Stability For Our Time

Things are more complicated, but still improving. Luke's lungs have started retaining fluid and crud is building up. This is not entirely unexpected; it's a common complication for people on respirators. The good news is that Luke is responding well to treatment, is getting plenty of oxygen to his brain, and his ICP numbers are holding very low with minimal medication. We've still got a long way to go, and he probably won't be awake for another week or so, but we're getting to the point where we can begin to see a clearer picture of the path forward. Starting sometime next week, they should begin to taper his medications and work to remove him from the ventilator. He'll probably remain in the ICU for another week, maybe two during this process. At the end of the process, he should be awake,and we'll be able to assess the amount of damage, and begin to plan rehab. After two to three weeks of paralysis, he'll have to build up strength, and learn to walk all over again. Most of the damage is in his frontal lobes, so his cognitive abilities should be relatively unaffected, although his personality may have some unattractive new features. Mood swings, rages,and a lack of any cautionary impulses are all potential effects of frontal lobe damage.

We'll deal with these challenges as they come. We've been told that the first 18 months are the period with the greatest gains from therapy and rehab, and after that time, Luke will be as good as he will get. I taught grown men to read in a week and a half during boot camp. 18 months is almost an eternity.

Speaking of eternity, God is clearly at work in Luke's life. I haven't seen his Jeep yet, but from what I've been told, the first miracle has nothing to do with his healing, but with the fact that there was anything left to heal. I praise God for giving me the strength to get through the last few dark nights, and give thanks to Him for giving me the strength to deal with the ordeals to come. It is too soon to expect that everything will go well, and I know there may be disappointments and setbacks, but I also know that God has it in His power to heal Luke entirely if it is His will, and in His plan. Whether He does so or not, I know that He will give Luke,me, Lindsay, and the rest of us the strength we will need to walk the path He places in front of us.

And that's a miracle in itself.

Rich,

My wife Karne and I are following you blogs daily for updates on Luke. We are truly sadded by the events and our thoughts are prayers are with Luke and the rest of you and your family. Stay strong friend!

Thank You Russ.

I'm happy to hear that Luke's on the mend. There's been too much sadness in our local blogosphere of late, so this is like a ray of sunshine. Continued prayers for Luke and your family.

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