This page is a brief composite of a Journal that Bobby's mom, Juanita kept during Bobby's recovery. These are only excerpts; the complete journal can be viewed by going to:

http://www3.caringbridge.org/nv/bobby/index.htm 

Saturday, May 05, 2001

This morning started out a little shaky, but that was because he is coming off some of his meds. His body was twitching, but I was reassured that the medication that they are giving him now will create some kind of amnesia and he won't remember the pain. He still is on the fence and in very critical condition, but the doctors say that everyday that he goes on is one more day in his favor.

Monday, May 07, 2001

We're now on five good days in a row. Dr. Fildes is very optimistic. We're waiting with bated breath when they take Bobby off the critical list. Bobby should be off the penta-barb totally today. They are taking off the brain pressure monitor today (now he might look a little normal, not like Frankenstein). I counted his tubes yesterday and it added up to 12 bottles or bags of whatever. That didn't even include the tubes while on the dialysis.

At the start of this tragedy, Bobby was overriding the ventilator and doing some of his own breathing, then he contacted ARDS and the ventilator was doing all the work. Today, the doctors are going to make adjustments to see if Bobby can override the ventilator and do some of his own breathing. His sugar level is up, so they are giving him insulin and trying to find the cause of this. He's going to get a CAT scan on his neck area to ensure that everything is fine there. If so, the neck brace will come off.

Tuesday, May 08, 2001

He is off all barbiturates, and off the induced coma and paralytic drug. The bolt is out of the top of his head that monitored the brain pressure. The dialysis has reduced his swelling. They inserted a special IV yesterday that is closer to his heart and much of his medication is going through it, so there are not as many tubes as before. He still is in critical condition and has a long road to travel.

Wednesday, May 09, 2001

HE OPENED HIS EYES! THAT'S RIGHT EVERYONE!!!!

Bobby's life is no longer in immediate life-threatening danger. That doesn't mean that nothing can go wrong; however, they can be right on top of it. He has finally come over to our side of the fence. He has an infection and received a CAT scan last night to try and locate it. It is suspected to be in the hip area. The dialysis will continue indefinitely and possibly way down the road he may have to have a kidney transplant.

Thursday, May 10, 2001

At approximately 4:00 pm yesterday, they decided to take him in for some kind of special scan on his gallbladder. Since he did so well away from his room, they decided to take him one more step and give him an MRI to check his neck. They were putting this off because it was quite a distance from his room and they didn't know how he would handle it. Evidently, they felt all was well. In the end, we found out late last night that at approximately by 8:00 am this morning they will be doing a gallbladder operation, a tracheotomy, and inserting a feeding tube into his stomach. The gallbladder is the culprit for the infection.

Saturday, May 12, 2001

Bobby came through the operation just fine. He looks great without all those tubes sticking out of his mouth. The doctors are hopeful that the gallbladder was the culprit for the infection. But they're not sure yet. We'll just have to wait and see. A biopsy of his liver was taken just as a precaution. We will know the results in a few days.

Tuesday, May 15, 2001

We had a little chink in the armor yesterday. He started dialysis first thing in the morning. Then he started bleeding profusely from the nose and mouth. No matter how much he was being suctioned out, no one could stop the bleeding. While on dialysis, he receives a slight blood thinner and he seems to have a cut in the mouth maybe from all the tubes that were in it or maybe the tracheotomy is not healing up properly. He lost so much blood that he had to receive two units of blood. If that wasn't enough, his white blood cell count went up again and he was running a fever of 105. Since he came off the sedative he was really trying to breathe against the respirator and sort of hyperventilating which caused his heart rate to go up and his blood pressure to go down. As they were trying to correct one thing, something else seemed to be going wrong. He seems to have another infection and they can't seem to find out what the problem is. They changed all his IVs, hoping that maybe this could be the cause. They couldn't give him any Tylenol for the fever because this isn't good for his liver, so they had to place him on a cooling blanket and pack him with ice towels. They placed him back on the sedative because he didn't seem to be taking it too well as he come off the sedation. One thing just kept leading to another. The bleeding finally subsided and by 11:00 pm his temperature came down to 102. They were planning to keep close watch on him through the night. This morning they will be running some tests to find out where this bleeding is coming from and will continue to find out where this infection might be coming from.

Wednesday, May 16, 2001

Bobby has contacted an infection of the blood called Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE). Everyone has this good bacteria in their gut "where they join other bacteria to protect the intestines from potentially harmful microbes." This bacteria has let loose and invaded Bobby's blood. It's quite common with people in Bobby's condition and it is quite infectious. Now anyone entering Bobby's room has to wear a gown, gloves, and mask

The bleeding from his mouth and nose is expected to be from the tracheotomy and Bobby is regurgitating it up. They would like to look more thoroughly in his mouth and down his throat, but Bobby has a tight grip and won't let anyone get in there. His eyes are open quite a bit now, but it's just a stare. Now we are waiting for him to start following movement. His intestines are starting to work again.

He still is in critical condition and under guarded watch because just like this VRE he can become susceptible to anything and at any given moment take another turn, whether it is good or bad. He is getting very, very thin and will get thinner.

Thursday, May 17, 2001

Everything was pretty calm until late afternoon yesterday. Bobby was having a respiratory problem, running a 102 temperature, bleeding, and his vital signs went amiss. He has this VRE all through his body, a certain type of bacteria in his lungs, and the onset of Adult (Acute) Respiratory Syndrome (ARDS).

