Update: Everett Voluntarily Moving Arms, Legs

by Brian Galliford on Sep 11, 2007 7:00 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

Over 48 hours of concern, thoughts and prayers directed toward Kevin Everett and the Buffalo Bills organization have left the Bills in an unfortunate state since this past weekend's game against the Denver Broncos. Now, however, we have a sprig of hope: Kevin Everett is voluntarily moving his arms and legs. (Kudos to Kurupt for breaking this story here in the diary section.)

Everett's doctor, Dr. Andrew Cappuccino, this evening gave more bits of good news as well: Everett's sedation levels have been lowered, allowing him to communicate with doctors and respond to verbal commands. Cappuccino also conveyed that Everett's spinal cord has only a minimal amount of swelling and looks, for the most part, healthy.

From the original WIVB report:

...Tuesday, Dr Cappuccino says, "We may be witnessing a minor miracle." He said that because, today, Kevin Everett was able to voluntarily move his arms and legs, a marked improvement over yesterday. He also noted that the MRI scan taken after the surgery showed only a small amount of swelling in the cord. Those are both good signs.

After what has been a gloomy two days, this is obviously great news to hear. Everett still has a long, long road ahead of him - he will have to undergo extensive rehabilitation to walk again, and he may not be out of the woods as far as surgical complications such as blood clots and infection go. But as it stands right now, Everett is not paralyzed - that will let everyone involved in this situation breathe a little easier this evening. Keep Kevin Everett in your thoughts and prayers, because he is still going to need them. But for the first time in two days, Bills fans can relax and smile a bit.

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amazing!

just amazing... i feel as though Buffalo just won a football game, that's how excited I am to hear this news!

It early yet, but it's always great to hear positive news.

also...kudos to the Bills medical staff who seemed to act FLAWLESSLY when called upon!

John I.

by jri111 on Sep 11, 2007 7:41 PM EDT reply actions

see

my comment in the next section. (put it in the wrong one)

Bills fan in PA

by Bills fan in PA on Sep 11, 2007 7:45 PM EDT reply actions

with

this very good news that there was no damage to the cord and covering and minimal swelling and the movement of arms and legs I really believe that he will walk again, I've been thru this myself and I can't run but am able to walk. It took me over a year to get to that point of walking without a walker so I'm sure that there have been major strides in treatment over the years since then and his rehab will be much better. My prayers are with him and his family.

Bills fan in PA

by Bills fan in PA on Sep 11, 2007 7:46 PM EDT reply actions

Fantastic news

This is great to hear. I missed the hit during the game and refuse to watch any replays of it. The last little part of K's quoted report is interesting. There's discussion on the official site boards about the extensive connection between Ralph and the Miami Project. It could be said that Mr. Wilson may have helped save KE's quality of life, at the least, by helping fund the research into the process of cooling the spine after these kinds of injuries.

by marv4prez2012 on Sep 11, 2007 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

oops

Messed up the link:The Miami Project

by marv4prez2012 on Sep 11, 2007 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Very emotional...

...I'm so full of relief.

Long road ahead though.

Best to all of you Bills fans - I hope your team does well. I will be rooting for Kevin's full recovery and his teammates' victories [at until my Chargers come to Buffalo in '08].

Best to you, too, Bills fan in PA. This must be especially harrowing for you.

by Chispa on Sep 11, 2007 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

Thank God!

This is the best news I've heard all day. Kevin truly is a warrior. Let's hope these "minor miracles" continue.

by Zumone on Sep 11, 2007 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

oh what a feeling

I just got home and saw this story and man, I can't tell you how happy that made me feel. What a difference in 24 hrs. I feel so much for this guy, he has been through a lot and to see the impact of this and the severity of it puts so much of life in perspective. And I can't imagine how good his whole family and teammates and coaches feel. God Bless him and the doctors who cared for him.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Sep 11, 2007 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

Just got home from work...

...and the first thing I did was flip on ESPNews and see that in the bottom corner. I immediately then ran to Rumblings because I knew Brian and the rest of the community here would have the most up-to-date information. Great news to hear.

Also, if you go to the Bills website, you can actually send an e-mail to Kevin, plus they give you an address to send cards and letters and the like. Let's show our support, Bills fans!

bravescorner.blogspot.com

by nickfeely8 on Sep 11, 2007 10:47 PM EDT reply actions