Alan Hood Health Updates
Following our trumpet player Alan Hood’s accident, we wanted to provide updates to his concerned friends. Follow this page for info on his progress.
On Thursday morning January 27, our Denver Brass trumpeter Alan Hood slipped on the ice, landing on his back and causing severe damage to his spine. He has had multiple surgeries, with more potentially needed in the future. I know that all of you will want to support him and follow his progress in the many months of rehab that are yet to come. Below are links you can use to follow Alan. He would love to hear from you, so feel free to send him a message. We will see to it that every message is read to Alan.
Thank you so very much for your love and support at this most difficult time. We're so glad Alan has such a big and loving family around him.
Would you like to send a message to Alan? We are collecting messages and will pass them along to him.
Messages for Alan:
Recent Updates on Alan
Update from Denver Brass on 7/6/2022
Alan has been released from Craig and is finally home! We look forward to seeing him at the Newman Center during the “This One’s for Al” benefit concert. While this event is free to attend, registration to attend is still required for entry. Click here to register!
Update from Denver Brass on 6/17/2022
We're having a concert to benefit Al's recovery! Join Denver Brass, and some special friends, to raise Al’s spirits (and some money) through a night of hot jazz, tremendous trumpets, and some of Al’s favorite tunes. Featuring jazz legend Jon Faddis, acclaimed musician and educator Greg Gisbert, Brad Goode, the H2 Big Band, and Denver Brass!
Update from Kyrie on 6/3/2022
I know it’s been a while since I posted an update as there hasn’t been much to update on. I’ve been in Colorado since Saturday and have been with my dad every day since. On Tuesday we had a medical team meeting with his staff and family to discuss his discharge and what to expect when he goes home.
His discharge date is scheduled for June 15th. We’ve been working to get him ready to be home by that date. We’ve ordered a ton of equipment and necessities for him so he can be comfortable and safe at home and Jen has been trained just about as well as someone can be to take care of him.
He’s getting a new wheelchair, hospital bed, van, phone & iPad to communicate with people, smart home supplies to control lights in his home, a portable shower & shower chair, amongst many other things to live as he is now in his chair, still mostly paralyzed.
Unfortunately, two days ago his pressure wound reopened and he’s back on bedrest until Monday (as of now, but that could change). His feeding tube was removed yesterday. He'll have to have another surgery soon for his catheter, date is TBD, I’ll keep you all posted.
He had an outing to DU planned for Monday, but we’ll have to see if he’s still on bedrest at that point. Jen will be with him this weekend doing an “independent living trial” where she’ll be practicing taking care of him as she would at home with little nursing help (only to give him meds).
Right now, his mobility is only slightly better than my last update. You can see in the video below that he’s getting stronger and moving his arms, slowly but surely! We’re discussing outpatient therapy with his doctors but most of his physical therapy will be done at home. It could take up to two years to see final results so we’re still hopeful for more progress! Being on bedrest for a month really slowed down his recovery, unfortunately, as well as being on bedrest now.
I know this update is a bit of a mixed bag. Thank you all again for your continued support! Please keep visiting if you’re able, he really loves seeing friends!
Update from Leslie Hood Childs on 5/14/2022
Can’t mistake how happy his students make him feel Mr Al received an amazing performance from his students this afternoon on-site at Craig Rehab. Many attended and it was such a fun event. A big thank you to all the students who came out to perform today! Also a big thanks to Kathy Aylsworth Brantigan for making it happen.
*A huge thanks to Brenda at Craig for all your help with spreading the word and setting up for the event.
Update from Kyrie on 4/30/2022:
Hello, everyone! I just wanted to post a little update. It has been a rough couple weeks for my family. As many of you know, Al’s mom, my grandmother, passed away last Saturday. If you’d like to leave any kind words on my grandmother’s memorial page, you can do so here: https://bit.ly/3ORoFnZ
An addition, my dad has been on bedrest for several days, recovering from a pressure wound, which has hindered his ability to participate in physical therapy. There hasn’t been much improvement since my last update. He’s still due to be released on June 1st to start outpatient therapy, but we’re really gunning for an extended program.
Understandably, my dad has been feeling very down the last couple weeks and could really use our support now more than ever. If you’d like to visit him during the week, (as well as weekend) I know he’d love it. All the visitors, messages, calls, cards, and flowers have meant the world to him. He’s so appreciative of each and every one of you and you all mean so much to him. His sister, Leslie, will be visiting him mid-May and I’ll be visiting late-May through early June.