Tuesday, May 22, 2001

And yet another peaceful day. All the medication is turned off (sedative and pain killer). He is now receiving Percocet around the clock. We were told that it could take up to two weeks before he could totally come out of it. His white blood count is down to 16. However, one infection is clearing up and he now has another infection. This infection isn't as serious as the VRE. He was running a temperature yesterday as high as 102.3. They had him on a cooling blanket. The dialysis won't be happening everyday because his kidneys seem to be taking a turn for the better. They are continuing the aggressive medical attention because he is doing so well. As soon as the infections clear up, they want to go in and fix his femur, reattach his urethra to his bladder, and replace a piece of his skull that was removed during brain surgery. Right now they will leave his pelvis with the contraption (don't know the name for it) they have on it now because it seems to be healing good. One nurse on the staff told us that some areas could only take 6 months to heal, whereas, some other areas could take up to a year and a half, maybe two years.

Thursday, May 24, 2001

Yesterday was a little unsettled day. He was running a temperature of 103 and his breathing was short and fast. They put the respirator up to 8 breaths a minute because the doctor thought he was getting a little tired and a cooling blanket was placed on him. His white blood cell count is down to 15 (12 normal). He still has an infection in his blood and saliva, and also a touch of pneumonia.

Saturday, May 26, 2001

They are still giving him blood just about every other day. So somewhere he is losing blood. His neurologist came him to see him and said it would take about two weeks before he totally came out of his stupor. He clarified to us what he did in his brain and what is going on. He removed 3 centimeters of a totally dead area of his brain. This, he felt, was the safest amount that he could remove to allow the area surrounding to swell and heal. The area surrounding was a little bruised and could possibly affect his speech, but can be corrected with therapy. A small area of the brain stem is bruised and could possibly affect his right side with numbness and tingling, but can be corrected with therapy. He did say that there was no area that had a lack of oxygen going to it.

Monday, May 28, 2001

They removed a blood clot from his upper thigh the size of a football. The doctors are hopeful that this was the notorious infection. His highest fever in the past 24 hours was 100, but most of the time it was normal. His vital signs are doing great. His eyes are starting to roam and at times if you ask him to turn his head towards you, he will, but not always. At times he registers pain by closing his eyes tightly and showing distress.

Friday, June 01, 2001

Another good day. In the morning I spoke with his urologist and he said that Bobby's kidneys are starting to work again. They will slowly wean him off the dialysis machine. As far as his breathing, they were letting him breathe on his own for 12 hours and 12 hours they were giving him 4-5 breaths a minute. Today at 1:30 he will be going into surgery to get the rod put into his left leg femur.

Tuesday, June 12, 2001

What a great day it was for Bobby. In the morning he was placed in his chair and sat up for a few hours. At first he was trying to pick up his head and before the session was over with he was holding up his head fairly steady and firmly. They still have to attend to that open wound from that clot they took from his right leg, Bobby was moved from UMC to Health South today he is in a wonderful room, which he will have to call home for quite awhile.

Saturday, June 16, 2001

This page is late today because we spent the entire night last night from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am at the UMC Emergency Center. They had to take him to emergency because he was in great discomfort in the tummy area and had a case of diarrhea. They ran plenty of tests and found he had pancreatitis. This is an inflammation of the pancreas. He also has C-Dif and Colitis. He is on more special antibiotics and will not be receiving any food from the feeding tube, just liquid, until this can get cleared up.

His orthopedic surgeon was in yesterday and he still needs quite extensive work done on his pelvic area. The right part of his pelvis is dislocated and still has a fracture on the left front area. However, he won't do the surgery until Bobby is able to walk, He got a helmet to wear to protect his head from further damage. His pancreatitis is clearing up, but has a little staff infection now. His respiratory doctor said that his lungs look good but because of this infection in his lungs they are going to treat him as if he has pneumonia (another antibiotic). He said this is quite common with people that have tracheotomies.

Monday, June 25, 2001

The doctor said that beside the calcium deposit on his right elbow, he also has it on his knees. They will have to go in and scrap it off before he can get any kind of therapy to get that arm and those legs moving.

Monday, July 02, 2001

Bobby is really starting to go through his frustrated and agitated stage. He sat up in his chair for 2 1/2 hours yesterday, of which he was not too happy about. He tried to take off the brake on his wheelchair and couldn't do it, got mad, and let out with his first sound, a yell. I can't imagine how he feels. It's got to be very upsetting to him to want to walk and talk. It's probably in his head but the body and brain still don't want to click yet. The second opinion from the ortho doctor came in and he said Bobby's right leg is shorter than his left leg because of the pelvic misalignment. However, the surgery for the pelvis is very hard and strenuous. So now Bobby is stuck between a rock and a hard place. He can't walk until that is done, but they can't do it till he gets stronger and there are other complications to take under advisement. Supposedly, Bobby's trachea will come out today. They are feeding him through the feeding tube five times a day to get his stomach ready for normal feeding which they are going to try real soon.

Tuesday, July 10, 2001

Bobby was placed in the tilt bed to try and get him used to standing up. They were able to get him to a 35-degree angle. He didn't get dizzy, but couldn't seem to tolerate much more. However, that was very good for his first day. Bobby will be going for an MRI today on his back. His right leg has no feeling from the thigh to the knee, and his left leg has no feeling from the knee to the thigh.

Bobby said, "I lived, because a lot of people wanted me to live." Then he was asked if he could remember some of the people talking to him when he was in his coma, and he nodded yes.

Monday, July 23, 2001

Hallelujah, Glory Be, and Praise the Lord!!!! The sleeping giant has awakened. I walked into Bobby's room yesterday and he was watching TV, took one look at me and said "Hi, there." He looked fit as a fiddle and as normal as could be. I asked him how his day was going and he said that he sat in his wheelchair for a long time and even went outside, he got a shave and everything was all cleaned up. I told him that he looked great and he said, "I feel great.” It's like someone screwed in the light bulb.

