'Dr. Daniel Chan is the man!': Patient uses airplane banner to honor Florida surgeon who fixed his pelvis

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MIAMI -- Despite a terrible Valentine's Day experience in the Cayman Islands, Daniel Donagher is in great spirits.


"Yeah it's good to be alive you know," he said.

On Feb. 14, he was airlifted from The Grand Cayman Islands to Fort Lauderdale after he broke his pelvis from sliding off a horse.

"My doctor you know searched for the best guy, came up with Dr. Daniel Chan, put me back together couple days later I'm home," he said.


Donagher was so grateful for his care he paid for a plane sign that  reads "Dr. Daniel Chan is the man! Thanks Memorial staff. Don."

"Well it's always a nice gesture from a patient but obviously totally unnecessary, but Don's an interesting guy," said Chan, an orthopedic surgeon at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla.

Chan said Donagher came in in stable condition but needed surgery to restore his alignment and stability of his pelvis so he could walk again.

"When I came out of surgery and I woke up, I was like Dr. Chan you're the man. I mean, I was screaming. I mean it's good to be alive. Until you're in this position you just don't know," he said.

Chan said that after about six to eight weeks of rest and therapy, Donagher will be walking like normal again.

Bu as for his Valentine's Day, Donagher said: "It was my one day of the year, you know my big day of the year and now wife said no rain check either." 

 

Discuss this post

What a nice way to thank his surgeon.I am betting that this guy's pain killers were kicking in pretty good when he sprung for this banner.

    Reply#1 - Fri Mar 1, 2013 10:38 PM EST

    Yes you donot know how much you appreciate your body until something happens.Understand why he thanked the Dr. and staff.He was grateful.and thats how we should all be,grateful for the medical staff that helps us in our need.

    • 2 votes
    Reply#2 - Fri Mar 1, 2013 11:10 PM EST

    .. in "stable" condition?

      Reply#3 - Fri Mar 1, 2013 11:31 PM EST

      GM Sandungo-in "stable" condition?

      Bu(t) as for his Valentine's Day, Donagher said: "It was my one day of the year, you know my big day of the year and now wife said no rain check either."

      Sounds like he was really looking forward to his "once a year, whether he needed it or not! Never gave Donagher's age but I am sure his libido is still with him! HaHaHa - wife says "too bad", then again, there's always Valentines Day 2014 for Don!

        #3.1 - Sat Mar 2, 2013 6:37 AM EST
        Reply

        Gratitude is nice. He gave the surgeon and the staff a gift that they will always remember and smile about.

          Reply#4 - Sat Mar 2, 2013 7:13 AM EST

          Not too often we see a story like this in the news. Usually it's about doctors who erroneously graft someone's foot onto their butt.

            Reply#5 - Sat Mar 2, 2013 7:16 AM EST

            Probably not the first time you've heard this, but I could not resist....Yes she did.

              #5.1 - Tue Mar 5, 2013 1:40 PM EST
              Reply
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