The medical bills keep piling up and, unfortunately, his insurance doesn’t cover most of it. We’re working on trying to reduce his bills, but in the meantime if people could share his GoFundMe link far and wide that would be so much appreciated! https://gofund.me/0c6143d4 (Or donate tax-free on this webpage.)
Thank you all so much again for your continued support! Please continue to share memories and photos of my dad on this thread as well, he could use the moral support! Lots of love to you all.
Update from Kyrie on 4/5/2022:
I haven’t shared many photos or videos of my dad post-fall since I wanted to respect his privacy while he’s healing, but I got permission to share a couple things with you all! Here he is in physical therapy sliding his arms and him standing with Jen (with the help of some equipment.)
Update from Kyrie on 4/5/2022:
My dad is completely off the trach now and eating solid foods! He can slightly move all his fingers now and move his knees a little bit. Hes also able to control his spasms for the most part.
He’s making great progress. We’re hoping to get him doing more physical therapy every day as one hour isn’t enough. His muscles are ready to start moving again! It’ll take a while but I’m confident he’ll be able to get back to where he was before the fall (or pretty close to it).
Please keep sending your positive thoughts! Thank you for all your unwavering support!
Update from Kathy on 3/29/2022:
GREAT NEWS! Visitors are now welcome at Craig Rehabilitation Hospital. Join “Team Al” and sign up for a time to provide much needed support and cheerleading to the guy who has given us all so much through his music and his gentle and modest spirit. While visiting hours are pretty much wide open, the best times for Alan are between 4:30 and 6:30pm weekdays and 10:00am and 4:30pm on weekends. Alan is in intensive therapy classes during the weekdays, but late afternoon and early evenings are good.
Our task is CRUCIAL. We need to help Alan to remain positive and tenacious as he works toward increasing mobility in his arms and legs. He is making steady progress, but depression can easily creep in given the dramatic changes to Alan’s life. WE HAVE A JOB TO DO – SO PLEASE JOIN IN THE EFFORT!
There’s nothing sacred about the schedule below. We just want to make sure we don’t all appear on the same day and that Alan gets a steady stream of uplifting visitors through May and perhaps into June.
Our goal is not to fill every slot, as we don’t want to exhaust Alan either! If you’ll include your phone and email, we’ll try to contact you if we find that circumstances with Alan’s care routine interfere with your visit. Jennifer and Alan thank you in advance for avoiding the use of any fragrances (i.e perfume, cologne, lotion, etc).
Update from Kyrie on 3/19/2022:
It’s been a little while since I’ve been able to talk to him but I just got off FaceTime with my dad. He got a new trach so I actually got to hear his voice a little bit! He sounds almost the same as he did before! His cough is very strong so I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t need his trach at all pretty soon.
He’s now able to move his fingers a little on both hands and he can flex his knee and thigh muscles sometimes too! He’s driving his wheelchair really well all by himself.
Jennifer is there night and day, working tirelessly to be there for him and help him with anything and everything he may need. He’s gotten several gifts, cards, flowers, and visitors and for that we’re all so grateful!
I’m so happy he’s making such great progress so quickly and he’s getting better ever single day!
Update from Kyrie on 3/8/2022:
Today my dad moved his finger and thumb on his left hand! I’m SO excited about this news! He’s getting better every day, we all just need to keep up the positive energy to continue to get him through this.
We also recently learned that my dad went from ASIA A to ASIA C within a week and a half! For those who don’t know the ASIA scale, see chart below.
He still has yet to get a new trach so he’s still unable to physically speak but we’re hoping he gets his new trach soon! He’s completely off the ventilator now and breathing on his own with a little help from an oxygen mask. He’s doing great driving his wheelchair and his entire team at Craig Hospital is fantastic.
Thank you again to all of you for your unwavering support!
Update from Kyrie on 2/26/2022:
I arrived back in Denver yesterday afternoon and came right to Craig to visit my dad. The staff is phenomenal and his room is great - he has an amazing view of the mountains from his window.
He met with his physical therapist yesterday and he actually moved his toes and foot a little! So promising, we’re all very excited by his progress. He’s been weening more and more off the ventilator each day, actually breathing on his own.
Jennifer and I took a class earlier to learn how to suction his trach properly so we won’t have to rely as much on the nurses for that!
He had an MRI yesterday and today he was in his wheelchair for a little while. He’s getting some much needed rest right now.