Friday, July 27, 2001

Bobby is starting to learn how to help himself. He shaved himself, and with his left hand. He did an excellent job. He brushed his teeth at the sink and was able to rinse his mouth out. He's sitting on the edge of the bed and trying to put his own shirt on. This is really inspiring to him because he can do it on his own. He's going for his swallow test today. Yesterday he was given a small piece of banana to eat, but didn't do too well with that. I worked with him on his ABC's by distinctly pronouncing each letter and having him repeat it back. It was amazing how he watched my mouth to see how I formed the letters and he tried to form his mouth exactly as I was doing it. As he lies in bed, he tries to pick his legs up. Yesterday he was picking them up even higher than the day before. He wants to go home so bad, so we keep telling him all the things that need to be done before he can go.

Wednesday, August 01, 2001

Bobby is now eating soft foods and drinking under supervision. He had some pancakes today and on Thursday will be trying to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As of right now, he is just eating breakfast. On Monday, they practiced getting him in and out of Dawn's car because he will be going to a softball benefit in his honor on Saturday morning. He will be there, if all goes well, for approximately 2 hours. He is really looking forward to it and is getting quite excited. Right now they are pretty much helping him to learn how to get dressed. He can sit on the edge of the bed and with help can pull his shirt over his head. He is still quite confused with his language and calls certain things names that we don't even know. So, he does a lot of pointing and we seem to pick out what he wants and then we correct him. It's taken about a week, but he knows Dawn's (his wife) name. At times, he seems a little down because he really wants to go home.

Friday, August 03, 2001

Bobby was rushed to UMC Emergency yesterday. It was thought that he was having a pulmonary embolism because his lips were blue, nail beds were turning blue, and oxygen level low, and he was having difficult time breathing. Many tests were run on him and it was found that he has sepsis throughout his body. The definition of sepsis is: a toxic condition resulting from the spread of bacteria or their products from a focus of infection. Bobby's focuses of infections are his urinary tract infection and an infection of the wound on his right leg where they removed that big blood clot (size of a football). His has little fluid in one of his lungs, and some fluid around the pelvic area. They gave him some IV antibiotics. So, this is the story folks. It doesn't look too good for him to go to the softball benefit tomorrow, unless he does a miraculous turn around.

Sunday, August 05, 2001

Bobby was able to make it to the National Softball Association (NSA) benefit yesterday. What a wonderful outpouring for Bobby to experience. In fact it was very therapeutic for all of us. Bobby was thrilled to be out among all his softball buddies again. Unfortunately, he couldn't get to see them play because he got a little warm and we had to cut the stay a half hour short.

He found out that on September 30th, the mayor is proclaiming that day as "Bobby Kintzel Day," along with a special benefit in his honor. On that day he will receive the Justice Medal of Honor. This honor is comparable to the Purple Heart. What an honor for him and for all of us.

Saturday, August 11, 2001

Bobby's really working hard. He took seven steps yesterday and without much assistance.

On Monday he is going for an examination on his eyes. It is common with brain-injured patients to have problems with the eyes. However, he has to see a specialist to see if the nerves in his eyes are okay or what has to be done, if they are not, to get his sight back to normal. Right now he wears a patch because at times he sees double or his vision is just impaired when he looks out of both of his eyes. Each eye works good separately, but looking out of both of them is when his problem starts.

Everyone is really amazed at his improvement and suggesting that he will go home in 4-6 weeks. He still will need a lot of care and there are many things that we are still not too sure about. He will be seeing his neurologist to okay the surgery for him at the end of the month, and to discuss getting a plate back into his head from his brain surgery. The part of his skull that was removed was never put back in. He will be getting his feeding tube taken out on the 22nd and, hopefully, on the 28th he will be having the surgery on his urethra. That will be an overnight stay at Sunrise Hospital.

Sunday, August 12, 2001

Bobby completed another milestone yesterday. He went home for about 3 hours

Friday, August 17, 2001

Bobby did 10 steps yesterday. He has kickstands (what we call them) on his boots to help keep his feet straight. The one kickstand on his left foot wasn't out far enough. He bent his leg and pulled himself up so that he could reach the kickstand himself and adjust it.

He puts his own shirt on himself and said, "Next is the pants." That's what he will be working on down the road.

Saturday, August 25, 2001

Bobby had another bad night sleeping. He was in quite a bit a pain. It seems that his catheter that goes right into his bladder was clogged and his bladder was quite full. They did a bladder scan and it should have read 0. Instead it read 243. Quite a bit of liquid was filling his bladder up and causing much discomfort and causing a pressure on his entire bottom area. They tracked down a new catheter and his urologist. He came and did a minor bedside surgery to put a new catheter in.

Wednesday, August 29, 2001

Bobby's operation went well. It took about 4 hours and it was quite complicated. Evidently, there was quite a bit of scar tissue that formed and they had to tunnel their way through this tissue. The doctor said it was like blasting through concrete. They did manage to connect the urethra and only time will tell if the operation was successful. We won't know for about 12 weeks. He got out of the operation at approximately 11:30 and did not get to a room till 7:30 pm. He was sent to a special unit that is one step lower than ICU. The doctor said that he would still be plagued with infections because now he has two catheters in him

Saturday, September 01, 2001

Bobby was released from Sunrise Hospital yesterday and returned to HEALTHSOUTH Rehab at approximately 3:00 pm. He is back in his same room doing well.

Saturday, September 08, 2001

Bobby is being fitted for a new electric wheelchair. Evidently, the company brought one over to him yesterday to test fit it. Grandma said that he was like a little boy with a new toy. He was showing everyone how he could twirl it around, and stop and start. He showed Grandpa how the gears work and what he has to do to make it work. Grandma said it was good to see him have the big grin on his face and laughing, just like our Bobby.

