up) today, Tuesday. It has been nice to talk to him for the first time and fill him in on how lucky he truly is. We will continue to update as we go.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Heather Gellner — Mar 17, 2019

Hello everybody its Dave! I have been home now a little over a week .. things are slow but on the mend..! I'm a real crappy writer so please bear with me.. I don't know where to start in thanking all of you! I am completely overwhelmed by all of your thoughts, prayers, comments etc....I realize how lucky I am to still be here but even more so how Lucky I am to have a group of people in my life such as all of you!! I'm really grateful for all the care I received from all the Dr's and Nurses..as far as my awesome family I don't know where to start! I'm really looking forward to getting my strength back so I can start rebuilding my stamina and start working out! Elk season is in September and I'm going to be all over it! Goals are Good! Thanks to each individual one of you for all of your Prayers and Awesome Energy you gave to me! I know that's what got me through! I Love You All!! Dave

Read More of the journal titled "March 17, 2019"

Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.

Help Dave Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Dave's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Comments Hide comments

Read More Journal Entries

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

Personal Fundraiser

Support Links

Helpful Requests

Go to Ways to Help