Corcoran Brothers

It’s been 5 years since joedayuz killed my father.

As Kin-Yah mentioned earlier, Edo did come home for a visit. That’s why the Miracleed tab has been removed, only brothers serving overseas get their own tab. And I will now confirm that Sean actually did cry like a pussy er baby.

It was most humorous, Colleen was telling the story of how her friends had asked if “Santa” (last year played by Edo) had come to visit this year. Colleen had said no, Santa was (not allowed to say, essentially overseas). I then stated yeah, but you know, Santa does have the magical ability of getting around the world in the blink of an eye. With impeccable timing, Edo pulls in the driveway at that moment. Colleen, having no idea what the fuck I am talking about, starts wondering why I had developed a tourettes type tick nudging my head towards the door.

There was an issue when Edo almost performed a leg sweep on Kin Yah when he would not stop the hugging, but it all went well in the end.

Xmas was wonderful, and Edo and JoeDaYuz came over that night for a glorious Xmas Rib Feast. We also had a wee going back to Dixie dinner the night before Edo left, these are where the pictures are from.

We are all proud of Edo for his service, dedication, coming home safe, and his giant balls. Literally.

I used to think I was a tough guy ’cause I strolled around on a hog that I did my own work on: chopping the fender, painting it flat black, putting on some new turn signals and a side-mount license plate and brake light…that was then, this is now:
bq. When he belches around Baghdad’s old quarter on his spotless Harley Davidson, Kadhem Sharif, a powerlifting champion sporting wrap-around sunglasses, makes for an unlikely sight. And the 53-year-old is fully aware that his passion for one of the most recognizable symbols of the American way of life is not to everybody’s liking in post-war Iraq.

bq. But his garage is a carbon copy of any Harley aficionado’s den in the United States, complete with posters of naked “babes on bikes.” And his collection of 40-plus motorbikes provides a condensed history of 100 years of national turmoil…

bq. About half of his motorbikes are Harleys. “I was 12 when I sneaked out on my father’s Harley for the first time. I bought my first one eight years later, a 1966 Fatboy,” Sharif recalls.

bq. When Saddam Hussein’s feared elder son Odai helped himself to one of his favourite Harleys, “it was almost like losing a child.”

bq. “Odai came back after the 1996 assassination attempt against him and ordered me to convert the bike into a three-wheeler because he was handicapped … I started hiding my best Harleys because I was afraid he would take more.”

Not only does this cat have much love for the Hahleys, but he also has much love for the troops and hated Saddam Hussein:

bq. Despite the intimidating size of his chest and forearms, the former Iraqi bench-press champion, known to his friends as “Mr. Muscle,” now risks an icy reception in insurgent strongholds as his face has become one of the symbols of the overthrow of Saddam’s regime.

bq. On April 9, 2003, Kadhem was one of the first to rush to Baghdad’s Fardus Square and pictures of the burly Shiite hacking away at the marble plinth of Saddam’s giant statue were beamed live around the world in one of the most enduring images of the regime’s ouster.

bq. “People in the neighborhood know me. I get on with everybody. U.S. soldiers used to block the road so they could spend some time in my garage,” Sharif says.

bq. “They sometimes bring me copies of motorcycling magazines and even bought me leather boots. I’m still in touch with one of them who is saving up all his money to buy my Harley chopper.”

If that isn’t a man’s man, I don’t know what is.

When we visited Shane in Hawaii, there was much discussion of how he would spend his life as a gimp. He has spoken of and is now giving serious thought to opening a Quizno’s. While Mom warded off a heart attack at the thought of it, we talked about franchises and location, etc.. His dream spot is right outside Kenmore Square, with amazing foot traffic for both Sox games and college bastards. He pontificated for hours about how good a spot it is.

He must have been right.

I had the distinct honor and pleasure of calling Shane to let him know that someone else had beaten him to the punch. About two blocks down from Boston Beer Works (heading away from the square) sits a shiny new Quizno’s, grand opening sign and all. He cried for a while, then sucked it up and thought about where else to start his empire.

Good Shit Alert!

Shane has cut his lunch making time from 30 minutes to 5 minutes (adaptive techniques) and started some more intense PT. He can bend his bad knee up to his arse, and almost but not quite straighten it all the way. His gimpy shoulder he is now able to raise at least 90 degrees. Combine the gross motor recovery on that side with the cast removed and down to a splint on the other hand, he is pretty well setup.

Gross Shit Alert!

To help keep the scar on his right hand from being to bad, da kine has some special sort of mat he places on it. Keeps the tissue nice and moist or some such. He noticed a bump of some sort towards the tail end of the scar, and figured it was scar tissue. Then he looked closer, played with it, and pulled out from betwix his sutures a nice hunk of auto safety glass. I’m guessing it doesn’t show up on xray.