Tuesday, September 11, 2001

Bobby had a very active day yesterday with his therapy. He walked the parallel bars without much assistance at all. He was assisted very slightly trying to walk with a walker. He did exercises on the exercise matt and worked with weights in the weight room. He ate very heartily (two pieces of pizza for dinner). This will be a shortened update because of what has happened to our country at this moment. May God bless our country and all the families and victims that have befallen the United States

Thursday, September 13, 2001

Bobby went to the doctors yesterday to find out about his right elbow. According to the doctor, he won't be able to operate on the right elbow until the brain trauma is one year old. He said it takes about a year for the trauma to correct and not to deposit more calcium on that area. If he does the operation now, it could reoccur. He won't even think about doing it till around April/2002. This kind of dampens things because Bobby doesn't have full capacity in that arm and it hampers his recovery of being able to help himself.

Wednesday, September 19, 2001

Bobby is doing quite well. He had an appointment with his eye doctor yesterday for special tests on his eyes. He is also ready for the Brain Trauma program, but cannot enter that program till his home gets ready for his arrival to accommodate his infirmities. He will probably be going home within the next 4-8 weeks. There are renovations that have to be done in their home to keep him safe and to try and function as normal as he can. Then he will enter a brain trauma program to assist. He is quite anxious and willing to move on. He is eating quite well, as long as it is not hospital food. Who can blame him?

Thursday, September 20, 2001

Bobby is moving on. He will be entering the Nevada Community Enrichment Program (NCEP specializes in brain trauma patients) in approximately two weeks and will be moving to a halfway house. Bobby will live in a house with others, have his own bedroom, and learn how to live independently and get back into the mainstream of life. He will be transported every morning to NCEP and work extensively and hard on all sorts of therapy. It will be a job that he will have from 8-3 every day. He is very excited as we all are. He is using the walker quite a bit now, but still needs someone right there at his side because at times he does have a tendency to loose his footing or balance. He still is not too steady. On another note, we wish to thank Governor Kenny Guinn for his personal visit to see Bobby. He came into the rehab to especially visit with him. There is quite a bit of talk around the rehab because of the Governor's visit. Thank you Governor Guinn for your continued support.

Saturday, November 10, 2001

As you remember he had his catheter removed on Monday. By Thursday, his urinary tract had blocked up again with scar tissue and he had a low fever in the morning, by 2:30 pm his fever was up to 101. We were told by his doctor to take him into emergency. Within a matter of hours his fever progressed to 103. They had to put a catheter back in him and keep him overnight because of his high fever. The catheter will stay in him for another two weeks. His urinary tract (urethra) seems to be closing up. As of Friday morning his fever had gone down to 99 and we left the hospital around 1:30 pm. He's home now and is doing good.

Sunday, December 09, 2001

Bobby went in for his operation on Thursday at 12:30 pm. His doctor came to see us around 2:00pm to let us know that all went well and Bobby was in recovery. He would go to a room as soon as possible. As it turned out, he didn't get to a room till 10:00 that evening. At that point, he was having a hard time keeping anything in his stomach, even little ice chips. He was throwing up quite a bit. The next morning he was in quite a bit of pain and still throwing up, but just the norm for someone who was just operated on. The doctor came in and Bobby put on his act of doing great and therefore; the doctor released him to go home. At 9:00 pm Dawn called and said his temp was up to 102. I told her to give him some medication to get the temp down and take his temp in 15 minutes and call me back. She called me back in 15 minutes with two phones stuck to her head. On one phone she was talking to me and the other she was talking to the 911 dispatch. Bobby had suffered a seizure. She had gone into the bedroom and he was jerking and shaking and he was not responsive to her. His right side of his face was contorted and he had no movement on his right side. She was thinking that maybe he was suffering from a stroke. By the time the ambulance arrived he had no grip with his right had and the right side was paralyzed. He started to respond a little, but he was not coherent. His temp was at 102.5. He was rushed to UMC emergency where we spent the entire night till 7:00 am Saturday morning.

Because Bobby was throwing up he could not keep the medication down which prevents seizures for brain trauma patients. Also, the temp was due to a bad urinary infection. Something that he suffers with quite frequently. He still is running a low-grade fever. The doctor said that he could go home today or tomorrow.

Sunday, March 03, 2002 

BOBBY'S OPERATIONS WAS RESCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK. THERE ARE NO COMPLICATIONS, JUST OVERCROWDING

Saturday, March 16, 2002 

Bobby's operation went great yesterday. He is being discharged today and will start with therapy on his arm immediately today. The doctor was able to remove all the bone, except for a small piece on one of his nerves. The doctor said that it was the largest piece of bone that he has removed

Monday, March 18, 2002

Bobby was discharged from the hospital at 5:30 pm on Saturday. Therapy has not started as originally planned because he had quite a bit of swelling because the doctor had to disconnect one of his muscles to get to the elbow and then sew it back. He won't be starting therapy until today. He's in quite a bit of pain, understandable. He's back in a wheelchair again, but can manipulate with one arm getting from the chair into or out of their vehicle. He can also move himself from the chair onto another sitting surface. He is able to do some things on his own.

Sunday, April 21, 2002 

It's been a year ago today. What can I say? It's been a long difficult year, not only for Bobby, but also for the entire family. We all have our own different issues to come to terms with. Considering, what bad shape Bobby was in and how the doctors at one point felt that he wouldn't make it -- it truly is a miracle

Bobby doesn't want to dwell on what happened a year ago today. We are just going to enjoy having him here with us and being very, very, very thankful. Like I said last week, life is not normal for any of us. We are learning to redefine what normal means to all of us.

Sunday, May 19, 2002 

Bobby received a wonderful award this past Monday. It was a National Survivor's Award. Bobby gave a wonderful speech and a great interview with the TV stations. I am so inspired by his positive attitude and spirit. In fact, thank you to the gentlemen that placed a note in the guest book. I believe what he wrote says it all. It goes, "Dear Sir, when I look up courage and grace in the dictionary, I find your name..." Those are very poignant words. I couldn't have said it better. Thank you. 

