Derek’s after care and rehabilitation

On Saturday August 12th, Derek was in a skateboarding accident where he hit his head twice causing swelling and severe trauma to his brain. He was rushed to Zuckerberg Hospital in San Francisco where he had a craniotomy done. Since then he’s had multiple other surgeries ending with another craniotomy on the left in hopes to help make room for swelling and for his brain to shift back where it needs to be. Derek was put into a medical induced coma and during the first week doctors where waking him slightly to see if he can follow commands, he did. Since then he has been put back in a medically induced coma where he will stay until he’s stable enough to start the deescalating process and wake him up. Until then the doctors won’t know how Derek is doing.

He is currently in intensive care fighting for his life- a life that he lived to the fullest. He loved to skateboard and his jujitsu family where he is a black belt and is a huge part of his life. Derek loves his family and is an amazing uncle to Maddie James and Johnny who I have seen looking at him as a role model and friend. He adores his little sister Ashley. We believe he is likely fighting in part for her. Dereks mom and sister Nicole are by his side night and day with help from his aunt Cindy who has taken a lot of pressure off his sister so she can go back to work and not worry. Dereks stepdad Greg has also helped ease this burden and even comes on his lunch breaks to make sure Derek always has someone by his side. This has also made it easier for Derek’s mom to try and go into work a little each day. Derek has also had visits from other family like his aunts and his sister Sara and his dad who played fishing videos of them which was another thing Derek loved to do. Doctors and nurses tell the family everyday how lucky he is that he has so much love and support. They continue to fight for him everyday, I believe this is keeping him fighting.

Personally, I met Derek at his sisters house and knew immediately what a kind and generous soul he was. I watched him play with his niece and nephews and all of the kids chased him like he was the coolest adult they had ever met. He even managed to build a very quick, very strong bond with my son after a game of water balloons and a race, he nicknamed Spencer the fastest kid in the world, guaranteeing my son adored him. I say that because that is who he is. He is the kind of person who takes extra time to ensure that those around him feel supported and cared for. He is the kind of person, who gives everything he has to others. In fact, as a small child, he gave his tooth fairy money to a homeless person, just to help them feel a bit better.

Currently the hospital is trying to slowly reduce the medication to hopefully allow him to come out of the coma, but it is touch and go, and we are all praying endlessly that he pulls through. The surgeon is saying that he has one of the toughest cases he has seen in a long time but that he can see what a fighter he is and that Derek is holding his own.

Once Derek is stable and out of ICU he will need 24/7 care and rehabilitation for at least 2-3 years. This will be very expensive. Luckily he has insurance that has taken care of most of his hospital expenses. When it comes to the next steps he will need lots of support and unfortunately need lots of help financially. Derek works in construction and will not be able to return to work if the outcome is what doctors believe it will be.

The family thanks everyone for all the support, love, and kindness during this time. His mom and sister tell him everyday that he has so many rooting for him. Derek is a fighter and has shown he isn’t giving up yet.