Shane is getting settled in to healing mode. He made his own lunch the other day, it only took a half an hour. Given how screwed up his arms are, I was really impressed. His PT calls for him to attempt normal behaviour, so he does it without bitching. He has managed to talk the wife into a lazy boy chair, which will hopefully keep him from laying about all the time.

As Jake noted, Da Kine has posted a couple of comments, but word is he is typing one finger, rather painfully slow, so don’t expect too much volume from him.

The pictures from the trip can be found at dakinenotdead.sw696.com.

They are in reverse-date order (newest first) so the pics of Kin-Girl and Bri are them modeling the dresses I got them, then some of Pearl Harbor, the beach, Da Kine’s house, etc…

I have decided to keep updating this one post instead of creating new ones, so people coming in on links from other sites can better follow the situation and the comments (a da kine meme as it were.) Clicking on an “Update” link directly below will bring you to the newest section of the post. This post will remain at the top of the front page.

Update Below
2005-03-15 - Update Below
2005-03-15 - Update 2 Below
2005-03-16 - Update Below *Must Read
2005-03-16 - Update 2 Below
2005-03-17 - Update Below
2005-03-18 - Update Below
2005-03-20 - Update Below
2005-03-21 - Update Below
2005-03-25 - Update Below
2005-03-28 - Update Below
2005-03-30 - Update Below
2005-04-02 - Update Below

Da Kine as you all know went from Afghanistan to Kuwait. His job was to make sure supplies and equipment destined for the Stan did not get diverted, and that things went smoothly. One big project he was finishing up was moving some extremely heavy equipment from Kuwait. He oversaw the unloading of the equipment, loading it onto a train, shipping it to the airport, and finally loading it onto a C-117 for air shipment. Friday night he was at the airport doing just that. Whilst waiting for the next plane to come in, he called and spoke to Kin Yah Brutha for about 25 minutes.

Saturday morning Mom got a call for Courtney. While driving back to his base from the airport, the van Shane was driving had a tire blow. The van rolled.

Shane was taken to Ibn Sina Hospital, a civilian hospital that is the best in the region for nuerology. His condition was bad enough they did not want to fly him to Germany right away. His injuries are extensive and severe.

Shane has a fractured skull, hip or pelvic fracture, a rib punctured his lung, and has a possible hematoma. When brought in, they decided against doing a craniomoty, drilling holes in the skull to relieve pressure. This is a good sign per Queen Colleen. He required more than one blood transfusion. He was conscious (again a good sign) and semi-coherent. He responded to commands to move all four of his extremities, and was able to move them.

His lung was re-inflated and a breathing tube put in. They are not really treating his hip/pelvis yet. The major concern is brain damage.

He is not alone, his passenger, and friend, Master Sergeant Brassa was in the van. He suffered some light injuries, and called in for help. He is visiting Shane in the hospital. There is also a Navy Petty Officer from a nearby hospital who checks in on him.

Courtney has been in contact with Captain Rivera, a medical officer in Kuwait, as well an as army casuality assistance officer local to her in Hawaii. Information is coming out slowly, times zones really hamper things as well.

Shane will be kept under observation for the next 48 hours. When they are capable of moving him, he will be sent to The Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany. From there he will be assesed, and the best place for treatment decided. He may be sent back to Hawaii, or Walter Reed in D.C. Wherever he goes, the Army will send Courtney to be by his side. If he winds up staying in Germany for a while, we’ll all try to make the trip over.

Right now this is a wait and see game. Just waiting around is the most excrutiating thing, but there is nothing anyone can do. If I thought it would do any good, I’d hop on a plane to Kuwait right now. But it would not do anything. If Courtney or my Mom need anything, I will let you know.

UPDATE - Courtney has spoken again to the doctors. Shane has 3 fractures to his skull, two left temporal and one base. He has dural and sub-dural hematomas. His left lung has been re-inflated, and there was some other issue with his right lung we don’t know about (minor). Two pelvic fractures on the left side, they will require surgery in the long haul.

He is in a drug-induced coma, and will stay that way until the breathing tube is removed on Wednesday or Thursday. He will be assesed then and most likely sent to Germany. The thought is he will be in Germany for two to three weeks, then brought stateside to Walter Reed or Bethesda Naval. As active duty military, Courtney might be going to Kuwait to be with him. Family is not allowed. The military will most likely send two family members to Germany when he goes there though. Mind you, everything in this paragraph is subject to change, this is the current line of thought.

2005-03-15 UPDATE - Good news, Shane has been taken off of his respirator early. He is still out of it but starting to come around. They will assess him and he may be going to Germany in 24 - 36 hours. This is a very positive sign. Looks like everyone’s prayers are working.