Sunday, July 28, 2002 

Hi everyone, this next message comes from Bobby himself: HELLO!!! GO TRIBE (Cleveland Indians). I had my eye surgery on Thurs. To get rid of my double vision now I still see double but the right eye isn't sloped pointing objects slanted sideways. Hopefully this is my last operation! My eyes hurt but I'm busting my butt (bmb) to see right again!!! And by the way I'm bmb at everything to get rid of my injuries. I'm doing a heck of a lot better since this time last year, I'm glad I'm writing this e-mail to all you people by myself.... I’ve come a long ways!! Fri. my wife Dawn had an operation to get rid of her gallbladder, it was severely infected, but the operation went real well. Thank-you to my Mom and Grandparents to going to the hospital for mine and Dawn's operations. Thank-you to ALL you folks for going to this web site every week and seeing the information.

Monday, September 02, 2002 

This is Bobby writing this!! Hello!!! How is everybody doing? This week I got a new brace for my left foot and my left leg below the knee. It's smaller than the other one, so it's not as big as the other one so I work the muscle in my legs to get it stronger (no problem). I see DR. Shin (eye doctor) on Sept.6 in the morning. She will make sure I don't have double vision, which I do, but it has improved, so I'll probably need another operation, but it's simple. I also saw DR. Dettling (bone DR) for the pain in my hip, said it is arthritis. I saw also DR. Zapinsky (Urologist) he put a scope in me (you know where) to check for scar tissue, NO GROWTH; I did good on that test!! My next question is a good one! I've gotten very good autographs from all over the place, President Bush, Gov.Guinn, an Indians bat, The Patriots coach and cheerleaders, Coach Paterno football(Penn St). Ricky Rudd. Etc,etc,etc. But I did not get anything from the Washington Capitals or the Ohio State Buckeyes. I'm going to hang all these up. But anybody that can help with the Caps and Buckeyes,please assist me!!! But anyway I'll talk to you people later, thank-you for coming to this web site and I'll see you later!

Sunday, September 22, 2002 

This is Bobby, saying hello to everybody. I'm reading notes that you people wrote on my web page, I'm only up to May 30th 2001. But so far all the notes I read are very important to me. I have all you people on my side, that makes a BIG platoon (USMC) you people have helped me so much. I dont care if just a couple of words or a whole paragraph, you people have done your orders. I'm set up for eye surgery on October 24th and arm surgery in November on my right elbow to give me 40 degrees movement total up and down. My hand is shaking now, so this is very hard for me to type. Some people said it due to my brain injury, some people say it is due to my arm not having muscles. I believe that my arm does not have enough muscle. The brain injury is for people with an excuse. To all you people sticking by my side, the fourth quarter just started. So we still have to finish this game, and we have a very big lead. I'm also at a balance center to help with my walking. I wear a harness so that I don't fall on the ground. The harness is hooked to the ceiling and is with me everywhere I go. There has been astronauts, fighter pilots (which is a must), and boxers who go here to work on their balance. I'm walking right now pretty much with a cane. I'm slowly saying goodbye to my walker. Maybe by Christmas, I can walk on my own. My wife, my family, my friends, the people I work with, all of you, and me have been through a lot. We're not finished yet, there still is more to go through, but I'll make it. Thanks again for all your help without you I could not do this. 

Sunday, October 06, 2002 

Hello once again. I spoke with my Mom and she agreed on having me do this letter on my computer every week. I asked her because I'm a much healthier person, and I can do this on my own. Juanita started this off in the unfortunate beginning, but now, thank God, I'm doing the writing every week. I'm starting to walk, speak and see better, but having been an athlete since I was a little kid, and in the Marine Corps, I feel like I have to improve. Although I've come a long way, where I'm at now is not good enough! Walter Payton (Once a Running Back for the Chicago Bears) said this.... "We are stronger together, than we are alone." What he said is what I go by. I could not do this on my own, thanks to my wife, Dawn, my family, my co-workers, my friends and to every single one of you that saw my web site and or wrote a note, WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER. Thanks, talk to you next week. 

Monday, November 04, 2002 

Hello, I'm going to wait until Mondays to write this note, because today is like my Sunday. This week I finally got a shot in my left hip to get rid of the arthritis pain. Right now it helps a little and I can walk much better with less pain. I see the doctor again Thursday for a follow up, as it takes about a week for the shot to work. I've always been positive, but since I'm walking better that makes me push even harder. People say "Bobby you walk so good", I know that's good but I want to walk even better! The interview my wife and I had on Halloween at N.H.P. was for the State newspaper. All the State of Nevada employees get the newspaper once a quarter (every three months). The interview was about what happened to me and my progress. On Sunday I got to eat breakfast with Dawn and then finally, after a year-and-a-half, I spent 11 hours on my own at the Santa Fe Casino sports book watching football and hockey. It's about time! It was nice to see security, bartenders, change people and all the people who work there, instead of nurses and doctors. Talk to you next week. 

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 

Bonjour! This Wednesday I am having surgery on my right elbow. Dr. Dettling is going to try to get another 40 degrees of movement. Even if I only get 5 more degrees, it is better than now. On Friday, I get another steroid shot in my left hip to reduce the arthritis pain. Even a little relief is better than nothing. As a kid growing up, I had dreams of becoming one of three things: a pro football player, a fireman or a police officer. When I was 10 years old, I drew a picture for my grandma of an aerial view of a police helicopter flying over the highway, looking at traffic. When I graduated in 1996 at age 26 from the Highway Patrol Academy, I was given the same picture, in a frame, as a gift. No matter what anyone says or does, this dream can never be taken away from me. For each and every one of us, each day is a privilege. When you are in a bad mood, remember this to cheer you up. To my platoon, you are DISMISSED! 

