Thread in the Fabric
Hans did well today and there were several good milestones.
1. His vitals remained relatively stable with some minor fluctuations (intracranial pressure [ICP], blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, CO2 levels, urine output, liquid food intake temperature [which is still being slightly artificially maintained], etc.).
2. The amount of his cranial fluids being released are clearing and reducing, indicating some desirable clotting within.
3. Hans’s respirator was set at a certain rate and it became apparent to the Respiratory Therapists that he was trying to take slightly deeper breaths, thus they increased the length of his breaths.
4. His neurological tests have been reduced to only pupil monitoring as the other tests (physical pain manipulations, gag reflex, coughing) were consistently positive. His pupils are both reduced to nearly normal size, both are reactive, though there is still no blink response (involuntary blinking when drops are placed to moisten his eyes).
5. His facial and swelling has reduced greatly and he is looking more like his normal physical self despite the obvious injuries.
6. They were able to reduce some of his coma-inducing medications, placing him into a lighter coma so that they could better gauge his responses.
In the interest of getting the information the neurology team needs to provide the best care and plan for Hans, the goal today was to indeed attempt to perform the minimum of a shorter MRI of his brain stem. It is his brain stem with which they are most concerned.
There was some reluctance to continue prep because when they attempted to lower the position of his head and upper body he would experience increased ICP levels and other indicators of stress (increased hear t and breathing rates); but they continued with the plan to get the MRI and it took a good portion of the day to prepare him as they switched out metal components of his care systems for non-metal, as the metal is reactive to the Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Also, his medications needed to be changed and adjusted for the procedure. But the preparation was successful and he was deemed to be at levels safe enough to send him down for the MRI. They gave him medicine that would place him into a deeper state of rest, which will last for approximately 24 hours.
At 4:30 p.m. Hans was taken from his room for transport to the procedure. He was returned to his room at 6:30 p.m. and we received the excellent news that Hans was able to tolerate a complete MRI of his entire head and neck! His numbers were fairly stable upon return with a slight increase in heart and respiratory rates, and temperature, but some of this was expected with the stress imposed upon him today. He is resting quietly and comfortably now for the night with his dad by his side. The radiologist has submitted his report, but they must wait to present this to us until they are shared with and analyzed by his neurology team, and a possible plan devised.
We have continued with the restrictive visitor policy, the quiet and clean room, and it seems to be working well by helping Hans and his body to work on healing.
Here is where we need your help. Tomorrow is a huge day. The neurology team will arrive in the morning and will then meet with us sometime tomorrow to share the results and plans with us. We need a BLAST of your prayers, positive energy, positive thinking. We need a BLAST of your specific prayers and energy for Hans to be healing in his brain! We need to physically feel this love and energy, so we ask that you lift us up all day tomorrow, Hans most especially!
We need prayers also for everyone who suffers and for their peace and strength. We need prayers for Will, one of Hans’s fellow midshipman, and for his wonderful family, that they may find strength and peace in the love that everyone has for Will. The Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy aptly described to us the fabric our relationships. Each of us are a thread in that fabric. If even one thread is damaged, plucked or cut away, it affects and changes the entire piece of fabric but the fabric still holds together. Let us all pray for God’s help in strengthening our own and each and every thread.