Thank you all again for your thoughts, donations, and positive energy! Keep it coming, he has a long road ahead of him!
I know so many people want to come visit, but we’re holding off on visitation for now until he can be in his wheelchair for longer periods of time. I promise I’ll let everyone know when he’s ready to see all your wonderful faces!
Update on 2/23/2022:
KDVR ran a news story on Alan and the benefit concert at Dazzle last night. Check it out HERE!
A message from Kathy on 2/22/2022:
Good news! Alan has been moved to Craig Hospital. If you would like to send mail directly to him, you can send it to
Alan Hood, C/O Craig Hospital, 3425 S. Clarkson St., Englewood, CO 80113
A message from Kyrie an 2/20/2022:
I just wanted to update you guys and tell you I spoke (ACTUALLY SPOKE!) with my dad just a minute ago via his speaking valve. He’s sounding so good and his sensation is lower, around his mid torso! His bed isn’t confirmed at Craig yet but he said either tomorrow or Tuesday he’ll be there. Kathy is there all day today keeping him company and helping keep the blood flowing in his arms and legs. She said he’s looking really good and we’re all so excited that he’s recovering so quickly!
A message from Kyrie on 2/16/2022:
My dad has been accepted at Craig Hospital and is planned to start physical therapy on Monday!
A message from Kyrie on 2/12/2022:
Dad is looking so much better in the step-down ICU! It's a great sign that he was able to be moved there so quickly after his tracheostomy, as he needed to meet certain respiratory criteria to even be moved there. He's able to sit up more after his second spinal surgery and he's able to mouth words and whisper a little bit.
As you know, his trach needs to be hooked up to a ventilator to help his breathing, but today he was able to breathe a whole 5 hours on his own without the aid of the ventilator which shows AMAZING progress already! Just goes to show what 40+ years of trumpet playing can do for your lungs and diaphragm! I'm so happy with his progress so far and so optimistic about his recovery.
Thanks to Chris Wiger, I was able to get in contact with the CEO of Craig Hospital who in turn connected me to the director of admissions. She should be in touch Monday to see if there's anything they can do to get my dad into their wonderful rehab facility. Of course, there's only so much they can do but I'm very hopeful, so cross your fingers!
GoFundMe donations continue to pour in, reaching almost $60,000 so far! All of your support, prayers, thoughts, kind words, videos, and photos mean the world to his entire family and I'm so so happy that he's so loved by friends, colleagues, and people that haven't even met him!
***I know people are eager to send cards or messages or anything they can. If you'd like to send a physical card you can mail them to Kathy Brantigan. If you'd like her address please PM me. For any videos, voice recordings, photos, or anything else you'd like my dad to see or hear please post them in this group, as his phone is blowing up with calls and messages, filling up his inbox faster than he can listen to them!***
Thank you all so much again for your support!
(Denver Brass will also ensure that Alan receives your cards. Send them to Denver Brass, 2253 N Downing St, Denver, CO 80205. - Kelly)
A message from Kyrie on 2/11/2022:
Hey, everyone! I’m back in California for a while but I’ll update you with what I know so far:
Dad is mouthing words pretty well. Physical therapy started today with them sitting him up slowly in increments. When he coughs, his legs moved a couple times. May just be spasms, but we’re hopeful.
Moving to the 10th floor ICU step-down unit sometime this evening!
Update from Kyrie on 2/10/2022:
Tracheostomy went well and he’s sleeping peacefully now!
A message from Kyrie on 2/10/2022
I’ve been with my dad since 6am MST. He’s currently asleep on a ventilator. His tracheostomy is scheduled for about 12:30pm MST today. Please send good vibes around that time!
His surgery went well yesterday, according to his nurses. I have yet to speak to the neurosurgeon but will keep everyone updated!
The other day, two doctors from Craig rehab facility came to evaluate my dad. Craig is a world renowned rehab center and we’re all hoping he can get in there as quickly as possible!
A message from Leslie Hood Childs on 2/9/2022:
Hey Everyone! Just wanted to let you know that Al’s surgery is done and he is back in his room in the ICU. He is resting at the moment and they have him sedated as he really isn’t liking his breathing tube too much. Fortunately, the tracheostomy has been scheduled for tomorrow. Our entire family is so grateful for all the love & support that is being shown to him (and us!) right now. We will post another update once we are able to speak to his neurosurgeon.
A message from Kyrie on 2/8/2022:
Hello!