Tuesday, December 03, 2002 

Hello everybody. This week I see Dr. Schifini so he can see how I'm doing one week after the injection into my hip. Before my first steroid shot, on a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being the most painful, my hip was a 10+. After sitting, I got pain when I first stood up. Sometimes, the pain was so great that when I tried to walk I would fall. (Oops). Dr. Schifini said that the first shot would relieve some of the pain, but not all of it. Now, after the second shot, the pain level is about 7- so, there is some improvement. I see Dr. Shin tomorrow for my eye check-up. This appointment is to see what improvements there have been since the last surgery. I still see double vision, but now the second image isn't tilted, it is strait. The next surgery I have will be to correct the double vision by adjusting my eyes so that they are both level. Each week I look up a new word in the dictionary to help me with my memory and speech. 

Tuesday, December 10, 2002 

Hello! Friday I was asked by Dr. Fildes to speak at the D.U.I. meeting at U.M.C. That was my first public speech since April 21st. There were hundreds of people, including Governor Guinn's representative, Shelly Berkley, Mayor Goodman, public officials and citizens of Las Vegas. Before I did the speech I got a standing ovation that was a surprise to me. I did the speech with no notes and hadn't practiced anything. Everything I had to say was short and to the point and I took my time so I could be understood. After the speech people said I did an excellent job. I got glasses this week with a prism in the right lens to help correct the double vision. January 27th I am scheduled for my third eye surgery, which should correct the double vision. When I go to physical therapy on Tuesday, I will get a brace for my right arm. The brace is to help straighten and bend my arm further. My dad came in from Cleveland, Ohio last week and is here for 10 days and will leave this Wednesday. It was very nice to spend time with him and he helped us with some things around the house. Today, I took the written portion of the Highway Patrol Sergeant test. The test was 3 1/2 hrs. long and had 100 questions. Guess what, I answered all 100 questions! I know that I didn't get 100 percent, but at least I took the test. I took it just to see how my memory is and how my reading and math skills are improving. 

Wednesday, January 01, 2003 

Hello! Sorry this is so late, but it has been very busy over the holidays. I hope everyone had a good Christmas. I see Dr. Mashhood tomorrow just for a check-up. Dr. Dettling's office called me yesterday and on January 15th he will remove the pin from the rod in my left femur. This is to help the bone continue to fill in and heal. I will see Dr. Shin this Friday so she can check my eyes before my next surgery on January 24th. I got the results from my Highway Patrol Sgt. test. I don't know what my score was, but I didn't pass. The bottom line is, I took the test to see where my reading, writing, memory and math skills are, I didn't take the test for promotion. Like I said before the test, if we don't get the promotion, we're still Troopers. 

Tuesday, January 28, 2003 

HELLO once again! I have a lot to say, all good news on this web page. I'll start with this. On Friday at ten a.m. I get the screw taken out of pin in my left femur. Dr. Dettling said it should improve the length by 5 millimeters, which is about a 1/4". Next, I took my first drivers license written test two weeks ago. Since my DL was expired for over a year, I had to take a written, vision and driving test. I got eleven questions wrong and you can only miss ten. I didn't study for the test and the things I got wrong were questions I didn't even know as a Trooper. So, I studied the driver’s manual over the weekend. The second time on the written test I only got three wrong, so I passed it and the vision test. We checked but there was no room for the drivers test, so that meant I got a Learners Permit, which means I need a licensed driver in the passenger seat. So yesterday I took the drivers test...I scored a 97% so that can only mean one thing. After a freaken year and nine months I finally got my DL. I'm finally a licensed driver. I've taken a large step, a leap forward in my life. My independence after a year-and-a-half is coming back to me. I've come a long way!! 

Monday, February 10, 2003 

Last week I had the screw that held the rod in my left femur in place taken out. After the operation I got to keep the screw. My gosh, the screw looks like something from Home Depot. It's about 1 1/2" to 2" long and about 1/8" around. Dr. Dettling said removing the screw might help shorten my leg by about 1/4" so it will be closer in length to my right leg. On Friday, I had the sides of my toenail removed on my left big toe because it was in grown from my leg brace. It sounds bad but my toe feels so much better. There's not much to write about because it's getting slow, but one of these weeks I'll be like everyone else and will have nothing to write about. But until then I'll keep kicking butt and taken names, which to me the hard work is no problem !!!! 

Monday, February 24, 2003 

I saw Dr. Shin, my eye Doctor, last week, and she said my vision is so much better. I still see a little bit double, but so much better than before. My next appointment with her is in five months, yes FIVE MONTHS! Today I saw Dr. Zapinsky, my urologist, and he also said I'm doing so much better than from the first time he saw me. My next appointment with him was going to be in a year, but then he said "how about in six months". Can you believe how much better I've gotten, my gosh! It's been a year and ten months and I've gotten so much better in such a short amount of time, and I'm still going. I started back at occupational therapy (N.H.P.) for the first time in a year and ten months, back on the fatal team, (accident reconstruction), looking at reports, making sure they're correct. I'll talk to you next week and be positive and motivated. SEMPER FI.

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 

Hello! I know it's a day late, but I did something today that I didn't want to wait a week to tell you about. The first thing, I know a lot of people consider this a chore, but for a year and ten months I could not do this! I MOWED THE FRONT AND BACK LAWN!!!! The back yard is also sloped . Well, after I was finished I was so tired, it felt like I ran in a marathon. My legs were shaking and I even got cramps in my calves! The pool water was heated and it was about 75 degrees at 10:30 am, so I went swimming afterwards!! Today I spoke to some of the new airmen at Nellis Air Force Base about D.U.I. I spoke for only five to ten minutes, but that is one of the things I really want to do. I took my time so I could be understood, and was told by another Trooper that I did very good. Nobody stopped me and said they couldn't understand me.

