Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Successful Surgery

The surgery upon Omar's right hand was completed successfully on Tuesday night. He will not have use of his arm for the next three weeks but then the pins will be removed. He will then progress into a smaller splint and work into therapy in February.

Friday, November 26, 2010

A note from Omar

5 days ago I was excited to be going home after a full U.S. tour that had me away for 7 weeks. I missed home. I missed my woman. I missed my dog. I missed my friends. I missed good food. I missed my bikes.
Needless to say at this point, the drive home didn't go so well right around mile 1400.
Though I don't knock it, I've never been a praying kind of man. Not to say that I don't have faith in spirituality or the idea of a higher being, I just like to think and operate in a way that has me in control of what I'm doing and where I'm going; how I'm treating people and how I'm being treated; and making mistakes and learning from them and/or rectifying them.
After our experience, there is one area where my faith has heightened exponentially:
My faith in people.
I'm humbled by the endless generosity and concern that has been unleashed during this period of adversity. It would take me far too long than is comfortable for me to type with one hand to list the people I would like to thank and the instances of kindness I've experienced in the last few days. I ran out of appendages to use while counting my blessings and it made me feel really good about being alive and being a human being surrounded by other human beings.
I strongly feel that it is in our innate makeup to be and to want to be caring, compassionate, and affectionate… and although the daily stresses of life often interfere with our inherent desire to love, I'm happy to know that in my time of need, there was no shortage of love coming my way… and I am forever grateful for that.

Here's to hoping that in the future, it doesn't take a near death experience to remember that we were put here to care and to love, and to wishing my dear friend Adam a speedy recovery.

Much love and gratitude,
Omar

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Home Sweet Home!

Adam, Omar and Matt have all made it back to SF in time for Thanksgiving!!! Omar requests that any and all of his friends attend Thanksgiving with him at his dad's house in Concord.

Next step is to schedule surgeries for Adam and Omar.

Give Thanks!!!!!!! (gnarly pictures attached)

Adam, Omar and Matt have made it back to California! Their canceled flight to SFO brought them in turn to Sacramento. Omar's dad has picked them up and is driving all three back to San Francisco.

There has never been a time to be more thankful!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Flight Canceled

Hopefully they will make it home tomorrow.

Delayed

The band is in route home, however, they are delayed due to snow in Salt Lake. Waiting in the airport with broken bones and wheelchairs can't be fun. Think good thoughts.

Home Coming!!!

The band is hopefully on its way home today! Adam and Omar just got word that they will be released from the hospital today. They are making travel arrangements as I type!

Please don't forget about the donation site! It is located on the first page of this blog "van crashes". These boys are going to need a lot of help over the next few weeks.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Omar's Good News.

Omar has a cracked c5 vertebrae that will heal naturally without surgery. He has pulled and torn ligaments. A neck brace will be needed for 6+ weeks.

He will require surgery on his right hand upon returning to SF. But the doctor assured him he WILL be playing the drums again!!

Both Omar and Adam will most likely be released from the hospital Tomorrow.

Not sure about the specifics of Adam's injuries at this point.

Van Crashes Sunday, November 21st, 2010

http://adamhstephens.com

Adam Haworth Stephens and band mates, Omar Cuellar and Matt Montgomery were traveling home to San Francisco after their last show from a two month tour when they hit a snow storm in Wyoming and rolled their tour van several times. Adam and Omar were taken to the hospital via ambulance in Rawlins, Wyoming. Matt was able to walk away with minimal damage. Band member Jen Grady departed the group after their last show in Columbus, Ohio for a tour in Europe with another project.

Adam dislocated and possibly broke a shoulder.  Omar has possibly cracked a bone in his neck and a broken hand on which he will need surgery.  He will most likely be in a neck or back brace for the next 6 weeks. At this time they are not sure when they will be able to leave the hospital.

The van is totaled and the group is trying to figure out how to get home.  A four hour drive to Denver and a flight home will most likely be their best option.  The instruments and gear are generously being stored in Wyoming.

Omar and Adam will most likely be unable to work for quite some time upon their return to San Francisco.  Any donations for living expenses and travel arrangements that you could contribute to the band would be greatly appreciated.