As many of you know, his brother, Steve, and sister, Leslie, are there visiting my dad this week, which seems to have lifted his spirits greatly.
Yesterday, my aunt was there with him, but I got to see him briefly and it seemed that his breathing his been improving. He even coughed a bit more, which gives me hope for his diaphragm healing! The nurses were able to remove his neck brace and BIPAP mask (replacing it with a cannula with 4 liters of oxygen) for a short amount of time, making him slightly more comfortable. He was even able to have small sips of water rather than just ice chips! His oxygen was holding steady at around 90-92 and CO2 levels looked good.
His surgery has been scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, February 9th at 8:30am MST, so please send your positive thoughts and vibes to him around that time if you can! I’ll be there with him until he goes to the OR and I’ll be there afterwards.
Today, my uncle is there with him. My dad has been snoozing on and off and his spirits are even greater. Steve has been reading him uplifting messages from friends and colleagues and told him how well the benefit at Dazzle went this past Sunday (thank you very much everyone, especially David Froman)! His oxygen dropped a bit to 85 so his BIPAP mask is back on but he’s breathing easier now.
I also wanted to thank everyone so so much again for all your donations, kind words, phone calls, texts, messages, photos, music, etc! Your help and support means the world to me, my family, and my dad! We’re all hopeful for great recovery and your positivity is a huge part of that!
A message from Kathy on 2/8/2022:
Thank you to everyone for your loving concern for Alan Hood's recovery from his fall on ice January 27th. Your messages are being read to Alan. Alan is unable to respond to you personally, but please be assured he is deeply appreciative of your well wishes and prayers. Alan has had one surgery on his cervical spine and will have a second surgery this week to repair a lower area of his spine. We are hopeful he will be able to be moved out of ICU by next week so that he can begin a rehab program. Right now, Alan has regained feeling and movement in his shoulders. Surgeons have done everything they can to give the spinal cord a good chance to heal, and we are hoping for this progress to continue in the weeks and months ahead.
A message from Kyrie on 2/6/2022:
Hi, everyone! Quick update:
I’ve extended my Denver trip so I’ll be here for an extended period of time. He’s off antibiotics now so they’re planning on doing the second surgery either tomorrow or Tuesday. His brother, Steve, and sister, Leslie, are flying in tonight to see him this week, which will be great for him.
I’ve been playing some music while I’m in the hospital with him. If you have any songs you’d like him to hear please drop the link or song title in the comments and I’ll compile a playlist for him!
(If you don’t have Facebook and send this in the message form above, I’ll make sure to forward it to Kyrie. - Kelly)
A message from Kyrie on 2/4/2022:
I left the hospital shortly after 8pm tonight. Dad slept most of the day, which is great. No word yet on when the second surgery will happen, as he's still running a low grade fever. The nurses believe the fever is due to a bladder infection from the catheter, which is not uncommon. That's being treated with antibiotics and he's still regularly getting anti-anxiety and pain medications.
I was able to personally meet his care team and they were very helpful, nice, attentive, and treated him well.
The doctors are considering a tracheostomy so he can actually eat and drink liquids and get the CPAP mask off his face, which has been bothering him the most. He wants apple juice more than anything right now!
I'll be going back tomorrow bright and early for the whole day and will be showing a few more pictures and videos!
A message from Kyrie on 2/4/2022:
Made it to Denver this morning and came right to the ICU to be with my dad! His condition is about the same as yesterday but they administered some pain medication and he’s taking a much needed nap. I’ve been showing a few of the videos people have sent me but I’m taking it slow so he doesn’t get overwhelmed. Thank you all so so much for the well wishes, videos, photos, and stories! He will see them all eventually.
A Message from Kathy Brantigan on 2/3/2022:
Good morning. I'm with Alan right now. I'm so happy to see that he is resting comfortably and breathing comfortably with the help of a CPAP device. His surgery has been postponed due to a slight fever, so let's all pray for the fever to subside very soon. I'll be reading your well wishes to him today, so bring them on!
A Message from Kyrie Hood on 2/2/2022:
Not a big update today other than dad had a rough day. A lot of discomfort with his breathing, nasal drips, bipap mask, and another x-ray. His surgery is still scheduled for tomorrow but they're unsure what time exactly. We're staying hopeful that all goes smoothly!