Monday, April 7, 2003 

I talked to fifth graders, which went very well! I had to take my time speaking so people could understand me, which I did. I learned things and the kids learned things. I've always wanted to be a public speaker, and now I can finally do it! This last week Dawn and I went to San Diego. What a good trip. Last July we went and it was a lot of work. I was in a wheelchair at the Wild Animal Park, Sea World, the Baseball game etc. This time, I was on my feet the whole time, no wheelchair at all. HA!!!! It was the way it's supposed to be, a VACATION after two years. We went to the zoo, Sea World, the Wild Animal Park, baseball game (Padres). I also drove to San Diego and back. :) 

Sunday, May 11, 2003 

Hello! I'm sorry this is so late, but once again I've been busy. Last Monday after 2 years, Dawn finally went back to work. She's working in the interior design field. I'm so happy for Dawn to finally be back to work and trying to get life back to normal. It's taken us a long time and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It has been 1 month since I've been to the Balance Center and physical therapy. It's been 2 years and I needed a break. Now, I'm back to Balance Center and therapy. I started last Monday. In the Balance Center, I'm working on jogging and speeding myself up. I can't do this right now, but I will in the future. In physical therapy, I'm back to lifting weights and the Pilates. Two months ago I could have completed physical therapy, but my doctor approved physical therapy for another year. The reason why, I know that I have not come far enough and need stronger muscles. Now pilates is mostly for dancers. It's teaching me how to breathe the right way and how to stretch my body the right way. Pilates sounds easy but it's very, very, very hard.

I gave a public speech at the Nevada Community Enrichment Program (NCEP) where I stayed for 6 months. I talked the people that are there now and told that it was going to be hard work and energy of the mind. Those who work hard and use their mind with a positive attitude will get farther than they can ever expect.

The Mark A. Kahre Elementary School (a police officer gave his life in the line of duty) had a lunch and a parade. There were 200-300 people there. The principal named me as a special guest of which I did not expect. I spoke to the crowd and thanked especially the children who gave me get-well cards. On the days I was tired and did not want to work out, I would look at several cards hung on my wall to get me motivated. 

Monday, May 19, 2003

On Saturday, I was sponsored by Keith Kleven's to be a waiter at the Junior League of Las Vegas. As a waiter, I asked the people at my table for tips, which go to non-profit organizations, such as The Ronald McDonald House, Shade Tree Shelter for Women and Children, etc. I raised around $330.00 in tips. Some of the waiters were Robin Leach, Michael E. Minden, (jeweler), Mark Pfister and John Fredericks, (local weathermen), Beth Fisher and Kendall Tenney, (local news anchors at Channel 3), were the master/mistress of ceremonies. After the dinner, I spoke with Kendall Tenney about doing an in-studio interview for the noon news. I told him that I want to be a public speaker and that this is the first step. He gave me his number and told me to contact him when I'm ready. 

Monday, May 26, 2003 

On Wednesday, I went to the UMC Trauma Center Reunion for a brunch. They invite all the past patients from the trauma center to show nurses and doctors what a good job they did. Dr. John Fildes is the head of the trauma center and also my doctor at the trauma center. He invited all the patients to speak about their condition and how much each one improved. I'm working on becoming a public speaker which he told everyone there before he introduced me. I pretty much said what you all know--I said this is the best trauma center in the nation. Without it I would be six feet under a sign that reads "Rest in Peace." I still can't believe that for three days I was given on a marker board a 0 for recovery, under a 2% chance of living, and 5 serious injuries (normally, one can only survive 3 serious injuries). People were supposed to get ready to come to my funeral. If you look at things, the way things are supposed to be, people would be visiting my tombstone. BUT GUESS WHAT!!!!!! And Believe me that's with a positive attitude. It makes me work even harder and be happier. That's pretty much all I did this week out of the normal. This is not how it should happen but because of my accident, I have met many good people.

Saturday, August 2, 2003 

I'm trying to make this nationwide. Tell a friend, they will tell a friend, and so on and so on. Since you are all my team mates, let's get this number up on the Web site. My job is I will do this week by week. Your job is to pass the word. OKAY LET'S MOVE!!!!! 

Saturday, August 16, 2003 

I can tell I'm getting more mature because at first, my brain injury caused me to act like I was in my early teens. After over two years, I think I've gotten so much better. I'm tired of sitting around and doing nothing, it was good at first but I've gotten much better now and there are things for me to do. It's time for me to get off my butt. The N.H.P. is coming up with some jobs for me to do. I have a meeting in Sept. with my doctors, insurance, and N.H.P. to talk about the jobs they're going to offer. Major Tilt told me that on Sept. 8th I will go to the N.H.P. academy in Carson City to talk about officer safety and what happened to me. I know I've talked to other groups before, and every speech is very important, but this one is to cadets and will be very educational and they will learn something!!! Thank you very much to Major Tilt!!!!!!! 

Tuesday, September 16, 2003 

I had to work on my speech for the academy in Carson City on Monday the 8th. I went to Maureen Keene to work on my speech. Maureen is a profession speaker, a pro, so she knows what she’s doing. Since I’ve been an athlete all my live I consider her my coach. So everybody who knows me, knows this, speaking does not make me nervous, speaking is something I always wanted do. Before I had nothing to say---- now I do. BRING IT ON! So with her I went over all my points and practiced the speech. On the Sunday, less then 24 hours, (pre-game warm up) did all I had to do and was ready to go. So Monday, September 8th, 2003 flew up to Carson City, about 450 miles, with N.H.P. Major Tilt. I was given 2 hours to speak. Well, come to find out 2 hours is not long enough; it took 2 hours and 45 minutes. And in that time just told the major points, so it could of went longer. The cadets I spoke to were all prior law enforcement. They understood the language. After the speech I was given a standing ovation. I’d like to thank them, that means a lot to me! Everybody said I did a good job, which to me is very important. I’d also like to thank my coach for the practice. I didn’t just go up there and give it. So everybody knows this, one day on my business card it will say Professional speaker. I’m serious, that is what I’m working on. So if anybody wants me to speak somewhere let me know.