2005-03-15 Second UPDATE - I spoke with Bill Stebbins, NYC Doc. He was extremely exicted about the new development. He stated he would not be extubated (sp?) unless Shane could absolutely breath on his own. He thinks this is an indicator that the swelling being fought by dehydretics (sp?) has been controlled. Shane has been on some heavy drugs, and not being “with it” is to be expected. Now, Bill like all of us have limited information, but going by the standard protocols of medicine, this is a really good sign.

2005-03-16 UPDATE - Courtney just called, she just spoke with CPT Rivera, the military laison to the civilian hospital. Shane is awake and speaking. We are not sure what he is saying, but his nurses described him as a “feisty young man.” CPT R is on his way to the hospital now to visit Shane. More updates to follow…

2005-03-16 Second UPDATE - Mom called Kin-Girl this morning. Master Sergeant Brassa has been with Shane, and called Courtney, then put Shane on the phone! He was still a little confused (insisting Courtney not go to Germany, as the Army was sending him to Japan, keep in mind Germany and Japan were allies in WWII, and he has been sent to Japan previously for duty.) Courtney will most likely be going to Germany tonight, and may beat Shane there.

You may see in the comments below Jake asking about the Folks at The Red Seat. They emailed him from Soxaholic asking for information so they could send Shane some shirts. I am very touched by this gesture, and will email them back this morning.

2005-03-17 UPDATE - I spoke with Courtney last night, she is on her way to Germany. The poor thing left last night (Wednesday) local Hawaii time, and will land German time Friday morning around 6 am. Shane should be getting there around the same time. While they are both in transit, we will not hear any more updates, though Courtney promised to call in a field report as soon as feasible. She has spoken to Shane again, I asked her to get a portable transcriptionist a la Chappelle Show so we know everything said. She said while is is still a little out of it, most likely from the drugs for his pain, he is the same person he was, the same type of humor, etc. I’ll update as I get them, but it may be a while.

2005-03-18 UPDATE - Kin-Mom has spoken with Da Kine! Shane is now settling in to his new German accomodations. One of the medical personnel over there Shane knows from Hawaii, and was kind enough to place a call for Shane to Mom. She said his voice sounded good (better than hers is currently) that he was speakly clearly. He is still being stubborn, insisting he was in a minor accident, and not going into detail about his injuries, other than cursory - stitches in his head, on his arm, etc. He does not remember the accident at all. Courtney is being set up in a room in the same facility, so she will be close by. Mom just kept saying, he sounds good.

2005-03-20 UPDATE - Yesterday I spoke with Shane. I had yet to cancel my ATT Callvantage service, which made it very easy for me to call internationally at 5 cents a minute from work and home. He kept asking about everyone, and would not complain about his injuries at all. I think he is embarressed over all the attention, and really does not like causing all the worry. He was rather intrigued at the thought of soxaholic strip though…

Today I tried calling to get a status on him, and he was not there. He is currently in air on his way to DC! Courtney is with him, on the same plane. He should be settled in some time tonight.

Now I know everyone wants to cruise on down to see him, but let’s be reasonable. I think I will drive down right away (maybe taking Mom and Sheila with me) for a couple of days. After we come back, Kin Yah will go down. Shannon may be able to go over the weekend. We’ll work out the logistics. If you wanted to see him, please check with Sean or me first. We don’t want to overwhelm Shane, and the hospital has rules about X many visitors at a time, etc. Also, we are not sure how long Shane will be in DC, he may be sent back for rehab in Hawaii, or he could be there for a while.

As always, I’ll post any updates when I get them. Hopefully we’ll have a mailing address soon as well.

2005-03-21 UPDATE - Sweet and Sour - Shane and Courtney landed in Dc about 5:30 last night EST, but didn’t get settled in to the hospital until 8 or so. I spoke to Courtney at 8:30, the sweet is Shane really does seem well enough to move. The sour is the fuckers have already shipped him out again. He is currently in air en route to California. Apparently since he is “capable” of being moved, and Walter Reed is rather full, they decided to send him back to his home unit in Hawaii.

Plan is to get to California tonight some time, as the plane they are on travels at half the speed of smell, where he may stay for a day or two, then back to Hawaii. The hospital he will be in is about 20 minutes from his house. I am waiting to talk to him again before I make plans to go out. I did speak to him last night for about two minutes, when he told me he was leaving. I wanted to jump in the car and head down, but he insisted even if I did make it in time, the prep work to get him moved and all would just prevent me from seeing him. He then called me douchie.

2005-03-25 UPDATE - Shane and Courtney are back home in Hawaii. They arrived Wednesday night/Thursday morning at 3 am local. Courtney slept on a stretcher in Shane’s room, then made it home in the afternoon.