With everything so up in the air, the most important quality right now is patience. I know we're all antsy for good news, more information, and anything to make us feel better about the situation, but it will take a lot of time. There may be days when I have no real update for you at all, and that's okay. Just keep him in your thoughts and heart and it will all be alright. Stay positive!
He has a long road ahead of him but I know in my heart he'll get through this because he's strong (stubborn in many cases ), capable, and he has a fantastic support system with his friends, family, and healthcare workers.
From the Mr. Al Hood Support Group on Facebook:
Dazzle and Gift of Jazz are dedicating a show this Sunday to Alan, and proceeds will go to his GoFundMe. Get tickets HERE.
A Message from his daughter, Kyrie on 2/2/2022:
Hi, everyone!
For those who don’t know me, I’m Kyrie, Alan's daughter. I just wanted to update everyone on how my dad is doing so far.
Yesterday, he got his neck brace taken off temporarily and was able to have his bed sitting up a little more, helping him clear his throat, which has been congested from the O2 and feeding tube. He’s able to have clear liquids and his sensation is slightly lower on his chest, which is great.
Today he had an x-ray, and they gave him insulin and some meds to keep his blood pressure down. He’ll be getting a new neck brace either today or tomorrow.
His surgery was moved to Thursday, February 3rd, the time is TBD for now, but I’ll let you know when I find out. If you’d all like to send healing energy and positive vibes towards him near that time it would be greatly appreciated. Shortly after the surgery, he’ll be moved to the trauma center where he’ll stay for an unforeseen amount of time, eventually moving to a rehab facility.
He has a great team of doctors and nurses and I’m confident they’re taking care of him as best as possible.
I currently live in LA, but I’ve booked a flight to Denver on February 4th and I’ll be spending all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with him in the hospital, showing him your videos and pictures and all the kind messages and comments people have been sending to me, him, and the rest of our family. If anyone hasn’t sent me a video but would like to, please do so by Thursday so I have time to put them all together.
Some other good news, Chris Parente from KWGN Channel 2 contacted me and said that he saw the post about my dad and was so moved by it that he wanted to do an interview with me to discuss my dad and his story. This will be great exposure for him and hopefully help with his fundraiser a lot. So far, the GoFundMe has reached over $41,000.
Everyone has been so kind and generous, and I can’t thank people enough. I’ve been moved to tears several times reading your messages, in the best way. I knew my dad was loved but it’s a whole different experience being able to see it expressed in this way. I know my entire family is eternally grateful for every single one of you.
Kathy Brantigan, Dave Hanson, and David Froman will be doing additional fundraisers for him with the Denver Brass, The H2 Big Band, and Gift of Jazz respectively (with the help of Dazzle), so I encourage everyone to check out each of their Facebook pages and support them in any way you can.
I’ve also created this special public Facebook group that people can join where I’ll be posting updates regularly and I’d love if people could share more videos, photos, and stories of my dad.
Denver Brass has also been so kind as to put together a webpage dedicated to him for people who are not on Facebook where they can track his progress and make additional donations, so I encourage you to share with your friends and family who are not on social media. All pages and websites are linked below.
I have a mountain of kind messages and well wishes from everyone that keep coming in and I’m so appreciative, I just hope everyone can bear with me while I go through them all. Please message me on Facebook if you have any other questions, comments, or well wishes for my dad. Thank you all so so much again, you have all done a great service for a truly honorable man and a truly worthy cause.
Bye for now.
__________________
Denver Brass: https://www.facebook.com/DenverBrass
The H2 Big Band: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-h2-big-band/445907262
Gift of Jazz: https://www.facebook.com/GiftofJazz
Dazzle: https://www.facebook.com/DazzleDenver
Alan Hood Health Update Website: https://denverbrass.org/alan-hood-updates
A Message from his daughter, Kyrie on 1/29/2022:
“On January 27th, Al fell and hit his back and neck. He was instantly paralyzed from the neck down and was taken to the hospital to undergo his first cervical spinal surgery. The surgery was long and intense but it went well and he was able to recover some feeling in his shoulders, which is very promising. He has another thoracic surgery scheduled for February 2nd. (This has been changed to Feb 3rd.) Shortly after, he will be moved from the ICUA to the trauma center and eventually to rehab to undergo physical therapy.
The future is uncertain at this time as everything is so new, but we do know it will be a long and intensive recovery and any and all positive thoughts are greatly appreciated.
My dad is a very strong, talented, and grounded individual and extremely well-loved by friends and family. I have no doubt that he has an incredible support system and will be able to get through this with our help!”
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