Dan's Latest

Ahh a nice big keyboard, this typing will go much faster.

Basically not too much has changed regarding Dan since I last posted and that is probably how things are going to go for a while now. There may not be much big news to pass along but I will still use facebook, twitter and text to pass the word on Dan. I plan on checking in with ICU or Dan's dad twice a day, and they know to call me if anything significant happens. I will then post once or maybe twice what I know even if it is brief. Right now things seem to be progressing well, but he is still a critical patient. He has come a ways, but he probably has a much longer way to go at this point.

As far as visiting goes - Dan is sedated which does not mean he is asleep. The Dr. called it the 4th dimension. He said while it looks like he is sleeping he is not necessarily asleep and right now he needs 20 hrs of sleep a day. So when visitors come in talking and such will wake him up. He needs some of that type of interaction that is positive and upbeat, but it is more important for him to get some sleep for the most part. I know this is hard because there are literally a hundred people who would like to see him, but we need to be sensitive to the needs of his family and let them have most of the time in the room. This is going to be a bit of a haul so there will be opportunity to visit after he is out of ICU. I say all of this not to say don't go up, but just be very cognitive of family and Dan and don't be disappointed if you don't get in to see Dan. Right now he and his family need our prayers more than anything.

The latest:
They are planning facial reconstruction surgery for tomorrow afternoon. If possible they will also operate on the right wrist. That will depend upon the schedule of the ortho surgeon. My understanding with the right wrist at this point is that there is a short section of bone that is broken and free floating. While it is not out of where it should be, it is not getting blood flow through it and they want to fix it so he doesn't lose that bone and functionality of his hand. His lower jaw is broken in two places and the left eye socket is going to need some reconstruction which is what they will be working on tomorrow afternoon.
Dan is a fighter and he is fighting hard and doing well for what he has been through and the injuries he has sustained. There has been no change in his brain injury which at this point is good news - not getting worse is a really good thing. It is going to take time now for it to heal. His lungs seem strong, even the left lung is doing well and he takes extra breaths in spite of the ventilator, this is great. I would guess being in good shape really helped with this injury. As long as the antibiotics hold off any potential infection every other injury he has will heal. I think it is important for us to remain positive and upbeat for him and his family. If you do get to see him (which may be unlikely until he is out of ICU) be positive.
Kris