On September 15th, 2003. I had a meeting at Dr. Mashhoods office. It was for the job N.H.P. is going to over me. Basically it’s a civilian PIEO. So I’m not mistaken for a Trooper a civilian means I don’t wear a uniform, badge etc. PIEO means what I do is educate the public, speak, talk to the media etc. That’s the meaning of civilian PIEO. There was a lot of people there, about 15 altogether, even my Mom. 

Friday, October 3, 2003  

On September 25th, I was told that the L.A. Kings an N.H.L. team would be practicing there. I’m a big fan of the NHL and know about 90 of the names. I meet with Rob and went behind the ropes. (None of their names on this web site because I’m a police officer and also because I didn’t ask them for their permission). I meet Senior Vice President / General Manager, Head & Assistant Coaches, Equipment Manager, Equipment personnel, Head Athletic Trainer, Asst. Trainers and NHL players. For anybody I forgot I sincerely apologize. Some of the people I talked to live here in Vegas. When I talked to them some of them knew exactly what happened. WOW!

After the practice Rob told me he is the Head Coach of a hockey team, grades 10 through 12 and that the tournament is here. So I stayed and watched a good game. They’re only teenagers but very good athletes and hard workers the whole game. And oh yes they went 3 wins and one tie, that means undefeated. So after the first game I congratulated Rob and he asked me to talk to the team in the locker room, of course I said yes!

Very quickly he told them what happened to me so they knew who I was. I only spoke for about five minutes about their good attitude and their positive thoughts. After that they gave me a round of applause (which means a lot to me). After that I spoke to Rob about me being an assistant coach on the hockey team – he said YES! I know right now I can’t skate – the key word right now – so I’m off the ice, watching the game, if there’s any point for me to cover I tell the them. I also go to practice, like I said I can’t skate, so what I do is walk on carpet as fast as I can, sweat, work on my muscles, sweat, sweat! I know I can walk so now I’m working on the speed…..faster and faster!

Today after my speech therapy I did an interview with Channel 8. I think it went good. It will be on the six o’clock news. For me I don’t mind the media, always liked being in the paper and the news. Now, what I’m working on to become a professional speaker this is something I don’t mind and something that must be done.

Thursday, December 25, 2003

Merry Christmas! My speech at Sunset Park went very well. For the past 2 1/2 years, I've done things for myself--physical therapy, speech, many surgeries, etc. and these were much needed things to improve myself. I was in the armed forces and now the highway patrol--now I'm back to serving the public.

On December 13, in my speech, I declared war on DUI. On December 16, I went to Carson City to speak once again to the Highway Patrol academy. On December 17, I spoke to 450-500 people at the "Stop DUI" class for DUI 1st and 2nd offense drivers that are required to attend this every third Wednesday of the month. To end the speech, I said, "EITHER YOU CAN BE ALLIES OR THE ENEMY." This will be my ending remark for all DUI offenders. This is my war on DUIs.

The head chairperson of Stop DUI is Sandy Heverly. She invited me to speak every third Wednesday and I will be there! After my speech, Sandy said, "You did beyond a good job, you did a great job." I'm getting back on the road to assisting the public because the DUI battle has to be fought by all of us...after 2 1/2 years, I'm back on the battlefield.

Monday, January 26, 2004 

On the third Wednesday of every month, I will be speaking at the DUI Victim's panel that must attend because they were found guilty of a first or second DUI offense. For my speech, I went to the coroner's office and got a body bag, toe tag, biohazard bag, and a DA locktag for pending trials. For two and a half years, I've been tending to myself. Now, I want to help others. So on December 13, I claimed war on DUIs--so Bobby's back on the battlefield.

Last Friday, I spoke to a high school class for job careers. That went very well. I found about that from Ryan, who is a team member of the Las Vegas Rebels hockey team of whom I am an assistant coach.

On February 4, I go to the Henderson court to speak to more DUI offenders. Every quarter, they conduct this in Henderson. Sandy Heverly, the president of Stop DUI, said I did beyond a good job, I did a great job. The first speech started out at 10 minutes, but I talked to Sandy and she told me on my next speeches, I could go up to 20 minutes. 

Sunday, February 22, 2004 

Hi everyone. This is Bobby's Mom. Bobby is doing okay; he asked me to do this for him. Bobby started back to work part time 2 weeks ago. He only works 5 hours a day and he will have an on-the-job coach with him for a year. He will be speaking to various organizations, schools, and at Nellis Air Force base. He will be talking about drinking, drugs, and driving.

Bobby has been having a tough time since this past Wednesday because his alleged killer went to court and pleaded guilty to all 11 counts. Bobby stood up in court and faced his assailant.

The judge asked him if he intentionally wanted to kill Bobby and he said, "Yes." This has pretty much shaken Bobby up and he and the family have some feelings that we all have to work through. Phillips will have his sentencing hearing on April 21, 3 years to the day that he went on this spree.

Bobby will be having another surgery on March 2, his 22nd. They have to open up some scar tissue in his urethra. This will probably be a recurring thing with him along with many other procedures. Bobby has pretty much reached a plateau and we all have to come to the realization that this might be the best that it will get. Bobby will never be an NHP again and various tests support the fact that he might not be able to sustain a permanent job for the rest of his life.

(c) Copyright 2005 Bobby Kintzel All rights reserved.