Shane suffered much pain doing a shitload of xrays, and the chest tube being removed, but bitched not a single word. As of this writing (10:30 PM EST) Shane is currently in surgery. Injury list:

Three left side skull fractures
One Right side Skull Fracture
Subdural Hematoma’s (Now gone)
Epidural Hematoma (There but getting better)
Right side brain contusion
Pelvis fractured twice
Fractured shoulder
Collapsed lung (not yet fully inflated, put on O2)
Broken ribs
Fractured tibia
Kneecap knocked out of alignment
Tendons and severe lacerations of right hand

The surgery Shane is undergoing right now is for the hand and knee/leg. While he is out, kill to birds with one stone.

The bigger question I have is how the fuck is he alive? I know the answer too. G-d owed us one. We cashed in a few chips the family had, and Shane is still ours.

Kin Yah Brutha, Kin-Mom and myself are going to be flown out Hawaii by the Army. While we were all pissed about the way he was shuffled back there on a medivac chain, once he got there, wow. He has a whole team of doctors, literally a different one for each body part. I have no doubt he is receiving top shelf care. Soon I will be able to report exactly how he is, as he will be in front of me.

Beyond the medical, Courtney’s obligation to the army is up in December of this year. Shane has filled his obligation and they are currently planning to come to Boston afterwards.

I’ll have an address for sending cards and such shortly.

Oh, I asked Shane if he had anything to say to everyone. He thought about it for a good 30 seconds, and came back with:

GO SOX!

2005-03-28 UPDATE - Da Kine had no problems with his surgery, they did all they hoped to without having to do the stuff they didn’t want to do. He also walked a good 30 feet or so using crutches. Mom, Kin Yah Brutha, and I are heading out there tomorrow. I’ll update as soon as I can when we get there. Maybe a pic or two.

2005-03-30 UPDATE - We made it to Hawaii. Kin Yah slept for 3 or 4 hours, Mom took “mother’s little helper” _atavan and slept for about 95% of travel time. It made it much easier for her and for us. I slept for about 1 hour. Courtney and a woman named Vicki picked us up at the airport. Shane looks good. He has a big ole brace on his right knee, and his right hand is all bandaged up. He has some scabs/road rash looking stuff on his left hand and forehead., and is missing some patches (tiny) of hair were they put in stitches on his melon. He did stay on the couch all night, til bedtime. He can still speak Romainian (we think, we don’t speak it) and remembered things he could not remember when he was in Germany. It was painful watching him go up the stairs, but he went slowly and did not seem in too much pain.

Point of correction - Da Kine was not driving the van. The full story from SGT Brassa is that 4 persons were driving back in a *argh* minivan. A specialist (the term specialist refers to a rank, I think the same level as corporal) was driving. Da Kine was riding shotgun. The specialist was going the speed limit, was passed by some krazy kuwaiti, and slowed down even further. Then the left rear tire blew out. The ensuing swerving to maintain control of the vehicle caused at least two other tires to blow, then the flipping started. Also, when brought in to the ER, Shane was not combative, he was extremely combative. He kept getting up and trying to leave, it took multiple men to hold him down. Given the extent of his injuries, that’s hard core. Finally, Shane’s shoulder is not broken, but is severely sprained.

2005-04-02 UPDATE - Shane is doing well. He had his first PT yesterday. It really wore him out, but he bitched not a bit. Oh yeah, I kinda forgot to mention that Shane is at home. He wanted to get home, and the docs let him go. He goes in to Tripler when he has appointments, and otherwise pretty much stays on the couch. Nothing like having Tivo and Bones to help heal. His pain is being managed well by meds, he has the most trouble with his shoulder. He wants to take us to the North Shore today, and we’ll do some shopping etc. We hope to find some good impact weapons made of wood and bone.

I am closing this thread out now. Shane is hurt, but healing. Any further updates will be their own posts, or can be followed in this new category - Da Kine watch.

Thank you all for your love and support. You are all invited to attend the Corcoran Brothers’ VODKA (Virtual Online Da Kine Award Show and Roast) date to be announced. Please email your jokes and suggestions for categories, along with nominations.

Click on picture for larger view

Say what you will about Steve Dunleavy, but that man can write a column. This one is about Chris Engeldrum, who was a member of the FDNY, NYPD, and United States Army:

[He] joined the Army in 1986 and served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne in the first Gulf War.

He joined the NYPD in 1997, but after two years he was accepted by “his first love,” the Fire Department…

On 9/11, he rushed downtown with his fire company, arriving just as the first tower was falling… Later, he helped raise the first flag at Ground Zero on a lamppost.

Some time when the team is up against it and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go out there with all they got and win just one for the Gipper.